Croatia
Croatia has struggled since losing the Kovac brothers Robert, and Nico who were key players in the team. This means they will be depending even more on Tottenham’s star midfielder Luca Modric, and as any Spurs fan will tell you he can be a game changer but he does not score too many goals. For that the Croats will be relying on Everton’s top scoring striker Nikica Jelavic and Shakhtar Donetsk’s striker Eduardo. Manager Slavin Bilic is a great motivator for his players, but when it comes to the big stage Croatia show up, and play with all their heart.
Odds to win the tournament 50/1
Czech Republic
Always a team you fancy for an outside chance to win, the Czech Republic are going through a rebuilding stage after losing many of their former star players to retirement. The only remaining players that you will have heard of are Chelsea’s brilliant goalkeeper Petr Cech, and Arsenals Tomas Rosicky. The Czechs are I an easy group so have a good chance of getting to the Knockout stage but with too many young players lacking international experience they probably won’t get much further.
Odds to win the tournament 50-1
Denmark
Not rated to do very the Danes are a young team with most notable players being Arsenals on loan to Sunderland striker Nicklas Bendtner, along with Liverpool defender Daniel Agger. They also have a gifted player in mid-field Christian Eriksen, who after being thought by Chelsea to not be not strong enough to play in the Premiership plays his football in Holland for Ajax.
Odds to win the tournament 100/1
England
With newly appointed manager Roy Hodgeson just taking over the team a few weeks ago even he has hinted that England will be struggling to win the Euro’s instead telling the press he is concentrating on the World Cup. With top striker Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney missing the first two games to suspension, and Chelsea’s Frank Lampard and Gary Cahill being withdrawn through injury it looks like England’s chances could very well be an uphill battle.
Odds to win the tournament 10/1
France
Since taking over after France’s dismal performance in the 2010 World Cup new manager Laurent Blanc has turned French football around producing a side that want to bring the pride back to French football. France is a team that now has many players fighting for a spot in the national side, and with exciting players like Nasri, and Ribery France are strong in every position, and can be a very good bet to take the Championships especially if they can avoid the infighting that has hurt them in the past.
Odds to win the tournament 10/1
Germany
Long thought of as being the European power-house of football. They go into almost every tournament as favourites. Since being taken over by manager Joachim Loew their style of play has changed, making them less predictable with an interchanging strike force comprised of Podolski, Mueller, Ozil, and Gomez the Germans have one of the strongest teams in the Euro’s. Look for the Bayern Munich players to shine following their Champions league defeat to Chelsea they want to come away with a trophy.
Odds to win the tournament 3/1
Greece
With all the trouble back home with the Euro, and the economy the Greek people would love nothing more than to see their national side do the impossible again win in 2004 they created one of the biggest upsets in sporting history by beating the much fancied Portugal in the Lisbon final. Sadly though, Greek football has also suffered due to the economic climate with clubs other than Olympiakos in trouble. A player to watch is the Schalke youngster Kyriakos Papadopoulos.
Odds to win the tournament 66/1
Italy
Always a team that are ready for the centre stage the Azzurri have suffered some setbacks of late. Going into the tournament however they have the best defensive record having only conceded two goals in qualifying. If their two strikers can Cassano, and the flamboyant Mario Balotelli can keep it together Italy could be a dark horse to win the tournament.
Odds to win the tournament 14/1
Netherlands
Always a team that you expect to win, yet how any times have they finished second? The Dutch go into Euro 2012 as one of the favourites with stars like Wesley Sneijder,Arjen Robben, and in form hit man Robin van Persie. The Dutch play some of the most beautiful football to watch, and if they fail to win the tournament it will be because they got knocked out by the eventual winners.
Odds to win the tournament 13/2
Poland
As one of the host nations Poland can rely on massive support from the home fans. Many of the top Polish players now play abroad in Germany, and England with the inform Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski being a big part in whether the Poles will shine at this year’s championships.
Odds to win the tournament 50/1
Portugal
The key to Portugal’s success lies at the feat of Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese love to attack, and on their day can beat any team in the world. The man to watch is the underrated Ricardo Quaresma who plays for Turkish side Besiktas. He would love to get back to playing with a bigger European club, with this summer Championships being his last chance to shine on the world stage.
Odds to win the tournament 20/1
Republic of Ireland
Ireland has found their way into the finals not because they score loads of goals, but because they are hard to beat. Robbie Keane remains Ireland’s biggest scoring threat but at 31-years –old has lost some of his pace, and now plays his football in what many call the European footballers retirement home the MLS. Keane is well rested and would love to show he can still mix it up with the best.
Odds to win the tournament 80/1
Russia
Russia is a team that no one ever expects much from, yet they always seem to surprise us. Who can forget the brilliant attacking play of Andrey Arshavin four years ago when he was easily the star of the tournament. Arsene Wenger was so impressed that he signed him for Arsenal, where sadly things did not work out with Arshavin going back to Zenit during the January transfer window. The man to watch is Alan Dzagoev a goal scoring machine.
Odds to win the tournament 20/1
Spain
Spain go into the tournament as the bookies favourites, and rightly so they are the reigning World, and European Champions who play a fast paced game of one touch football that is now starting to be emulated around the world. Spain can beat anyone the question is how hungry are they for another title. And as we saw in the Champions League you can let the Spanish sides have the majority of possession, and yet still beat them as Chelsea did with Barcelona. It will be interesting to see if other teams play defensively against them.
Odds to win the tournament 11/4
Sweden
Sweden is in a tough group with England, and France so just getting to the knockout stage will be tough. Sweden is not afraid of challenges and could provide an upset. AC Milans Zlatan Ibrahimovic is capable of scoring at any time with the man to watch Lyon’s Kim Kallstrom.
Odds to win the tournament 66/1
Ukraine
The co-hosts for the tournament Ukraine are a team that like to score on the counter attack with ageing former greats Andriy Shevchenko, and Andriy Voronin expected to provide the attacking option. The man to watch is Dynamo Kiev player 22-year-old Andriy Yarmolenko who will be keen to make an impression.
Odds to win the tournament 50/1
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