Do you smell that? That’s the wafting flavour of Euro 2012 getting ready to hit us. It all kicks off in Poland on 9 June, when Europe’s finest footballers hit the field to try and etch their team’s name into history.
Poland and Ukraine host the 14th installment of the UEFA European Football Championships, with Spain touted as favourites to defend the crown they won in Austria and Switzerland four years ago.
Opponents such as Germany, Netherlands, Portugal, England, Croatia and Denmark all rank inside FIFA’s top 10 teams, while Russia, Italy, Greece, France, Sweden and Republic of Ireland are all ranked inside the top 20.
These teams will not make life easy for Spain.
Below is a list of the groups, and fixtures throughout the tournament:
Group A: Poland (co-host), Greece, Russia and Czech Republic.
Group B: Netherlands, Denmark, Germany and Portugal.
Group C: Spain, Italy, Republic of Ireland and Croatia.
Group D: Ukraine (co-host), Sweden, France and England.
Fixtures (all times EST):
Saturday 9 June
Group A: Poland v Greece, Warsaw, 2am
Group A: Russia v Czech Republic, Wroclaw, 4.45am
Sunday 10 June
Group B: Netherlands v Denmark, Kharkiv, 2am
Group B: Germany v Portugal, Lviv, 4.45am
Monday 11 June
Group C: Spain v Italy, Gdansk, 2am
Group C: Republic of Ireland v Croatia, Poznan, 4.45am
Tuesday 12 June
Group D: France v England, Donetsk, 2am
Group D: Ukraine v Sweden, Kiev, 4.45am
Wednesday 13 June
Group A: Greece v Czech Republic, Wroclaw, 2am
Group A: Poland v Russia, Warsaw, 4.45am
Thursday 14 June
Group B: Denmark v Portugal, Lviv, 2am
Group B: Netherlands v Germany, Kharkiv, 4.45am
Friday 15 June
Group C: Italy v Croatia, Poznan, 2am
Group C: Spain v Republic of Ireland, Gdansk, 4.45am
Saturday 16 June
Group D: Sweden v England, Kiev, 2am
Group D: Ukraine v France, Donetsk, 4.45am
Sunday 17 June
Group A: Czech Republic v Poland, Wroclaw, 4.45am
Group A: Greece v Russia, Warsaw, 4.45am
Monday 18 June
Group B: Portugal v Netherlands, Kharkiv, 4.45am
Group B: Denmark v Germany, Lviv, 4.45am
Tuesday 19 June
Group C: Croatia v Spain, Gdansk, 4.45am
Group C: Italy v Republic of Ireland, Poznan, 4.45am
Wednesday 20 June
Group D: England v Ukraine, Donetsk, 4.45am
Group D: Sweden v France, Kiev, 4.45am
Quarter-Finals
Friday 22 June
QF1: Winner Group A v Runner-up Group B, Warsaw, 4.45am
Saturday 23 June
QF2: Winner Group B v Runner-up Group A, Gdansk, 4.45am
Sunday 24 June
QF3: Winner Group C v Runner-up Group D, Donetsk, 4.45am
Monday 25 June
QF4: Winner Group D v Runner-up Group C, Kiev, 4.45am
Semi Finals
Thursday 28 June
SF1: Winner QF1 v Winner QF3, Donetsk, 4.45am
Friday 29 June
SF2: Winner QF2 v Winner QF4, Warsaw, 4.45am
Final
Monday 2 July
Winner SF1 v Winner SF2, Kiev, 4.45am
Will Spain defend their crown and become champions of Europe once more?
Or will the refurbished England squad finally live up to expectations and win an international competition?
All will be revealed in Euro 2012 Kiev on 2 July.
David
Guest
I think that as long as Eduardo's leg doesn't get broken again ( Thank You England) Croatia has a reasonable chance of at least semi-finals; I know that it's not likely that they get much past there.
Rooball96
Roar Rookie
yeah it would just take away from the final it self!
Brick Tamlin of the Pants Party
Guest
I wouldn't look to much into Germany's friendly results of late Shag,when the proper stuff starts they'll be up there.France are a lottery and can combust at any time,German v Spain final.
Ben Carter
Roar Guru
Also - anyone else pleased there's no such thing as a three-four playoff in this tournament?.....
Purple Shag
Roar Guru
Can't believe there is no mention of France. I think the only team they need to worry about is spain. Holland & Germany both in disarray in all the lead up matches. Will be tough for them to turn it around.
Ben Carter
Roar Guru
Hi Rooball - after thumbing my way through the Soccer International's EURO guide, I have come up with the following tips: 1. Germany 2. Spain 3. Holland Upset potential: England, Russia, Poland.
Rooball96
Roar Rookie
What ever the outcome, racism shouldn't be there (full-stop). But seriously football is an international language for all to connect as one! black or white! honestly I believe that the semi finals will feature Germany, Holland, England or Spain at least 2 of these teams will be there! and honestly i hope England win it. just cause i feel sorry for all the hatred towards Roy Hodgson! He is a quality manager which saved his team from relegation this year in toughest league in the world, THE EPL.
Brick Tamlin of the Pants Party
Guest
Looking forward to the tournament and my prediction is that Germany will take home the trophy but for the life of me i can't understand how these two nations got to host the tournament.Black fans have already been told they'll be going home in body bags if they attend and the local police have no control over the local hooligans(which unlike other countries is the majority not vast minority).I spoke to alot of Polish lads whilst i was in England a few years back and apparently its a epidemic there,even the Basketball teams there have Ultras who fight after most games!