Euro Cup 2012: Team Profile England (Know the participating Team England)

The world most exciting Tournament has already begun and we have seen some exceptional games till date. All 16 qualified European giants are fighting for the cup and every team will play to win the tournament.

www.anantasports.com is bringing the profiles of all the participating team to its readers and here it is England. England is taking part in the tournaments under the guidance of Coach Roy Hodgson. 

Roy Hodgon’s side confirmed their place in Poland and Euro topping Qualifying Group G ahead of montengro and Switzerland. They Started their Qualifying journey with impressive start which included a Jermain Defoe hat trick against Bulgaria, saw England top Group G after two matches, but hopes of running away with qualification were dented with disappointing draws at home to Montenegro and Switzerland.

However, following a comfortable win in Bulgaria and a narrow victory over Wales, the Three Lions booked their place at Euro 2012 by securing a point - albeit after taking a two-goal lead - in their final group game away to Montenegro, with qualification marred somewhat by Wayne Rooney’s second-half dismissal.

The 1966 World Cup winners came third two years later in Italy, beaten 1-0 in the semi-finals by Yugoslavia - England's best-ever Euro showing. They qualified just once for the tournament between then and 1988, and miserably failed to qualify last time around in 2008. England’s most notable appearance in the European Championships in recent years saw the team reach the semifinals on home soil in 1996

 Coach: Roy Hodgson

Roy Hodgson was appointed as Capello's successor on 1 May following several weeks of speculation suggesting Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp was a shoe-in for the job.

Hodgson's previous international experience with Switzerland at World Cup '94 was an important factor for the Football Association.

Hodgson, 64, named his 23-man squad on 16 May, leaving out Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand and has opted for Gerrard as his captain. Hodgson will be looking to make an immediate impact and only has friendlies against Norway and Belgium as preparation for the tournament.

Englad Coach Roy Hodgson

Captain Steven Gerrard

After more than a decade as one of the world's best midfielders, can Liverpool's Steven Gerrard haul England's underachievers to the heights which were expected of them at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa?

One of the so-called 'Golden Generation' upon whom the lights are starting to fade, at least at international level, much will rest on inspirational Gerrard initially - if fully fit - in the absence of his fellow Liverpudlian Wayne Rooney, who is banned for the first two group games.

England Captain Steven Gerrard

 Player to watch Wayne Rooney:

The Manchester United star bounced back from his poor performances at the 2010 World Cup to become the first name on the team sheet for Capello during the qualifying campaign for Euro 2012. The striker, who has failed to score a goal at a major tournament since he broke on to the international stage at Euro 2004, netted three times in seven matches in qualification.

However, Rooney is set to miss the first two group stage games against France and Sweden in Poland and Ukraine after being handed a suspension for a petulant kick on Montenegro's Miodrag Dzudovic during a 2-2 draw with Montenegro in the team's final qualifier.

England Player Wayne Rooney

How England Qualify for Euro 2012:

England confirmed their place in Poland and Euro topping Qualifying Group G ahead of montengro and Switzerland.

GROUP G	GP	W	D	L	GD	PTS
1	England (Q)	8	5	3	0	12	18
2	Montenegro	8	3	3	2	0	12
3	Switzerland	8	3	2	3	2	11
4	Wales	8	3	0	5	-4	9
5	Bulgaria	8	1	2	5	-10	5

Sep 3, 2010: England 4-0 Bulgaria
Sep 7, 2010: Switzerland 1-3 England
Oct 12, 2010: England 0-0 Montenegro
Mar 26, 2011: Wales 0-2 England
Jun 4, 2011: England 2-2 Switzerland
Sep 2, 2011: Bulgaria 0-3 England
Sep 6, 2011: England 1-0 Wales
Oct 7, 2011: Montenegro 2-2 England

Jersy:

Brand: Umbro
Home Jersey: White
Away Jersey: Dark grey with light-blue collar

Coach: Roy Hodgson

Goalkeepers: Robert Green (West Ham), Joe Hart (Manchester City), Jack Butland (Birmingham)

Defenders: Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Leighton Baines (Everton), Phil Jones (Manchester United), John Terry (Chelsea), Joleon Lescott (Manchester City), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Liverpool)

Midfielders: Stewart Downing (Liverpool), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), James Milner (Manchester City), Scott Parker (Tottenham), Ashley Young (Manchester United), Theo Walcott (Arsenal)

Forwards: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Danny Welbeck (Manchester United), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham), Andy Carroll (Liverpool)

Style of play: Manager Roy Hodgson likes to use the full width of the field, so it hardly comes as a surprise he uses a 4-3-3 formation. Danny Welbeck (and Wayne Rooney when his suspension is over) lines up as the front man, flanked by Ashley Young and Theo Walcott to form a three-pronged attack noted for its speed. Scott Parker is the midfield anchor, acting as a shield for the back four. Captain Stephen Gerrard probes the attack forward from his central midfield position.