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Euro 2012

Euro 2012: here's how our writers think it'll all pan out

Plans for hooleys on the Walkinstown roundabout, drinking bowls of loud-mouth soup on high stools, retro jerseys and some football. Here’s how we see it.

Tony Cuddihy

What are you hoping to see over the next month?

A pile of drunk Irish men and women descending on O’Connell Street, car horns beeping, with everyone scratching their heads and wondering where the Floozie In The Jacuzzi is when you need her? The Spire isn’t half as appropriate for post-beating-Spain delirium.

What are you expecting to see over the next month?

A win, a loss and a draw for Ireland, not necessarily in that order; Fernando Torres to start the Italy match and be benched for Alvaro Negredo thereafter; an underused James McClean; more of that legendarily subtle commentary from The Sun as England fail to exit the group stages; Andrei Arshavin to be ridiculously brilliant, before going back to being painfully average; leg breakers from the Dutch; Croatia to be Ireland’s toughest opponents and tournament ‘dark horses’; a lot of bunting; Enda Kenny being convivial and speaking fluent football (from a script); three Eamon Dunphy hissy-fits.

Which player will steal the show?

Kevin Strootman of Holland despite the fact that the RTE panel ‘have never seen him play, Bill.’ He’s off to Milan next season and with good cause. A hammer of a shot, the ability to win the ball cleanly, exceptional passing skills and he’s only 22.

I’ll be …. when Ireland take the pitch against Croatia on 10 June

I’ll be sweating/kneeling/praying/working/drinking copious amounts of lager beer when Ireland take the pitch against Croatia on June 10. Possibly all at the same time.

I was … during Euro ’88

I was poring over my first ever Panini sticker album during Euro 88. I wonder what Gerald Vanenburg and Vasily Rats are doing now?

How will Ireland do overall and why?

Four points, but we won’t get out of the group. We’ll finish third behind Spain and Croatia, with Italy bottom. Why? Because we’re better than we think, but our lack of a single world class talent will mean respectable failure.

Who will win the tournament?

Germany.

In a month’s time we’ll all be…

…about a stone heavier, singing songs about Glenn Whelan and swearing off drink until Christmas.

Miguel Delaney

What are you hoping to see over the next month?

Being Irish-Spanish, I’m hoping both teams get through the group. That may seem unrealistic. Much more unrealistic, though, is wanting Ireland to actually win the group. Since that will keep us in Poland as opposed to going to Ukraine – a much more arduous operation given how far east Donetsk is – it will make my own personal and professional life at the time much easier. It seems beggars can be choosers. Above all, though, I’m just hoping Ireland give a good, competitive account of themselves.

What are you expecting to see over the next month?

The Germans to win it, Ireland to draw at least two games and probably lose one. I think we’ll be in it to the end of the group but, given its quality, might just fall short.

Which player will steal the show?

Mesut Ozil. Maybe Franck Ribery too. Feel he’s  a man on a bit of a mission and France have a forgiving group. Similarly, Fernando Torres is suddenly looking relatively revitalised after two years of toil and, given Spain’s striker troubles, that may be opportune.

I’ll be …. when Ireland take the pitch against Croatia on 10 June

In the press box in Poznan, writing furiously because of the late kick-off.

I was … during Euro ’88

Almost five and just about starting to form conscious memories. I think I can remember fuss about Houghton and Whelan being the “best” players at the time.

How will Ireland do overall?

As I said above, I think we’ll give a good account  of ourselves in every game and, although there seems a much greater opportunity for a real surprise than there did when the draw was initially made, I feel we may just fall short. But not without some degree of emotion. Certainly, Trapattoni’s Ireland will not be embarrassed.

Who will win the tournament?

Germany. Both they and Spain are far away the best teams in the competition but Jogi Loew’s side are far fresher. I have an inkling for France too. Given Laurent Blanc’s steady work and the nature of their group, I think they can pick up confidence and momentum and go far.

In a month’s time we’ll all be…

Proud.

Germany’s goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)

Sean Farrell

What are you hoping to see over the next month?

Goals, and lots of them. Free-flowing, attacking, end-to-end football with limited input from the referee… except in Group C where I want the opposite of all that.

What are you expecting to see over the next month?

Tight, tense tussles in the opening week before eight countries suddenly realise they’ve got their boarding card printed and need to take this thing seriously.

Which player will steal the show?

Glenn Whelan, he stole my bike once… but gave it back. Nice lad. *not a true story*. A tournament thrives when a host does well, so I’m hoping Ukraine’s young winger Andriy Yarmolenko can turn some heads.

I’ll be …. when Ireland take the pitch against Croatia on June 10

Putting my feet up, sipping a cold beer, shouting ‘ever heard of a trouser press’ at Slaven Bilic. Just a regular day at work, really.

I was … during Euro 88

Finally learning the meaning of the word abandonment, but all I could say was ‘where’s daddy?’ He was on the hunt for the best stout Stuttgart had to offer.

How will Ireland do overall and why?

Overall? I’m getting more and more confident. We all know Spain are on the slide, Italy are ripe for the picking and Croatia is a 50-50 game. However, when I really start to think about it; meeting England in the quarters would be savage, but I can’t see either of us escaping the group.

Who will win the tournament?

The Netherlands, despite being nobody’s favourite team at the World Cup, they are still jam-packed with talent. The trouble is they are in the group of death, but if they can come out alongside Germany or Portugal they will be pitted against the weakest group (A) in the quarter finals.

In a month’s time we’ll all be…

Wondering how to spend a rainy summer’s day when there’s no more football to look forward to.

Paul Fennessy

What are you hoping to see over the next month?

A team such as Spain winning the tournament while playing an attractive brand of football, rather than a well-organised but unspectacular Chelsea-esque side triumphing. Unless the unspectacular team in question is Ireland of course, in which case I’d be more than happy for unadventurous football to prevail.

What are you expecting to see over the next month?

An abundance of complaints about referees, newspapers columns proclaiming Trap to be a genius/idiot, newspaper columns proclaiming Roy Hodgson to be a genius/idiot, debates about whether international football still matters as much, and commentators manfully attempting (and failing) to pronounce obscure players’ surnames.

Which player will steal the show?

It’s been a while since Cristiano Ronaldo has sparkled at a major tournament, and he’s going into the Euros in arguably the best form of his career, so he’s as good a candidate as anyone to have a major influence on proceedings.

I’ll be …. when Ireland take the pitch against Croatia on June 10

Most likely either working or at some sort of football-related social gathering – preferably the latter.

I was … during Euro 88

My memory is a little hazy, given that I was a mere one-year-old at the time. But probably attempting to master the art of walking, figuring out the difference between good and evil, contemplating why there was a proliferation of green, white and orange flags around the place etc.

How will Ireland do overall and why?

They’ll manage to scrape through the group stage on goal difference, before enduring a heartbreaking loss on penalties to England in the quarters. You heard it here first.

Who will win the tournament and why?

It’s difficult to look past Spain, as they’re blessed with the most talented squad. While players such as Xavi and Iniesta have suffered their fair share of disappointments this season, the short break they’ve had in recent weeks should be beneficial, and will put them in good stead to win the tournament. Germany and Holland shouldn’t be overlooked either though.

In a month’s time we’ll all be…

Considering canonising Trap, or calling for his head.

Niall Kelly

What are you hoping to see over the next month?

In the group stages, three repeat performances of the Stade de France ’09 which will hopefully lead to a runner-up spot behind Spain. A 1-0 win against England in Kiev in the quarter-finals, a backs-to-the-walls performance after Gleniesta Whelan fills the Ray Houghton role by sticking the ball past Joe Hart in the sixth minute. If we get that much, I couldn’t care less if we’re beaten 15-0 in the semis.

What are you expecting to see over the next month?

I do actually think we’ll qualify for the quarters, but there’ll be little comfort or pleasure until the final whistle goes against Italy. There’ll be lots of talk of “the system”, “situations” and “mentality”. Dunphy will throw his pen across the table at least once.

Which player will steal the show?

Manuel Neuer. One of Europe’s best keepers and bound to make some crucial saves if Germany get the good run so many people expect.

I’ll be …. when Ireland take the pitch against Croatia on June 10

If I’m not in the stands in Poznan, I’ll be heading out to the Walkinstown roundabout for a bit of a hooley.

I was … during ‘Euro 88

In nappies. The first Ireland games I remember watching on TV were in the qualifying campaign for USA 1994.

How will Ireland do overall and why?

Heroic failure in the quarter-finals. I don’t really buy into the idea that this Irish squad is an average group of players and I expect them to be a handful, even for Spain. Trap knows how to set them up and the players are well-drilled now in what they have to do. It might not be pretty but it works, and between the five strikers in the squad, I definitely expect us to nick a couple of goals along the way.

Who will win the tournament and why?

Germany. I think they were a bit unlucky in the World Cup two years ago and their performance against Argentina in the quarter-finals hinted at just how could they can be. Spain are class but on principle, I always oppose the favourites in a major tournament and I genuinely believe that Germany will be good enough to beat them if they meet this summer.

In a month’s time we’ll all be…

Very hungover, probably. But hopefully looking back on another great month of football for the Boys in Green.

Ben Blake

What are you hoping to see over the next month?

An Irish take on the Greek odyssey of 2004. Trap plays master tactician Otto Rehhaggal, Robbie Keane is captain fanstastic Theodoros Zagorakis, Dickie Dunne stars as defensive rock Traiano Dellas and Shane Long takes on the role of goalscoring hero Angelos Charisteas.  We can always dream…

What are you expecting to see over the next month?

A sickeningly nervy 1-1 draw with Croatia, defeat to Spain thanks to a rejuvenated Fernando Torres and our only win of the tournament to come against the Italians, which puts us through. Trap proves the critics from his home country wrong about his failure at international level by kindly sending them packing. Despite talk of revenge for Paris, we lose out to France in the quarters. There are no handballs involved.

Which player will steal the show?

Germany’s squad oozes talent and seeing Ozil, Muller, Gotze, Kroos and Reus perform at their maximum potential will bring me great joy. That said, I’m going to go with Robin van Persie. The man was a machine in the Premier League this season and barring he doesn’t pick up an injury early on, I fancy him for the Golden Boot.

I’ll be …. when Ireland take the pitch against Croatia on June 10

TheScore HQ, Italia ’90 jersey on, watching Billo and the lads while holding the fort.

I was … during ‘Euro 88

One-and-a-half. I couldn’t say the word ‘Stuttgart’ never mind tell you what happened in the game.

How will Ireland do overall and why?

It’s safe to say they won’t win any awards for playing an aesthetically-pleasing brand of football but will overachieve results-wise through a couple of admirably brave and desperately dogged performances. The gulf in class will tell by the knockout stages, however, before they return home to a hero’s welcome.

Who will win the tournament and why?

Not quite buying into this theory that Spain are washed up and I think they’ll be one of the final four but this generation of Germans must have a burning desire to earn some silverware as well as possessing the ability, discipline, a nice blend of youth and experience and, in Mario Gomez, a player who may not do much else but can be a devastating finisher on his day.

In a month’s time we’ll all be…

Reading about Mario Balotelli, who has again hit the headlines for (insert trivial story of your choice here).

Ewan MacKenna

What are you hoping to see over the next month?

In terms of Ireland, something to inspire. That may well be a performance more so than a result given the opposition. But it would be refreshing for this group of players to bridge the disconnect between them and the people they are representing. It’s a division based around a lack of personalities in the side and a lack of entertainment that they provide but also there’s an economic disconnect when you consider the wages the players are on and the situation so many at home find themselves in. Some spirit, some heart and some fight would go a long way for a nation on its knees.

What are you expecting to see over the next month?

Off the field, a similar story to the Beijing Olympics where morality was paraded for show in the build up but forgotten once the games got underway. Something similar will happen here after all the talk of boycotts given the unsavoury Yulia Tymoshenko situation. For supporters though, aside from distances, they are going to get to see at least one of two countries that are amazing come summer and in terms of football itself, three fascinating groups and a rest day when Group A takes over.

Which player will steal the show?

I’ll go with Arjen Robben. He’s lost two Champions League finals and a World Cup final in recent years – and given one-on-ones and penalty misses all three could to an extent be blamed on him. This time around he will be driven by those failures and he has a team around him that will be driven by their own failures.

I’ll be …. when Ireland take the pitch against Croatia on June 10

This is a tough one. When I’m not at games, I tend to steer clear of the pub for numerous reasons including the fact you can’t properly analyse and take in proceedings because of the drink, the crowd and the noise. But there’s already an excitement building regarding our participation and what you lose in a pub, I think you gain in atmosphere and sometimes when it comes to a major tournament, its better to lose out on the close inspection of proceedings and have a stranger to hug just in case the unbelievable happens.

I was … during Euro ’88

I was three-and-a-half, so probably crawling around and dribbling on myself, distracting adults as they tried to watch Ireland make history.

How will Ireland do overall and why?

Excuse the negativity, but it’s not outrageous to suggest we could be coming home without a point to our names. For all that systems have helped us struggle this far, we don’t have a game changer who can create and open up a top team. Look at our record against okay teams under Trapattoni. In 10 games against Italy, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Russia and Slovakia there hasn’t been a single victory and this will be a step up from that. That’s why the attitude shown may matter more than the results.

Who will win the tournament?

Netherlands. They have so much to prove and a key player with something to prove in Arjen Robben.  It helps too that the best team in the tournament, Spain, are without David Villa and may lack an uppercut to go with all the jabs while winning three tournaments on the bounce may be beyond even one of the great international teams. Keep an eye out for France too though, who should win Group D, beat Italy or Croatia and be in the final four without too much hassle.

In a month’s time we’ll all be…

Soccer-ed out probably and hopefully getting the Kildare jersey ready for a Leinster final. If Ireland flop, it’ll be hard for people to pick themselves up for the rest of the tournament, however good it may be.

Hugh O’Connell

What are you hoping to see over the next month?

Ireland win Euro 2012, Robbie Keane top scorer. England out in the first round. Roy Hodgson resigns in disgrace.

What are you expecting to see over the next month?

Ireland to go close but not close enough in getting out of the group stages. England out at the quarters on penalties. Spain win the tournament in the last hurrah for the golden generation of Xavi and Iniesta.

Which player will steal the show?

I fancy Mathieu Valbuena to do something as France impress. McClean might also emerge as a star if Ireland do well.

I’ll be …. when Ireland take the pitch against Croatia on June 10

In the pub

I was … during Euro 88

Six months old

How will Ireland do overall and why?

As I said above, I don’t reckon we’ll get out of the group stages. Obviously I hope to be terribly wrong but you can’t see past Spain being the first qualifier and Italy can’t be as bad as they were at the last World Cup. Croatia also look strong and Bilic will have a point to prove in his last tournament. I just can’t see us having enough to make it through because the other sides around us are stronger and better than us.

Who will win the tournament?

Spain because as good as the likes of Germany are, they still play the best and most effective football and that will be enough to see them through to winning the whole thing out.

In a month’s time we’ll all be…

Contemplating whether or not Trap should stay in the job amid the inevitable Dunphy-led clamour to get him out.

Eamon Dunphy: welcome to my world. Pic: INPHO/James Crombie

Gavan Reilly

What are you hoping to see?

31 games with the fair helping of great goals, comical defensive lapses, outrageously blind refereeing, harsh red cards, benefit-of-the-doubt yellow cards, and my bet on the Germans being paid out early by Paddy Power.

What are you expecting to see over the next month?

Every single one of the ‘groups of death’ to result in a series of tense 0-0 draws, and quarter-finals where neither team plays extraordinarily well, but where the players who only had one summer off for five years (I’m looking at you, Confederations Cup also-rans Spain) simply run out of puff and get caught out by being a millimetre too slow for a 50:50 ball.

Which player will steal the show?

Thomas Muüler is going to have a huge tournament. If Bayern Munich had a greater creative spark he could have been the star in a treble-winning team. The German national side has a better coach and he’ll be playing with a better, more inventive, not-stereotypical-at-all Mannschaft. If the other cogs work in the machine, Müller could be awesome.

I’ll be …. when Ireland take the pitch against Croatia on June 10

Nervous about Sean St Ledger being asked to keep the reins on Luka Modric.

I was … during Euro ’88

19 months old, and being taught by my parents to recite the phrase ‘Up Meath, down Tompkins’ as Meath prepared to defend Sam Maguire. (True story.)

How will Ireland do overall?

A surprising third place finish in the group — ahead, probably, of a frustrated and in-fighting Italy — after three games in which an averagely talented side exploited public buoyance to perform as more than the sum of their parts, but ultimately without the individual flair needed to overcome Spain.

Who will win the tournament?

Germany, simply because you can never write them off, and because nobody has been watching. Them or the Netherlands, who after the final in Joburg will want to prove they can still play pretty.

In a month’s time we’ll all be…

Wondering whether a newly-decorated Lucas Podolski can fire Arsenal to better things, and whether Angela Merkel rigged the tournament.

Eyes on the prize: Angela Merkel. Pic: PA images

Shane Stapleton

What are you hoping to see over the next month?

Donegal manager Jim McGuinness installed as assistant coach to Giovanni Trapattoni.

What are you expecting to see over the next month?

Giovanni Trapattoni installed as assistant coach to Jim McGuinness.

Which player will steal the show?

Mesut Ozil. Not the most original choice but it’s an area where you have to play the odds. The player of the tournament has come from the winning team in each of the last four Euros and every time it has been a midfielder: 2008 Xavi; Theo Zagorakis in 2004; Zinedine Zidane in 2000; and Mattias Sammer at Euro ’96. Germany are likely to get to the semis at least and Ozil is their door-opener.

I’ll be …. when Ireland take the pitch against Croatia on June 10

I’ll be on the high stool drinking bowls of loud-mouth soup when Ireland take the pitch against Croatia on June 10.

I was … during Euro ’88

I was wearing the shiny green jersey with the white netted arms that I bought with my confirmation money during Euro 88. I could try putting it on for the Euros but I don’t think belly tops work for men.

How will Ireland do overall?

Brazil 1958 and 1970, Holland 1974, France 1984 and 2000 — we’ll be an insult to them all. Our football will probably be awful but it’s not beyond the realms of possibility for us to qualify because, as Chelsea have just shown, it’s not always about who has the better players. Luck — of which we have had plenty just to get this far — and bravery can sometimes suffice. But I expect us to be beaten in at least two of the three games.

Who will win the tournament?

Germany. Spain are definitely good enough to do it again but the odds of winning three finals tournaments in a row are long.

In a month’s time we’ll all be…

Practicing our Borat impressions ahead of a World Cup qualifying trip to Kazakhstan in September.

Check out TheScore’s Euro 2012 mini-site here>

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