Euro 2012

Euro 2012: France to confront England yet again!

By No author
08/12/2011

Vive la Mesentente Cordiale! The old rivals are thrown together again in the first round of Euro 2012.  Who has the most to fear? Will it be a glorious farewell for Fabio Capello, or the dawning of a brave new era for Laurent Blanc’s new generation?

Zinedine Zidane (AFP)

On Friday 2 December, at Kiev, the four groups for the first round of Euro 2012 were drawn by Marco Van Basten and Zinedine Zidane and France finds itself in Group D facing England, Sweden and the Ukraine. A tough group certainly, but one which avoids the likely tournament favourites of Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain.

Laurent Blanc, for now at least, appears relieved.  France and England will be the favourites to go through from the group but neither team will take anything for granted after their respective disappointments in South Africa.  Remember France as favourite in their World Cup group of South Africa, Mexico and Uruguay?  No-one needs reminding of the abject failure which followed, nor of the shameful episode of the team strike.

Surely history cannot and will not repeat itself?  The highly disliked Domenech has been sent upon his way and the future is now surely secure in the hands of the hugely-respected Laurent Blanc?

Nevertheless, the Blues must be cautious. Ukraine, host country of Euro 2012 jointly with Poland, will be desperate to progress. The Swedes are rarely a pushover either. England, well, who knows? Without the banned Rooney, and with the old guard who failed in South Africa still blocking the rise of the next generation, what will Capello do in his last tournament as manager? He seems to be leaning towards the younger generation, but has never given the impression of being anything other than extremely cautious. Perhaps the youngsters will miraculously come of age in the heat of the battle?

The scene is set for another huge clash between the teams in white and blue.

Donetsk, 11^th June 2012. Don’t miss it!