How England qualified for Euro 2012
The Three Lions went through the Euro Cup qualifiers unbeaten under the guidance of Fabio Capello. They netted 17 goals and conceded just 5 in their 8 matches. Montenegro and Switzerland gave them the biggest scare. The former stole 4 points away from England through a goalless encounter at Wembley and a 2-2 draw in Podgorica.
That game in Montenegro saw Wayne Rooney get in serious trouble. The Manchester United striker lost his mind and got sent off with a rash retaliation on a Montengran opponent. His direct red card offense means that England will have to do without his services on the first 2 Matchdays of the competition.
Meanwhile, Switzerland exposed England’s weaknesses in defence when both sides met in London on June 4 last year. Barnetta’s 32nd and 35th minute goals put the Three Lions under intense pressure. It took a penalty from Lampard and another goal from Ashley Young for England to salvage a point in front of their supporters.
Despite all the criticism, ex-England manager Fabio Capello helped his team to complete the double over bitter rivals Wales without conceding a goal. The Three Lions overcame Wales’ hostile crowd and recorded a 2-0 win in Cardiff on March 26 before triumphing 1-0 at Wembley in September 2011.
Who is England’s coach? 
Roy Hodgson is England’s new coach. The former Liverpool boss, who suffered humiliation at Anfield during the 2010/11 season, officially replaced Fabio Capello in May 2012.
England is the 4th name on Hodgson’s list of national teams. The 64-year-old managed Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates and Finland in the past.
Roy Hodgson can look at his career thus far as being an eventful one. However, the England job arguably ranks as his biggest challenge. The whole world will judge his capacities as a coach when the Euro 2012 tournament kicks off in June.
Who are England's key players?
Wayne Rooney
The Manchester United striker is in a strange situation. He normally ends up a club football season with one or more accolades. This year, his 27 goals in the EPL could not win him the top scorer award as he finished second behind Robin Van Persie. Collectively, he endured a cupless season with the Red Devils.
Now, he will have to sit out England's first two matches at Euro 2012 due to suspension. Starting from Matchday 3 at Euro 2012, Wayne Rooney's role will be to add spark to the frontline should England qualify for the knockout stages.
John Terry
John Terry received a call for Euro 2012 ahead of Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand.
England coach said of John Terry that “he played an important part in Chelsea's FA Cup final victory, an important part in their reaching the Champions League final” and that consequently, “he's the man for job”. John Terry is supposed to feed the England team with experience and momentum.
In fact, England’s squad is filled with an array of talented players. One too many names come up in mind; the list includes Manchester City's Joe Hart, Arsenal's Oxlade-Chamberlain and even Ashley Young of Manchester United. In the end, the homogeneity of the team on the pitch like in the dressing room will determine England's fate during Euro 2012.
England’s Euro 2012 squad
Goalkeepers: Joe Hart, Robert Green, Jack Butland
Defenders: Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Glen Johnson, Phil Jones, Joleon Lescott, John Terry, Phil Jagielka
Midfielders: Stewart Downing, Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Scott Parker, Theo Walcott, Ashley Young
Forwards: Andy Carroll, Jermain Defoe, Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck
Who are England’s Euro 2012 group opponents?
England will have to go through the difficulty of facing France, Sweden and co-hosts Ukraine in Group D. The Three Lions are under pressure to redeem their stained image following their abysmal performance in their last major tournament – the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
Engand’s group matches schedule
June 11, 2012: France vs England – Donbass Arena, Donetsk
June 15, 2012: Sweden vs England – Olympic Stadium, Kiev
June 19, 2012: England vs Ukraine – Donbass Arena, Donetsk
Find more on England’s live streaming and TV schedule info page.
FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking
England sit behind Spain, Germany and the Netherlands respectively. They are 4th in Europe and 6th in the world. The Three Lions’ first and only cup success occurred 46 years ago, in the 1966 FIFA World Cup.
Odds of winning the Euro 2012
England are ranked fifth just behind their French rivals to win the Euro 2012 with odds of 1 in 10 to lift European Cup trophy.
