Here's a look at the 4 teams making up the group C division in this years Euro Cup tournament.
France
Overview:
France returns once again to the European Championships, with high hopes from fans back home. An internal dispute ripped apart a team that has always been seen as a contender to challenge teams after the group stage at the World Cup. A 6-3-1 record in qualifying and a recent 2-1 defeat of Germany in international friendly competition will spur on the French who will look to come out on top of group D and gain a more favourable matchup in the quarter-finals.
Group Stage:
This will be no small undertaking though, as group D is arguably the deepest of the four, with clear contention from group B. Les Bleus begin their group stage with a game against one of their oldest rivals, England. As always this clash will be exciting and hard to predict. In twenty-seven international games France has won 15 to England’s 10. With only 2 draws in 27 games it is unlikely we won’t see someone’s name on the scorers’ sheet.
Though they didn’t haven to qualify, because of their host status, Ukraine is on a three game international win streak and the home field advantage can trully spur teams on as we have seen in past international competitions.
France’s third match against Sweden promises to be much more exciting. Sweden are a win/lose kind of team and depending on how the first two games have gone it could be all or northing for both these teams in this game.
Players/Personnel:
Karim Benzema will be expected to do the work at the front, but with close support from Frank Ribery, Florent Malouda, and Samir Nasri his task will be made that much easier. Patrice Evra returns to a back line that will look to stay tough throughout the group stage.
Ukraine
Overview:
Ukraine have one of the toughest sets of match-ups in this years Euro Cup. The players will have that extra push that occasionally spurs on greatness, as they look to make the hometown fans proud. After a string of loses the Ukranian national team has bounced back with 5 wins in 6 games, including a 3-3 draw against Germany in November.
Group Stage:
The first test comes against Sweden, who won 1-0 when the teams faced off last September. Sweden is a team that plays hard and this game will be very important for both countries’ as a loss would be devastating to the players who would know that equally tough or tougher challenges lies ahead.
The second game for Ukraine is France. With a draw unlikely (France v England), France will either be looking to rebound with a decisive win, or will be playing with the confidence that comes from a big win.
Finally Ukraine will play England, a tough matchup for Ukraine’s defense and midfielders as the English side will look to play their brand of football.
Players/Personnel:
Goalkeeping will be the biggest worry for Ukrainian fans as the first choice Oleksandr Goryainov cannot play due to a shoulder injury. Andriy Pyatov the Shakhtar Donetsk keeper will have the weight of the nation on his shoulders, as he has been pegged as Goryainov’s replacement.
Sweden
Overview:
Sweden didn’t make of it out of the group stage in 2008, erasing past gains that were made in 2004. Tough loses are part of Sweden’s character as an international side. Every team that plays them knows it is a international match not to be taken lightly. Having missed out on the 2010 World Cup, Swedish fans will have high hopes for a team that they have not seen compete in an international tournament since the group stage four years ago
Group Stage:
An opening round draw against host Ukraine will be seen an integral match if the Swede’s are to made it out of the group stage. The Swedish side recently beat the hosts, however home field advantage is not to be underestimated. The Swedish team will have to rely on their attacking play as Ukraine has been left without it’s top goaltender.
Sweden plays England next. In 22 international matches Sweden has won 6, and drawn 9 times. Being the second of three games both teams will be looking to get points so that they aren’t fighting for survival in the third game.
The final group match is against France. In 17 international games Sweden has only won or drawn 9. Based on passed history there is almost a 50% chance Sweden will lose.
Players/Personnel:
Zlatan Ibrahimovic will once again lead the Swedish attack. His strong offensive presence and 5 goals in 8 matches are part of the reason the Swedish side has once again made it to the group stage of the European Cup. Look for midfielder Christian Wihelmsson to have a big tournament, he has scored 3 goals in 4 caps.
England
Overview:
If grit and determination were worth points England would win every international tournament. England has made it to, but not past, the quarterfinals in all three World Cups since 2000 and English fans were extremely distraught when their team failed to qualify for the last European Cup. England has never won the honor of being able to call themselves champions of Europe, yet as always they will provide a stiff test for any team they face.
Group Stage:
England is in tough once again as they have drawn group D in 2012’s European Cup. Their first test comes against rival France, who will look to knock the white and red into another tournament tail-spin. France has the advantage when it comes to past matches, having won 55% of the time to England’s 37%. Both teams will be looking to erase bad memories from the past World Cup.
England play Sweden next, with a 1-0 win three days earlier against champions Spain, the English side beat Sweden 1-0 in November.
The final match comes against host nation Ukraine. Having two very difficult matches to begin, English players will look forward to their game against the Ukrainians as a solid opportunity for 3 points.
Players/Personnel:
John Terry has once again been named captain, even though he has been embroiled in highly publicized disciplinary action related to alleged racial comments. The team went 5-3-0 in qualifying and four players have 3 goals each including Wayne Rooney, Jermain Defoe, Darren Bent, and Ashley Young (Defoe scored 3 goals in 2 games). Joe Hart returns in goal and he will have strong support from Gary Cahill and John Terry.
