June 12, 2012

Match Day 1 Review

Time flies when you're having fun, and it's hard to believe every side has already played their opening fixtures at this 2012 European Championship. Now it's time to review the first Match Day's of each nation.

Group A

In Group A, it's Russia who have taken the commanding position. After winning their first game against the Czech Republic by a huge margin, they've made everyone in this competition take notice. Alan Dzagoev got the headlights with two well taken goals, but Andrei Arshavin was critical to their performance. If he can stay at that level throughout the competition, the Russian's have what it takes to go a long way in this competition.

Current runners up in Group A are Greece after drawing 1-1 with Poland in their opening game. The Greek's started slow, but came out firing in the second half with 10 men. They face the Czech's in their next game, and if they can get the win, they'll know Poland will struggle against Russia, therefore perhaps putting them in a commanding position to qualify. Hence, a win against the Czech Republic is essential.

Host nation Poland were living the dream at half time against Greece. They were a goal up with an extra man advantage and looked on track to put a bag away in the second half, but they stopped. They lost all momentum, and couldn't deal with the pressure from their opposition. Russia will be tough to beat, so that second half lapse could potentially cost them dearly.

I'm not sure where the Czech Republic can go from here. A drubbing at the hands of Russia means they're all but out if they don't get the points against Greece. It will be difficult, but it's not out of the question.

Group B

After a win in their first match, Germany are on track to progressing from the 'Group of Death'. Everything went pretty much according to plan for the German's after Match Day 1, with them gaining three points and their major rivals Portugal and the Netherlands both going down. The Dutch will provide very touch opposition next game, but a good result there and it's the knockout stages awaiting.

Who would've thought Denmark would be sitting pretty with three points after Match Day 1. They managed to somehow knock off the Dutch, throwing a spanner into the works of Group B. They'll go in underdogs again against Portugal, but if they can at least nick a point, qualifying isn't such a distant dream anymore.

After blowing their first game against the Danes, the Netherlands will be fuming. There's no doubt that they should have won that game, but now it's time to move on. A loss against Germany in their next match will see them instantly get knocked out of the competition, so a win is a must. After being drawn in the 'Group of Death', they've made their road to the knockout stages even worse for them.

After losing their first game, Portugal won't be too displeased with the way things have gone. They matched Germany in their opening game, and were unlucky to go down. The Dutch losing was a massive positive for them, so now they really need to knock off the Danes to go one step closer to qualifying from this tough group.

Group C

They've faced probably the easiest competition so far in Group C, but Croatia will be very happy with the way things are going for them. Their big win over Ireland means they go top of the group, and if they can steal a point against Italy in their next match, we could see a big name fall early.

I was very impressed with Italy in their opening match with the current European Championship holders, Spain. I felt they closed down their passing game well, and worked some good opportunities for themselves as well. They seem to have bonded in the midst of the match fixing allegations, and all of a sudden look a genuine threat again. Croatia will be tough opposition in their next match, but if they can stay switched on I think they'll qualify easily from this group.

The current holders Spain got their campaign off to a shakey start with a draw against Italy. There's no doubt the Azzuri got themselves up for that match, but there might still be some worries in the Spanish camp. I'm not sure about the idea of playing nine midfielder's and no striker's, but I think they'll stick with that plan in their next game against Ireland. A win there could go a long way to seeing them qualify from Group C.

I never thought Ireland would go anywhere in this group, and their first performance doesn't suggest they will. In all fairness, they've drawn a tough group for a maiden European Championship, but a big loss on Match Day 1 hasn't helped their cause.

Group D

Host nation Ukraine were the big winner's from Group D. Their incredible victory over Sweden meant they topped the group after Match day 1, and now have a genuine chance of progressing. Big matches against France and England await, but if they can sneak a point or two from somewhere, don't rule them out.

Under new management, England were good but not great against France. They got the point they were looking for, but they didn't offer much going forward. They'll be glad that they've gotten the hardest out of the way early, and can now look forward to matches against Sweden and Ukraine. They must win both by big margins if they want to finish on top of this group.

Despite a draw in their opening match, France will be confident they can progress from Group D. Knowing the English don't have the potential to score as many goals as them, I think they'll feel assured in their ability to outscore England against Ukraine and Sweden and therefore qualify on top on goal difference.

If Sweden were ever going to be a chance in this group, they needed to win their first game. They didn't, and now they're almost definitely gone. I can't see them qualifying after their first performance, and their only value to this tournament could be in blowing the group open with handy results against France and England.

Golden Boot

Alan Dzagoev - Russia - 2

Andriy Shevchenko - Ukraine - 2

Mario Mandzukic - Croatia - 2

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