Euro 2012 Group D: England
GROUP D
[Team Jersey Images © Soccerphile]
England
Road to Poland & Ukraine
After a summer to forget in South Africa, England started their Euro campaign with aplomb beating Bulgaria 4-0 at Wembley and winning 3-1 in Switzerland.
Home draws with Montenegro and Switzerland sandwiched a 2-0 win in Cardiff against Wales before another impressive win on the road, 3-0 in Bulgaria and a laboured 1-0 victory at home over Wales. A 2-2 draw in Montenegro ensured a comfortable qualification six points clear of their nearest rivals.
Fixtures
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England Kit 1
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England Kit 2
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England v France 11 June; Donetsk
England v Sweden 15 June; Kiev
England v Ukraine; 19 June; Donetsk
Analysis
Fabio Capello looked to have learnt the lessons from the debacle in South Africa, overhauling his lacklustre World Cup side, blooding young talents and shifting from his ingrained 4-4-2 to a more contemporary 4-2-3-1.
England's ageing legs were refreshed by the quick feet of Ashley Young and Adam Johnson on the flanks, Arsenal playmaker Jack Wilshere in the middle and the versatile Phil Jones behind him.
Between the sticks, the lack of a reliable goalkeeper at the World Cup has been resolved too, with Manchester City's Joe Hart slipping comfortably into the role of nation's guardian. Three World Cup rejects - Stuart Downing, Scott Parker and Theo Walcott, have been rejuvenated in England shirts, while Arsenal's flying youngster Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain may even be a late ace in the pack.
The veteran central defensive partnership of John Terry and Rio Ferdinand looks like it has played its last tournament, especially in the light of Terry's bust-up with Rio's brother Anton, but Jones and Gary Cahill are probably ready to deputise. In midfield, Frank Lampard looks to be on his way out and while Steven Gerrard will still make the cut, England's new formation prospered while he was injured.
Key player: Scott Parker
Many questioned the wisdom of leaving the West Ham anchorman at home in favour of a less than fit Gareth Barry for South Africa, but Parker has thrived in the new lineup since then. At the age of 31 he has finally become a pivotal England player, whose role should continue if his club manager Harry Redknapp takes over. He may even become captain.
One to watch: Ashley Young
Almost rejected by Watford for being too small, the nippy little Manchester United man has been a revelation for England, adding buzz and unpredictability to the attack. With David Beckham now out of contention, Young has quickly become the side's principal provider and netted three goals in qualifying.
Coach: Roy Hodgson
Fabio Capello's shock resignation in February has thrown England's build-up into limbo. At time of writing, it was not clear who would be coaching the side at Euro 2012. Caretaker Stuart Pearce has forged a dogged but uninspired U-21 team and is unlikely to take the senior side much further. Harry Redknapp should be immediately galvanising but without enough time to shape the team, could only hope his honeymoon of motivation lasts the tournament. In the end the FA went for a safe pair of hands in the shape of ex-Inter, Blackburn and Fulham coach Roy Hodgson, who faces a challenge in winning over England fans and players alike.
Record
1964, 1972, 1976, 1984, 2008 Did Not Qualify, 1980, 1988, 1992, 2000 First Round, 2004 Quarter Final, 1968, 1996 Semi Final
FIFA Ranking
How they qualified for Euro 2012
Topped Group G winning five games and drawing three times.
On the sidelines
England have never won the European Championships. Rooney and Young were the joint top scorers in qualifying with three each.
Soccerphile says
A struggle to make it to the quarter-finals, this is unlikely to be the year England break their Euro hoodoo.
The confusion over the coach may hurt England's preparations, but equally the glittering arrival of Mr Redknapp could provide a priceless short term boost. Despite recent advances, England are still behind Spain, Germany and the Netherlands, and probably France, who form a major first round hurdle along with old bogey Sweden and the host nation Ukraine.
Whoever is in charge, England have the nucleus of a strong team, but the lack of a domestic winter break, a tough finals draw, the loss of Wayne Rooney for two games and a poor tradition in the European Championship means they are unlikely to feature in the final.
The Squad
Goalkeepers:
Joe Hart (Man City), Rob Green (West Ham), Jack Butland (Birmingham City)
Defenders:
Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Phil Jones (Man United), John Terry (Chelsea), Joleon Lescott (Man City), Martin Kelly (Liverpool), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Leighton Baines (Everton), Phil Jagielka (Everton)
Midfielders:
Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Stewart Downing (Liverpool), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Scott Parker (Tottenham), Ashley Young (Man United), James Milner (Man City)
Forwards:
Wayne Rooney (Man United), Danny Welbeck (Man United), Andy Carroll (Liverpool), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham)