Euro 2012 Final - Spain vs Italy- Olympic Stadium, Kyiv

Showdown Time!!!


La Furia Roja vs Azzurri

The general prediction of Germany and Spain reaching the Finals went for a huge toss when Italy stepped up on the big stage in the semi-finals.

Lets try to get a perspective of what the two teams have that gets them to this stage.

Olympic Stadium, Kyiv, Euro 2012 Poland & Ukraine - Final - Italy vs Spain

For Spain, supported by millions of fans across the globe, it's a rather straight forward answer - Attractive football / Attacking football.
But dig a little deeper and you'd find a completely different reason. The team have hardly played an attractive brand of football barring the exception of the group match versus Ireland. So if their trademark style did not get them here, then what did?

The answer to that has been common for most teams at Euro 2012 who have made it past the group stages. It is the team work. The combined effort of the team has seen Spain cover up its weaknesses. The most important being its defense, which definitely is not as strong as is midfield.

Another area of concern for Spain this time round has been the lack of firepower upfront. With a misfiring Torres and the absence of David Villa, Del Bosque found the right key in playing what has been termed as the "Flase 9", a tactic whereby Fabregas, an attacking midfielder, has been employed as the man upfront. Torres too made his impact when given the chance.

So all in all Spain have manged to sail through with a strong team effort and will need to do the same, if they nee to boost their chances of retaining the Trophy.

Key Players:
Captain: Iker Casillas
Defense: Sergio Ramos, Jordi Alba

Midfield: Andrés Iniesta, Xavi Hernández, Cesc Fàbregas, Xabi Alonso, David Silva

Forward: Fernando Torres

Coach: Vicente del Bosque

To watch out for:

The form of Fabregas and David Silva will be crucial for Spain to make hay. They have been outstanding in this campaign but need to contribute now when it will matter the most. They would Vicente del Bosque's biggest hope.

Goalkeeper Captains to face off in the Finals

For Italy, the underdogs and a major surprise package, their strong teamwork and tactical approach has been the all important lesson for the teams that have not made it through.
Defeating Germany in the semi-final, touted by many to win the trophy, has been a major milestone in itself and only helped them regain their otherwise dwindling Big Boys status. 

Cesare Prandelli has shown super genius by employing his resources most optimally. Pirlo and Balotelli are the two perfect examples. The former touted to be too old to help Italy and the latter too young and ill tempered. But Prandelli has unlocked probably the best out of his boys and that has been the big difference.

Italy will try to stick to their set of rules in the Final too - A strong team ethic, a disciplined defense and a tactical approach to unlock the opponents weaknesses.
A win for Italy in the Final should come as a surprise!

Key Players:
Captain: Gianluigi Buffon
Defense: Giorgio Chiellini

Midfield: Daniele De Rossi, Andrea Pirlo

Forward: Mario Balotelli, Antonio Cassano

Coach: Cesare Prandelli

To watch out for:

The form of Andrea Pirlo and Mario Balotelli will be crucial for Italy to make hay. They have been outstanding for Italy in this campaign and have contributed when it mattered the most. They are Prandelli's biggest hope.

To Predict the outcome of the Final would be a long shot. The 1 - 1 Draw in the Group Stage should be enough reason for that.

We should take comfort in the fact - Spain's 'flair' and Italy's 'tactics'  will ensure that the match will be an interesting Final!

*All Photo Courtesy: Uefa.com

UEFA Euro 2012 - Poland and Ukraine

The biggest footballing event of the year 2012 is finally here!

Sixteen teams come to this showpiece event in Poland and Ukraine after fighting tough battles.
An analysis of the event, the teams and expectations is imperative!

A brief of the Euro 2012 -

The tournament features 16 nations, the last European Championship to do so (from Euro 2016 onward, there will be 24 finalists), and will be held between 8 June and 1 July 2012. Qualification was contested by 51 nations between August 2010 and November 2011 to join the two host nations in the final tournament.

For the Tournament Map - Go to Uefa.com

Analysis of the most talked about teams -
The event certainly has a few favorites and a few underdogs, just as all sporting events do. So here we'd try to analyze only the ones that are the most talked about.

Lets begin with the defending champions -
Spain

La Furia Roja Home Jersey - Euro 2012

Overview -
Spain are backed by millions worldwide after their World Cup victory in 2010. Fans like te team for its style of play, which in some way is similar to that of the Spanish club Barcelona. A flowing style of football with emphasis on attacking play.


Key Players -
The players that can turn games and help Spain retain the title: Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas and David Silva.
Despite such star players, Spain's engine seems to have slowed down over time as other teams seem to have  figured out ways to block these key men and suppress the teams effervescent style. Spain need to find a counter strategy to overcome this situation, if they are to progress to the end.



Next, the runners up at World Cup 2010 -
Netherlands

Euro 2012 - Oranje Home Jersey

Overview -
A strong attacking line up make Holland one of the most fiercest opponents for any team. The team can boast of its attacking line up as probably the best in Europe at the moment. The team has lined up the youngest player in the tournament in Jetro Willems (of PSV), who only recently turned 18.


Key Players -
Robin Van Persie, enough said. That is the kind of sensational form the striker is in. Add to that the likes of Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder, Rafael Van der Vaart and Klaas Jan Huntelaar, any team that faces them will need to make sure that they line up a strong defense if they wish to survive the firepower of the Dutch.




Germany

Euro 2012 -  Die Mannschaft Away Jersey

Overview -
Germany bring the youngest team in the tournament and yet they have magnificent class. In manager Joachim "Jogi" Löw Germany have a fantastic coach who with his brave decisions and a unassuming knack to pick out the right combinations has got Germany to an altogether different level. Germany's style of play is no less interesting than Spain's, all thanks to the spirited coach.


Key Players -
With stars like Philip Lahm, Thomas Mueller, Mesut Ozil, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Miroslav Klose, Mario Gomez and Lukas Podolski Germany have a strong lineup. If only the team can shore up its defense, they can go all the way in this tournament.



Portugal

Euro 2012 - Selecção Home Jersey

Overview -
Cristiano Ronaldo will lead the Portuguese line up. Portugal have enough quality to compete at the highest level, but somehow have not managed to get the best out of the players and fight as a team. This tournament provides them a big opportunity to showcase their true strength. They start in the 'Group of Death' and will have the formidable task of competing with Netherlands and Germany to advance to the next stage.


Key Players -
The current best footballer in the world Crstiano Ronaldo along with Nani, Raul Meireles, Pepe and Fabio Coentrao make up a line up that can show enough fire power to yield dividends for the Portugal faithful. But for that they need to act collectively and use each star potential to the best.



France

Euro 2012 -  Les Bleus Home Jersey

Overview -
A one time formidable European powerhouse crumbled at World Cup 2010 in the group stage, thanks to an internal mutiny in the french camp. But things have changed post the World Cup debacle and the team has resurrected under new Coach Laurent Blanc. Walking into the final with an unbeaten run of 21 games would definitely give the team some confidence, but as the coah himself puts it "We are not favourites, Spain, Germany and Netherlands are".


Key Players -
The stars for the Blues are Karim Benzema, Franck Ribery, Samir Nasri, Yann M'vila, Patrice Evra and Hugo Lloris. In Benz and Ribery, France have one of the most potent attackers of the game. Add the quality of Nasri, M'vila, Evra and Lloris, the team can churn out results, but again, even they need to shore up their defences if they are to survive longer in the competition than the group stage.



Italy

Euro 2012 - Azurri Home Jersey

Overview -
World Champions of 2006 have since then lost the steam and now play with a minnows tag. Though the team have quite a few stars, they still remain to show enough determination and quality to come out of the under performers tag.


Key Players -
Mario Balotelli, Daniele De Rossi, Andrea Pirlo, Giorgio Chiellini, and Gianluigi Buffon, the stars of the Azzurri need to perform at their top levels to keep any hopes afloat.







England

Euro 2012 - Three Lions Home Jersery

Overview -
The perennial underachievers. Each time an international competition begins, the English media and the Three Lions' faithful claim that this would be their time. But the atmosphere is a little different these time. The expectations are subdued and it would not be difficult to agree that they are not the favourites by any chance to comete for the trophy. Yet many still call them the 'dark horse' for this event. Only time will tell.


Key Players -
Wayne Rooney (suspended for the first two games), Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Jhon Terry, Ashley Cole and Joe Hart are top players. Even though England remain a little exposed in their defense, especially due to their injury woes, the old guard of the Three Lions, particularly Gerrard and Lampard need to shoulder huge responsibility and support courageous youngsters like Young, Welbeck and Oxlade Chamberlain to fire the team ahead. A disciplined defensive display and willingness by team members to put their act together can definitely see them go some distance in this tournament.



Though only a few teams have been analysed above, it should be noted that the other teams have fought hard to reach this final showpiece, and hence should not be underestimated. The likes of Greece have shown in the past what they can achieve.
Thus the tournament sure is going to keep the football/soccer lovers throughout the world hooked for the next nearly one month and ensure tremendous entertainment.


To take a long shot at the outcome of the event, I personally feel that though Spain are touted to retain the title, Germany and Netherlands will make it to the Finals of the tournament. Why so?
Read on...

Germany and Netherlands will face stiff competition in the Group of Death, but both should mange to overcome it given the kind of attacking football they play. Beyond that one of them will face more competition as one of them probably might have to face Spain in the semifinals. But yet, the attacking firepower at both team's disposal and the tactical brilliance that they posses should ensure that they beat the favourites, and do so in some style.
In the Final, Germany will have an edge given their flair, the coach's charisma and a superior defense over the Dutch. But yet, the outcome of the Final would be too much to predict and a Dutch win should not come as a surprise. Nonetheless, the mind says - Germany should prevail!