More Matches...

Onwards we go after a very entertaining first days matches between Poland and Greece and also Russia and Czech Republic. The early impressions are that the Greeks were there to be beaten, but the Poles were unable to punish them and let them back in from 1-0 and down to 10 men to back to finish 1-1. Also that the referee was hopeless and that Wojciech Szczęsny's confidence will help him long term, but right now makes him make some poor decisions at times. Russia backed up my assertion that they were more likely to hit than miss and in dishing out a 4-1 beating to the Czech's they certainly were. As impressive as they were though, the Czech's looked every bit the worst team in the tournament at times and may end up heading home without a point I think.

Spain v Italy, Sunday 1700

The holders of the Euro crown kick off with a match against another of the world's football forces, Italy, on Sunday. As I have mentioned in my previews I think Spain may well struggle to match the performances they've put in in the last two tournaments. They have two key players missing completely in Carles Puyol and David Villa. Puyol is an organiser at the back and with the likes of Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique are not the best at positioning and having Puyol around keeps them on their toes. David Villa is a huge miss in terms of team shape. Spain had settled on a system with a rotating front three at the last tournament and relied on most goals coming from Villa coming inside from wide positions. They don't have another player like this and will have to choose between Fernando Torres, Fernando Llorente and Alavaro Negredo to lead the line. Llorente would make the most sense as he has done that job for Bilbao very well the past two seasons. They aren't an attacking side and will probably be happy to settle for a draw in this match as it is the hardest match they should have in the group stage.

Italy have been rocked by pre-tournament controversy once again, and again it's match fixing. Domenico Criscito has had to be removed from the squad completely due to his alleged involvement and many others are also either loosely involved or will at the very least know those who are. This has led many to write Italy off as they clearly are not as good as many previous squads. Cesare Prandelli has picked Mario Balotelli and Antonio Cassano where previous managers would have left them behind as too risky. I think this is a recognition on Prandelli's part that with the options available he needs to hope that they can keep their emotions in check and provide some spark to a side that could easily be labelled pretty workmanlike. The defence should be organised and this first match will provide a test of how much they've improved since the South Africa debacle. I think they could sneak a draw if they keep their shape, but even if not I don't see a beating as Spain don't really run riot.

Back Under 2 Goals at 2.05 with Bet365.

Republic of Ireland v Croatia, Sunday 1945

This is a vital match for both of these sides as they have been paired up with heavyweights Spain and Italy in the group. The Republic have taken on a no defeat attitude since appointing Giovanni Trappatoni as manager, which has somewhat split the fans. Most seem happy that they have qualified for the Euro's with this approach, but many see the likes of Stephen Ireland and Wes Hoolahan being frozen out and crave some flair in the squad. Personally I'd have to say if I was a fan then I'd probably accept the tactics if it meant going to a major tournament, but there can be no denying they are not much to watch. They will have seven men behind the ball for large periods and even the wingers are expected to help the full backs as much as is possible. Robbie Keane will start alongside either Kevin Doyle or Shane Long as the more robust hold-up man. Keane, Duff and Dunne still being such key players should be a worry for the Irish with all looking some way past their best in the last season. I can't see them winning a match, but three draws are not beyond them in a group containing a lot of tired looking teams and star players.

Croatia are an interesting side. They don't stick to a rigid tactical approach, and are the antithesis of Ireland in that respect. Their star player is definitely Luka Modric, they rely on him to dictate play from the middle of the park in the way he did for Tottenham early on in the season. However, his being shifted out wide saw his influence wane and also he looked sluggish for Spurs in the final matches of the season. This should be a worry for the Croats, although manager Slaven Bilic has stated he is back to his best in training. The other big decision comes in attack with Eduardo and Nikola Jelavic both having good seasons. Jelavic has never been a regular starter for the national side, but ended the season so well with Everton he must surely now be under consideration especially seeing as he seemed able to do it all himself at times. Eduardo finally looked like he might have rediscovered his mojo after the horrific broken leg he suffered whilst at Arsenal. He is the normal front man, but with Bilic often tinkering I would not be surprised to see Jelavic also starting, or at least brought on if the match is a draw after an hour.

Back Croatia at 2.37 with BetVictor.

France v England, Monday 1700

We finally get to England on Monday afternoon, and they take on a much better France side than was seen at the previous two tournaments. Since appointing Laurent Blanc France have brought through another generation of players and are finally seeing the rewards of this. They may not be as good as the Thierry Henry, Zidane, Patrick Vieira vintage, but they were never likely to be. They are now unbeaten in twenty one matches and have seen many pundits tipping them as the best of the rest just before we kicked off here. I would probably agree with that assessment. The centre of defence is an issue, but the rest of the side is very good. The goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is as good as he ever was and the full backs of Mathieu Debuchy and presumably Gael Clichy have both had good seasons and should see the increasingly useless Patrice Evra sidelined. In midfield they will likely be missing their most defensive players for this first match, but will probably compensate by naming Yohan Cabaye and Blaise Mutuidi and aiming for possession. On the wings you have Franck Ribery and probably Florent Malouda after some impressive friendly performances lately. The you come to Samir Nasri behind Karim Benzema. This is definitely the tournament where Benzema should shine after a brilliant season for Real Madrid where Mourinho seems to have gotten the best out of him finally.

England have turned up with the worst squad they have taken to a tournament in my memory. Their strength should be in defence with Joe Hart a fantastic goalkeeper and then Glen Johnson, John Terry and Ashley Cole all regulars at this level. With Gary Cahill injured we should see Joleon Lescott rewarded for a brilliant domestic season with promotion to the starting eleven. In front of these we will have Scott Parker hairing around biting ankles and will need to watch he doesn't get too many bookings. I would imagine you will then see Steven Gerrard and James Milner the more central players with Gerrard in a more advanced role supporting wither Andy Carroll or Danny Welbeck. The wings will be vital as Ashley Young has shown for England he is the most likely man to make things happen with his pace and running at defenders. On the other side I would imagine it will be Stewart Downing to cross for Carroll if he starts as I expect. England will be pleased with a draw in this, but I think they'll struggle with the pace France have, especially if Ben Arfa makes an appearance from the bench or starts.

Back France at 2.56 on Betfair.

Ukraine v Sweden, Monday 1945

The second hosts start their campaign taking on Sweden on Monday. I will readily admit to knowing little about many of Ukraine's players individually outside of Anotoliy Timoschuk and Andrei Shevchenko. The knowledge I do have of them comes from seeing Shakhtar Donetsk and Dinamo Kiev in European competitions. They tend to have solid local players in defensive positions allied to South Americans in the attacking roles. This should mean the Ukranians strength will be the defence and they will rely on Shevchenko rolling back the years ably supported by wingers/forwards Yarmolenko and Konoplyanka. My research tells me this pair of twenty two year olds are pacy players who are able to cut in and score if they're playing well. It would seem if Ukraine are to get results or progress to the knockout stages they will need these two performing well. I'm keen to see them personally.

Sweden have again qualified for a major tournament, and often progress from the groups. They may not possess any stars outside of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but they can always be relied upon to perform as a team and be better then the sum of their parts. The defence still is likely to contain Majstorovic who couldn't even cut it in Scotland at Celtic, but looks a different player when with the national side. This is actually a good summing up of most of the side. Zlatan is often the opposite of this as he does not really fit into the team ethic and is unused to playing with players of this lesser standard regularly. However comma in recent matches he has been withdrawn into a playmaking role behind Johan Elmander and has seen his performances, along with the teams, improve greatly. It looks like Elmander will miss this match through injury and it is likely Ola Toivonen or Markus Rosenberg will step in, and they are not as adept at holding it up as Elmander. I think both sides would accept not losing this one as the match draws on and we may well see one of the more boring matches in the group stage.

Back the Draw at 3.25 at SkyBet.