UEFA Euro 2012 Qualifying Predictions

The clock is ticking away from the start of the European Championship Qualifying Stage of 2012. It’s a time where anything can happen. For me, this is one of the most unpredictable group of qualifiers ever. Technically, qualifying started weeks ago with the Estonia pulling off two goals in stoppage time to beat the Faroe Islands 2-1 in Group C Play. How this will work is the team to finish first in every group gets an automatic place in Euro 2012. The best runner-up qualifies automatically as well, and the other 8 runner-ups face-off in a two-leg playoff. Now, here are my previews and predictions on who’s looking to head to Poland and Ukraine.

Group A

The first group sees World Cup bronze medallists Germany heading the group. They have never been denied entry into a major competition, and that should continue in 2012. Their young squad from South Africa should use experience from the World Cup and translate it into success here. Their biggest competitors will be Belgium and Turkey, who will be neck-and-neck for second place. A rejuvenated Belgian team, likely one of the best youth programs in Europe should be able to finally burst out, unless Turkey can pull of some magic with new coach Guus Hiddink. The group is rounded out by Austria, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan, who will be looking to make an impression here, especially Austria with young phenom Rubin Okotie.

1. Germany
2. Belgium
3. Turkey
4. Austria
5. Azerbaijan
6. Kazakhstan

Group B

In what could be a tricky qualifying, Group B sees World Cup surprise team Slovakia and Euro 2008 surprise team Russia head off for the right to advance. After shocking the world by beating Italy 3-2 and advancing to the Round of 16 in South Africa before being beaten by eventual runners-up Netherlands, Slovakia will have a lot to prove here. Along with the young, solid defense and speedy midfield, Robert Vittek will look to have another fine qualifying campaign. Their antagonists come in the forms of the Ruskies, looking to avenge their shock loss to Slovenia in World Cup qualifiers. There’s no unreeling of Russia’s power up front, which boasts Arsenal’s Andrei Arshavin and Man City’s Roman Pavluychenko, but can they rid their ghosts of past and qualify? Ireland should post a good battle withRobbie Keane at the fore-front. While both Armenia and Andorra will be battling for scrapes, FYR Macedonia could put in some sort of battle, although it’s unlikely they will qualify.

1. Slovakia
2. Russia
3. Republic of Ireland
4. FYR Macedonia
5. Armenia
6. Andorra

Group C

In what should be the “Group of Death” in this qualifying stage of Euro 2012, three World Cup qualifiers face-off to see who can grind it out until the end. We all know about the World Cup debacle know as Italy. Finishing last in what was the easiest group in South Africa, the Italians will be looking to re-group around a new generation of footballers including Fabio Quagliazzero. Gianluigi Buffon is still the best goalkeeper on the planet, therefore my money is still on them in winning this group. The battle for second place should be very intriguing. Slovenia was a goal away from shocking the world and advancing to the Round of 16 in the World Cup, but with Samir Handanovic sidelined for at least the start of qualifying, it will be testy for the plucky Slovenians. Serbia boasts the potential to be a good team, as we saw shocking Germany 1-0 in June, with Man U’s Nemanja Vidic at the helm in the back, but the Serbians will have to strike in qualifying, especially against Slovenia and Italy if they hope of advancing to Poland and Ukraine. Northern Ireland could make some noise, but their recent friendly fixtures haven’t been kind at all. Estonia and Faroe Islands already played against each other as mentioned above, but not much is to pick between the two teams.

1. Italy
2. Serbia
3. Slovenia
4. Northern Ireland
5. Estonia
6. Faroe Islands

Group D

Likely the most interesting group of them all, yet a bit weak, Group D is the most unpredictable of all groups in qualifying. At the top we see France, still in dis-array after, well, you know what. Now that Nicholas Anelka, Franck Ribery, and Patrice Evra have been suspended by the French Football Federation for some time, new coach Laurent Blanc will have to depend on Yoann Gourcuff and Dijibril Cisse for offense. With no real No.1 goalkeeper, it will be extremely hard for France to qualify IMO. Romania boasts a good squad even without former star Adrian Mutu, as they will be hard to defend against. Bosnia and Herzegovina came close to stunning Portugal in the play-off and advancing to the World Cup, and with a very solid defense and goal-scoring abilities with Zlatan Muslimovic leading the pack. Belarus may be able to steal some points away, and Luxembourg will be looking to suffer quiet defeats, as they usually do. My surprise team here is Albania, with a towering offense including Erjon Bogdani of Cesena in the Serie A, and a strong midfield including former Sunderlander Lorik Cana. Although I don’t see them qualifying, I see them pulling off some upsets in the process.

1. Bosnia and Herzegovina
2. Romania
3. Albania
4. France
5. Belarus
6. Luxembourg

Group E

A paltry group Group E sees Netherlands looking to win their first major football tournament in quite some time, all starting withthis qualifying stage. With Robin Van Persie and Arjen Robben out for the first two games, Wesley Sneijder, Dirk Kuyt, and young Dutch international Klaus Van Huntelaar will be counted on carry Holland through. Sweden won’t have a problem ending up in second place, headed by skilled striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic in what should be one of his last international tournaments. Hungary is headed by Sandor Torghelle, who should be able to keep things interesting. Finland, Moldova, and San Marino will look to make some noise, and take points away from the powerhouses.

1. Netherlands
2. Sweden
3. Hungary
4. Finland
5. Moldova
6. San Marino

Group F

A group mostly made up of surprise teams and squads ready to burst out, Group F has everything for your taste buds. World Cup qualifier and Euro 2004 winner Greece look to make things easy heading into the main event, and with an easy group, you can expect that. Theofanis Gekas should be able to re-gain that goal-scoring touch he lost in South Africa. Croatia are there, and can make it if they can keep their cool. Looking to make an impact will be Bayern Munich’s Ivica Olic, and with their sturdy defense and top-notch goalkeeping, they should be able to give the Greeks a run for their money. Israel and Latvia look to make things interesting until the final day. Israel has never made a major national football competition, but they look to be headed there in a couple of years. The Latvians had their moment in the sun, qualifying for Euro 2004 in historic fashion. Georgia and Malta will be battling for 5th position, and looking to take some goals away from the opposition.

1. Croatia
2. Greece
3. Latvia
4. Israel
5. Georgia
6. Malta

Group G

The first five-team group sees regular qualifying powerhouse yet perennial underachiever England in a weak group of sorts. After a  disastrous World Cup campaign, and not qualifying for Euro 2008, the English will be looking to end things off  in this group quickly, as well does manager Fabio Cappello. Timely scoring will be the difference, and if they can get that from Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, newcomer Theo Walcott, and others, it will remain to be seen. Switzerland pose the biggest threat to England. Although not qualifying for the Round of 16 in South Africa, Switzerland came away withshocking eventual champions Spain 1-0 in their first game. With one of the best defenses in Europe and hard-work from the likes of Gelson Fernandes and Alexander Frei, it should be an easy qualification for them. Bulgaria, headed by United’s Dmitri Berbatov has the skill to pull off an upset against England or Switzerland, but whether the young team can gel in time remains to be seen. Another home nation, Wales looks to turn some heads with Ryan Giggs, while Montenegro participate in their first ever Euro qualification. They could steal some points from the better teams, but last looks to be destiny.

1. England
2. Switzerland
3. Bulgaria
4. Wales
5. Montenegro

Group H

A Scandanavian battle highlights Group H, with goal-scoring in plenty. Portugal highlights the group with the best defense in Europe, formed under tactician and coach Carlos Quieroz. After a somewhat disappointing place at the World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo and Liedsonwill be looking up front to make a difference. Whether or not they can score enough will be the difference. Denmark look to build off the World Cup, where they were able to create some great offensive chances. With a sturdy defense, the Danes look to fend off the Norwegians, who have seen great promise in their young stars, including Morten Gamst Pederson of the Blackburn Rovers. Cyprus have not yielded any good results lately, as they along with Iceland will fight for the right not to be last in the group.

1. Portugal
2. Denmark
3. Norway
4. Iceland
5. Cyprus

Group I

The last group of qualifying has none other than defending Euro and World Cup Champions, Spain in a relatively easy group for the Spaniards. Manager Vincente Del Bosque will be looking to try out some new players and re-juvenate Fernando Torres in time for 2012. David Villa and Xavi will be a force like usual, and Iker Casillas will have to provide his team with some great saves through the grind of qualifying. The Czech Republic look to reverse an embarassing World Cup  qualifying campaign. The Czech’s average age is 30, which to be is a tad bit old but otherwise headed by Arsenal’s Tomas Rosicky. Scotland’s strong defense looks to guide them to the first major competition since Euro 96. Darren Flecher will be a key cog in trying to reverse that record. The group is rounded out by minnows Lithuania and Liechtenstein, who won’t make a difference in this group.

1. Spain
2. Scotland
3. Czech Republic
4. Lithuania
5. Liechtenstein

Best Team in Qualifying: Spain

Top Scorer: David Villa and Wayne Rooney (9 goals each)

Surprise Team: Bosnia and Herzegovina

So there you have it! Voice your own predictions on who will qualify and why. Next time, I will be posting on the bids to host World Cup 2018 and 2022, and maybe add in some results from Euro qualifying. Till then!