By Andrew Warshaw
June 6 – UEFA President Michel Platini is backing the usual suspects, Germany and Spain, to triumph at the 2012 European Championship amid concerns that tickets are still available for the tournament in Poland and Ukraine that starts on Friday (June 8).
Platini, who has faced constant reports of poor infrastructure and fan racism in the build-up to the finals, said: “In terms of favourites, I always make the difference between those who can win and those who are difficult to beat.
“I would put Germany (pictured above in training) and Spain in the first category and in the second one practically all the other teams.
“Spain has huge experience, Germany is a little younger, and is hungry for success.
“It is evident that these two sides have something extra.”
Platini, who led France to the 1984 title, said the Dutch were just behind in terms of possible contenders – but not England who are saddled with injuries and have Wayne Rooney suspended for the first two games.
“I think that the absence of Rooney for the first two games is much more of a handicap than the departure of [former manager Fabio] Capello,” Platini (pictured above at the Arena Lviv stadium in Ukraine, which will host three of the group-stage games) said.
“Rooney is one of the best players in the world.”
Of 1.4 million tickets available for the 31 matches, some 10,000 are still unsold for games in Ukraine according to UEFA.
Platini hopes the two hosts can stay in the competition for as long as possible to maintain interest.
“We have to be neutral, us the organisers,” he said.
“When the local team is in the competition for a long time, there is a better atmosphere, more passion that is true, it is a fact.”
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