Euro 2012 Preview - Group C

Hello readers, many thanks for reading my blog so far on Euro 2012. I have wrote about groups A and B now its time to review group C, which involves Croatia, Italy, Republic of Ireland and Spain

Croatia 

Modric will be the key play maker for Croatia

Croatia find themselves in a tricky group for this tournament with Spain and Italy being the favourites to progress. Croatia are in decent form, coming into this competition with their past 2 friendlies ending in a draw and a victory. They will have to produce top drawer performances to test the Italians and Spanish, don't forget the Irish will put up a fair fight too. Croatia are a improving team in the world of football, putting England to shame and denying them a place in Euro 2008. Head coach for Croatia is Slaven Billic a former Croatian international himself, and has been chased by numerous clubs in the past few years as well, you can see why, with the job he has done in charge of usually a mediocre football side. They are ranked 8th in the world by FIFA, so they shouldn't be under-estimated. Key players for Croatia this summer will be Luka Modric who has had a good season with Spurs and is a creative outlet the Croatians can use to start their attacks from, he also can pass the ball very well, and has a mean shot on him as well, he will need to be closely watched by defenders. Spurs could well struggle to keep hold of him this summer if he impresses. Other players of note are Niko Kranjcar who has recently left Spurs to go sign for Dynamo Kiev. He is a poor mans Modric in my eyes, both are similar players and will drive the Croatian midfield forward. Evertons' Nikica Jelavic will be the firepower up front for them, and will have to be on form if they are to challenge the Spanish and the Italians for a place in the next round. Darijo Srna will add experience down the right side of the pitch the 30 year old will be the man putting the crosses in from the right most probably.


Player To Watch - Luka Modric

Prediction - 3rd (Group Stage)

Italy 

The skillful Giovinco will shine at
Euro 2012

Known for their defencive style of football and keeping teams shut out and frustrated the Italians head to Euro 2012. In a little bit of a worrying state, after getting turned over by Russia 3-0 on home soil. That's the only match preparation the Italians have had though as the proposed Luxembourg fixture got postponed. They open up their group game against Spain, probably best to get the hardest team over and done with first, rather than needing a result out of Spain to qualify. Italy have always possessed a very good squad, and are usually very well balanced too. The likes of Sebastian Giovinco will have to be watched closely as the creative man is very skillful on the ball and will be a constant danger, Andrea Pirlo will be the man in the middle of everything the experienced midfielder has had a fantastic season with Juventus and will be wanting to continue his good form here too, he has a venomous free kick and is a good long range shooter, he'll have to be watched carefully as he can change a game. Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini will be the key men at the back for the Italians both very experienced defenders and their long footballing history will come in good use if the team is under pressure or wants to grind out a result in the final minutes of a match. Gianluigi Buffon will be the number one choice for Italy, the world class keeper who has made 114 appearances for Italy could well be his final international competition as he is at the age of 34, who knows though. With Buffon between the sticks, the defence has a solid foundation to rely on and Buffon himself has had a fantastic season with Juventus. Onto the striking options now for Italy, and there is a lot of talent to chose from, hot headed Mario Balotelli will be in contention but the controversial forward will have to keep his temper in order or he could be sitting in the changing rooms more than he is on the pitch, Balotelli can be quality on his day, but his temper is his problem, he didn't help himself by coming out in the media a few days ago claiming 'he'll kill anyone who throws a banana at him'. Antonio Di Natale will be an important player too despite being 34 the experience of the forward will be important to the team if they need that crucial goal, the Udinese forward will probablly be playing in his last international competition. The Italians have a blend of youth and experience, but I think the older legs will start to show after the group stages and this is where they will fall this time around, the last eight.

Player To Watch - Sebastian Giovinco

Prediction - Last 8

Republic of Ireland 

Long will be a key forward for Ireland, he'll need
 his shooting boots on!

Having been robbed by the French in qualifying for the 2010 World Cup the Irish would have probably hoped to have met France in the group stages so some revenge could take place and rightly so. Fast forward a few years and the Irish find themselves in a real tough group and one I think they will end up bottom of as well sadly, as I like the Irish team, but I don't think they posses the quality of the other three teams. They will put up a good fight, but their resistance will eventually be broken down as that final bit of quality shines through. Ireland come into the Euros with a win and a draw in their friendlies, and keeping two clean sheets in the process, which must be encouraging signs for the manager, fans and players. Key men for the Irish who stand out for me are, Shay Given, the forever present shot stopper is still one of the finest in the Premiership and will be the main man between the sticks for the Irish the experienced keeper has played in several big tournaments for Ireland and will feature here too. Defensively the Irish look fragile, yet they have experience in Richard Dunne and John O'Shea at back which will be important to them, another player to keep an eye on is Sean St Ledger who will be wanting to make an impact. The midfield is interesting Stoke's Glenn Whelan will feature the former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder has been a consistent performer for Stoke since moving a few seasons ago and will be relishing a chance to showcase himself on a big stage, Whelan has a very powerful shot and defenders will need to close him down. Aiden McGready is a midfielder I rate highly too, the former Celtic man who now plays for Spartak Moscow is versatile as he can play down the wing or up front, he'll be looking at making runs down the wing or if he plays up front be looking at poaching some goals for the Irish. The forwards to look at are Shane Long and Kevin Doyle, former Reading team mates and also have had years of experience in the top flight, Long is a player I rate highly having a decent season with West Brom. Robbie Keane is also worth a shout, the experienced Irish forward will be looking at bagging some goals but he isn't as good as he was a few years ago and his involvement may be not as great as the other forwards in the squad. Jonathan Walters adds some strength to the forward line, the Stoke hit man has done OK this season for Stoke and will be wanting to push his way into the side at the Euros.

Player To Watch - Shane Long
  
Prediction  4th (Group Stage)

Spain 

Llorente has been on fire for Bilbao this season
will he continue this in a Spain shirt?

Euro 2008 and World Cup 2010 winners Spain head to Euro 2012 as favourites to retain the crown, and with the squad they have, you can see why people are tipping them to win again. No side though has defended the European title, can they be the first, I don't see why not, the depth and quality the squad has is unreal, they virtually have two squads to pick from, and both would play most teams off the park, which is a huge asset for the manager. They come to the Euros in good form, winning all three of their friendlies scoring seven goals and conceding just the one. I predict them to win this group with ease with the only threat being Italy. But lets not get carried away, will all this expectation pile up and make them falter, only time will tell. I am not sure where to start with the 'key players' for Spain as they quality of the squad is so high its hard to choose, I will pick out a few players who I regard as key, I do understand peoples views may differ but I'll have a review on Spain which will be as long as a novel if I don't narrow this down!. The obvious man between the sticks will be Iker Casillas who has been forever present there for many years collecting 131 caps since his debut in 2000. But If injury strikes Casillas, Spain can rely on either Victor Valdes or Pepe Reina to go between the sticks. Defensive wise Spain have the solid names of Sergio Ramos and Gerad Pique in their ranks who will be tough to beat, Pique is a key man from set pieces, it will be interesting to see how Spain cope without Carlos Puyol at the back though. The midfield looks very dangerous and highly creative with players such as David Silva featuring the Man City man has had an excellent season at the Etihad and would love to top off his season with another medal, his creativity and trickery will be crucial, he can also create chances for himself which makes him even more a threat. Andres Iniesta highly regarded as one of the worlds best players at the moment has had a good season with Barcelona despite losing out on the La Liga title and the Champions League this season, again another creative midfield mind will be looking to get forward as much as possible, his runs and intelligence on the pitch is amazing and will be playing a part if Spain are to be successful again and continue their world domination, other key midfielders include Xavi is another key figure who will feature in the centre of the park for Spain, the midfield man is another product of Barcelona, the experienced midfielder is tireless and has a fantastic pass on him which can pick anyone out on the pitch, this experience will be important for Spain. Xabi Alonso and Cesc Fabregas who will be fighting it out for a place in the Spanish side. Moving onto the striking options, with David Villa ruled out through injury, Spain still have several world class forwards to chose from. One of Europes hottest properties at the moment, Fernando Llorente who has been on fire for Ahletic Bilbao this season will be a key figure in this Spain squad, as will Fernando Torres who hasn't had the best of seasons for Chelsea, but some late season form has kicked in and he's looking more likely to hit the net now, than miss it. Juan Mata will be looking at being the creative forward for Spain, he also has had a decent season for Chelsea. All in all Spain I believe should reach the final with the only test being in the Semi Finals against Holland (if my predictions plan out). But I think come the final the Germans who, I predict will win, will edge them out and take the crown out of Spain's hands

Player To Watch - Fernando Llorente

Prediction - Euro 2012 Runners Up


This concludes part 3 of 4 of my preview to Euro 2012 the final preview will be up and online tomorrow when I get chance, hope you have enjoyed reading!