Jancker tips Netherlands and Italy to crash out of Euro 2012

May 31, 2012 2:17:00 PM

The former Germany striker predicts how the early rounds of the tournament will pan out and, with that in mind, he doesn't hold much hope for the Oranje or the Azzurri

EXCLUSIVE
By Max Bensinger & Dennis Weinacht

Carsten Jancker expects Netherlands and Italy to both suffer surprise eliminations from the group stages of Euro 2012.

The Dutch line up in Group B alongside Germany, Portugal and Denmark, while the Azzurri have been drawn with reigning champions Spain, Republic of Ireland and Croatia.

Speaking exclusively to Goal.com, Jancker, who represented die Mannschaft at Euro 2000, believes the early rounds of the competition will deliver a few shocks, including premature exits for Netherlands and Italy.

The ex-Bayern Munich forward has tipped Bert van Marwijk's side to lose their grudge match against Germany in Kharkiv on June 13, before failing to pick up points in their final match against Portugal at the same venue four days later.

"[Germany v Netherlands] will be a great game. Both teams have incredible attacking potential, but Germany will show in this match that they have the best team in the tournament," Jancker noted.

In relation to the Azzurri in Group C, Jancker feels his former trainer Giovanni Trapattoni has shaped a Republic of Ireland team that will emerge as dark horses this summer and qualify at the Italians' expense.

"As a show of solidarity with Trapattoni, I'm tipping Ireland to be the championship's surprise team."

Euro 2012 gets under way on June 8, when Greece face Poland at the National Stadium in Warsaw.

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