Will England Win Euro 2012?

If you asked 70 million people in the UK whether England will win Euro 2012 the answer would be probably be we have no chance. After all the odd's are not stacked in our favor particularly because we have in charge a new and relatively inexperienced manager in Roy Hodgson. The latest odd's previous to whether we win tomorrows opening group game with France are 14-1, only to be beaten by Russia, Italy, France, Germany, and the reigning champions Spain. 

Roy Hodgson caliber as a England manager, is very much viewed as experimental, although he has many  credentials within national management. However his recent club successes have been very few and far between including a brief and very unsuccessful stint at Liverpool. 

Pass the Buck - New manager, new surroundings - England chances are slim

In previous competitions we have an enormous amount of pressure pilled on to us in the days of Sven Erikson and Fabio Cappello, but this year is unlike any other, we are going into the competition with relative little expectation that we will make it past the group stage. 

Other teams have had very successful outcomes following little expectations going into such a major tournament. You only have to look at Greece's fortunes in Euro 2004 wen they lifted the trophy. Their success was compounded further by the fact that they had only qualified for two previous tournaments, Euro 1980 and the 1994 World Cup. Additionally to this when they won there first group game against the hosts Portugal, it was their first every victory. Likewise South Korea in the World Cup of 2002, getting through all the way to the semi finals only to be beaten by Germany 1-0. 

So can England win this tournament, possibly going into the tournament with relative little expectation that fan's expect us to actually get through the group stages. Where do you think England will end up, top the group and win the tournament or go home with many fan's not thinking too much of the tournament.

Is it right that alcohol firms can sponsor sport?

Last month the FA announced it was ending its association with sponsor EON for the FA CUP and switching to Budweiser as the main sponsor of the competition. It may prove a very lucrative deal for the FA, but in hindsight is it the right sponsor for the English game?

There has been much criticism in recent years of some types of sports sponsorships in the media, notably of those involving alcohol and gambling brands. In the case of the first two, there exists strong opinion in some quarters that these brands should not sponsor sport because of exposure to children. 

Unsurprisingly, gambling and alcohol brands have also come under the spotlight, with calls to prevent these from sponsoring sports properties, and a particular focus on restricting exposure to children through branding on replica shirts. Whilst this may be the case the competition is only sponsored by Budweiser not the teams, who have their own individual sponsors. Therefore Budweiser will have an indirect effect on football teams.

In the past many established sports brands many high profile sporting events including Benson & Hedges with Snooker and Formula 1. However due to licensing laws meant they had to drop association with the sport, similarly this was also the case with Embassy Cigarettes and their link with the Snooker. 

Overall the truth lies in convincing the public that, when done properly, sponsorships involving these types of brands can provide a positive contribution to the sports in question, and do so in such a way as to not have a negative influence on fans or participants (children in particular). It is essential that people feel there is a good reason for these types of brands to be associated with a sport, rather than just putting a name on a popular property without a genuine synergy between the two. This has been the case in the past in the USA, where Budweiser has long been established for sponsoring NASCAR racing and Superbowl events.

Overall the implication of Budweiser sponsoring the FA Cup is two fold, many will see this announcement as a changing of the sails for the FA, with many high profile premiership football teams being bought out creating a globalisation village. Likewise the FA and Premier League Association is becoming more and more Americanised that we can no longer be sustained on home grown sponsors.