Group D of the European Championships (Euro 2012) is going to be another tough road for all teams involved. There isn’t really much between England, Ukraine, Sweden, and France at this stage in time, especially when you consider Ukraine is a host nation and France self imploded at the World Cup in South Africa in 2010 by going on strike. The difference between England’s performances is often like night and day as they can be world beaters or nothing more than mediocre. Sweden is a tough go for anybody and Ukraine has home pitch advantage. England will have to play the first two matches against France and Sweden without top striker Wayne Rooney as he’s suspended.
Group D Teams
| England | France | Sweden | Ukraine |
Old enemies England and France get things going at Donetsk’s Donbass Arena on June 11 in a game we will cover to the full at EuroBetting.co. England qualified by winning Group G with 18 points from five victories and three ties, finishing six points up on second-place Montenegro. France won Group D over Bosnia by just one point. They needed a late goal in the last qualifier against the Bosnians to pull out a 1-1 tie and take the group. They finished with six wins, three draws and a loss for 21 points.
England is always one of the favourites in major football events, but they usually disappoint their fans. The country did manage to win the 1966 World Cup when they hosted the tournament. They’ve qualified for 13 World Cups and seven European Championships. They came in third place in euro 1968 and lost in the semi finals as hosts back in 1996.
France hasn’t played well recently in any major tournament. The world Cup in 2010 was a disaster and they finished their group games winless. They’ve qualified for 13 World Cups and seven previous European Championships. They won the World Cup as hosts in 1998 and lost in the 2006 final. They won Euro 1984 as hosts and Euro 2000 in Belgium and Holland.
Sweden also clashes with Ukraine June 11 at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev. As a host nation, Ukraine didn’t have to qualify for the tournament. Ukraine used to play under the Soviet Union banner and became an independent footballing nation in 1992. They’ve qualified for a single World Cup and made it as far as the 2006 quarterfinals. This will be the nation’s first time playing in the European Championships.
Sweden qualified for Euro 2012 after finishing as the best second-place nation. They finished behind Holland in Group E with 24 points from eight victories and a pair of two losses. They’ve qualified for 11 World Cups and came in second place in 1958 as hosts. They’ve qualified for four previous European Championships and in 1992 lost during the semi finals. In Olympic football, Sweden won gold in 1948 and bronzes in 1952 and 1924.
Group D Schedule
11th June 2012 – France v England at Donbass Arena, Donetsk
11th June 2012 – Ukraine v Sweden at Olympic Stadium, Kiev
15th June 2012 – Ukraine v France at Donbass Arena, Donetsk
15th June 2012 – Sweden v England at Olympic Stadium, Kiev
19th June 2012 – England v Ukraine at Donbass Arena, Donetsk
19th June 2012 – Sweden v France at Olympic Stadium, Kiev
Odds and Betting Predictions
William Hill has the odds of England taking Group D currently at 6/4 with France at 15/8, Ukraine at 4/1 and Sweden at 11/2. More odds and pics can be found at our betting guide for Euro 2012.
Group D, like the rest of them is pretty evenly matched. Anybody can beat anybody here if they’re in form and luck is on their side. There will be a few draws so wins will be precious. On recent form, look for England and Sweden to advance to the second round.
