Europe’s top soccer nations gather in Kiev today to discover their fate when the draw takes place for Euro 2012 with all eyes looking out for a so-called “Group of Death.”
The draw takes place at the National Palace of Arts in the Ukrainian capital, with a host of previous European champions set to help out to decide which teams will play where and when with the tournament set to kick off on June 8.
Four groups made up of four sides will be drawn with a team coming from each of four pots and the draw will be beamed by 70 broadcasters to 150 countries.
Co-hosts Poland and the Ukraine are both in Pot One, along with World Cup finalists Holland and holders Spain, who have to be regarded as favorites owing to their status as World and European champions.
POWERHOUSES
Soccer powerhouses Germany, England, Italy and Russia are in Pot Two and none of the four will give their opponents an easy time in the group stages.
Former European champions Greece, who lifted the Euro 2004 title, are in Pot Three along with Portugal, Sweden and Croatia.
Denmark, Euro 2000 champions France, Ireland and the Czech Republic make up Pot Four.
Potentially, Spain, who lifted the Euro 2008 title in Vienna, could find themselves along with Greece, France and Germany, Euro ’96 winners, in a group made up of the last four title winners.
However, whatever the groups throw up, France coach Laurent Blanc has said he is just eager to avoid Germany, who along with Spain, came through their qualification campaign with the perfect record of 10 wins.
PRAYERS
The Frenchman told sports daily L’Equipe he has lit a candle with a prayer “France is not in the same Euro 2012 group as Germany.”
Since finishing third at last year’s World Cup finals, Germany have impressed this year with friendly wins over Brazil and the Netherlands, but coach Joachim Loew said he was in a relaxed mood.
“I have no potential dream or nightmare opponents, we know that anything is possible and we will take the draw as it comes,” the 51-year-old said. “The European Championships involve the top teams and is an attractive tournament, there won’t be any easy games either in the group stages or the knock-out games.”
“If Euro 2012 was starting tomorrow, I would be pleased, but a lot can change in football in six months,” Loew said.
MUTUAL FEELINGS
While the Germans would no doubt like to avoid Spain, who beat them in last year’s World Cup semi-final, the feeling is mutual.
“Germany has added the extra characteristics of ‘tournament team’ and ‘battled-hardened’ to their qualities,” Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said.
He has also warned against Spanish complacency.
“The challenge ahead is to do the best possible, because we have an added responsibility after winning the European Championships and the World Cup,” he told -Spanish newspaper Sport.
Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk has said the Oranje have no one to fear, despite Germany’s 3-0 drubbing of them in Hamburg, Germany, on Nov. 12.
THREE LIONS
The Three Lions of England will also be among the favorites to lift the title in the final to be held in Kiev on July 1.
The three-week long tournament will be hosted by four cities in each country: Warsaw, Wroclaw, Gdansk and Poznan in Poland; Kiev, Donetsk, Kharkiv and Lviv in the Ukraine.
The tournament was awarded to the former Warsaw Pact nations in April 2007, when bids from Italy and Croatia-Hungary were narrowly beaten.
New stadiums in Gdansk, Warsaw and Kiev have now opened and UEFA will be hoping at least one of the host nations makes it to the knock-out stages, unlike Austria and Switzerland, who both exited early at Euro 2008.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely