It is less than a week to the European Championships and
time for the predictions to start flowing in.
Given last season’s total change of guard in Europe’s strongest leagues,
it will be a great feat to correctly predict the nation that will emerge as European
champions.
On paper Spain and Germany are considered favorites to win
it all, but so were Barcelona and Madrid for the Champions League. To the shock
of book makers, a Chelsea side that seemed to be in disarray as they endured
their worst Premier League season in years emerged to win the title that club
owner Abramovich has been obsessed with since he took over.
While Barcelona was also faltering domestically, Madrid was
on hand to end their three – year La Liga title grip. As Barca finally
relinquished their title, three other title holders in Europe’s greatest
leagues followed suite.
In England, big spending Manchester City finally wrestled
the title from their illustrious Manchester rivals in what was the most dramatic
of seasons. As City celebrated their first title in 44 seasons, Montpellier
held off the challenge of wealthy PSG to win their first ever French title
against all odds. While the combination of Middle Eastern billionaire owner and
proven Italian manager worked for City in overcoming United’s pedigree, PSG with
same combination was held off by a Montpellier side operating on one of the
lowest annual budgets in top flight football.
Juventus overcame
Milan to win their first Serie A title in nine years! Fans in Stadio Olimpico
wildly celebrated their 30th title although two of these titles are not
recognized by the Italian football federation. As the number of titles won by
the Old Lady of Italian football continues to be debated, in Bavaria there was
no debate about who had cost Bayern their 23rd Bundesliga title and
5th Champions League trophy. Robben’s penalty misses led to horrific
boos from his club’s fans as he featured in a recent friendly for Netherlands
against Bayern Munich.
Bayern’s loss was Dortmund’s gain, as they emerged as
the only club in one of the recognized most competitive leagues to retain their
league title. Juventus and Bayern had invested heavily in a season designed to
be special for various reasons and expectations grew tremendously as both made
great starts. For Juve, it was a first season at the new Stadio Olimpico
stadium while Bayern was hosting the Champion’s League finals. Emotions at the
end of the season couldn’t have been more different for both sets of fans.
Like Chelsea, will the European Championships be won by an
England team apparently in disarray after parting ways with their coach,
mounting injuries and a Rooney suspension? Could this be Italy’s year, parallel
to their 2006 World Cup triumph when Juventus emerged as champions and Serie A
was hit by a match-fixing scandal? France re-shaping their image after a
disgraceful world cup has started to show tremendous character in beating
favorites Germany and overcoming a two goal deficit to beat Iceland. But this
could be the year when Europe’s nearly men and last world cup’s loosing
finalists arrive; after all, in van Persie and Huntelaar they boast two of last
season’s most prolific European strikers bar Ronaldo. Have your say on who will
emerge 2012 European champions.
