Euro 2012 - What Would Be a Good Result For England?

Well the luck of the draw was on England again. Similar to 2 years earlier which saw England draw Algeria, Slovenia and USA in the World Cup and we all know how that ended up.

The Euro's have somewhat been a thorn in England's side. Not since the summer of love in 1996 which saw the England fan fall back in love with national side once again since the 1990 World Cup, England are on that cusp again. As an England fan I am still traumatised by the showing at the World Cup. I am sure others are too.

Go back to Euro 2000 when England were drawn against Portugal, Romania and Germany. Portugal were an aspiring side. With Figo and Rui Costa as their star players. Nuno Gomes was a promising hitman and Sergio Conceicao was an attacking flare. Experienced defender in Fernando Couto. Romania a team mismatched with talent. Gone were the days of Hagi. They had a young startlet in Adrian Mutu. Christian Chivu was making his name in Serie A and Dorinel Munteanu was a midfield engine. Germany were an aging side. Lothar Matthaus starting for them at the age of 40!! Oliver Bierhoff the hero of Euro 96 was still in the side. Surely England could make it though this group? England crashed out and did so in style. It was a dreadful campaign and it was to spark the downfall of Kevin Keegan. England limped out in the group stages.

Fast forward 4 years and England were at the Euro's again. This time with a 'Golden Generation' Beckham/Gerrard/Lampard/Owen/Scholes and 18 year old prodigy in Wayne Rooney. In a group that featured France after their poor showing at the 2002 World Cup. Still had their core from their success's in 1998 and 2000 with Zidane/Thuram/Barthez/Henry/Lizarazu. Switzerland who were a side not expected to deliver much and also a Croatia side that were in transition and were phasing out the old. England after a dissappointing start against France made it though to the Quarter Finals with Rooney's hat-trick against Croatia, the talk was that England could win the tournament on the back of this wonderkid. Portugal the hosts stood in the way of England. They too had been un-convincing, but had Cristiano Ronaldo starting to perform. Call it lady luck, but Rooney suffered an injury in the first ten minutes and then it kind of signalled the downfall of the England side. Despite being down to 10 men they forced a draw and then were dumped out by penalties.

Forward to 2012 what do you think would be a 'success' for England? I think with the talent in their squad, they should make Quarters, but who knows with England as everything seems to be a struggle!

In reality, getting out of the group will be success, but when have England's football fans and press every been realistic.

Your best player will be missing, and despite very little form, Ukraine, Sweden and in particular France (who gave England a footballing lesson last time out) will be difficult for England to break down and DEFEAT!

So if England get out of the group they will have done well!

we will probably draw with sweden, beat ukraine and lose to france....4 points..is it enough?

It would depend on what the other teams do. Say for instance that what you have say happens and then France draw with Sweden and beat Ukraine then it would all go down to the the Sweden-Ukraine match then Sweden would have to lose for England to get through. IMO the key matchs are Sweden-France and Sweden-England and possibly England-France. Btw which match will Rooney be back for?

i dunno, thats if he goes lol

I'd say he will now that he's only missing two matchs. I would mind him in Irelands team just for one match!

The Ukraine game he's back for.

In that case I cant see England beating France.