Fellow managers on Friday tipped defending European champions Spain and Euro 2008 second-placers Germany as hot favorites to win this year’s tournament.
After wrapping up a two-day meeting of all 16 Euro 2012 qualifier nations in tournament co-hosts Poland, managers were pressed by reporters to give their forecasts for the final outcome.
“I think everyone knows who the favorites are. For me, they are Germany and Spain,” Poland manager Franciszek Smuda said.
Even Germany boss Joachim Loew said the 2008 victors were the team to beat.
“It’s Spain, in any event. The other nations come in their wake,” Loew said, adding: “Our own minimum target is to clear the first round. Then we will see. Our group is very difficult of course, with Portugal, the Netherlands and Denmark.
“Of course we can have the confidence to say that our aim is to go to the quarter-finals.”
France’s Laurent Blanc, meanwhile, said his favourites were Spain, Germany and Holland.
Ireland’s Italian manager, Giovanni Trappatoni, also agreed that the Spanish were top of the tree but warned that surprises could not be ruled out.
“There’s a team that’s very strong, a famous team, and that is Spain, but then also England, Holland, Germany. Usually these four. But I remember when Greece won (Euro 2004). So in football, all is possible,” Trappatoni said.
“I think every manager, every country, has the possibility to dream,” he added.
Croatia’s Slaven Bilic echoed Trappatoni that Spain were the favourites.
“But in my view, there’s also Germany, Holland and other countries with a big tradition, such as Italy or England,” he said.
“Every team has a chance and we’re hoping, too, that with a little luck and if we play well, we can do well too.”