Euro 2012: The big favorite

In this week before the start of Euro 2012 Poland and Ukraine , started in Football Notes a series of posts as a prior on participants in the tournament. With them, try to get an idea of what to expect over the next month. Who are the favorites? What about the unknowns? What choices can cause an upset? What players should not lose track?

To begin, we focus on that for us are the favorites to clinch victory. Without wanting to exclude anyone, three teams stand out above the others in game and career. The analyzed below.

Spain

Won European Championships: 2 (1964, 2008)

We are facing the defending champion and his own right, leading candidate to victory. Four years later, Spain Euro faces a very different way. While Austria and Switzerland we got to the complex had always characterized this selection and preparation, as always, the case for the quarterfinals, now the mentality is very different. Lift a World Championship and since then, have turned Spain into a rotund security team itself, fully aware of its possibilities and even favoritism. The players know they should not fear anyone, while they are the most feared.

Strengths: A clearly defined style

The victory of the Spanish team is to have finally found an identity, a style that defines them. The game of touch, patient and technician and is a sign that identifies us. But it is not just a way of being, but our shortest route to victory. Spain knows that if anything is left over quality in their midfield, and thus strengthens its presence in the call. No matter if they play Xavi and Iniesta and Silva and Cazorla. No matter if Beñat debuts. Nobody needs a lecture prior to knowing how to play. The shirt of Spain and has established a style of play.

Weak point: Difficulties in front of goal

While not an alarming problem, the difficulty to realize the opportunities created may be more pronounced the problem of selection. If we go to the World Cup in South Africa, remember that Spain won all four games since crossing to the final round 1-0, despite dominating the game clearly. And to make matters worse, the absence of Villa is of paramount importance in this regard. We are talking about the top scorer in Euro 2008 selection as much as 2010 World Cup. His goals led us to the semifinals, opening the can in every game.

Fernando Torres will be the witness to take the gourd. After a difficult season, the Chelsea striker has come replete with this appointment. Del Bosque said his great form, which already began to show in the last friendly against South Korea . With the permission of Llorente and Negredo, Torres must take this leadership scorer. Reconnect with yourself and go back to being the front than four years ago sowed panic among the Zagas rivals.

Germany

Won European Championships: 3 (1972, 1980, 1996)

For many, Germany is the favorite even over Spain. Admittedly, the German football is booming, and that Joachim Löw is knowing how to make the material available. Germany does not disappoint in a major competition or when little is expected of her, so hard it will when part as a favorite. A Germany without sacrificing its historic strength and consistency, bet on a football developed and dominant.

Strengths: Youth and quality

Ozil, Kroos, Götze, Müller, German Schürrle ... The list is filled with players of quality and impressive youth. The Teutonic attack is no longer characterized only by its historical and firmly attached. The domain, good ball skills, creativity in the backs of the attack, are hallmarks of a team that every year increases its potential and continues to incorporate young values.

Ozil excelled in South Africa 2010. Two years later, comes to the Euro become the star of Real Madrid and leading the German team. Their quality blends seamlessly with the leadership of Schweinsteiger and Lahm, not to mention the tremendous power of Mario Gomez Miroslav Klose or so used to shine in these competitions.

Weak point: Insecurity in the rear

Despite having good laborers, the defense will be the weak point of Joachim Loew for the Euro 2012. Hummels, the young player of Borussia Dortmund, is without doubt the best ningunda central Germany. However, its performance in the colors of the national team has not yet reached the level shown in your club. Mertesacker's role is unknown due to injuries, and will have to see Boateng's mental state and Badstuber, central Bayern after losing the Champions League final in their stadium. In lanes will Lahm and Schmelzer, two good sides but always suffer when the opponent defensively required.

Holland

European Championships won: 1 (1988)

The other big favorite for the victory. Attempt to remove the thorn Holland 2010, when he lost the World Cup final in the dying moments of extra time. To this end, facing the European Championship with a block very similar to two years ago, spiced with the addition of some young talent like Kevin Strootman, protagonist in recent games. Your way to the title will be most difficult from the outset, having been drawn in group of death, along with Germany, Portugal and Denmark.

Strengths: Offensive Potential

Undoubtedly, the greatest strength of the Netherlands is in the attack. We are talking about a team that has the top scorer in the Premiership and the Bundesliga. And therein lies the main doubt Bert van Marwijk, to which give ownership? His immovable 4-2-3-1 system leaves room only for a forward. In test matches being carried out in recent days has come to try to Van Persie on the right wing, but without success. Arsenal striker himself has admitted in recent statements, that suspicion will vest in the first game.

But the danger does not end up in Holland in the blessed problem to choose between Huntelaar and Van Persie. They must add their two biggest stars of recent years: Robben and Sneijder. The two heads of the proper role of selection in South Africa 2010. Both should lead the game, although this remains to be seen how morally Robben responds to recent defeat in the Champions League final, which also missed a penalty.

Weak point: defense Weakness

The imbalance of the team arrives at the defensive end, where the Netherlands does not maintain the level, let alone, men of attack. Veteran players like Mathijsen, Heitinga or Boulahrouz not give sufficient guarantees for the selection of this caliber, while the left side is a pain for Van Marwijk. Not so on the right side, where Van der Wiel has a guaranteed spot.

In NDF | Euro 2012 Poland and Ukraine