Euro 2012 Synopsis

      This, synopsis is just what i think. We all know football is as unpredictable as the weather.
The tournament begins today. Everyone is thinking of who will win. Before I say who i think will win, let me breakdown how this so called winner will get there. I'm not going to consider history because, this tournament will add it's own figures and stats to make it's own history. Pre-tournament favorites are Germany, Spain and Netherlands. The others are France, England, Italy and Portugal. But don't underestimate anyone. From Group A, we have Poland, Greece, Russia and the Czech Republic. I pity the commentators because these teams have players with tongue-twisters of names. Poland will because of home advantage, top their group. I reckon the Czech's to come out 2nd. Then there's group B. My favorite. The group of death. Very difficult to predict. Germany have a strong team but lacks a bit in defence. Netherlands Have one of the best attacks but one of the worst back-lines. Portugal have a good team in every department but not one of the best. Denmark? They'll just make up the numbers. Among the top 3, i think the Netherlands will come home early just because i don't think they have players good enough to stop the likes of Gomez, Ozil, Muller, Ronaldo and Nani. Group C has Spain, Italy, Ireland and Croatia. This group will be the group of surprises. Honestly, I don't know who will qualify. Spain look like the favorites but a draw in two games could mean they're likely to qualify 2nd or even 3rd. Ireland have the experience of Trapattoni which could be a big difference them. For the purpose of this article, I'll pick Spain and Italy to progress. The last group, group D has England, France, Sweden and Ukraine. I'll go for England and France even though England will struggle to qualify. The Three Lions' experience will count.
      For the quarters, group A faces group B. Most likely, Poland Portugal. For those who know me, they'll say i'm being biased but the Ronaldo factor will be decisive in this match. Then the 1st of group B, Germany will face Czech, the 2nd of group A. This is a no brainer. Germany through to the semis. in the other two quarter final matches, the same format follows; 1st for C vs 2nd of D and 2nd for C vs 1st of D. This will give us Spain England and France Italy. I don't see England having a chance against Spain. Spain don't really impress me but England are like the worst big team. France Italy will be a fascinating match. Will France have revenge for the 2006 World Cup and Euro 2008 losses? Will Italy take their rivalry further; we live to see. France are on a 20 game unbeaten run. Italy have had 2 betting scandals and won international tournaments in both years. I can't say who will win. It will be too tight. But at least we know that the winner of this match will face Germany.
      In the semis, it's going to be Portugal Spain. Like i always say, Spain don't impress me. In the 2010 World Cup, Spain beat Portugal by 1 goal after suffering to break through. After that, with the likes of Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol, Pique, Ramos, Villa and Silva, Portugal beat them by 4 goals in a friendly. My pick, Portugal. Next, Germany go through by beating France or Italy.
Finally, we have a Portugal Germany final! The 2008 finalists versus the 2004 finalists. Will Ronaldo be a big game flop again? Will Ozil show what he has been doing all season? Will Pepe concede a penalty to Gomez again? Will Nani be inconsistent like always? Finals have stories of their own. I don't mind if either of these teams win. As at now, I'll go for Portugal. I might shift to Germany by then.
      We will all agree to the fact that short tournaments like this always have surprise packages. Some teams might look good on paper but things might not go their way. At this point in time, most of the big name players have had long tough seasons and fatigue could set in. Injuries provide uncertainties. All I've written might be wrong. Anything can happen. Let the games begin.