Euro 2012 – Who stands where after Matchday 2 Group C and Group D

The Euro 2012 has got off to the best possible start you could ever ask for. After two rounds of games, no team is yet to guarantee their spot in the Quarterfinals. Two giants Netherlands and Italy face a possible early elimination from the tournament after two poor results to start off with. While there have been not many high scoring games, there have been no goalless draws either. Two players on whom the spotlight have been before the tournament begin had their contrasts turned around in the space of one week. Cristiano Ronaldo, who came into the tournament in red hot form, has failed to replicate his club form in the international jersey and is yet to make a notable contribution for Portugal. Fernando Torres, on the other hand, not guaranteed a place in the starting line-up at the beginning of the tournament,silenced his critics by scoring twice against Ireland.

Before the final round of matches start before the knockouts, let’s take a look at where each team stands in their group and their chances of qualifying.

Group C:
Spain vs. Croatia
Italy vs. Republic of Ireland

Group C sees another former champion face an early elimination from the Championships. Italy, after managing an impressive draw against the holders Spain, let go off the lead and could only muster a point against Croatia, thus putting their qualification prospects in danger. Italy still have their fate in their own hands and a result either way in the Spain vs. Croatia game would put the Azzurri through, provided they beat the lackluster Ireland.

However things get interesting if Spain and Croatia draw their game and Italy win theirs. All the three teams would be level on five points and it would boil down to the head to head fixtures in which all stay level due to the teams drawing against each other. If Spain and Croatia play out a 0-0 draw, then Italy go through based on number of goals scored. In case of a 1-1 draw, Italy would qualify if they win by more beat Ireland by three goals. If Italy win by two goals, then it would sneak through on the basis of a higher UEFA Ranking Coefficient. However, if Spain and Croatia draw by a scoreline of 2-2 or more, Italy will be knocked out regardless of their result against Ireland.

Spain and Croatia face each other in what is potentially a knockout clash. A result for either team will put the other out of the tournament (assuming Italy beats Ireland, of course). However if the Italians manage anything less than three points against Ireland, then Spain and Croatia, both would go through to the knockouts. Republic of Ireland were the first team to be knocked out of the tournament, but they can still play party-poopers and put a halt to Italy’s run in the competition. Their incentive – a third place finish.

Group D:
France vs. Sweden
England vs. Ukraine

Group D also has a fair chance that the qualifiers could be determined on the basis of an UEFA Ranking Coefficient. England are currently in second spot and need only a point against Ukraine to go through to the knockout stages while anything less than a win would knock Ukraine out of the tournament.

England can qualify for the Quarters even if they lose, but only if France lose to Sweden by a goal margin that would put the Three Lions level on goal difference with Les Bleus as England have a superior UEFA Coefficient rating. France, like England, need only a point against Sweden to qualify while the loss against England made Sweden the second team to get knocked out of the tournament.

Legend:

P: Played   

W: Won   

D: Drawn   

L: Lost   

F: For   

A: Against   

GD: Goal difference

Tags: Cristiano Ronaldo, EURO 2012, Group C, Group D, Italy, Netherlands