Euro 2012 what to expect Euro 2012 what to expect

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Whats it all about?16 teams compete for the biggest prize in European football  the Henri Delaunay Trophy.Henri who?Mr Delaunay was UEFAs first General Secretary, but died in 1955, so was unable to see the very first tournament which took place in France, in 1960. He was e sentially the brains behind it.When does it all start?Friday, 8th June is when the first game takes place, between Poland and Greece.And finish?The final will be on Sunday, 1st July.Wheres James Conner Jersey  it being held?Poland and Ukraine.The Polish host cities are Warsaw, Gdansk, Wroclaw and Poznan.The Ukrainian host cities are Kiev, Kharkiv, Lviv and Donetsk.Whos been the most succe sful team in the tournaments history?Ill give you  Anquan Boldin Jersey one gue s. Correct  Germany. Theyve won it a total of three times, in 1972, 1980 and in 1996.What happened last time?2008 was when Spain started their era of world dominance. They won the championships in Vienna, beating Germany 1-0 in the final, thanks to Fernando Torres strike. (He knew where the back of the net was back then.)Whos favourite this year?Its very hard to look past Spain, the current holders and World Cup winners. However, write off the Germans at your peril, while there are several sides looking very strong on paper, including France and Holland. (But dont forget games arent played on paper.)And England?Ah, yes. Well, expectations are certainly lower this time around, and there appears to be more optimism now Mr Capello has departed David Johnson Jersey . Neverthele s, its hard to think the likes of Stewart Downing, Danny Welbeck and Phil Jagielka are going to strike fear into the minds of the major sides.No chance at all?Obviously you can never completely write England off, just because they are England, and theres always a glimmer of hope things may come good one day. In reality though, no. (sorry)Any players to look out for?Yes, heres a few:Robert Lewandowski  Polish striker who scored 30 goals for German champions Boru sia Dortmund last season. A good, outside bet for the Golden Boot award.Mezut Ozil  on his day, can be the best player in the world. Arrives on the back of a championship-winning season with Real Madrid, Ozil can now combine his outstanding talent with top-level experience.Mario Balotelli  sure to do something that will attract the headlines. Will it be a stroke of genius or a moment of madne s?Anatoliy Tymoshchuk  seen it ( Colt McCoy Jersey but not quite done it) all. Still, controls the Ukrainian midfield and brings with him a vast amount of experience having won 115 caps.5 weird and wonderful European Championship facts:The semi-final in 1968 between the USSR and Italy was decided on a to s of a coin. Imagine if that happened nowadays?! (Italy won, by the way)Horst Hrubesch  who scored both of Germanys goals in the 1980 final victory win, was known as the header monster.Denmark won in 1992, but did not actually qualify for the tournament. They took Yugoslavias place, as they were expelled due to the war in the Balkans.This summers championship has the longest distances ever between stadiums. Nearly 2000km separates Gdansk in Poland with Donetsk in Ukraine to the east.Germany were the first side ever to lose a penalty shoot-out (in 1976 to Czechoslovakia).And for the stattos:Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas will be playing this summer in a record fifth Championships.Who do you think will be the star performers? And most importantly, do England have Dennis Gardeck Jersey  a chance?Leave your thoughts below.