Controversies Dominating Euro 2012

Wednesday sees the start of the semi-final stage of Euro 2012, where it is hoped, no more so than at Uefa towers, that on the field activities will start to be the major headline makers.

One of the biggest fears heading into this year's tournament was that racism would hit the headlines, an issue that has been simmering and has occasionally bubbled over since the opener between Poland and Greece.  However, Europe's football governing body has had to issue a number of fines thus far and has come under quite some flack for some of the amounts contained.

Fined

Perhaps the most trivial fine dished out so far was the £80,000 Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner was issued for flashing his 'lucky underpants.'  This of course related to the stunt after his second goal during Denmark's 3-2 group victory over Portugal.  With the words Paddy Power clearly visible on those lucky pants, it was the Irish bookmaker who paid the fine.

The mockery of this, is the near £65,000 Croatia were fined for "the setting-off and throwing of fireworks and the improper conduct of supporters (racist chants, racist symbols)."

Many were quick to add their voice to this issue. Is flashing your pants worse than racism?  Clearly the answer is no, and the way in which Uefa seem to be trying to brush these incidents under the carpet is little short of shocking.  The issue was again brought up yesterday, with news the Croats could be facing more action.  Setting off fireworks and the improper conduct of supporters, the displaying of racist banners and symbols, is the reason behind the latest proceedings.  If found guilty, the action taken against them should be hefty.

Another incident involved Russia and Poland supporters, where it is believed that police had to use water cannons and rubber bullets to help bring back a level of peace.  A statement by the police read:

"More than 183 hooligans were caught by the police because of disorders in Warsaw – firstly during the march to National Stadion, secondly in the Fanzone in Plac Defilad Square. Among the kept persons there are fans of both teams – Russian and Polish.

"There are 10 persons who are injured: 7 Polish, 2 Russians and 1 German – their lives are not in danger concerning the information from the medical services."

The latest involves England, who found themselves on the receiving end following the game with Sweden in the group stage.  A fine of just over £4,000 was issued due to the inappropriate behaviour of fans, who attempted a pitch invasion following the victory.

Take-Over

With many of those countries now eliminated, especially those concerning the more serious incidents, maybe we can now see the football take over the headlines.  The tournament has not exactly been mind blowing and full of tremendous football and standout matches.

Hopefully, as we enter the business end of Euro 2012, the hunger will set in amongst the players and coaches, and some superb performances will be exhibited.

Group D

England

Preparations haven’t exactly gone to plan, the manager has only been in place for around a month and the star player is suspended for the first two fixtures.  It is hard to see the positives; expectations are understandably excruciatingly low.

Qualification didn’t exactly go as smoothly as expected, but with five wins and three draws it crucially means they stayed unbeaten.  One plus point they can take is how the goals were shared, Wayne Rooney, Jermain Defoe, Ashley Young and Darren Bent, who unfortunately failed to make the cut through injury, all finished equal with three goals.

Two unconvincing 1-0 wins against Norway and Belgium have done little to generate any hope; realistically it seems like the quarter finals at best.  That is if they can navigate their way through the first games without their talisman.

Key Man

With Rooney suspended for those first two encounters, it is up to Steven Gerrard to really stand up and be counted as captain.  As one of the remaining members of the ‘golden generation,’ you would expect that this will be his last chance to taste success at international level.

Over the years he has been seen dragging Liverpool out of the mire time and time again, similar inspirational performances could be required this summer.  If takes responsibility to stand up and be counted, the others may well just follow suit.

One To Watch

Arsenal wonder kid Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain could explode on to the scene, if given the chance this summer.  Although well known on our shores, on a European and Worldwide scale knowledge of the 18-year-old will not be as vast.

His fearless nature could be his real advantage, not afraid to turn and run at a Defender no matter who they are and no matter their reputation.  He will however have to overhaul club mate Theo Walcott and maybe the preferred James Milner for that chance though.

France

Laurent Blanc has worked wonders to transform a team that performed so miserably at the World Cup two years ago, into genuine contenders this time around.  There is undoubted talent running right through the side, and the 4-0 demolition of Estonia in their final warm up, accompanied by some lovely goals, was the perfect tonic.

However, it didn’t look all so rosy in Blanc’s first competitive game in charge.  A 1-0 home defeat to Belarus threatened to derail their campaign before it had even began.  Four consecutive victories thereafter though turned things around, and three draws and two wins in the final five games was enough to seal qualification.

Key Man

When plying his trade in France Karim Benzema was one of the hottest properties in the world, but after opting for Real Madrid his performances fell off.  Now though he is justifying the €30m, and under Jose Mourinho has been flourishing in La Liga as his side ended the Barcelona monopoly and stormed to the title.

Benzema is now charged with leading the French attack into Euro 2012, but will have to be on the top of the game to keep Olivier Giroud on the bench.  The Montpelier hit man has flourished when given a chance in the national side, and will be determined to showcase his talents this summer.

One To Watch

One man the Premier League has been hearing a lot about in recent months is holding midfielder Yann M’Vila.  Despite only having made a handful of appearances at international level his stock continues to rise, with his club resigned to losing him this summer.  Arsenal are long time admirers and have been urged to make a move by many parties, but many other top European club are waiting in the wings ready to make a move.

Sweden

Perennial nemesis of the Three Lions, you could almost sense that the same group would beckon for these nations.  After failing to qualify for the World Cup in South Africa, Sweden will be keen to make amends and progress from the group stages would be seen as huge positive.

However it nearly didn’t happen this time around either, with seven victories and two defeats in nine qualifiers they need to beat the Netherlands at home to secure their place.  Not an easy prospect against a side who had stormed all put before them, but they duly delivered and progressed in a best runners up spot.

Key Man

When you think of Sweden, the imperious Zlatan Ibrahimovic springs to mind.  Wherever he has plied in trade he has scored goals galore, but the one major doubt that has blighted his career in his ability to do so at the very highest level.  If Sweden are to progress here though they will need him on top form and firing on all cylinders.

One To Watch

Sebastian Larsson could perhaps go down as one of the most underrated players in the Premier League.  The Sunderland midfield has a terrific crossing ability, often makes a nuisance of himself by getting in the right areas in and around the box and everyone knows of his tremendous quality from dead ball situations.  These qualities could be key for Ibrahimovic finding the net on a regular basis, you have been warned.

Ukraine

The co-hosts qualify automatically of course, so Ukraine have been preparing through a series of friendlies.  When their crippling injury problems didn’t take over that that is.  They will take huge heart from last years draw with Germany and the fact they are currently unbeaten in four, but on the whole results have been four.  With the greatest of respects to Ukraine, you would expect it to be a straight fight between the other three teams in the group for the top two spots.

Key Man

The most capped player in Ukrainian footballing history will have to be at his ultimate best if Ukraine are to avoid being whipping boys.  Step forward Anatoliy Tymoshchuk.  The Bayern Munich midfielder is the rock at the heart of the midfield, and will to produce inspirational performances to spur on his troops.

One To Watch

22-year-old winger and striker Andriy Yarmolenko could well be the one big hope for a bright future for Ukrainian football.  After netting on his international debut, he followed that up last year by underlining his credentials with a goal against Germany.

He has progressed through the ranks at Dynamo Kiev and has been a full international for some three years, he could well be on to bigger and better things with a good showing this summer.

England - lets not get carried away

Two friendly wins from two, an unbeaten 2011 and a Goalkeeper that is still to taste defeat in a Three Lions jersey in some 16 appearances.  It is easy to see why England fans could get carried away with this sides progress, however that would be way too premature and slightly foolish.  Have we not learned from the past?

In many a tournament during my lifetime the same thing happens, people get carried away in the immediate build up thinking victory is inevitable.  Only for that idyllic scenario to explode, and then flows the criticism.  While from the stats this year point to a roaring success, results haven't always been the best.  And if we are perfectly honest, we still fall way behind a lot of nations worldwide.

Don't get me wrong, I am by no means saying we are down in the doldrums, just that we are a side slap band in the middle of transition.  Players like Daniel Sturridge, Jack Rodwell, Kyle Walker etc, who featured in the two recent friendlies, aren't going to immediately come into the side and turn us into world beaters.  We are building for the future, and just how long did it take Spain to become this unbelievable force that we currently see?

However if we can bed these youngsters alongside more experienced members of this side, there's no dount the future could be bright.  Wayne Rooney is of course the fulcrum of the national team, but will be missing for the group games in Euro 2012, the FAs appeal to Fifa aside.  Scott Parker is arguably the best thing to come out of Fabio Capello's era, he looks a natural and picked up another man of the match award against World Champions Spain.  While Defensively we recently looked solid, it can be up and down and as previously mentioned Joe Hart will be number one between the stick for atleast a decade.  Plus there's always the highly regarded under-21s under Stuart Pearce's leadership.

But that is all the future, let's retract and bring it back to the present.  If the Spain game taught us one thing, it was that we need to be more confortable and controlling when in possession.  Vicente Del Bosque's side pegged England back for the majority of the match, and even the most die hard of fans would have to admit we were, at least, a touch fortunate.  Compared to side's of this quality we simply don't come close, there would certainly be no repeat of this score line if we came up against Spain in more serious circumstances.

Sweden was a different kettle of fish.  A nation we hadn't defeated for over three decades, with a very experimental side put out by the Italian.  Walker proving the stand out performer in the 1-0 win, and perhaps proving a real contender to Glen Johnson who continues to divide opinion.

There aren't many games left until Euro 2012 now, and for once I just hope the usual hype doesn't consume this country once again.  Lay off, lessen the pressure and they could well perform at a good standard, although winning the thing will prove one or two steps too far.