Euro 2012: Spain and Italy, Logical Favorites in Group C

Group C will play their group matches in Poland: Gdansk Arena (northern Poland, 345 km from the capital Warsaw). Capacity: 40,000 seats. And at the Stade de Poznan, western Poland, 320 km from Warsaw. 40 000 seats.
Spain. Capital: Madrid. Population: 46.8 million. Area: 505,911 km2. Spain will play its first game June 10 against Italy and then on June 14 against Ireland and finally on June 18 against Croatia. The three meetings will take place in Gdansk.

Spain qualified for Euro 2012 so very brilliant, totaling 24 points in his group, for eight victories in as many outings (26 goals against 6 against). A group that also included the Czech Republic (qualified second), Scotland, Lithuania and Liechtenstein.

Spaniards are European champions and world champion (2008 and 2010 respectively). They had also won the Euro in 1964, and had finished second in 1984. Their goal: to succeed-trick with two Euros and a World in a row. No team has made this historic triple date! Spain has the means of his ambition, with a pool of talent mainly from FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. This is a team with the movement of ball perfectly oiled and a very high technical level, with the Barcelona duo Xavi-Inista to the stick.

The absence of Puyol in the axis will be offset by the great Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos. While in attack, the return to fitness of Torres, the good season and Llorente Soldado will probably overshadow the package of Villa.

Vicente Del Bosque, who is head of the 4 years since Roja, however, will face two obstacles, which are not insurmountable. First, fatigue. No fewer than five Spanish clubs have reached the last four European Cups in the last season, and two of them reached the final (Europa League). Besides its status as number one favorite is sure to put strong pressure on the players. The other obstacle for the atmosphere between elements of Barça and Real Madrid who often turned to the storm, and it must constantly calm. Only four of the 23 players selected to move abroad, particularly in England (Liverpool and Chelsea).

Note that since the world title in 2010, Spain recorded four defeats in friendlies, one against Italy, his main opponent in the group C. 

After 3 weeks of competition, Spain mark does football history by performing the famous Treble? The Spaniards will in any case quickly set upon the first pool match against Italy on June 10 
Croatia, repeat performance of 1998.

Croatia. Capital: Zagreb. Population: 4.3 million. Area: 56,542 km2. It will play its first game June 10 against Ireland in Poznan, before meeting Italy, June 14, always in Poznan, and Spain on June 18 in Gdansk.

Croatia, who had been born in the breakup of Yugoslavia in the first half of the 90s, reached the semi-finals of the 1998 World Cup against France, the host who was rescued by the two goals of Lilian Thuram (2-1). It reached the quarterfinals at Euro 96. Also in 2008, she lost to Turkey, following a penalty shootout.

But the next generation has struggled to ensure the long term. Even though Slaven Bilic, the Croatian head of the selection since 2006, was able to create a homogeneous group, with a carefully concocted blend, old and young.Croatia relies heavily on its many players (14 out of 23 selected) playing abroad, including England, France, Germany, and Ukraine ... Like Luka Modric, a nugget that exploded in the Premier League this season with Tottenham. But logically, it is difficult for Damiers to get out of this group stage.

Group A (First part, Second part)

Group B (First part, Second part)