Euro 2012: Hodgson finalizes England squad

Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson has included Danny Welbeck and Glen Johnson in England’s final Euro 2012 squad despite the injury concerns surrounding the duo.

Welbeck picked up an ankle injury in the Manchester derby on 30 April 2012 following a speculative challenge from City midfielder Nigel de Jong.

The Dutch defensive midfielder has become notorious for his reckless play on the pitch. In 2010, the former Ajax star broke the legs of Stuart Holden and Hatem Ben Arfa.

Throw in the Dutchman’s karate kick on Xabi Alonso in the 2010 World Cup final and you’ve summed up De Jong’s game in a nutshell.

Welbeck enjoyed his best season in professional football for the Red Devils in 2011-12, bagging nine goals and four assists in 30 English Premier League appearances.

Furthermore, the 22-year-old Manchester-born striker tallied two goals in two UEFA Champions League games for United, while also netting two goals in the European Under-21 Championship.

Danny Welbeck is 6/1 to be England’s top scorer at Euro 2012, and 50/1 to be the top overall goalscorer in Poland-Ukraine.

Now then, onto Glen Johnson. The Liverpool right back has been bothered by an infected toe in recent days.

However, the toe injury won’t keep the Englishman out of this summer’s European Championships, which is definitely good news for England’s supporters.

Johnson registered one goal and three assists in 35 appearances for club and country in 2011-12, and is 66/1 to be the Three Lions’ top marksman at Euro 2012.

England’s 23-man Euro 2012 Squad:

Goalkeepers:

Joe Hart, Robert Green, Jack Butland

Defenders:

Glen Johnson, Ashley Cole, Gary Cahill, John Terry, Leighton Baines, Phil Jones, Joleon Lescott, Phil Jagielka

Midfielders:

Steven Gerrard, Theo Walcott, Frank Lampard, Ashley Young, James Milner, Scott Parker, Stewart Downing, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Forwards:

Andy Carroll, Wayne Rooney, Jermain Defoe, Danny Welbeck

Euro 2012 Betting Odds: England

England are 1/2 to qualify from Group D and advance to the knockout stages of this summer’s competition.

In turn, the Three Lions are 17/10 to win Group D outright, with France given the same odds to top the group.

All things considered, I fancy Les Bleus to top Group D, with England advancing to the knockout stages after a second-place finish.

Not only are the French two-time European champions, but they have Karim Benzema, who missed the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, back in their side.

In addition, France have winger Franck Ribery at their disposal. The Bayern Munich play-maker is arguably the best player in Group D, and just recently ended his international goal drought against Iceland. That may just prove to be a lethal combination.

“It [scoring against Iceland] has done a lot of good for me and my loved ones,” said Ribery.

“It was becoming a weight on my shoulders and people were asking questions. At the same time, I am not a goalscorer, I like to make runs and good passes.

“But it did not surprise me because what I did [against Iceland], I had done for a whole year with Bayern and I just couldn’t understand why I failed to replicate this form with France.”

Which team will finish atop Group D in Euro 2012?

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/euro-2012-hodgson-finalizes-england-squad/95477/

Kompany keen on England chances World Soccer Shop

Vincent Kompany believes England are dark horses for Euro 2012, but has warned Belgium are ready to ruin the Three Lions' preparations.

Kompany: Hoping to unsettle England

The Manchester City captain is expected to be in his nation's starting XI on Saturday at Wembley and he will be team-mates with a host of rising stars.

Eden Hazard, Moussa Dembele, Marouane Fellaini and Jan Vertonghen are among Belgium's threats to England in their final pre-Euros friendly.

And although Premier League winner Kompany thinks Roy Hodgson's unfancied team could go far in Poland and Ukraine, the centre-back hopes they receive an upset at the weekend.

Kompany said: "I'm looking forward to this game. If we can win, it would cap the season for me.

"I know I won't be going to the Euros but we have such high ambitions for the World Cup.

"This is an important start for us preparing. This game is just as important for us as it is for England.

"They are definitely my pick of the bunch as the surprise team at the Euros."

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/17297/kompany_keen_on_england_chances

Kompany tips England to surprise

Belgium captain Vincent Kompany has picked England as the team most likely to pull off a shock Euro 2012 triumph.

Saturday’s friendly against the Three Lions will be Roy Hodgson’s side’s final warm-up match before the tournament, with the new England boss having talked up the benefits of taking on quality opposition ahead of the opener against France on June 11.

Kompany in turn looked to England as potential threats in the championships.

“England are definitely my pick of the bunch as the surprise team at the Euros,” he said.

Belgium missed out on qualifying for the tournament after finishing behind Germany and Turkey in Group A, but the City defender explained that his side hope to do better ahead of the 2014 World Cup.

“I know I won’t be going to the Euros but we have such high ambitions for the World Cup,” he said.

“This game is an important start for us preparing. It is just as important for us as it is for England. If we can win it would cap the season for me.

“There is an incredible amount of talent. People call it the golden generation. I am not worried we are not appearing in the Euro 2012 tournament.

“The 2014 World Cup is our aim and I guarantee you that we have a generation which can stay together and rule for the next 10 years.

“Don’t judge us now, judge us over the next few years.”

Kompany added: “When I finished the season on a high with City I realised that four years ago I was the only player from Belgium in the Premier League.

“Now there is an invasion of the best Belgians.

“At City I am one of the youngest players. With Belgium I am one of the oldest players. That says it all.

“I’m convinced that Marouane Fellaini(Everton)and Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal) have played a big part in that. They paved the way and put Belgium football in the limelight.

“I know Romelu Lukaku at Chelsea still has to make the big step, but there are enough signs that he will make a big impact.

“The fact a big club like Chelsea have bought him at such a young age shows how much confidence they have in his talent.”

Both Lille attacker Eden Hazard, the Ligue 1 player of the season, and Ajax captain Jan Vertonghen, the Eredivisie player of the season, are expected to move to the Premier League this summer.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/kompany-tips-england-to-surprise/95383/