Euro 2012 match schedule in brackets with team-by-team analysis

Euro 2012 match schedule in brackets with team-by-team analysis.

Group A

Czech Republic

Head coach – Michal Bilek took over as coach following the team’s failure to qualify for the 2010 World Cup.

But the ride has been rocky. With fan expectation always at a high, Bilek has felt the pressure.

Only support from his players in the face of low public approval ratings has kept him at the helm with former Liverpool midfielder Vladimir Smicer joining him as team manager.

Captain – Nicknamed the “Little Mozart” for his playmaking ability, Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky is a tricky technician capable of playing anywhere in the midfield.

Star player – Goalkeeper Petr Cech impressed the world with his defensive performance in the Euro 2004 that took the Czechs to the semifinals. He again proved his worth in leading Chelsea to victory in the Champions League.

FIFA world ranking – 27

Best World Cup result – Quarterfinals, 1990 and 1938 (as Czechoslovakia)

Best European Championship result – Winner, 1976 (as Czechoslovakia)

Kyiv Post prediction – The organized, counterattacking style of play of the Czechs won’t be enough to best Russia and Poland, who are expected to advance.

Greece

Head coach – Fernando Santos has kept faith with much of Greece’s backs-to-the-wall defensive ethos.

This has made his side predictable, although the younger players like Olympiakos midfielder Ioannis Fetfatzdidis and Sotiris Ninis from Panathinaikos have added an attacking element.

Captain – A stalwart at Athens club Panathinaikos, Giorgos Karaounis is a workhorse midfielder and consistent performer. He inspires with his determination and will be one of the oldest outfield players competing in the finals at 35 years of age.

Star player – Attacking midfielder Sotiris Ninis was only recently promoted to the starting line-up after Greece drew their two opening Euro 2012 qualifiers.

It was the right move. The highly gifted 22-year-old lit up the remaining qualifiers with his tricks, dribbles and powerful long-range shots.

FIFA world ranking – 15

Best World Cup result – Group stage, 2010, 1994

Best European Championship result – Winner, 2004

Kyiv Post prediction – Cinderella’s story won’t be written twice for Greece, at least not this time around, as their hopes will get stuck in the group stage.

Poland

Head coach – The vastly experienced Franciszek Smuda has looked beyond his nation’s top football league to fill his squad.

He has taken a high-energy approach and has promised to bring an “offensive and attractive” play into the finals by adding players from the French and German leagues.

Captain – Borussia Dortmund’s Kuba Blaszczykowski is an attacking midfielder who has immense width and dribbling ability.

He has made rapid progress over the years and has a strong football pedigree. His uncle is former Polish international captain Jerzy Brzeczek, twice champion in Austria with FC Tirol Innsbruck.

Star player – Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski arrives in the finals in the top form of his life. Having no other forward of his class, Poland will rely on him to deliver in a relatively weak group that includes Greece, Russia and the Czech Republic.

FIFA world ranking – 62

Best World Cup result – Third, 1982 and 1974

Best European Championship result – Group stage, 2008

Kyiv Post prediction – Poland will use home advantage to make the quarterfinals before falling to Germany.

Russia

Head coach – Dutchman Dick Advocaat took charge in Russia in 2010. Known as the “Little General,” he will rely on mainstay players to improve on Russia’s semi-finals appearance in 2008.

Captain – Andrey Arshavin was a surprise to head the national side with only glimpses of quality to show for his play at Arsenal.

Now back with his old team Zenit in St. Petersburg, he needs to repeat his stellar performance of four years ago in the tournament.

Star player – CSKA Moscow’s Alan Dzagoev was named the best young player in the Russian Premier League following a successful debut season with them in 2008-2009.

The 21-year-old attacking midfielder has already scored 25 league goals for them in fewer than 100 games, and scored four goals for his national side in the eight qualifying matches he played for Russia.

FIFA world ranking – 13

Best World Cup result – Fourth, 1966

Best European Championship result – Winner, 1960 (as the Soviet Union)

Kyiv Post prediction – Expect the Dutch to eliminate the Russian team in the quarterfinals.

Group B

Denmark

Head coach – Morten Olsen has provided stability at the helm since he was appointed in 2000.

The former captain of the Danish team of the mid-1980s led the national side to the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004.

He enjoyed success again as Denmark topped their 2010 World Cup qualifying group. Although his team failed to get out of their group in South Africa, it bounced back to reach Euro 2012.

Captain – A left-footed central defender, Daniel Agger has a formidable long-range shot. Playing for Liverpool FC since January 2006, he was ever-present for Denmark at the 2010 World Cup and is set to captain the national side in this tournament.

Star Player – Denmark’s most capped outfield player, Dennis Rommedahl started in all the team’s Euro 2012 qualifying matches netting three goals. He is the driving force of attack who can mix dazzling displays with anonymity. Scouts say he is a gifted dribbler and crosser.

FIFA world ranking – 9

Best World Cup result – Quarterfinals, 1998

Best European Championship result – Winner, 1992

Kyiv Post prediction – For such a small nation, Denmark impresses by consistently qualifying for major tournaments, but don’t expect them to advance beyond the group stage.

Germany

Head coach – After working as assistant coach and gaining a reputation as the tactical genius behind Germany’s run to the semifinals of the 2006 World Cup, Joachim Loew took over as head coach. He led Germany to the final of Euro 2008 and the semifinals of the 2010 World Cup, losing to Spain both times.

Captain – Quiet fullback Philipp Lahm is as dangerous going forward as he is effective in defense. The Bayern Munich captain leads his team by example with energy and precision.

Star player – Bayern Munich’s midfield general Bastian Schweinsteiger will be looking to bounce back after missing the penalty that handed Chelsea victory in the Champions League. If Germany is to win its first title in 16 years, “Schweini” will need to be at his controlling best.

FIFA world ranking – 3

Best World Cup result – Winner, 1954, 1974 and 1990

Best European championship result – Winner, 1972, 1980 and 1996

Kyiv Post prediction – Germany has the players and the drive to win, but beating co-favorite Spain will be a tough task. The three-time champion also has to get out of a tough group.

Netherlands

Head coach – Bert van Marwijk led the Oranje through a perfect 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign, winning all eight matches, and subsequently guided them all the way to the final, falling at the last to Spain.

The Dutch bounced back by winning their first nine Euro 2012 qualifiers to book their place in Poland and Ukraine.

Captain – Although in the twilight of his career, former AC Milan midfielder Mark van Bommel is a natural leader and a great ball-winner, and is known as a tiger in the center of the park boasting excellent stamina.

Star player – Arjen Robben has the skill and pace to devastate any defense. He scored 12 goals in 24 games for Bayern Munich this season.

FIFA world ranking – 4

Best World Cup result – Runner-up, 2010, 1978 and 1974

Best European championship – Winner, 1988

Kyiv Post prediction – If the Dutch qualify from Group B, they could face a rematch with Germany in the final.

Anything short of this will be a major disappointment for a team that has so much team cohesion and continuity going into the tournament.

Portugal

Head coach – As a former international midfielder, Paulo Bento made an instant impact when he rose to the top job at Sporting in October 2005.

He succeeded Carlos Queiroz in September 2010 as Portugal coach to oversee a team revival that culminated in a play-off win against Bosnia-Herzegovina to book a spot in the Euro 2012 finals.

Captain and star player – At 27 years old, Cristiano Ronaldo is in the prime of his career. He bamboozles defenses with his pace and dribbling skills, and blasts goals from all distances and angles with his powerful shooting. He scored an average of more than a goal a game this season for Real Madrid.

FIFA world ranking – 10

Best World Cup result – Third, 1966

Best European championship result – Finalist, 2004

Kyiv Post prediction – There’s little elbow room in Group B. We don’t expect Portugal to advance past heavyweights Germany and the Netherlands into the quarter-finals.

Group C

Croatia

Head coach – Slaven Bilic instills a beautiful style of football in his charges.

Players like strikers Eduardo and Nikica Jelavic and midfielder Luka Modric embrace this philosophy with their attacking skills.

Any success Croatia achieves will be attributed to Bilic’s meticulous training and teaching.

Captain – Shakhtar Donetsk fullback Dario Srna is known for accurate crosses and free-kicks. These traits are as important to both his club and country as is his inspirational leadership.

Star player – One of the most talented midfield orchestrators playing the game, Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric is Croatia’s most highly prized asset. The 26-year-old will look to dazzle with midfield creativity in this tournament.

FIFA world ranking – 8

Best World Cup result – Third, 1998

Best European Championship result – Quarterfinals, 2008

Kyiv Post prediction – Although consistently a top-10 world ranked team, Croatia only has 4.3 million people, the fewest in the tournament. They’ll fail in their ultimate group examination against giants Spain and Italy.

Italy

Head coach – Cesare Prandelli is responsible for Italy’s rediscovery of free-flowing, expansive football guiding them unbeaten through the qualifying rounds.

Coupled with late-stage injuries, the coach has been confronted with a match-fixing scandal that hit home again.

Captain – Gianluigi Buffon has been the first-choice goalkeeper for Juventus and Italy for the past decade.

His injury-plagued 45 minutes of playing time was part of the reason for Italy’s disappointing performance in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Star player – The temperamental AC Milan forward Antonio Cassano has flourished under coach Cesare Prandelli’s leadership. He netted six goals in the qualifying stage and has been prolific for his club although he contributed more assists than goals this season.

FIFA world ranking – 12

Best World Cup result – Winner, 2006, 1982, 1938, 1934

Best European Championship result – Winner, 1968

Kyiv Post prediction – Italy arrived in Krakow full of excitement after more than 13,000 fans saw them off in Pisa. Recent results have been poor, however, so we expect Italy to lose to France in the quarterfinals.

Republic of Ireland

Head coach – Giovanni Trapattoni’s shrewd tactics will be crucial for Ireland’s success in the tournament and major matchups with Italy and holders Spain.

Although his game plans don’t find favor with football purists, they have certainly proven effective, otherwise the squad wouldn’t have qualified for the European championship for the first time in over two decades.

Captain and star player – L.A. Galaxy forward Robbie Keane is Ireland’s record marksman by some distance. The fading star may have lost a step or two in recent years but his predatory instincts are just as sharp.

FIFA world ranking – 18

Best World Cup result – Quarterfinals, 1990

Best European Championship result – Group stage, 1988

Kyiv Post prediction – It’s difficult to fathom how Ireland can survive Spain and Italy in Group C, despite “Trap’s” arsenal of wily tricks.

Spain

Head coach – After Vicente del Bosque guided Spain to glory at Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup, he has got into the habit of winning, making his side the team to beat in Poland and Ukraine.

With plenty of club Barcelona’s DNA running through the team, the coach will try to avoid predictability, but why fix something that isn’t broken?

Captain – Iker Casillas is Spain’s shoe-in for the starting keeper job. The most capped Spaniard of all time, Casillas is unrivaled: formidable, consistent, agile, authoritative, and almost never injured.

Star player – Pass-master Xavi Hernandez is the linchpin of this team of magical talent. Improving with age, Xavi has the ability to dictate the tempo of a match while at the same time making it look so simple, as he fills gaps with pinpoint precision passes.

FIFA world ranking – 1

Best World Cup result – Winner, 2010,

Best European Championship result – Winner, 2008 and 1964

Kyiv Post prediction – Spain will be cursed as no European champ has ever collected the cup twice in a row – it will lose to the Dutch in the semifinals.

Group D

England

Head coach – Roy Hodgson is the new boss following Fabio Capello’s abrupt resignation earlier this year. Former Switzerland coach Hodgson left out Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand and has opted for Steven Gerrard as his captain on the final squad.

Captain – Steven Gerrard is part of England’s fading Golden Generation that includes David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Frank Lampard.

The legendary Liverpool midfielder has the class to deliver, and will have to with a group of underachievers, who will be missing Wayne Rooney for the first two group games.

Star player – It’s hard to imagine the English side without Wayne Rooney. He is a powerful forward who has made limited impact in previous tournaments for his national team, but is the heart of Manchester United, one of Europe’s top teams.

His main weakness is his occasional inability to control his temper. In the last game of qualifying for Euro 2012, he kicked out at an opponent and was sent off, meaning he will miss the first two games of the tournament.

FIFA world ranking – 6

Best World Cup result – Winner, 1966

Best European Championship result – Third, 1968

Kyiv Post prediction – England lacks the coordination it needs to compete, and typically chokes at top tourneys. Ukraine could pick off the Three Lions and make the quarterfinals.

France

Head coach – As a legendary player who carries himself with elegance and leadership, Laurent Blanc is known as Le President for the authority he commands.

He has whipped the undisciplined and scandalous French team into shape. It is composed of a youthful and extremely talented group of mostly untested players on the international stage.

Captain – Perhaps one of the world’s best goalkeepers today, Hugo Lloris has firmly established himself as the Les Bleus’ number one.

He has a shy character whose lightning quick saves can raise his voice when needed.

Star Player – Karim Benzema is the unchallenged number one forward under Blanc. The 24-year-old has shed seven kilograms over last summer, winning over tough coach Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid. He will be keen to make amends for his lackluster display at the Euro 2008 when he started two games but impressed little.

FIFA world ranking – 14

Best World Cup result – Winner, 1998

Best European Championship result – Winner, 1984 and 2000

Kyiv Post prediction – Laurent Blanc’s rebuilt, youthful side will reach the semi-finals, but will lose to the superior German team.

Sweden

Head coach – Erik Hamren has proved his worth after taking over from Lars Lagerback when Sweden failed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup.

Playing the game only until his teens, Hamren proved an immediate success in his new role, guiding Sweden to the finals thanks to a defeat of the Netherlands in the last game of qualifying.

Captain and star player – This is Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s chance to silence his critics who say he doesn’t perform well under pressure on soccer’s big stage.

When he’s hot, the team excels, but the opposite goes for when he’s off. “Ibra” once said he’s the best player in the world. Now is his chance to back up those words with deeds.

FIFA world ranking – 17

Best World Cup result – Runner-up, 1958

Best European Championship result – Semifinals, 1992

Kyiv Post prediction – Sweden are unlikely to advance from a tough Group D. The first match against Ukraine on June 11 will be decisive.

Ukraine

Head coach – Soviet and Dynamo Kyiv legend Oleh Blokhin gave the team an immediate boost of confidence when he was parachuted in April 2011 to ensure the Yellow-Blues perform respectably.

That has meant advancing past the group stage with key matchups against England and France.

Captain – The finals will most likely be Andriy Shevchenko’s swan song. Once Europe’s most feared striker, “Sheva” wants a fairytale finish to his fading yet storied career.

Star player – Anatoliy Tymoshchuk is the full midfield package. The Bayern Munich midfielder has great anticipation and tackling ability. Expect Ukraine’s most-capped player to show why the team deserves its place at Europe’s top table.

FIFA world ranking – 52

Best World Cup result – Quarterfinals, 2006

Best European Championship result – Debut

Kyiv Post prediction – The Yellow-Blues will achieve Blokhin’s modest goal of making it out of the group bolstered more by patriotism and massive home support than skill and class.