Euro 2012 Draw Part II
“…..and following pot 1 is pot 4” was my early highlight of the latest UEFA convoluted made for television draw. After early predictions of a “group of debt” we know have the newly discovered “group of piece of piss” in Group A. The easy part will not be getting out from a very tight group but more that the alleged bug guns will all be disappointed that they were not drawn alongside three of Poland, Greece, Russia and the Czech Republic.
Ireland
The main talking point here in Dublin is that the Republic of Ireland have landed in the “group of death”. Giovanni Trapattoni was on record as saying he did not want to draw England but may be wishing he had been drawn alongside the English now after drawing the current holders Spain, an improving Italy and the always stronger than the market suggests Croatia. Although written off by the market, tough to beat Ireland may ruffle a few feathers but face a tough job to make it beyond the group stages. Spain and Italy play first in this group and many Irish eyes will probably be hoping for a draw for this one before taking on Croatia. A Sunday evening kick off will mean that Temple Bar is heaving and may see a few sickies being thrown on the Monday morning if the Irish can prevail.
England
Fabio Capello’s English team meet up with familiar faces and previous Euro tournament foes in Sweden and France. Although I’m sure the bland quotes emanating from the England camp will suggest otherwise, any English supporters will be happy with their draw. England fans as old as me will remember it was against Sweden that Gary Lineker’s international career was ended as England crashed out. Lineker was replaced by Alan Smith as England pushed for a win and Tomas Brolin danced through the English defence . Twenty years ago next summer-oh my days.
Germany v Holland
The pick of Group B is the match between unquestionably two of the world’s strongest teams the Netherlands and Germany. Another trip down memory lane will surely conjure up images for many of Frank Rijkaard spitting in Rudi Voeller’s beautifully coiffeured perm but this rivalry is one which the journalist Simon Kuper referred to as the greatest grudge match in European football. It was the Germans who stopped the Dutch becoming world champions in 1974 and England and Germany’s rivalry is not the only one that stretches back nearly 80 years to World War II. The rivalry throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s had real spice to it- don’t expect a bookings quote in the mid thirties for this one- and this must be the glamour fixture of the group matches. Denmark and Portugal make up this attractive group and laying Portugal to qualify from this group would be the pick of the bets for me at this early stage.
