As Spain were crowned World Champions in Joburg, the curtain fell on the 1st World Cup to be held in Africa. European sides accomplished a 1-2-3 with Spain conquering Netherlands in the final as well as Germany getting 3rd place with a 3-2 triumph over Uruguay.
This only reinforces the argument that European football is the best on earth and that the European Championships are a excellent tournament. Qualifiers for the Euro 2012 finals starts out in Sept and regardless of finishing third, Germany will certainly be among the favourites to win the title. Their young side manufactured some clever football throughout the World Cup with Thomas Muller capturing the Golden Boot with five goals and 3 assists. With the help of further young stars like Ozil, Boateng and Kediera, the Germans will be undoubtedly one of the ones to look out for.
As World and European champions, Spain are going to be a tough opposing team. Nearly all of their team will still be young enough in 2012 to deliver stiff opposition and they definitely will be inclined to defend their title.
For once Netherlands was able to abandon their personal egos at home during the World Cup finals and for that reason, they got to their 3rd World Cup final beating a lot of peoples favourite, Brazil, en route. With better finishing from Robben, the Netherlands could have won the World Cup instead of Spain and they will look to carry on in the same vein throughout Euro 2012.
The traditionally powerful nations of France, England and Italy all failed miserably in South Africa and due to this fact, the curtain will unquestionably come down on a number of of the older players careers. England have many exceptional young footballers to bring to the international stage and if they can emulate Germany, there will be great hopes between the English fans.
The Euro 2012 host nations of Poland and Ukraine will both take advantage of wonderful support but in due course, they possibly achieve not have the quality to seriously challenge for the title.
Tags: euro 2012, euro 2012 poland, uefa euro 2012, Ukraine euro 2012