Friday nights results in the European Championship qualifiers have left some of Europe’s biggest teams on the brink of qualification.
With more qualification games on Tuesday some of Europe’s big guns can be confident that they will be at next years competition in Poland and Ukraine.
Germany
Germany booked their place at the European Championships with a 6-2 hammering of neighbours Austria at the Allianz Arena.
A hat-trick from Real Madrid playmaker Mesut Ozil and goals from Mario Gotze, Lukas Podolski and Andre Schurrle confirmed Germany their place at Euro 2012.
Germany have to be considered one of the favourites for the tournament in Poland and Ukraine. Their form in the last few years has been breathtaking and they seem to have an endless group of youngsters coming through their youth rank.
The Germans are starting to remind of the Spanish in 2007. A group of players breaking through with a set philosophy of how to play the game. Does that sound familiar?
Holland
The Dutch have an unblemished record in group E with seven wins out seven. Their latest victory a 11-0 mauling of San Marino has also given them an amazing goal difference of 27, the best goal difference of anybody in qualification.
However San Marino are one of the weakest teams in world football. Holland are now ranked as number one in the FIFA world rankings and have to be considered one of the big dangers to the Spanish crown as European Champions.
There wasn’t much between the pair in last years World Cup final and Holland seem to be playing better than they have for along time.
Italy
Italian football has been in the doldrums of late, especially after their early exit at last years World Cup. This period has been seen as something of a transitional one for the Azzurri. They have however topped their qualification group with ease.
A 1-0 victory in the Faroe Islands was far from convincing though. They are however eight points clear at the top of group C and look like qualifying without many problems. You can never rule the Italians out at a major tournament but its difficult to see them challenging for the big prize next year.
France
Another team who endured a nightmare time at last summers World Cup. France however are currently three points clear at the top group D and look likely to qualify for Poland and Ukraine. Boss Laurent Blanc has brought a freshness to Les Bleus squad and is doing a good job so far.
Blanc’s team travel to face Albania on Tuesday in a must win game. The Albanians are second from bottom in the group but haven’t had a terrible campaign so far. I expect Les Bleus to be at Euro 2012, but they are still a work in progress.
England
England are now three points clear of second place Montenegro in group G. England were relatively impressive as they defeated Bulgaria 3-0 in Sofia on Friday. There is a sense of optimism around the Three Lions camp though.
The emergence of younger players in the squad has given the team a fresh look. And there is real hope within the nation that these players can do better than the so called “Golden Generation”. The doom and gloom about last years World Cup is slowly ebbing away and giving way to quiet optimism.
Although England fans are now optimistic, I’m sure we can still expect our obligatory exit at the quarter final stage of the competition, if we do qualify.
Difficult
If they qualify all these countries will go in to the European Championships believing they can win the trophy. However holders and World Champions Spain will be hard to beat. Apart from a recent friendly defeat by Italy Spain have looked good in recent months.
Next years competition is sure to be an interesting one with so many good teams with good players hoping to win it. Its hard to see anybody but the mentioned teams winning the competition but with football you never know.
Greece came from nowhere to win the European Championships in 2004. However I think its very unlikely that a team will do the same in 2012.
Will all the above teams qualify for the European Championships?
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