Euro 2012: Group A Preview

The time has come, and it seemed like only yesterday that I was writing previews for the World Cup. Just two brief years later, Euro 2012 is less than a week and a half way from kickoff. I'll do a preview of each group every couple of days followed by my predictions. Starting with the lackluster Group A, I'll give you a brief summary of the squad followed by players to watch and my prediction in the group. And away we go..

GROUP A
This group doesn't exactly blow you away with top tier teams, but rather solid middle of the road teams beginning with Russia (13) and Greece (14). Czech Republic (33) and Poland (68), one of the co-hosts, round out the group.

RUSSIA

The Russian team brings in a lot of promise with a group of players that have begun to establish themselves across Europe via the Russian League. They bring a lot of offense to the table with Arshavin, Pavlyuchenko, and Pogrebnyak leading the attack. They've shown they can spring surprises after a 3rd place finish in the 2008 tournament with a real name grabber on the team. With their success, players were able to leave Russia for bigger clubs so whose to say that something like kind of motivation doesn't happen again.

Who to Watch: Igor Akinfeev- Has a massive leg, game changing from the Keeper end. He can flip a field on a simple goal kick. Also, led the team to a 7-3-1 record in qualification, good for top the group.

Prediction: 1st - This group isn't even close to strong and Russia needs to put a foot down early that they are ready to go. They'll face the 2nd place team in the Group of Death.

GREECE

Oh Greece, the hatred runs so deep. They're hard to watch, can't figure things out, and determent to Europe, and I'm not even talking about their actual country. There is never offense, and the park the bus mentality is the only way this team seems to compete. So tell me how all the hair helps? It doesn't. And what about the 10 syllable names? Still got nothing. Just watch their first game, and tell me vomit isn't on your mind.

Who to Watch: Whatever is not the same channel as their games. It is that much fun to not watch.

Prediction: 4th - I think I pick them last every tournament so why stop now? Even the hosts in Poland have a chance of bettering them.

POLAND

The co-hosts garnered an automatic bid along with Ukraine and it probably was their only chance of getting into the tournament. Although the team has put together a fairly impressive string of victories, they have all been against lackluster opponents. Still, playing at their home stadiums will be good enough for some points in the group. They also have passed the torch from goalkeeper Artur Boruc to Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczęsny to not only keep up with the young movement, but the talent movement as well.With the adrenaline coming from the crowd and fairly young team, I wouldn't be surprised to see them sneak into the knockout phase, but you have to be realistic at some point.


Who to Watch: Robert Lewandowski - The 23 year old can flat out score. He posted 22 goals in 34 games this season in Bundesliga and will have to be a force up front if there is a hope for Poland to advance.


Prediction: 3rd - The Czech squeeze them out, but the National Pride of the Polska will be kept alive. You can smell the deli meat already.

CZECH REPUBLIC

The last of the group are the Czech, land of the disappointment. This team has really never lived up to expectations, but who are those expectations of to be honest? Since 2004, this team has not played well at all in national competitions, but this should not really come as any surprise to the advanced soccer fan. It all starts in the midfield for the Republic with Tomas Rosicky, who enjoyed a renaissance season at Arsenal. He was finally healthy for a large part of the season and it led to both his and his club team's success.

Player to watch: Petr Cech - The Chelsea goalkeeper is fresh off a Champion's League victory in a penalty shoot out and should be full of confidence and lead his team's defense.

Prediction: 2nd - It's just a matter of this team sucking less than everyone else. Whomever makes it out of the group in the second spot, doesn't see much hope with a matchup with one of the world's top teams as their prize.

Group B is to come tomorrow with by far the best group in the Euros with group of death. Sometimes folks, you have to pass it back to play it forward.