World Cup Preview; Groups G & H

In the final part of my preview ahead of this year's World Cup in Brazil, I explore both Groups G and H.

Group G:

Germany: The Germans are being tipped as widely one of the favourites to go far, and maybe even win the tournament. They've finished in third place at the last two World Cup's and came second in 2002. It will be up to Joachim Low's 'nearly men' to go further and win their fourth world title. It's extremely hard to pick a weakness in their squad. They have arguably the best keeper in the world, a mix of youth and experience, a solid defence, a vast amount of creative players and Miroslav Klose who is just two goals away from scoring the most goals at a World Cup finals by an individual player. Aside from Brazil, I think Germany are one of the teams with the most pressure on them at this years tournament. Prediction: I think they will at least makes the semi-finals and could possibly go onto reach the final and maybe even win it.

Portugal: They go into this World Cup with possibly one of their worst crop of players they have ever had. Saying that, they do have the best player in the world in Cristiano Ronaldo who has the potential to win games on his own for Portgual. They reached the finals through a play-off win over Sweden and their side not having a renowned striker means they may not live up to their full billing. Their defence looks decent but in Bruno Alves and Pepe they may pick up a lot of cards, meanwhile their midfield will probably be ran by Joao Moutinho of Monaco. Prediction: Behind Germany it's a three horse race to see who will qualify in what is being named the Group of Death. However, because of Ronaldo I think they'll just about scrape through.

Ghana: In 2010 the Ghanians managed to reach the quarter-finals and have the potential to perhaps go far again but will probably come unstuck against Germany and Portugal by their leaky defence. They have a great midfield and attack with incredibly depth though which means they should be fine when it comes to scoring and creating goals. Kevin Prince-Boateng, Asamoah Gyan, Essien, Muntari and the Ayew brothers will be big players for them. Prediction: Have the potential to harm Portugal and therefore may make it out of the group, I think they'll just fall short and finish third though.

USA: The Americans may have a tough time at this years World Cup but have plenty of experience. However, their defence could be exposed against the greatness of the attacks of the other teams in their group. They themselves have a decent attack in Dempsey and Altidore. They meanwhile have Jermaine Jones who used to play for Schalke and also Tim Howard in goal. Landon Donavon was surprisingly not included in the squad and that could prove to be a mistake. The US managed to draw with England in 2010 but you feel that Germany and Portugal will be a bridge too far for them in Brazil. Prediction: Bottom of the group having not won a game, a dismal tournament for Jurgen Klinsmann's men.

Group H:

Belgium:  Belgium could prove to this years surprise package and are filled with some amazing talent that could see them go far in the competition. The finished top of their qualifying group having not lost a game and they'll look to take that form into Brazil. For all their amazing talent, Hazard, Kompany, Witsel, Courtois etc, they could struggle due to Benteke being out injured and Lukaku only just returning from an ankle injury. Therefore their hopes could rest upon young Divock Origi to score the goals. What could get them far though is their extremely solid defence and the strength in depth in the midfield department. Prediction: I think they'll top the group but the last 16 could be the limit for the Red Devils.

Algeria: This time round the Algerian's will be hoping that they can actually score a goal at this year's tournament, let alone get any points in their group. In South Africa they didn't score a single goal but this time round a lot of their players play in Europe's top five leagues. The man to watch for them will most likely be Valencia's Sofiane Feghouli. Their forward line doesn't look great but they have depth in midfield and that could be crucial if the Algerian's want to progress. Prediction: Like with 2010, I think they'll finish bottom of their group having not won a game.

Russia: The Russian's go into this World Cup managed by former England boss Fabio Capello and could cause an upset along the way. It's a very interesting group and it's hard to tell who will probably follow Belgium into the last sixteen. Like with a few of the other teams in Brazil, they have a good mix of youth and experience to call upon. Ignashevich is a very experienced defender whilst their goalkeeper, Igor Akinfeev isn't too bad either. Alan Dzagoev impressed at Euro 2012 and is their main creative outlet. Meanwhile, they will be relying upon Alexsandr Kerzhakov to bag them the goals needed to progress. Prediction: Second in the group, but knocked out in the last 16.

South Korea: With the group the South Koreans are in, they have the potential to get out of it but they don't usually seem to click when it matters. They're in poor form going into the World Cup and a 4-0 defeat to Ghana proved that. Their defence will probably be their man downfall but their midfield and striking department isn't all that bad. Park Ji Sung usually seems to perform well for South Korea whilst the also have ex-Sunderland player Ji Dong-Won and Leverkusen's Son Heung-Min to call upon. Meanwhile, Ki from Sunderland and Lee from Bolton have both been included in the squad. Prediction: I've said with many teams that they have potential and South Korea are one of those nations that definitely fall into that category. I can see them getting out of the group, but I can also see them failing, and that's what I think they'll do by finishing third in what looks an interesting group on paper.

Euro 2012 Review: Spain and Italy through to the final

Euro 2012 is now reaching it's climax after the finalists for the tournament were decided on Thursday and Friday night.

The first semi-final was between Portugal who had beaten Czech Republic in the quarter-finals against neighbours Spain who had beaten France to make it into the semi-finals. It was a very close match in which Spain were playing their worst football of the tournament and were quite wasteful by their high standards. Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo had most of the chances, mainly from free-kicks but most of them sailed harmlessly over the crossbar. However no goal scorer could be found in normal time and then in extra time either which meant the game went to penalties. The first two penalties were saved and then the centre backs on either side stepped up to take penalties and succesfully scored. However it was a Portuguese centre back who missed a crucial penalty which left Cesc Fabregas to find the net, via the post with the deciding penalty to send Spain into the final. The final score in the shootout finished Portugal 2-4 Spain.

The second semi-final was between Germany who had beaten Greece emphatically in the quarters against Italy who had knocked England out. Germany were favourites to make it through and maybe go on to win the tournament. However it was not to be as Italy sprung a suprise victory to make it through to the final. A brilliant header and a fine striker from outside the area from Mario Balotelli ensured Italy were ahead at the break. Germany fought back but wasted chances through Lahm and Reus. Germany did eventually get their goal in injury time as Mesut Ozil fired home from the penalty spot but it wasn't enough as the final score finished Germany 1-2 Italy.

So the final of Euro 2012 will be between the last two World Champions in Spain and Italy on Sunday night in the Olympic Stadium in Kiev.

Mario Balotelli scored twice to send Italy into the final

Euro 2012 Review: England out as Italy and Spain go through

The quarter finals are now complete and we now know which teams will face each other in the semi-finals of Euro 2012.

The fourth and final quarter final saw England play Italy. Roy Hodgson had stuck with the same team that had beaten Ukraine in their final group game but were far from their best. Italy dominated as they had a host of chances in which to go through. However it went to extra time but a scorer still couldn't be found. The game went to penalties and of course, England lost. Italy missed their first penalty through Montolivo but Ashley Young and Ashley Cole both then missed penalties later on in the shootout. Diamante stepped up to take the deciding penalty which he comfortably converted to send Italy through to the semi-finals. The final score on penalties finished England 2-4 Italy. England deserved to be knocked out on the night but can hold their heads high as with the weak squad they had taken to Poland and Ukraine there is nothing to be ashamed of.

The quarter-final the day before saw Spain play France. The French had Mexes suspended so Laurent Koscielny came into the side for his first game of the tournament. However, arguably their best player of the tournament, Samir Nasri was strangely left out of the starting XI. The Spanish though, as they did in their first group game, played without a striker as Cesc Fabregas lead the line. Spain were the dominant side and deservedly went through. The first goal was set up from a fine piece of play from Jordi Alba who got to the byline before finding the head of Xabi Alonso who gave them the lead. In the dying moments of the game Alonso grabbed his second goal of the game from the penalty spot to send Spain through as the final score ended Spain 2-0 France.


Diamante scored the desicive penalty as England were knocked out

Euro 2012 Review: Portugal and Germany through to Semis

Two of the quarter-finals at Euro 2012 are now complete after the Group A and B winners and runner-ups of the groups played each other on Thursday and Friday night.

The first quarter-final of the tournament was between Group A winners Czech Republic and Group B runners-up Portugal. Czech Republic captain Tomas Rosicky was once again missing the game through injury, which turned out to be crucial as Portugal dominated the game as the Czech's had very little chances. As expected it was the Portuguese who made it through thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo who was finally showing glimpses of his brilliant club form at a major international tournament. He was the loan goal scorer as he headed the ball home brilliantly to send his country through. The final score finished Czech Republic 0-1 Portugal.

The second quarter-final was between Germany and a Greece side trying to replicate the miracles of 2004. Germany gambled with their side as their front three that had played every game of the tournament so far did not play, as Reus, Klose and Schurrle came in for Muller, Gomez and Podolski. The final score though showed no signs that they were missing those players. Germany dominated as was expected and despite missing a host of chances early on still managed to take the lead through a sweetly struck shot from Lahm. However 10 minutes after half time Greece equalised as Salpingidis slipped the ball over to Samaras who tapped the ball home. Germany then scored three goals in quick succession to send the Greeks out as Khedira, Klose and Reus grabbed goals. Late on, Greece got a consolation goal as Salpingidis converted a penalty but the final score finished Germany 4-2 Greece.

Germany captain Phillip Lahm opened the scoring as Germany reached the semi-finals

Euro 2012 Review: Group A, B and C reach conclusions

Group A, Group B and Group C have now all reached conclusions and we now know which teams from those three groups will be going through to the quarter-finals of Euro 2012.

Group A saw 2004 winners Greece spring a surprise to beat and knockout dark horses Russia to second spot as Karagounis scored a late first half goal to send the Greeks through as they beat Russia 1-0 in their final group game. The other team to make it through from the group was Czech Republic. They were thought to be long shots to make it through after losing their first group game 4-1 to Russia but a well taken goal from Jiracek sent them through as they knocked co-hosts Poland out of the competition with a 1-0 win. 
Group B also sprang a surprise as Holland were beaten and knocked out by Portugal, who beat the Dutch 2-1, thanks to goals from Cristiano Ronaldo. That result meant that the Portuguese went through along with Germany who were victors over a good Denmark side as new Arsenal signing Lukas Podolski along with Lars Bender scored for the Germans to seal a 2-1 win. 

Group C didn't really throw up any shocks as both Spain and Italy, the teams expected to make it through from the group did. The final games finished Italy 2-0 Ireland thanks to goals from Cassano and Balotelli whilst Spain were far less convincing in their final group game but still managed to come away with victory as a single Jesus Navas goal meant the final score finished Croatia 0-1 Spain.

Euro 2012 Review: Day 6 and 7

Day 6 of the competition saw Denmark and Portugal play each other whilst the groups 'heavy weights' Holland came up against Germany.

The first match of the day saw a very tight encounter between Denmark and Portugal. Portugal were the team to dominate early as Pepe and Postiga gave them a 2 goal lead. However just before the break Nicklas Bendtner got the Danes back into the game. It was then with 10 minutes remaining that Denmark managed to grab a deserved equaliser as Bendtner grabbed his second of the game. That wasn't before Ronaldo had missed a glorious opportunity to put Portugal further ahead. However the game wasn't over yet Varela struck with 3 minutes remaining to win the game for the Portuguese. The final score finished Denmark 2-3 Portugal.

The second game of the day was between the two fancied teams to make the next round of the competition as Holland played Germany. It was Germany who came out on top though as the Dutch once again failed to take a host of their chances whilst their defence once again was not at its best. Germany were two goals up before the break as Mario Gomez took both of his chances. Despite Van Persie's sweetly right footed strike from outside the box in the second half, Holland were left on the brink of going out of the competition. The final score finished Holland 1-2 Germany.

Day 7 saw Spain turn it on for the first time in the competition as they beat the Republic of Ireland 4-0 thanks to goals from Torres(x2), Silva and Fabregas which meant Ireland were the first team to leave the competition. However the earlier game in the group was a much tighter affair as Italy drew with Croatia 1-1. Pirlo grabbed the Italians goal through a curling free-kick but 18 minutes from time Madzukic fired the ball home to rescue a point.

Robin Van Persie's goal for Holland wasn't enough as they lost to Germany

Euro 2012 Review: Day Two

Day 2 of the Euros wasn't as exciting as day one despite the teams that were playing but we witnessed a big upset as Holland really under performed, whilst Germany and Portugal never really got going in their match.

The first game of the day saw Holland come against Denmark. The outcome was a major shock as Nicklas Bendtner's Denmark beat a much fancied Holland side through a well taken goal from Michael Krohn-Deli. Holland, bolstered by such in form players as Robin Van Persie and Klaas Jan Huntelaar failed to take any of their 29 chances on the Denmark goal, of which only 6 were on target. All those chances would indicate that the Danes were very poor at the back. However that was not the case as Kjaer and Agger were a formidable force at the back, compare that to the Dutch who were very poor defensively. It was an extremely disappointing performance from the Netherlands with all their attacking quality, unfortunately couldn't equal that at the back. Denmark though, do have their defensive efforts to thank as the final score finished Holland 0-1 Denmark.

The second game of the day, and the second game in the supposed 'Group of Death' saw pre-tournament favourites Germany play Portugal. It was the first time for Arsenal fans to see Podolski in action since his proposed move to Arsenal, meanwhile other Arsenal player, Per Mertesacker was on the bench. Both sides failed to really get going and it took a fine header from Mario Gomez, moments before he was about to be taken off, to seal the game for the Germans. Portugal almost looked like coming away with a point as Varela had a great chance near the end but Manuel Neuer made a great stop to keep him at bay. Arguably the best player in the competition, Cristiano Ronaldo didn't have the greatest of games and will look to improve when Portugal next play. The final score ended Germany 1-1 Portugal in a far from convincing days play of football from some of Europe's big teams.

Robin Van Persie had several chances to score in Hollands game against Denmark