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Kammy's Euro picks

Kammy expects big things from England, Robin van Persie and Cristiano Ronaldo at Euro 2012.

Each day this week a member of the Soccer Saturday team will make their Euro 2012 predictions. First up is Chris Kamara...

I always look forward to the Euros as there are only two teams missing - Brazil and Argentina - to make this is as good as a World Cup. This year's tournament will be even more intriguing and I am excited to see Roy Hodgson leading us Steven Gerrard captaining us, while, of course, I am singing the official England song, Sing 4 England, and I hope that inspires our lads to put on a good show. Spain have got more world-class players than anybody else but they are one of seven teams - alongside Italy, Germany, Holland, England, France and Portugal - that can win it. There are legitimate question marks over each of those teams in one way or another, though, so it could be a really open tournament. The Premier League was superb this year so hopefully the Euros can follow suit. Spain always play the game in the right way, Holland are famed for that as well, while the new Germany are full of quality attacking players. Frank Lampard's injury will make things a lot easier for Roy selection-wise and as long as Scott Parker is fit, he will play in central midfield with Steven Gerrard. I think England will be more defensive than we have been in a long time, but I think that will be a good thing. People are saying that there is less pressure on England on this tournament, but from the minute we kick off against France, there is going to be pressure on. It is alright Roy saying that he is planning for the 2014 World Cup but it is about the here and now. You don't get leeway as an England manager and we have to produce the goods now and show significant signs of improvement. I think we can.

Who's going to win the tournament?

I would normally go for Spain but I'm going to say England. I want them to go a long way so that my song raises money for Marie Curie Cancer Care, but I really do think they can do it. We have the players, a vastly-experienced manager and if we can get a confidence-boosting win over France in the opening game, then who knows what we can achieve?

Who will pose the biggest threat to them?

Spain are not invincible but they are going to be very difficult to stop and are quite rightly the favourites. Holland's chances have increased with Robin van Persie fully fit and in great form. He will want to show the world that he can take that form into the international arena and bang in a few goals.

Who will be the surprise package of the tournament?

I looked at the Portugal team the other day and it's pretty good, with Nani, Pepe and, of course, Cristiano Ronaldo. They never seem to get it together in a major tournament but we used to say that about Spain before they won the Euros in 2008. I think Portugal are dark horses. Poland, meanwhile, will have home advantage and that can lead to a team doing well. They should get out of their group and will pose a threat with their fans cheering them on.

Who will win the Golden Boot?

Holland have a difficult group but it would be hard to back against van Persie after his exploits with Arsenal this season - but why not have a sneaky outside bet on Andy Carroll.?

Who's your player to watch?

I'm looking to Joe Hart to excel for England as if he has a worldy we could do really well. Roberto Mancini once said that Shay Given is one of the top five keepers in the world, but he let him go and played Hart instead, so he must be in the top four, with the likes of Gianluigi Buffon and Peter Cech. From an attacking perspective, Cristiano Ronaldo has been the main man in Spain this year, pulling away that crown that Lionel Messi has had on his head, and I expect him to play very well, too.

How far will England go?

Look at the optimism around the Republic of Ireland camp. There isn't a player in that squad who would get in our team but they have this belief that they are going to go there and do well, despite the fact they are in the Group of Death. If we show that optimism, we can win it.

Who will be England's star man?

Alan Shearer said that Andy Carroll could be one of the best strikers that Newcastle have ever had, but people seem to have written him off because he has gone to Liverpool and not had the best of times. If we see the Carroll from Newcastle and the one that came on strong at the end of last season for Liverpool, then he could cause defenders a lot of problems. But we also have the best left-back in the world in Ashley Cole, while Steven Gerrard is one of the best players in the world, which people often forget because we have Wayne Rooney. Theo Walcott has it in him to be a star, too, and I've already said how important Hart could be.

What would your starting England XI be for the opening game against France?

Hart; Johnson, Terry, Cahill*, Cole; Walcott, Parker, Gerrard, Downing; Young; Carroll *Kammy's piece was written before Gary Cahill was ruled out of Euro 2012 with a fractured jaw.

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