EURO 2012: Match Day 3 Predictions

Judgement day is here. Simultaneous starts in each group, with only 8 teams securing their place in the Quarter Finals of EURO 2012. Ireland and Sweden have already been eliminated, while Germany are already through, but 7 spots remain, and there are plenty of teams ready to take the reins. Let's get to it...

Group A

Poland 2 - 1 Czech Rep.

Russia 1 - 0 Greece

Russia and Poland advance

All of these teams looked good in the last round with Russia and Poland drawing and the Czechs rebounding against the Greeks, with arguably none of them likely to lose, setting up an exciting final final day in Poland. I figure the hosts to get through dramatically through an ever-inspiring Kuba winner after Robert Lewandowski and Tomas Rosicky score early to bury the Czechs, while Russia finds a way to break through a negative Greece, with an early goal from Sergei Shirokov. 

Group B

Holland 1 - 1 Portugal

Denmark 1 - 1 Germany

Germany and Portugal advance

The Dutch have been the most disappointing team of EURO 2012. I had them winning the competition, but the ego of Arjen Robben, awful defending, and terrible selection have kept the Oranje from hitting their stride. A draw when they need a big win against Portugal is in the cards, with Nani and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scoring for each side. The Germans are through, but know how important it is to stay mentally strong. They'll field a strong side against Denmark, but the Danes have been mighty feisty, and I imagine they scrape a draw, which doesn't save them from elimination. Miroslav Klose starts and scores for Germany, Simon Kjaer gets one off a set piece for the Danes.

Group C

Italy 2 - 1 Rep. of Ireland

Spain 1 - 2 Croatia

Croatia and Italy advance

My upset special. I've liked what I've seen from Italy thus far, and they will find a way to beat Ireland in comeback fashion, having expected the Irish to lay over dead. James McClean gets a surprise start and scores early for Ireland, but Italy dominate the rest of the game, with Mario Balotelli and Alberto Aquilani scoring. I can't send Croatia home though. They've played like a team that deserves to get out of the group, and I like the way they performed against Italy and Ireland more than I liked Spain's performances against the same performances. The holders go home in shock fashion, losing 2-1 behind Ivan Perisic and Mario Mandzuckic, before getting consolation from Xavi. Vincente del Bosque is fired before he leaves the pitch despite having won a EURO and a World Cup as head coach of Spain.

Group D

England 2 - 0 Ukraine

France 3 - 1 Sweden

France and England advance

England survived a scare from the Swedes before being saved by Theo Walcott off the bench and winning 3-2 on a Welbeck winner. This change in attitude and the return of Wayne Rooney should send them past Ukraine. I figure Rooney gets a double in emphatic fashion, proclaiming that England won't be struggling to score with him up front. In the other game, France are simply too much for Sweden. Karim Benzema, Franck Ribery, and Olivier Giroud get on the scorecard in a romping win. Zlatan Ibrahimavic (who else) gets one for the Swedes.

Quarter Final Match-Ups 

--- All match-ups based on Match Day 3 Predictions---

Russia v. Portugal

Germany v. Poland (insert inappropriate WWII joke here)

Italy v. England

France v. Croatia

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Kevin Kryston

Host, Football Central with Matt and Kevin

Thursdays 6-8 (Aug. thru April) on 99.5 and 98.1 WUDR Dayton Flyer Radio