Euro 2012 Fearless Predictions - Day 10

After one of the most dramatic days in the tournament, we turn our attention to Group B where every team has a chance to advance to the knock-out stage. Since I am on my way to Toronto after a fantastic wedding weekend on the eastern shore of Maryland, the fearless predictions will unfortunately be short yet again.

Euro 2012 Fearless Predictions - Days 6-8

You could argue I have been lazy, but I would rather say I have been pre-occupied. See, I have traveled down south to the coast of Maryland for the lovely wedding of two good friends from business school. Unable to post any fearless predictions, has clearly left my readers in a loop, but here is recap of what I would have predicted.

Euro 2012 Fearless Predictions - Day 2

Whoa, I think I barely survived Day 1 at the Euro. This is the beauty of this tournament, you honestly have no idea what to expect. So let's just jump right into Day 2.

Euro 2012 - Group B Preview

Group B at Euro 2012 is truly a 'Group of Death.' Two of the proverbial favorites for the title, Germany and the Netherlands, along with talent-filled Portugal and the always dangerous Denmark comprise Group B. All six matches between the teams will be fascinating encounters that should produce some of the best football at the tournament.

A Way Too Early Look At Euro 2012

Congratulations we have all survived another two year qualifying cycle for a major footballing tournament. This time we have managed to whittle down 53 of Europe's footballing nations to the 16 that will compete in Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine. So that only means that Posts By Panos has to give you a way to early look at the tournament.

Day 14 Fearless Predictions

Wow, what drama as the United States scored a late goal to secure their passage to the Round of 16 while elminating the Slovenians who lost to England, 1-0. The Americans victory sees them leap frog England into first place in Group C and into a quadrant of South Korea, Uruguay and Ghana for a place in the Final 4. Not many would of had that before the tourney. As you can see, when I choose the games with my head rather than my heart, thank you Greece, I actually can pick one or two. Day 14 sees Group E & F up for grabs with only the Netherlands having secured a spot into the last round. All the pressure will be on the Italians in their match against Slovakia. Onto the picks!

Day 14

Paraguay - New Zealand

You have to be impressed with the All-Whites who have secured two points from their first two matches and find themselves with a fighting chance to qualify for the Round of 16 if they can secure victory against Paraguay. Paraguay can secure first place in the group with a victory and will look to do so to avoid the Dutch in the next round. The dream dies for the Kiwis, but what a ride it was.

Paraguay - New Zealand (2-0)

Slovakia - Italy

Slovakia can secure their passage into the Round of 16 if they beat Italy and New Zealand fails to beat Paraguay. The key during this match revolves around who will control the midfield battle between both sides and if Andrea Pirlo will be fit for the Italians. Usually the Italians excel in the third group game and I assume that they will be able to do the job against Slovakia and set up a match-up versus the Dutch.

Slovakia - Italy (1-2)

Cameroon - Netherlands

Cameroon have already been assured of an early flight home, while the Dutch, with a point, will secure first place in the Group. I do not expect many of the Dutch veterans to be in the squad and I expect to see a youthful squad led by Hunterlaar, Babel and Elia. Furthermore, this is Cameroon's final attempt to salvage some pride for their nation after a horrendous showing at the World Cup. Regardless I see the Dutch playing well and cruising into the last 16.

Cameroon - Netherlands (0-2)

Denmark - Japan

It comes down to this, winner takes all for a place in the Round of 16. The Danes played extremely well in their match against Cameroon and I expect them to take the game to the Japanese. Japan have been resilient themselves but hardly have they attacked with any flair or conviction. They can still hold out but they know they need a victory to get to the knock-out stage.

Denmark - Japan (1-0)

OVERALL RECORD

21-19

Day 9 Fearless Predictions

Day 8 brought more surprises than anyone could imagine, from Serbia's victory over Germany, to the US's comeback against the Slovenians to finally England's abysmal performance against Algeria. However, most of these games were affected by poor refereeing decisions. I will touch on the poor refereeing in an upcoming 'State of Play' piece and offer my suggestions to FIFA to help solve this problem. But that is for a different day. It's the weekend, so enjoy the games where ever you may be watching and onto to the picks.

Day 9

Netherlands - Japan

The Dutch were victorious in their prior match against the Danes, while the Japanese shocked Cameroon 1-0. The Oranje are expecting Arjen Robben back for this game, and he could provide a difference on the wings and relegate Rafael van der Vaart to the bench. I was thoroughly impressed Eljero Elia in his cameo appearance and he was unlucky not to grab a goal. The Japanese will remain compact and organized and look to nip a goal from a set piece or via the counter attack.

Netherlands - Japan (2-0)

Ghana - Australia

Ghana are in prime position to put a stranglehold on Group D especially with Serbia's victory over Germany the day before. Ghana did not offer much going forward against Serbia but they are still extremely organized and structured and Australia will find them difficult to breakdown. The Aussies are missing their best player Tim Cahill due to suspension and will find it difficult to score.

Ghana - Australia (1-0)

Cameroon - Denmark

The best game of a rather boring group of games sees Cameroon and Denmark embark on a must-win scenario. Both teams lost their previous match and will be going for the three points. I see a determined Cameroon using Samuel E'too as an out and out striker and eventually outscoring the Danes in what might be the match of the tournament. I hope!

Cameroon - Denmark (3-2)

OVERALL

11-12

Day 4 Fearless Predictions

Finally, our first dominant World Cup performance. Thank you Germany. Let's move ahead with Day 4, where we will see the defending champions Italy in action coupled with the Dutch, Danes, Japanese, Paraguayans and Cameroonians. And now unto the picks.

Day 4

Netherlands - Denmark

Without Arjen Robben the Dutch could struggle against their sternest test in the group stage. I expect Sneijder and van Persie to pick up the slack for the Oranje and see them walking away with a 3-1 victory against the Danes who might be missing Nicolas Bendtner.

Netherlands - Denmark (3-1)

Japan - Cameroon

So far African teams in the tournament have one win, two losses and one tie. Let's even things out and give the Lions the victory over the Japanese. I see E'too snatching two goals in a key victory for Cameroon before their big matches against the Dutch and Danes.

Japan - Cameroon (0-2)

Italy - Paraguay

Italy will be missing Andrea Pirlo and I feel that the squads creativity will be lacking with his absence. This match has the potential to be an absolute dogfight between two defensive organized squads. Therefore, I see this match ending in a draw. Both teams cancel each other out.

Italy - Paraguay (1-1)

OVERALL RECORD

4-4

Group E Preview

Overview:

Group E sees the Netherlands, Denmark, Cameroon and Japan do battle for the coveted top two spots and berths into the Round of 16. The Dutch are led by a quartet of attackers in the form of Wesley Sneijder, Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben and Rafael van der Vaart. Sneijder and Robben have both been in impeccable form during their respective domestic campaigns leading Inter Milan and Bayern Munich to the Champions League final. The Dutch have also been extremely impressive in their pre-World Cup friendlies but like anything with the Oranje you would not exactly bet on them to perform when the pressure is on. Denmark has been a very interesting team during this World Cup qualifying season as they have been blending their youth into Morten Olsen's squad while fading out the old and experienced. Denmark progressed to the World Cup by finishing first in a group that included Sweden and Portugal. The Danes will heavily rely on the attacking pedigree of Nicolas Bendtner, who if continues his form with Arsenal will need at least 5 chances before he hits the back of the net. Cameroon is probably the African team with the greatest tradition and pedigree at the World Cup. Who can forget Roger Milla's goal in 1994 when Cameroon shocked Argentina 1-0? Regardless this edition of the Lions is led by ego-driven striker Samuel E'too. E'too is a fantastic striker only if he wants to be but his recent fued with the head coach might spell trouble for this African footballing nation. Japan have never won a World Cup match outside of their homeland. That being said they must have the most arrogant coach of all time, Takeshi Okado, who realistically believes that Japan can make the semi-finals. Well, Mr. Okado needs to remind his players which goal to shoot at because in their past two friendlies before the World Cup they have allowed three own goals.

Players To Watch:

Netherlands - Wesley Sneijder - Sneijder recently led Inter Milan to Champions League glory and he will be asked to lead the Clockwork Orange towards their first World Cup triumph. Wesley will play in the center of the park for the Dutch and will be asked to pull the strings for the squad while setting up goals for front men Robin van Persie, Dirk Kuyt and Arjen Robben.

Denmark - Christian Poulsen - Yes attackers make all the money and get the supermodels, but it is the holding midfielders like Denmark's Christian Poulsen that win championships. Poulsen, while at Sevilla, was responsible for the defensive responsibilities while Dani Alves made his darting runs from his right-back position. This led to his multi-million Euro move to The Old Lady, Juventus.

Cameroon - Samuel E'too - E'too is not only Cameroon's best and most talented player but he is also their most volatile player. Cameroon will only advance if E'too is on his best form and best behavior. But let's be honest, E'too is on winning teams, case in point his back to back Champions League winners medals.

Japan - Shunsuke Nakamura - Lately, Japan have been scoring more goals on their own net than the oppositions. The onus to score falls on the shoulders of Nakamura who is expected to deliver killer set pieces to Japan's target men. Nakamura has the pedigree from his time with Celtic in the SPL.

Projected Order Of Finish:

Netherlands

Cameroon

Denmark

Japan