EURO Match Day 1: Pick 'em
I apologize for the wrong dates last post, but it's finally time for EURO 2012 to kick off. Here are my picks for Match Day 1:
Group A
Poland 1 - 0 Greece
This should be an interesting game. Both teams, with some form and some luck, could advance from this group. I think the Polish hosts kick off the tournament with an inspiring defensive performance, and somehow Robert Lewendowski is able to break through the sturdy Greek defense.
Czech Rep. 1 - 3 Russia
Many believe both these squads will advance from this tournament, but I see Russia comfortably winning this game. They're historically a good tournament team, and Dick Advocaat has his squad in good form. Two from Alan Dzagoev in the midfield, and a boost of confidence for Arsenal cast-away Andrey Arshavin should be enough to get by, with the Czechs getting a goal from young Tomas Peckhart.
Group B
Holland 4 - 1 Denmark
The "Group of Death" kicks off with the in-form Dutch squaring off in a rivalry match with surprising Denmark. The Danes have been far from impressive at any point over the last three years for me, while the Dutch look hungry. Goals galore, with Robin van Persie, Ibrahim Afellay, Klass-Jan Huntelaar, and Fenerbache new-boy Dirk Kuyt scoring for the Oranje, and Nichlas Bendtner popping his collar for Denmark.
Germany 3 - 2 Portugal
Neither team looks safe right now, and both are high powered on both ends of the pitch. For me, this comes down to two factors: goalkeeping and resolve. Advantage: Germany and advantage: Germany. Christiano Ronaldo and Nani, as well as Miroslav Klose and Mesut Ozil score in the first 70 minutes, before of all people Toni Kroos breaks the deadlock late in an exciting encounter.
Group C
Spain 1 - 1 Italy
Great match-up here. Two powerful, yet flimsy football dynasties go head to head with huge implications. Many are doubting the quality of the usually world-class Azzuri defense, while Fernando Torres, Fernando Llorente, and Negredo have failed to produce the goods for a usually ferocious Furia Roja attack. I recon neither team shows their best, and goals from Antonio di Natale and Juan Mata cause a frantic draw.
Rep. of Ireland 0 - 2 Croatia
Croatia is my darling of EURO 2012, and I feel they'll have no trouble brushing aside the shaky Irish. Mario Mandzuckic and Nicola Jelavic, who arguably make up the most in-form front line in EURO 2012, will both snatch goals in a relatively easy win for the Croatians.
Group D
France 1 - 2 England
Arguably the most anticipated Match Day 1 encounter is the rivalry of the English Channel, with both the Three Lions and Les Bleus battling for a key Group D win. I feel Roy Hodgson's selection will be the key. No matter who he's put on the pitch has been sturdy in defense, but I feel youngsters Danny Welbeck and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will be able to produce goals if in the line-up, halting France's 24 game unbeaten streak, despite a goal from red-hot Karim Benzema.
Ukraine 0 - 2 Sweden
Poland, for me, is the Match Day 1 'hosts with the most,' which unfortunately condemns Ukraine to a loss. While many comparisons can be had between Schevchenko and Ibrahimovic, two key differences are age and supporting cast, both of which are in Zlatans favor. Goals from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ola Toivenen score Sweden a win at the hosts expense.Early Transfer Grades
With a fresh batch of transfers in before EURO kicks off, I figured I'd take the time to grade what has happened thus far before things get too out of hand. With out further ado, here we go...
Eden Hazard - Lille to Chelsea - A
Even at 21, Hazards class is unprecedented. This is a great move for the Blues, and is destined to succeed. The only issue becomes what to do with the surplus left in Hazards wake, which includes Solomon Kalou, Flourent Malouda, and potentially Daniel Sturridge and German newcomer from Werder Bremen Marko Marin (who I grade a C+ transfer). Honestly, not a bad problem to have. Ask Real Madrid and Manchester City.
Shinji Kagawa - Dortmund to Manchester United - B
Great player who will make United even more millions on merchandising alone, but I'm not sure about the logic here. Kagawa isn't a good fit for the 4-4-2 that Sir Alex plays so religiously, as he's more of a 'behind the striker' midfielder. This team has few needs, but with Michael Owen and Demitar Berbatov leaving the club, I think they might have been better off signing a striker than an attacking midfielder. I wonder if they signed him because they lost out on the Hazard sweepstakes, only to find out he doesn't play the same position.
Lukas Podolski - Koln to Arsenal - A-
Great signing that shows Arsenal have learned from their transfer mishaps over the last few years. Strong, smart, and a left-foot like a cannon, the German international is as prolific as he is versatile, and can pay any advanced position in Arsene Wenger's 4-3-3. I only worry about players he forces out of the line-up, like Gervinho, Tomas Rosicky, and potentially Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, all of whom I'd like to see in the Arsenal line-up. However, this move is indicitive of changes in the Arsenal back office, and that's a good thing, as Ivan Gazidiz even talked about altering wage bills to attract big names and keep stars like Robin van Persie and Jack Wilshere. Whoa....
Ricardo Montolivo - Fiorentina to AC Milan - B+
The Italian playmaker will likely shine at the San Siro, and a free transfer, that's a good price, too. However, the final grade of this deal for me revolve around his playing time. Milan have a conjested midfield and an unstable attack right now, but if Montolivo can get his legs on the field, his passing skills and vision will do wonders for strikers Pato and Zlatan Ibrahimovic's goal production in 2012/13.
Marco Reus - Gladbach to Dortmund - A+
How this one flew under the radar is shocking. Reus is young, quick, and deadly in the attacking end of the pitch, and with Kagawa gone, he slots right into the Dortmund Starting XI with no difficulties. He'll have a helluva season, the two-time defending Bundasliga BVB, who now have a successful and talented group of youngsters that include Mario Gozte, Kevin Grosskreutz, Ivan Persisic, Robert Lewendowski, Neven Subotic, Mats Hummels, and now Reus, that could shift the balance of not only German, but all of European football.
Other Tranfers of Note
Xherdan Shiquri - Basel to Bayern Munich - B-
Claudio Pizarro - Werder Bremen to Bayern Munich - C+
Bas Dost - Heerenveen to Wolfsburg - B
Christian Rodriquez - Porto to Atl. Madrid - B-
Brett Holman - AZ Alkmaar to Aston Villa - B
Transfers that could happen before the EURO 2012 Final
Hulk - Porto to Chelsea
Jan Vertonghen - Ajax to Tottenham
Gylfi Sigurdsson - Hoffenheim to Swansea (or Liverpool?)
Rafael van der Vaart - Tottenham to Schalke or a Serie A club
Marco Verratti - Pescara to Man City, Juventus, PSG, or AC Milan
Victor Moses - Wigan to Liverpool
Grant Holt - Norwich to Aston Villa
Yann M'Vila - Stade Rennes to Arsenal
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