So we have some big events coming up. The European championship starts on June 8. Spain and Germany should be the top favourites, with the usual suspects Netherlands, Italy, France and England the other main contenders. It will be interesting how England shape up under their new manager Roy Hodgson.

Before that it's the Champions League final tomorrow with the somewhat surprising pairing Bayern Munich vs. Chelsea after those two eliminated the Spanish juggernauts Real Madrid and Barcelona in the semis. Bayern should be a slight favourite, also helped by the fact that the final is played in Munich. Chelsea probably isn't going to play quite as ultra-defensively as against Barcelona, but will still be looking to hit Bayern with quick breaks - to which Bayern looked quite vulnerable in the recent 2-5 in the German cup final against Dortmund. Plus, Bayern can be a little too reliant on their world class wingers Robben and Ribery (aka Robbery). It might also play a role that both teams are going to miss several suspended players (including the hugely talented 19-year old Austrian David Alaba).

Oh, and I'm happy that my favourite team avoided a relegation play-off in a last-round thriller today. That was almost too exciting to watch. Btw, if you want to see a really nice and unusual stadium, have a look at those photos I took when I went to see a match recently.

I don't see Germany as a favourite—but I hope they will prove me wrong. I even think it's possible that they won't survive the group stage... lol

In the Champions League I think Bayern München can make it. Although I'm from Hamburg (where you usually hate that leather trousers wearing bastards when it's about football) I'll be rooting for them. Would be nice if another "little fish" will win against such a money machine.

Last but not least—the stadium Hohe Warte is of course a really classic one—even when American football and rugby is being played there often nowadays.

And Chelsea win it after a penalty shootout. Not a great game - Chelsea were rather passive throughout, but Bayern were simply not effective enough. Strangely, this is probably the weakest Chelsea team since Abramovich started to pour money into the club, and yet they won their first Champions League title. I wonder if he'll give up his attempts from the beginning of the season (with coach Villas-Boas, who was later fired) to have them play more attractive football for good.

Not a great game... indeed.

Two surprisingly entertaining games on the first day of the European championship, Russia in particular looked great in their 4-1 against the Czech Republic.

In the previews France seems to have emerged as the experts' third favourite behind Spain and Germany and slightly ahead of the Netherlands. I wouldn't completely count out Italy too, although they're a little unpredictable as their defence isn't quite as rock-solid as usual. England also isn't as bad as some people make them out - they'll certainly be well-organized under Hodgson, although they're probably not quite among the top contenders. All of the games between the top teams in the groups are fairly early in the tourmanent: Spain-Italy on Sunday, France-England on Monday and Germany-Netherlands on Wednesday. So we should get a clearer picture about the shape of the favourites soon.

Today my team, Denmark, are playing, but it will be difficult against the Dutch. I guess Germany and the Netherlands continues from this group, but only if they don't underestimates the Danes!

And Denmark beats the Netherlands! The Dutch missed a few good chances, but maybe it was bad karma - I wasn't too impressed with them even in the last World Cup when they reached the final. Their formation seems rather un-Dutch, quite cautious and static and relying only on the brilliancy of their attackers. Good fighting game from Denmark, though. Should become very close who advances from this group.

Yeah, Denmark did win! I think the Dutch did underestimate the Danes, as the always do! Still a log way to go, but now I think the Danes have a good chance to reach the last 8.

The Netherlands looked vulnerable in defence. Portugal looked good yesterday, despite losing by a goal to Germany. Germany and Portugal my faves to go through from this group, but as always I am rooting for our neighbours Denmark (and Sweden).

Plenty of analyses of Euro 2012 at zonalmarking.net.

Next Spain vs. Italy, looking forward to this one.

Update: Spain- Italy still 1-1 at the 80 minute mark!!


Chess Fan