Euro 2012 starts from 8th June. and all excitement comes to end when Group D opening match France vs. England starts on 11th June.Watch here Euro 2012: Group D-Ukraine, England, France, Sweden Preview, Live Coverage, TV Schedule
Group D Rankings
Ukraine (FIFA: 50/UEFA: 28)
England (FIFA: 7/UEFA: 5)
France (FIFA: 16/UEFA: 11)
Sweden (FIFA: 17/UEFA: 12)
It will take England and Sweden to suddenly click to deny France a place in the quarterfinals, and if they win the group as expected they could really find a route to the semifinals before anyone knows what is happening.
Les Bleus are the best side in what looks like the weakest group, but England, while often overestimated, are never to be underestimated, and Sweden are more than capable of causing huge problems for Blanc and co.
The Ukraine are probably the worst team in the competition—especially when you consider the injury situation for Blokhin—so second place will be fought out between Sweden, who offer exceptional value at 9/5 to qualify, and England, so the match on June 15 takes on even more meaning.
Add in the minor factor of Sweden only having to travel by bus for 90 miles during the entire group stage while England travel for 3,400 by plane, and you find that extra fatigue could be a deciding factor.
Given the recent form and troubles, the head has to choose the Swedes over their English cousins, but the heart says England will win through.
Winners: France: 13/8 to win Group D, 4/9 to qualify
Runners-Up: England: 2/1 to win Group D, 8/13 to qualify
Group D Fixtures
Match (07) June 11: France vs. England (Donbass Arena, Donetsk - 50,000)
Match (08) June 11: Ukraine vs. Sweden (Olympic Stadium, Kiev - 60,000)
Match (15) June 15: Ukraine vs. France (Donbass Arena, Donetsk - 50,000)
Match (16) June 15: Sweden vs. England (Olympic Stadium, Kiev - 60,000)
Match (23) June 19: Sweden vs. France (Olympic Stadium, Kiev - 60,000)
Match (24) June 19: England vs. Ukraine (Donbass Arena, Donetsk - 50,000)
Players to Watch
Ukraine
Euro 2012 will be hugely important for the Ukraine, but it will be most important to Andriy Yarmolenko. The powerful left-sided forward has been electric for Dynamo Kiev this season, and Euro 2012 will really put him in the shop window for a big move to one of the main leagues.
He is blessed with an incredible work rate and has a velvet touch when on the ball, so all eyes will be on the 22-year-old when Ukraine plays.
England
The Three Lions come into Euro 2012 under something of a cloud, and following the late withdrawals of key players they actually go into the tournament with the second youngest squad behind Germany.
The one to watch will be Theo Walcott. The Arsenal winger has improved immensely since his last major tournament, and he will provide a constant out ball for a team who struggle to hold onto the ball under pressure. His pace and directness mark him out as a winger of some danger and if he can get his shooting boots on England could go far.
France
Having been left out of Raymond Domenech's World Cup squad, all eyes will be on Karim Benzema to repeat his club form for his country. The 45-times-capped striker has only found the net 13 times in blue, but he is more than capable of rising to any occasion. As a striker he is strong, direct, has a good touch and is very hard working, so he is always guaranteed to get chances.
Sweden
Every team will be watching Zlatan Ibrahimovic, especially if he drops deep as expected, so that will leave gaps for the exciting Rasmus Elm to expose.
As a player he is typically Scandinavian in that he is a tireless runner, except that he is blessed with good vision both on and off the ball. He comes into the Euros after a good season with AZ Alkmaar in Holland full in the knowledge that three more good performances could earn him a move to England or Germany.
Group D Rankings
Ukraine (FIFA: 50/UEFA: 28)
England (FIFA: 7/UEFA: 5)
France (FIFA: 16/UEFA: 11)
Sweden (FIFA: 17/UEFA: 12)
It will take England and Sweden to suddenly click to deny France a place in the quarterfinals, and if they win the group as expected they could really find a route to the semifinals before anyone knows what is happening.
Les Bleus are the best side in what looks like the weakest group, but England, while often overestimated, are never to be underestimated, and Sweden are more than capable of causing huge problems for Blanc and co.
The Ukraine are probably the worst team in the competition—especially when you consider the injury situation for Blokhin—so second place will be fought out between Sweden, who offer exceptional value at 9/5 to qualify, and England, so the match on June 15 takes on even more meaning.
Add in the minor factor of Sweden only having to travel by bus for 90 miles during the entire group stage while England travel for 3,400 by plane, and you find that extra fatigue could be a deciding factor.
Given the recent form and troubles, the head has to choose the Swedes over their English cousins, but the heart says England will win through.
Winners: France: 13/8 to win Group D, 4/9 to qualify
Runners-Up: England: 2/1 to win Group D, 8/13 to qualify
Group D Fixtures
Match (07) June 11: France vs. England (Donbass Arena, Donetsk - 50,000)
Match (08) June 11: Ukraine vs. Sweden (Olympic Stadium, Kiev - 60,000)
Match (15) June 15: Ukraine vs. France (Donbass Arena, Donetsk - 50,000)
Match (16) June 15: Sweden vs. England (Olympic Stadium, Kiev - 60,000)
Match (23) June 19: Sweden vs. France (Olympic Stadium, Kiev - 60,000)
Match (24) June 19: England vs. Ukraine (Donbass Arena, Donetsk - 50,000)
Players to Watch
Ukraine
Euro 2012 will be hugely important for the Ukraine, but it will be most important to Andriy Yarmolenko. The powerful left-sided forward has been electric for Dynamo Kiev this season, and Euro 2012 will really put him in the shop window for a big move to one of the main leagues.
He is blessed with an incredible work rate and has a velvet touch when on the ball, so all eyes will be on the 22-year-old when Ukraine plays.
England
The Three Lions come into Euro 2012 under something of a cloud, and following the late withdrawals of key players they actually go into the tournament with the second youngest squad behind Germany.
The one to watch will be Theo Walcott. The Arsenal winger has improved immensely since his last major tournament, and he will provide a constant out ball for a team who struggle to hold onto the ball under pressure. His pace and directness mark him out as a winger of some danger and if he can get his shooting boots on England could go far.
France
Having been left out of Raymond Domenech's World Cup squad, all eyes will be on Karim Benzema to repeat his club form for his country. The 45-times-capped striker has only found the net 13 times in blue, but he is more than capable of rising to any occasion. As a striker he is strong, direct, has a good touch and is very hard working, so he is always guaranteed to get chances.
Sweden
Every team will be watching Zlatan Ibrahimovic, especially if he drops deep as expected, so that will leave gaps for the exciting Rasmus Elm to expose.
As a player he is typically Scandinavian in that he is a tireless runner, except that he is blessed with good vision both on and off the ball. He comes into the Euros after a good season with AZ Alkmaar in Holland full in the knowledge that three more good performances could earn him a move to England or Germany.
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