With all the domestic leagues in Europe just about finished and this being an even numbered year, it means there's more football to come in the Northern summer.
This time it's the turn of the European Football Championships - or the Euros as we like to call them - and again it'll be hosted in two countries; this time it's the two former Eastern bloc neighbours, Poland and the Ukraine.
It looks set to be the biggest Euros yet in terms of following and money. Qualification saw little upsets and all the traditional giants like Germany, England, the Netherlands, Italy, Russia, France & of course the champions, Spain, made it through to the Finals.
It means all groups are highly competitive with sides like Ireland, Poland, Denmark, Ukraine, the Czechs, etc. capable of an upset or two to knock one of the fancied sides out.
Group C
A tough group for the Irish and Croats but with the fragile Italians there, there is every chance of an upset here.
Spain
Raging hot favourites for obvious reasons - they are the reigning World and European champions and their domestic football is top of the world at the moment, and most importantly, it's still very much the same side that emerged victorious in Vienna and Johannesburg. Coach Vicente del Bosque is also still there and ready to guide the Spanish to an unprecedented treble.
However, question marks have been raised in recent months. Real Madrid and Barcelona, undoubtedly the two best club sides in the world with much of the starting XI for the Spanish, were beaten in their Champions League semifinals to Bayern Munich and Chelsea respectively, and looked lethargic towards the end of a very long and gruelling campaign. However, lethargy aside, both sides looked like they had been figured out by the opposition. Whether the players are saving up for their shot at national glory remains to be seen.
But they've been dealt a blow with the injury to inspirational defender, Carles Puyol. He is a huge blow in my opinion, just for his experience and versatility at the back. He is easily the best defender in Europe up there with the greats like Cannavaro and Deschamps and I wonder if his loss could be just like the All Blacks losing Richie McCaw for the Rugby World Cup. Yes Gerard Pique or Sergio Ramos will fill the gap left by Puyol but there is more to that than just filling the gap.
Nevertheless, the rest of the team should still be quite sound with the Barcelona trio of Xavi, Iniesta & Serge Busquets likely to fill the midfield and supported by the highly talented Cesc Fabregas, Juan Mata & David Silva. Strikers could be an issue with David Villa having been out for so long, could del Bosque contemplate following Guardiola and playing Fabregas or Mata up front?
They should make it out of their group easily and make it to the Final, but I wonder if it may be time that one of the contenders will emerge to beat them - I'm tipping Germany this time as surely it must be Jogi Loew's time.
Italy
What to make of the former world champions of 2006? Italy have always been the sleeping giants of world football who seem to wake up every 24 years for the World Cup but have never really taken to the Euros apart from that final in 2000. They have always had the players although it has to be said that the class of 2012 may not be one of the best despite waltzing through the qualifying rounds.
Having said that, there is plenty of experience in the likes of Gianluigi Buffon, Andrea Pirlo, Daniele de Rossi and Antonio de Natale. Then there's the enigma called Mario Balotelli who is more likely to implode in the next few weeks than Mount Vesuvius.
At the same time though, Italian football is not necessarily at its best right now with the once mighty Serie A now behind the Bundesliga, La Liga and Premier League, and Italians not really at the forefront of the European club transfer window.
In their azure blue, they will be tough opposition for the Spanish but I wonder if their outdated philosophy on football of catenaccio will be torn apart by the Spanish's lovely possession football.
Possibly runners-up in the group and a 50-50 quarterfinal against either France or the Ukraine.
Croatia
Croatia are a bit of an enigma in international football. Some might even say they are the serial underperformers of European football despite having so many talented players playing for big clubs like Ivan Rakitic, Luka Modric, Niko Krancjar, Ivica Olic & Nikica Jelavic.
Should Italy or Spain slip up, Croatia may be in the best position to take advantage but it is often they who slip up and there is little sign to suggest that their mental state of mind has improved at big tournaments. In fact, at the last Euros, they conceded a killer last minute goal to Turkey in extra time and thereafter fell apart in the penalty shootout. And they missed out on the World Cup thereafter.
All talent, but will miss out on the quarterfinals.
Republic of Ireland
The phrase "the luck of the Irish" will make its return to a major tournament after the Irish bulldozed Estonia in the playoffs. That luck appears to have deserted them in the draw, having been drawn with the current and former world champions. Mind you, a tough draw for the pools has never stopped the Irish progressing to the 2nd round in all but one of the tournaments they have been involved in.
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| Rising Sunderland and Irish star, James McClean |
Make no bones about it, this Irish squad is not one of the most talented in the world. However, they should be one of the grittiest and most hardworking, reinforced by their Italian coach, Giovanni Trappatoni. There will be firepower in captain, Robbie Keane and a wall in the goal in keeper, Shay Given but tough questions will be asked of Richard Dunne's defence and that midfield.
There is some talent on the wings though with the experienced Damien Duff and the exciting James McClean and this could be a big audition on the world stage for both of them.
Can the luck of the Irish prevail against three highly talented and more fancied sides? Write the Irish off at your peril.
An unlucky 3rd place for the Irish with lots of draws.
Tips: Spain 1st, Italy 2nd, Ireland and Croatia miss out.
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