How far can England get at Euro 2012?

Following England’s 1-0 friendly win in Norway at the weekend, there have been mixed reviews in the press about Roy Hodgson’s teams performance and where that victory leaves them in the running for Euro 2012.

England’s current Euro 2012 odds are 10/1, making them joint fourth favourites with their Group D opponents France and that first game of the Euro 2012 tournament looks the key to both sides’ overall performance. A win for England in the first group game would leave them in pole position to top their group and possibly avoid a quarter-final clash with current World and European Champions Spain.

If the results go as predicted England would meet Italy in the quarter-final before setting up a semi-final with favourites Spain, leaving them just one step away from the final on July 1^st. In the final they would likely meet Germany or the Netherlands barring any major surprises as Group A containing Russia, Greece, Czech Republic and Poland looks by far the weakest, on paper.

As we can see, England will have to do it the hard way if they are to win Euro 2012 and when you remember that Wayne Rooney is out of the first two games anything but a win against France on June 11^th could prove terminal. Group games against England’s bogey team Sweden and hosts Ukraine make it a really tough group to escape from but Hodgson’s men certainly have the ability with Ashley Young and Steven Gerrard set to provide the creative hub in Poland and Ukraine.

Andy Carroll’s performance in Norway was solid enough to leave him in pole position to start with Rooney suspended but Stewart Downing again failed to impress, making just two crosses all night from his wide left position. Ashley Young played in the hole behind Carroll and his goal and creativity proved Hodgson was right to move him from his usual inside left position. The right was occupied by James Milner and he is expected to retain that role for France to quell the threat of Frank Ribery.

As the tournament progresses Hodgson will need to alter his formation accordingly and the upcoming friendly against Belgium could see a change of tact from the 4-4-1-1 we saw in Norway illustrating that England are flexible enough to go all the way to the Euro 2012 final.

In truth, England doesn’t expect this year. The World Cup flop two years ago has left England fans expecting very little and that could play right into the hands of Hodgson and his team. The first group game against France could make or break England’s summer and make a semi-final appearance a distinct possibility. Could they win it? Why not….