However as the tournament has gone on the excitement levels have risen with shocks, quality football, great goals, some dubious calls and intense finishes coming to the fore. Pre tournament favorites Spain and Germany have not disappointed and are potentially poised to meet in consecutive Euro finals. Italy and Portugal stand in their way which may have come as a shock to some pundits but on their form it is the four best teams left in the competition.
Some nations were massively disappointing. Holland were their usual imploding selves which shouldn't be a huge surprise as have becomes used to their egotistic behavior over the years. However few would have bet against them getting a single point in their group never mind securing qualification. Russia were seen as the dark horses by many and after a terrific start their challenge just fell away.
Back at home not much was expected from the Republic of Ireland in a very difficult group and this was to be the case as they acquired no points. Despite low expectations it was the lack of spirit and fight from the Irish team that disappointed the most as this is not what Irish fans (who were the best in the tournament it has to be said) are used to seeing. England on the other hand went into the competition with low expectations from the nations viewpoint which is very unusual. However after topping the group the expectation levels rose and again England faltered on penalties although in honesty they were completely outclassed in that game and didn't deserve to go through.
UEFA again confused every one as to how the group standings were decided but it did make the final matches more interesting with the end to the Group D being devastating for Croatia and also Greece qualifying for the quarter finals by beating the Russians. This was one of the shocks so far along with Denmark beating Holland and Sweden beating France. Then there was the goal that wasn't for Ukraine which Blatter responded to by saying it is time for goal line technology - at long last Sepp!
There have been some great goals so far but for me Zlatan's goal against France has to be the best:
Hopefully in the last 3 games we may get something to top this from the likes of Ronaldo. Iniesta, Ozil or Pirlo. I have mentioned these four as I believe they have put their names into the ring, along with others, for player of the tournament. Personally I think whoever wins the tournament will decide which four of these players gets it.
Now onto the four teams remaining. Everyone is expecting a Spain vs Germany final but the way this tournament has went I have a feeling there will be a shock somewhere along the line. I don't imagine both these teams not being in the final but I do think it will only involve one of them. Germany have a bad record against Italy and the way the Italians are playing I wouldn't be surprised if that continued and with Portugal's pace on the counter attack they are sure to cause "strikerless" Spain some problems. Spain and Germany have been the best two teams by far but the best teams don't always win!
To finish I have to say that Euro 2012 has been a great competition and despite what happens in the last 3 games it will go down as one of the better ones. Possession football is now the norm due to teams like Barcelona and Spain and it has to be said Spain are the kingpins at it even without a striker. How people can argue with their formation and that is beyond me as they still look like the team to beat and let's be honest with the quality they have they really don't need an out and out striker. A lot of people think it will be the Germans to stop them but you heard it here first, it will not be a Spain vs Germany final (despite that being what the football world and I want!). My money is on Italy to win it outright.
