Written by Shahan Ahmed
Follow him: @perfectpass on Twitter
Unfortunately, due to IT reasons that frustrated and angered me, I have lost a great deal of the written archive I worked long into the night to create during my first year at AccuScore. When that archive evaporated into nothing more than a memory, I lost a great deal of the will I possessed to write with as much vigor and energy as I had during my first season.
Also, I was asked to focus on some slightly more vital functions for the growth and development of AccuScore. As such, I promoted and only focused on making expert picks on a weekly basis (Those Expert Picks were +3300 on the season and returned better than 600% on initial investment). In this manner, I was still be able to prove my expertise in being able to read the beautiful game. I still wrote, but it was more in a manner directed at spreading the AccuScore European Football brand than the true pleasure and delight in watching the matches. Yes, I still enjoy and love watching matches, so it's about time to get back into writing some energetic previews that are meant to excite not just inform.
Fortunately, the magical end of the Manchester Premiership, Dortmund’s dominance in Germany, Real’s return in Spain, Juve’s success in the Serie A, and Chelsea’s unbelievable Drogba sendoff motivated me to create a new archive of articles. Lucky for us all, the European Championships are upon us.
From the 8th of June to the 1st of July, Euro 2012 takes hold of our collective consciousness. I’ll be watching every match, and the AccuScore computer will be simulating every match. Sneijder, Ibrahimovic, Steven Gerrard, and Bastian Schweinsteiger will only be some of the stars on display. Let’s take a brief look at what is coming up.
You want excitement? Just take a look at the first week’s schedule. Tournament kicks off on Friday, the 8th of June, with host nation Poland facing Euro 2004 Champions Greece. Saturday features Germany and Portugal, Sunday matches Italy and Spain, and Monday’s marquee matchups is England versus France. I think I just had a heart attack. No disrespect to any other matches or tournaments, but that is how to start a tournament!
Group B—featuring Germany, Netherlands, Portugal, and Denmark—is by far the toughest group on paper. Group D also promises top notch entertainment with England and France thrown into a pit with Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s Sweden and the Ukraine, co-hosts. Croatia poses a threat in group C (I took them as my ‘dark horse’ prior to their impressive friendly victory over Estonia). Still, it would be a real surprise if Italy and Spain didn’t advance out of the group, with Ireland the real long shots.
Once the tournament is getting underway, check back with AccuScore for Euro 2012 coverage, picks, previews, and analysis. I’ll be watching, and you should be too.
