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Euro 2012 Team Guide

The 16 finalists who will take part in the final tournament are:

Qualified Nations

Croatia

      Croatia ultimately well-qualified to Euro 2012 after suffering 2 losings with their young team. Euro 2012 is Croatia's 4th occurrence. Croatia maintained sufficient consistency throughout the qualification stage to convey that can continue to
grow in Poland and Ukraine with their young team. Vatreni (The Blazers) is the nickname for Croatia National Football Team. The Croats follow Euro Roller-
coaster Bilic's directions. The creativity and skills of Luka Modric adds strength to the team. Croatia will play under the captainship of Darijo Srna.

Czech

      Czech qualified to Euro 2012 defeating Montenegro in play-off match. Czech
were runner up in 1996 and Euro 2012 is their 5th appearances. With Russia, Greece and Poland they seeded in Group A. Czech Republic National Football Team has a nickname Narodní tym (National Team) and have various home ground. Czech Republic National Football Team manager Michal Bilek was underrated by many people because he had only international coaching experience with the national team U-19 Czech Republic. But Bilek proved his ability when he lead Czech Republic to qualify for the Ukraine and Poland.
Tomas Rosicky is the captain of the team and also plays as attacking midfielder.

Denmark

     With full confidence Denmark qualified for Euro 2012 beating Portugal 2-1 in Copenhagen. Euro 2012 is denmark's 8^th appearances. Danish team is seeded in Group B which includes Netherlands, Germany, and Portugal. Morten Olsen is the team manager. In Euro 1992 Denmark was the champion of the tournament.
Player to watch is Christian Eriksen with brilliant techniques. Daniel Munthe Agger is captain of the team. Dennis Rommedahl holds the weight of being star performer of the team. Olsen's team is famous with their nickname ‘Dynamit Team’.

England

     England qualified to Euro 2012 tournament at Poland and Ukraine under the Roy Hodgson's management as the new manager for England's Football team. Euro 2012 is England's 8th appearances. Nickname of England National Football Team is Three Lions. England's hope of success striker Wayne Rooney will not play former two games because of his red card issues. Ashley Young is the remarkable player in this team to boost the team's winning chances in the absence of Rooney.

France

     After poor performances in World Cup 2010, It was difficult to qualify for euro 2012. Luckily, France were seeded in Group D with Ukraine,Sweden and England. France have won this cup twice in 1984 (as Euro host) and in 2000. Euro 2012 is their 8th appearances. France National Football Team is nicknamed as Les Bleus (The Blues). Hugo Lloris got a chance to grab the honor of being official captain
for Euro 2012. Star player of this team is Franck Ribery. He is considered as
instant game changer.

Germany

      Germany's nickname is Die Mannschaft" (The Team). It has the best match record than any other team because it has won every Euro 2012 qualification. They are the first ones to book their place in Euro 2012. Among frequent changes in the squad, Germany was able to qualify for euro 2012 with their 11th appearance. Along with the Netherlands, Denmark and Portugal they are placed in Group B. They won 3 trophies in 1972, 1980, and 1996 and are considered as the most vibrant national team in the history of European Championships. Germany National Football Team manager is Joachim Low with 52 wins from 75 matches. Philipp Lahm is the captian showed a noteworthy performance with 85 appearances and 4 goals. Mesut Ozil is considered to be the best playmakers in the world and title star player of the team goes to Ozil.

Greece

      Greece managed to get qualified in Euro 2012 and was seeded in Group A with Russia, Poland and Czech Republic. It is difficult team to predict. Euro 2012 is it is their 4th appearance. Nicknamed “Pirate Ship” after they defeated Portugal 1-0 in Euro 2004 final. Giorgos Karagounis team's captain was apart of Euro 2004 winning team.Vasilios Torosidis is a star player with 42 appearances and 5 goals.He has very good technique and physical strength. Coach fernando santos is well aware of how much work he has to do to reach finals.

Italy

      With 8 wins and 2 draws Italy has made it to go Poland and Ukraine. It is the threatening factor for the competitors that they qualified without losing a single game. Italy won four titles and is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup. Once it became champion in 1968 and they were runners-up in 2000. Euro 2012 is Italy's 8th appearances. Italy National Football Team has a nickname Azzuri ("The Blues").Italy National Football Team manager is Cesare Prandelli. The team's captain. Although there are many capable players Andrea Pirlo a midfielder player is the star of the team.

Netherlands

     In the FIFA world rankings, Netherlands ranks second after Spain. They have a good match record before they play in Euro 2012. Netherlands National Football Team nicknames Oranje and The Flying Dutchmen. Euro 2012 are Netherlands 9th appearance and they were placed in Group B along with Denmark, Germany, and Portugal. Netherlands is one of the strongest football teams in Europe and the world, they won the championship in Euro 1988.Netherlands National Football Team manager is Bert Van Marwijk with 23 win over the 25 matches. Mark Peter Gertruda Andreas van Bommel is the team captain. Wesley Sneijder born in Utrecht, Netherlands is very widely popular for his spectacular free-kick goals. He is the star player of Netherlands team.

Poland

      Poland did not get to take part in qualification as being one of the host. The team  have been automatically qualified for euro 2012 and are drawn in group A alongside Czech Republic, Russia and Greece. Their nickname Biale Orly ("The White Eagles"). It is their second appearance. Poland National Football Team manager is Franciszek Smuda and has won three Polish league titles. Jakub Blaszczykowski also known as kuba is leading the team. Robert Lewandowski is Poland's National Football Team's star player. Arsenal's goalkeeper Wojiech Szczesny is another key player from Poland.

Ireland

     Republic of Ireland qualified to Euro 2012 after defeat Estonia in play off session. Republic of Ireland National Football Team has a nickname "The Boys in Green" Their home ground is Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Euro 2012, the team's second appearances. The Ireland National Football Team manager is Giovanni Trapattoni, an aggressive midfielder. Ireland is playing under the leadership of Robert David "Robbie" Keane . Seamus John James is the star player of the team

Russia

     Although seeded in Group B qualification for Euro 2012 with weak competitor, Russia almost didn't make it to Euro 2012 final competition. In 10 qualification matches, Russia has lost once and two draws. Russia have to beat Slovenia in last matches to make sure qualified for Euro 2012. After the breakup of the Soviet Union, Russia has never won any international championships. Euro 2012 is their 10th appearances including when they as Soviet Union. They seeded in Group A, were drawn with Poland, Greece and Czech Republic. Russia National Football Team has a nickname "Red Bear" and have home ground at Luzhniki Stadium, Lokomotiv Stadium (both in Moscow), and Petrovsky Stadium in St.Petersburg. Russia National Football Team manager is Dirk Nicolaas Advocaat. And Andrei Sergeyevich Arshavin is leading the team.Alan Yelizbarovich Dzagoev comes under the category of star player.

Spain

      Spain come in Euro 2012 with their title-holders as Euro 2008 champions. Spain National Football Team has a nickname La Furia Roja ("The Red Fury"). Euro 2012 is their 9th appearance, Spain were seeded in Group C along with Italy, Croatia and Republic of Ireland. Vicente Del Bosque has a plethora of players to choose from however, with a strong base from Barcelona and real madrid making the strong team.The Spaniards midfield is still as threatening as ever, with Andres, Cesc Fabregas and Xabi Alonso world class players; Also Xavi is still Spain’s main man.Iker Casillas is the team's captain.Xavier Hernandez i Creus is a star player and a midfielder in euro 2012.

Sweden

     Even though losing two times Erik Hamren’s men qualified as a top runner up in qualification and is seeded in Group D with Ukraine (co-hosts), France, and England. Sweden National Football Team has a nickname Blagult (The Blue-Yellow) and their home ground is Rasunda Stadium in Stockholms. Euro 2012 is Sweden's 5th appearances. With 28 goal in his 74 appearances. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is leading the Sweden team. Sebastian Bengt Ulf Larsson a star player of the team considered as a deadly player and swedes are expected to take second place in the group If they maintain focus.

Ukraine

     Ukraine qualied automatically for Euro 2012 as they co-hosts with Poland.Euro 2012 is their first appearance in UEFA European Football Championship. Ukraine is seeded in Group D with Sweden, France and England. Ukraine National Football Team has a nickname Zhovto-Blakytni (the Yellow-Blues) Ukraine's preparations for the tournament were disturbed with the resignation of coach Myron Markevych. hence the new coach Oleg Blokhin was appointed. Expectations are more from Andriy Mykolayovych Shevchenko as he is considered as a star player.

Portugal

     Portugal qualified to Euro 2012 after comfortably beating Bosnia and Herzegovina in play-offs. Euro 2012 is their 7th appearances. They are seeded in Group B with Netherlands, Germany and Denmark “group of death”. Portugal National Football Team has a nickname A Seleccao and have home ground at Estadio Nacional in Oeiras. Portugal National Football Team manager is Paulo Jorge Gomes Bento. Bento marks this as the most challenging and strongest group Portugal has faced in its last consecutive tournaments.

     Beyond any doubt Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro onaldo, captain of the team is expected to see in finals. He has made 87 appearances and 32 goals for his country with his speed, technique, and the strength of his right leg. Luís Carlos Almeida da Cunha commonly known as Nani often looked as the shadow of Ronaldo, Nani is another key player of the Portugal team. Coentrao is the another rising star player who is expected by the country to continue to shine at Euro 2012.