Group C has Spain and Italy clashing in what is a matchup of the last two World Cup champions, with Spain also being the reigning Euro champions. Spain is missing two key players in David Villa and Carles Puyol, so repeating this year in the Euros will be a tall task. Italy is a perennial powerhouse that clearly will be tested because their defense is a sore point. Croatia and Ireland meet later today, and if you're looking for a dark horse, Croatia is it. Seemingly, there is a surprise team from the southeastern part of Europe (Bulgaria in 2002 World Cup, Greece in Euro 2004, Turkey in Euro 2008), and Croatia has pulled a surprise or two in their history. Ireland should have made the World Cup in 2010 if not for a missed call on a handball on France. Sadly, Ireland is the long shot here, and it's doubtful either Spain or Italy will whiff on their opportunities to advance to the knockout round.
Group D has France and England as the early matchup Monday. France is looking for redemption after a lackluster 2010 World Cup in which things got ugly for them to the point of having to fly back home in coach. If France isn't motivated by this embarrassment, then it's time to rethink things here. England has its own share of problems as far as injuries and controversy go. Like France, England has a lot to lose if they don't advance to the knockout rounds. Sweden takes on Ukraine in the later game, and Sweden has a good chance of advancing if both France and England take each other out. The Ukraine is the ultimate long shot, but as one of the hosts, they should have the home field advantage, so anything is possible with them.
As far as who I have advancing, I take Greece and Russia from Group A, Germany and the Netherlands in Group B, Spain and Croatia in Group C, and Sweden and France in Group D.
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