Preview of Euro 2008!

Qualifying Campaigns... ... ...and then there were 16!

After many months of intensive qualifying campaigns for all European Nations the 16 teams were confirmed a couple of months ago. The disappointing aspect for me was that none of the 5 teams I classify as the Home Nations made it. England faltered at the last against Croatia, Scotland after such a wonderful qualifying campaign against the likes of France, Italy and Ukraine just missed out (perhaps the most gut wrenching), Wales were average, Republic of Ireland whom I love were disappointing and Northern Ireland also had a fantastic campaign including that wonderful Healy hat-trick against Spain but despite probably their best qualifying campaign ever also ended up missing out. However we have to move on from all that, I'm still excited by Euro 2008, the European Championships are the second best sporting event in the world in my opinion so I can't wait to watch the games and follow the action! Whereas the lack of Leeds United from the Premiership makes me lose excitement for the prem, the absence of the Home Nations has not dulled any of my fervent lip wetting for Euro 2008!

Introduction to 2008

For anyone who has been living in a cave of recent times, Euro 2008 is being co-hosted by Switzerland and Austria, considered as the also-rans of the tournament based on their lowly world rankings (Austria at 91 and Switzerland at 44 - the only two outside the top 30). However for me Switzerland conjures up images of beautiful snowy mountains for skiing and Austria makes me thing of old-fashioned, gorgeous architecture and My Fair Lady! Both will be passionate friendly hosts and will hopefully raise their game due to a home advantage. There are four groups of four, and from each group two teams will advance to quarter finals, and then we'll have the semis followed by the final!! Here is a brief preview for each group. I don't like to make predictions but as anyone who reads will expect some predicting, I might as well have a bit of a try. Sometimes it might even be based on hope rather than expectation! And no doubt my guesses for Group C will be almost random...how does one even begin to consider the group of death?

Group A

Czech Republic are always expected to do well in recent times and were stunning in qualifying. They have a strong squad even though they are missing the influential Rosicky through injury and couldn't lure Nedved out of retirement. Cech is immense in goal. The Czechs can be very inconsistent: breathtaking one day, disappointing the next.
Prediction: Runner up

Portugal: A great squad, and Christiano Ronaldo - possibly the world's best player at the moment. Were nervy at times in qualifying but manager Luis Felipe Scolari is very good in big tournaments. Lots of talent. Can they harness this to complete Euro success for the first time?
Prediction: Group Winner

Switzerland: As home nation they might surprise a few people. Frei is their key man. They have a very solid defence and are a technically proficient young side including Arsenal defenders Senderos and Djourou.
Prediction: Third

Turkey: Unfortunately not quite the class of World Cup 02. Their one surviving star from that team is keeper Rustu Recber and he may have to settle for 2nd choice. Did not set the world on fire in qualifying and are unlikely to in Euro 2008 either.
Prediction: Last

Group B

Austria: Ranked 92nd in the world they are considered the worst team at the tournament by far. The son of a famous Austrian footballer was even involved in a petition to get them to voluntarily resign from the tournament from fear of embarassment. However with home support behind them and a bit of luck, who knows.
Prediction: Last

Croatia: An exciting and dangerous team. Even considering the serious injury to main striker Eduardo they are a force to be reckoned with combining team work and a lot of skill. Their is prodigious talent and a good togetherness about this side and can really fancy their chances, especially if the prodigiously talented Modric can shine.
Prediction: Group Winner

Germany: Unusually for the Germans they now play an exciting brand of football and will look to the cut and thrust of Ballack for inspiration and Klose for the goals. Germany always tend to be there or thereabouts in tournaments and as a result are expected to be a force.
Prediction: Runner up

Poland: Stormed their tricky qualifying group and are well blessed in goal with Boruc, Poland may have a better chance than at first glance. Bit lacking in creativity however.
Prediction: Third

Group C (An INSANE group of death)

France: Sometimes take a while to warm up at major tournaments which may prove their downfall in a group of this calibre. They are stacked with fine quality players but having lost to Scotland home and away in qualifying teams will have spotted their fallibility. Nevertheless they are a proven international force with a fine squad.
Prediction: Group Winner

Italy: World Cup winner but without their rock and captain Cannavaro through injury may struggle. However they have a very impressive squad with the creative force of Pirlo complementing bulldog Gattuso in midfield. With Buffon in goal and Luca Toni up front they have an excellent backbone to the side.
Prediction: Last

Netherlands: Usually an exciting team who's defenders can attack they currently have a more conventional style. Unusually they have very good defensive stats. Holland may miss Babel up front but they ooze quality in many areas of the team. Can be quite mercurial at times as well.
Prediction: Third

Romania: Had a fantastic qualifying campaign. Whilst many might say they look out of depth in their group compared with their illustrious opponents underestimate them at your peril. Much will depend on the performances of key man Mutu.
Prediction: Second

Group D

Greece: Unlikely to repeat their feats of 2004 they do have a hard working side, performed very well in qualifying, and retain Otto Rehhagel as manager from 04
Prediction: Last

Spain: As usual Spain have a very talented squad, but can the perennial underachievers of world football perform to the high standards expected of them, or will they flop again? With players like Casillas, Fabregas, Torres and Villa maybe for once it will be the former.
Prediction: Group Winner

Sweden: With the supremely confident striking talents of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and with Larsson again coming out of retirement there are definitely goals in this side. Especially with the quick Wilhelmsson and Ljunberg to set up from the wings. However Ibrahimovic has yet to fire at a major tournament despite his wonderful abilities. Is 2008 his year?
Prediction: Third

Russia: When Guus Hiddink is the manager, also rans can get much further than expected. Even though Pogrebnyak is a major injury doubt and star man Arshavin is suspended for their first two games Hiddink certainly knows how to get the best out of his players.
Prediction: 2nd

Well there ya go, Euro 2008 on on on!