EURO 2012

… well respected. His biggest strength will be his honesty. Whatever he says on TV he would be prepared to say to a player’s face in the changing room.”
England have been drawn in Group D for the finals, where they will face France, Sweden and co-hosts Ukraine, while their path to the latter stages appears to be tough.
In the last eight, if they qualify, they will take on either the winners or the runners-up from Group C, which features holders Spain, Italy, Croatia and the Republic of Ireland.

Almost half (48%) of Poland’s population trust that the Polish national team will be able to advance to the next stage and play in quarterfinals, while only a few respondents (3%) hope for the championship – results from the latest survey carried out by CBOS.

According to the CBOS survey, the Poles are careful optimists in evaluation of chances of our national football team at Euro 2012. Over ¼ of respondents (29%) are pessimistically disposed and anticipate that the Polish team won’t be …

… and will play two friendly matches – on 26th of May, with Norway in the Ullevaal stadium in Oslo and six days later with Belgium in London’s Wembley.

During the tournament, Roy Hodgson’s protégées will be accommodated in Cracow.

At the group stage, they will be playing in Group D. On June 11, they will measure their strength with France in Donetsk, on June 15, with Sweden in Kiev and four days later with Ukraine – again in Donetsk.

Portugal Euro 2012 Squad

Goalkeepers – …

… the Sweden’s lineup.

Sweden will play in group D and starts Euro 2012 on June 11, playing with Ukraine. On June 15, the team will measure its strength with England and four days later with France. All matches at this stage of championships will take place in Kiev.

Sweden’s squad lacks among others John Guidetti (Manchester City) who has health problems, Michael Almebaeck (Club Brugge), Oscar Wendt (Moenchengladbach), Marcus Olsson (Blackburn Rovers) and the seriously injured Daniel …

…, are also keen to sign the Lille player but City, 6/4 to retain their crown in 2012-13, appear to be in the driving seat.
Mancini does not want to rest on his laurels after City’s sensational last-gasp win against Queens Park Rangers on Sunday, which secured the club’s first title in 44 years.
City crashed out of the Champions League group stages this term and Mancini believes he needs at least three new top-class recruits to give them a serious tilt of winning Europe’s premier competition.

… at neutral venues in the semi-finals.
Leeds are 9/2 with bet365 to win the competition this season, while Huddersfield can be backed at 11/2.
“It is an exciting draw whoever you get in the semi-finals, as all of the teams in the hat at this stage of the competition are immensely talented. You know it’s going to be a top four or five team and that’s how it has turned out,” said Brown, who will leave Huddersfield to coach St Helens at the end of this season.
The Giants booked their place in …

….
Chisora had his boxing licence revoked by the British Boxing Board of Control as a result of the unsavoury incident, while Haye does not hold a licence with the BBBC as he retired following his defeat in a heavyweight title fight against Vitali’s brother Wladimir last year.
The event will be staged with the Luxembourg Boxing Federation on 14th July, with Chisora 15/8 with bet365 to win the bout.
Meanwhile, former WBA heavyweight champion Haye can be backed at 2/5 to emerge victorious.

… more. Look at the current Euro 2012 winners odds.

And what do the teams’ chances to become winners of their groups look like?

The Poles, Greeks, Czechs and Russians will compete in Group A. The best chance of making it to the next stage of the tournament is given by bookies to the Russian team. Close behind them, according to persons assigning the value of betting odds, are Poles. The Czechs are on the third position and on the fourth place are the Greeks.

Group B is significantly…

… vastly experienced manager believes that reaching the last eight would be acceptable.
“I’d be bitterly disappointed if we didn’t get out of the group,” Hodgson said.
“One is tempted to say, because it’s England, that success is only reaching the latter stages, or even the only success is winning, but I’d like people to cut us a bit of slack.”
England face France, Sweden and Ukraine in Group D in Poland and Ukraine, beginning their campaign against the French on 11th June in Donetsk.
They …

…way by 2010 Crucible winner Neil Robertson in the quarter-finals of the World Championship.

O’Sullivan beat Mark Williams 13-6 to reach the last eight and is now 15/8 with bet365 to clinch his fourth world title.
However, he said of Robertson, who is 7/2 to win the tournament: “I think whoever wins this championship will have to beat Neil Robertson, and I’ve got to play him now.
“Neil’s had a brilliant season, he’s won the Masters. He’s a big-time player and he’s proved it on the big stage.”