Great Dane Football Blog - UK Edition gives a view on what's worth watching in football. With the national leagues coming to an end, this week features International friendlies - The last match before EURO 2012!










Ukraine - Estonia
International Friendly
Kufstein Arena
 28-05-2012 at 18.00 BST

Head-to-head:

Ukraine: 1 victory / 2 goals

   Draw: 0

Estonia: 0

This will be Ukraine manager, Oleh Blokhin’s last and only chance to test his team’s form before the EURO 2012. Estonia lost  by 3-1 against Croatia in the weekend, and they will be keen on showing their fans that they are able to win against Ukraine. The two teams match each other well, and it will be a close combat, but I believe we will see Ukraine as a better team. It is worth keeping an eye on the veteran-striker Andriy Shevchenko. The Ukraine is playing his last EURO 2012, and it will be interesting to see if he still knows where the goal is.

Sweden - Iceland
International Friendly
Nya Gamla Ullevi
30-05-2012 at 19.45 BST

Head-to-head (last 5 matches):

 Sweden: 4 victories / 15 goals

   Draw: 0 

Iceland: 1 victory / 5 goals


Sweden has a good history against Iceland, and the last meeting ended with a 5-0 win. Sweden and Iceland have both produced some profiles for the bigger European leagues, and we can expect to see a few of them in this match. We can expect some goals from both teams, but given the current form Sweden will pull out of this as a winner. Keep an eye on Twente’s Emir Bajrami in this match. The midfielder has had a great year in Holland, as is capable of making the most spectacular goals.





USA - Brazil
International Friendly
FedEX Field
31-05-2012 at 01.00 BST

Head-to-head (last 7 matches):

   USA: 0 victory / 6 goals

  Draw: 1

Brazil: 6 victories / 16 goals


Given the individual form, it looks like a sure victory for Brazil against USA. Both teams are on a streak with five wins in a row. USA won 5-1 against Scotland in the weekend, while Brazil beat Denmark by 3-1. This meeting will not only be a meeting between two of the great football nations overseas, but also a meeting between USA’s European style football and Brazil’s samba football. Brazil is going to win, but USA has something to say in the match, as well. Keep an eye on Juan Agudelo. The young Columbian-American striker plays for Chivas USA in the MLS, and is one of the greatest talents in America, and will be interesting for European clubs in a couple of years.


France - Serbia
International Friendly
Stade Auguste Delaune
31-05-2012 at 20.00 BST

Head-to-head (last 3 matches):

France: 2 victory / 6 goals

  Draw: 1

Serbia: 0 victories / 2 goal

France has had some problems in International football the last couple of years, while Serbia is a growing football nation. However, the French seems to have found their old form and are also favorites for this one. I am especially looking forward to see how the French forwards will do against Serbia's strong defense. The back four from Serbia is some hard tackling players and can cause serious injuries to the French squad before the EURO 2012. Keep an eye on Neven Subotic in this match. The defender from Dortmund has shown impressive form this season and will be one of the leading figures against an attacking French team.

Denmark - Australia
International Friendly
Parken
02-06-2012 at 16.00 BST

Head-to-head (last 2 matches):

  Denmark: 1 victory / 3 goals

     Draw: 0 

Australia: 1 victory / 2 goal

Both Denmark and Australia is developing players for the English Premier League, and some of the will be playing on Saturday. Denmark lost 3-1 against Brazil last in the weekend, mainly because of personal mistakes. This can’t happen again against Australia, as they will punish the Danes right away. Australia has won the last four out of five matches and is in great form. They will be able to beat Denmark, and we can expect a tight match. Keep an eye on Denmarks Jores Okore. The Ivory Coast Danish player has just won the Danish Superliga with FC Nordsjælland as is one of the exciting young players for the future of Denmark.