Euro 2012 Qualifying, Preview: Group B

Russia’s place in the top nine of the UEFA coefficient means Dirk Advocaat, again walking in the footsteps of Guus Hiddink, has the de facto seeded team in Group B. Their main obstacles to qualifying will be a Slovakia team that just qualified for their first major tournament and Giovanni Trapatonni’s Republic of Ireland.

Having drawn weak teams from each of the six pots, Group B is the easiest of the tournaments nine groups.

Russia

FIFA Rank:16
Elo Rank: 15
Recent Performances: Second place in World Cup qualifying group. Semifinals of Euro 2008.
Coach: Dick Advocaat
Captain: Andrei Arshavin
Prominent players: Igor Akinfeev (CSKA Moscow), Aleksandr Anyukov (Zenit St. Petersburg), Alan Dagoev (CSKA Moscow), Roman Pavlyuchenko (Tottenham Hotspur)
Outlook: One of the best goalkeepers in the world will have to save a suspect defense, the key to which may be replacing midfielder Sergei Semak, who has not been called-in. Alan Dzagoev’s continued development could make an already strong Russian attack elite.
Predicted Finish: 1st

Slovakia

FIFA Rank: 27
Elo Rank: 48
Recent Performances: Second round of the World Cup. Failed to qualify for Euro 2008.
Coach: Vladimir Weiss
Captain: Marek Hamsik
Prominent players: Martin Skrtel (Liverpool), Miroslav Stoch (Fenerbahce), Vladimir Weiss (Rangers), Robert Vittek (Ankaragucu)
Outlook: The only World Cup qualifier in the group, Slovakia faces a tougher challenge getting to Euro 2012 than they did qualifying for South Africa. Of the group's strong nations, they may have the best recent accomplishments, but they are neither the most talent (Russia) nor best prepared (Ireland) team in this group. Winning this group is not out of the question. Neither is failing to make the playoff.
Predicted Finish: 3rd

Republic of Ireland

FIFA Rank: 36
Elo Rank: 25
Recent Performances: Second in UEFA World Cup qualifying group. Failed to qualify for Euro 2008.
Coach: Giovanni Trapatonni
Captain: Robbie Keane
Prominent players: Shay Given (Manchester City), John O’Shea (Manchester United), Richard Dunne (Aston Villa), Damien Duff (Fulham), Kevin Doyle (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Outlook: The World Cup’s 33rd team has a good draw. Slovakia and Russia are both beatable. If Shay Given can maintain his international form while losing playing time at Manchester City, Ireland could qualify for their first major tournament since World Cup 2002.
Predicted Finish: 2nd

Republic of Macedonia

FIFA Rank: 66
Elo Rank: 69
Recent Performances: Fourth in UEFA World Cup qualifying group. Did not qualify for Euro 2008.
Coach: Mirsad Jonuz
Captain: Goran Pandev
Prominent players: Goran Popov (Dynamo Kyiv), Igor Mitreski (Neftchi Baku), Velice Sumulikoski (Sibir Novosibirsk)
Outlook: UEFA has a number of one-man nations, and Macedonia’s man is Goran Pandev. The Internazionale attacker has recorded 23 goals in 54 caps for his country. His presence helps make Macedonia the group spoiler. Group B’s big three should take full points from Macedonia, but a slips against them could decide which of the trio finishes third.
Predicted Finish: 4th

Armenia

FIFA Rank: 96
Elo Rank: 118
Recent Performances: Sixth in their UEFA qualifying group. Did not qualify for Euro 2008.
Coach: Vardan Minasyan
Captain: Sargis Hovsepyan
Prominent players: Roman Berezovsky (Khimki), Robert Arzumanyan (Randers), Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Shakhtar Donetsk), Yura Movsisyan (Randers)
Outlook: Yes, that Yura Movsisyan, Major League Soccer fans. Whereas the former Real Salt Lake forward had once leaned toward the U.S., as of three weeks ago, he is an Armenian international. He will help the team improve upon its World Cup qualifying finish.
Predicted Finish: 5th

Andorra

FIFA Rank: 201
Elo Rank: 202
Recent Performances: Sixth in their UEFA qualifying group. Did not qualify for Euro 2008.
Coach: Koldo
Captain: Oscar Sonejee
Prominent players: None.
Outlook: Andorra lost all ten of their World Cup qualifiers while posting a -36 goal difference, playing many of their matches in neighboring Spain. Not all of their players are full professionals. I’d say they’re just happy to be here, but I’m really not sure. The Armenians, however, will be thrilled to play them.
Predicted Finish: 6th