So, Euro 2012 begins today and with the Diamond Jubilee and The London Olympics, together with the gloomy pessimism brought on by over a decade of abject England campaigns, you could be forgiven for not noticing.

We have to wait until Monday to see England play what will, at least on paper, be their toughest game, against the French. It’s been an eventful build up for England’s new manager to say the least, with injuries and controversies threatening to distract the players from the task at hand. However – after writing off England’s chances the moment Roy Hodgson was appointed – somehow, after all the years of dashed hopes and dreams, I’ve once again managed to talk myself around and the default patriotic foolishness has begun to take a hold.

Elsewhere, although they’re not a home nation, I’ll still be rooting for the Irish as my second team. They’ve got a pretty difficult group and will see finishing second behind the Spanish as their only realistic shot, which leaves the small matter of Italy and Croatia who block their path. The first game against the Croats will be a fascinating clash as each will see the other as their weakest opponents in the group and will therefore both see the game as a must-win.

Anyhow, without further ado, I will give you the THS Euro 2012 opening group game predictions:

Behold the mystic elephant in action: