Ukraine
How they qualified: Home Nation
Team Base: Kiev
The co-hosts are probably the weakest side in the whole tournament and, although the support of the home fans may spur them on, it’s very difficult to seem them out doing France, Sweden or England in group D.
Yarolslav Rakytskyi will need to show a defensive solidarity in the heart of Ukraine’s midfield in order to give the co-hosts a chance of keeping a grip on their games while Andriy Yarmolenko, the man marked as the new Shevchenko, will be called up one to create and score chances down Ukraine’s left flank.
Talking of Shevchenko, he will be given his last outing as an international player and, at the age of 35, he’ll be desperate to restore some national pride by making a positive impact on the tournament.
The lack of standout quality will hinder any progression and with their defence lacking any true identity, limiting opposition’s chances may prove to be very difficult.
WFD Predicted Starting XI: 4-4-2
Shovkovskyi
Butko - Kucher - Chygrynskyi - Selin
Huslev - Tymoshchuk - Rakytskyi - Yarmolenko
Shevchenko - Milevskyi
WFD predicted group finish: 4th
Ukraine Group Schedule: (All times local)
Match 1: June 11 v Sweden - Olympic Stadium, Kiev (21:45)
Match 2: June 15 v France - Donbass Arena, Donetsk (19:00)
Match 3: June 19 v England - Donbass Arena, Donetsk (21:45)
Sweden
How they qualified: Finished 2nd in European Qualifying Group F; Qualified as best placed runner-up.
Team Base: Koncha-Zaspa
Sweden’s hopes for progressing from Group D come down to one question. Which Zlatan Ibrahimovic will turn up to play in this summers tournament?
At his best Zlatan is almost impossible to play against, as Arsenal found out in their 4-0 defeat to AC Milan in this year’s Champions League, but if he’s not imposing himself on the game, the 6’5” forward can look lost and fails to make an impact in a game.
If that happens Johan Elmander will be the man relied on to find the goals for the Scandinavians. Elmander had a promising spell at Bolton Wanderers before moving to Turkish giants Galatasary last summer where he’s flourished.
Their main problems for Eric Hamren’s side are in defence where an inexperienced Jonass Olsson will play next to right back Mikael Listig, who has a habit of pushing forward and neglecting his defensive duties.
Sweden are a strong side and one that will go into the tournament very underrated by those they face and the media. This could work to their advantage and they could be the surprise team to come out of this group.
WFD Predicted Starting XI: 4-2-2-1-1
Isaksson
Lustig - J. Olsson - Mellberg - M. Olsson
Svensson - Kallstrom
Larsson - Elm
Ibrahimovic
Elmander
WFD predicted group finish: 3rd
Sweden Group Schedule: (All times local)
Match 1: June 11 v Ukraine - Olympic Stadium, Kiev (21:45)
Match 2: June 15 v England - Olympic Stadium, Kiev (21:45)
Match 3: June 19 v France - Olympic Stadium, Kiev (21:45)
France
How they qualified: Finished 1st in European Qualifying Group D
Team Base: Donetsk
It feels like a long time since France hoisted the trophy in the year 2000 after David Trezeguet’s golden goal crushed Italian hearts.
The most recent memory of the national side is one of revolution (surprise surprise) as the mutiny in the French camp destroyed their 2010 World Cup campaign in South Africa.
Laurent Blanc has to be credited with getting his side back on track, and the national pride that should be felt when wearing the French shirt has seemingly returned to the squad, although Patrice Evra’s antics on the bench against Serbia a week before the start of the tournament have placed that mentality under threat.
His side is young and full of potential and skill. Arjen Robben is of course the man to watch out for in the French attack, along with Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema, but it is the unknown quantities of Yohan Cabaye, Hatem Ben Arfa and Ligue 1 winning, Montpellier striker, Olivier Giroud.
Giroud and Ben Arfa will provide vital cover for Benzema while bringing an extra attacking threat off the bench when needed, while Cabaye, who’s had a phenominal year with the Newcastle, will help control the midfield, especially after wonderkid Yann M’Villa’s late injury scare.
The French could get out of this tough tight group for sure, but the potential for a blowout is always lingering around this side.
WFD Predicted Starting XI: 4-2-3-1
Lloris
Debuchy - Rami - Mexes - Evra
Cabaye - M’Villa
Nasri - Ribery- Malouda
Benzema
WFD predicted group finish: 2nd
France Group Schedule: (All times local)
Match 1: June 11 v England - Donbass Arena, Donetsk (19:00)
Match 2: June 15 v Ukraine - Donbass Arena, Donetsk (19:00)
Match 3: June 19 v Sweden - Olympic Stadium, Kiev (21:45)
England
How they qualified: Finished 1st in European Qualifying Group G
Team Base: Krakow
It’s the first time in a long time that England have gone into a major tournament without the pressure of being held up by the media as potential finalists.
In fact, with all the turmoil of finding a new manager, the fading of the ‘golden generation’, the off field problems that surround John Terry, and the surprising squad inclusions and injury problems mean that if England get out of the group stage, most fans will be happy with what Roy Hodgson has done.
This could work in England’s favour and that, combined with a solid defence, could see England do what Greece did in ’04 and surprise all of us by going all the way.
The defence will be lead by Manchester City keeper Joe Hart, while the loss of Gary Cahill with a broken jaw means Joleon Lescott will partner John Terry, or Phil Jagielka, in England’s back four.
Ashley Cole provides a world class left-back and Glenn Johnson brings pace and cover to the right side of the English back line.
With Rooney missing England’s first two group games, Danny Welbeck looks set to lead the line for Hodgson, while we all wait to see what part, if any, Arsenal’s Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain will play in the tournament.
WFD Predicted Starting XI: 4-4-1-1
Hart
G. Johnson - Lescott - Terry - A. Cole
Milner - Gerrard - Parker - Downing
A. Young
Welbeck
WFD predicted group finish: 1st
England Group Schedule: (All times local)
Match 1: June 11 v France - Donbass Arena, Donetsk (19:00)
Match 2: June 15 v Sweden - Olympic Stadium, Kiev (21:45)
Match 3: June 19 v Ukraine - Donbass Arena, Donetsk (21:45)
Donbass Arena, Donetsk
Capacity: 52,518
Seen on numerous occasions in the Champions League brimming with Shakhtar Donetsk fans, the 50,000+ arena can be one of the most exciting and noisy ground in all of Europe.
Designed by the British firm that also designed the Etihad Stadium and the Allianz the futuristic, UFO looking, stadium was originally thought to be for the host venue for the final, but the City itself was thought to not hold enough attractions for the tourist to warrant hosting the tournaments most vital game.
Situated in the northern part of the center of the city the Arena cost €320 million to build and was opened with a Beyonce concert on August 29th 2009.
The 3,800 ton roof of steal will keep the atmosphere held in this cathedral of football that is often harshly over looked as one of the top football grounds in Europe.
Games: (All times are local)
France v England June 11th (19:00)
France v Ukraine June 15th (19:00)
England v Ukraine June 19th (21:45)
Quarterfinal #3
Winner of Group C v Runner-up of Group D June 23rd (21:45)
Semi-final #1
Winner of Quarterfinal #1 v Winner of Quarterfinal #3 June 27th (21:45)
Olympic Stadium, Kiev
Capacity: 65,720
The host venue for the final is not the newest, but arguably the grandest stadium in the Ukraine.
The home to Dynamo Kiev Andriy Shevchenko will feel right at home when he walks out, along with his teammates, on June 11th for his sides opening game of the tournament.
Built in 1923 the arena has been remodeled since then, including a full makeover in 2011 to bring it up to scratch for the tournament including the construction of a new West Stand with a two-level press box and a new transparent roof.
Situated at the foot of Kiev’s central Cherepanov Hill in Pechersk the stadium is right in the heart of this beautiful city and a fitting venue for the tournaments final.
Games: (All times are local)
Ukraine v Sweden June 11th (21:45)
England v Sweden June 15th (21:45)
France v Sweden June 19th (21:45)
Quarterfinal #4
Winner of Group D v Runner-up of Group C June 24th (21:45)
Final
Winner of Semi-final #1 v Winner of Semi-final #2 July 1st (21:45)
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