If you asked 70 million people in the UK whether England will win Euro 2012 the answer would be probably be we have no chance. After all the odd's are not stacked in our favor particularly because we have in charge a new and relatively inexperienced manager in Roy Hodgson. The latest odd's previous to whether we win tomorrows opening group game with France are 14-1, only to be beaten by Russia, Italy, France, Germany, and the reigning champions Spain.
Roy Hodgson caliber as a England manager, is very much viewed as experimental, although he has many credentials within national management. However his recent club successes have been very few and far between including a brief and very unsuccessful stint at Liverpool.
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| Pass the Buck - New manager, new surroundings - England chances are slim |
In previous competitions we have an enormous amount of pressure pilled on to us in the days of Sven Erikson and Fabio Cappello, but this year is unlike any other, we are going into the competition with relative little expectation that we will make it past the group stage.
Other teams have had very successful outcomes following little expectations going into such a major tournament. You only have to look at Greece's fortunes in Euro 2004 wen they lifted the trophy. Their success was compounded further by the fact that they had only qualified for two previous tournaments, Euro 1980 and the 1994 World Cup. Additionally to this when they won there first group game against the hosts Portugal, it was their first every victory. Likewise South Korea in the World Cup of 2002, getting through all the way to the semi finals only to be beaten by Germany 1-0.
So can England win this tournament, possibly going into the tournament with relative little expectation that fan's expect us to actually get through the group stages. Where do you think England will end up, top the group and win the tournament or go home with many fan's not thinking too much of the tournament.
