UEFA EURO 2012 Update
UEFA EURO 2012 Update
January 15, 2011
Fifty one teams are off and running – competing for the ultimate win at Poland and Ukraine in the late summer of 2012. World champions Spain are on maximum points to date, along with Germany, Netherlands. Russia and Norway as well. Other top tier teams are Italy, France, and Croatia.
A – 1. Germany, 2. Austria
B – 1. Russia. 2. Republic of Ireland
C – 1. Italy, 2. Slovenia
D – 1. France. 2. Belarus
E- 1. Netherlands. 2. Hungary
F – 1. Croatia. 2. Greece
G – 1. Montenegro, 2. England
H – 1. Norway. 2. Portugal
I – 1. Spain, 2. Czech Republic
GROUPS UPDATE
Group A
Germany’s four wins included a 3-0 against Turkey in Berlin – which featured two of Miroslav Klose’s six goals so far. Austria sit second after maintaining their unbeaten start with a 4-4 draw in Belgium – Martin Harnik equalising in the 93rd minute.
Group B
Russia tops the group due to three away victories, the most recent an impressive 3-2 success against the Republic of Ireland’s second place team.
Group C
Italy’s Azzurri are ahead with the help of strikers Antonio Cassano and Leonardo Bonucci. UEFA awarded Italy a 3-0 forfeit win that gives them 10 points from a possible 12. Italy’s only dropped points came in a goalless draw in Northern Ireland. Slovinia are in second.
Group D
France’s new coach, Laurent Blanc, got a bad start with a 1-0 home reverse against Belarus, Sergei Kislyak scoring with four minutes remaining. However, Les Bleus responded with successive 2-0 victories over Bosnia and Herzegovina, Romania and Luxembourg. Belarus remain unbeaten in second.
Group E
The FIFA World Cup runners-up boast 12 points due to eight-goal leading scorer Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. New Sweden coach Erik Hamrén saw his side leapfrogged into second spot by Hungary, who responded to an opening loss to the Swedes with three straight wins including a 2-1 success in Finland.
Group F
Croatia are firmly on course for the finals with ten points from four matches – the latest a 3-0 defeat of Malta leaving them two points clear of unbeaten Greece.
Group G
Zlatko Kranjčar’s Montenegro have made a dream start, heading the group after collecting three wins – all 1-0 – and a goalless draw against second place England. England have beaten Bulgaria and Switzerland.
Group H
Egil Olsen who took the Norwegians to their first World Cups in the 1990s and ‘Drillo’ has got them optimistic after wins over Iceland, Portugal and Cyprus. “I am the first to admit our attacking play leaves a lot to be desired, but defensively we are world class,” said the 68-year-old after September’s 1-0 home success against second place Portugal.
Group I
Spain began their European title defence with wins over Liechtenstein (4-0) and Lithuania (3-1). The Czech Republic sit second after recovering from a home loss to Lithuania.
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