Euro 2008 - How the groups are shaping up.
Well it's that time of the year again, and a summer which ends in an even year always means that there is a International football Tournament. This years is the much anticipated yet much maligned Euro 2008. Unfortunately this competition means that if you are British you will not have a direct team to support.
If you are a fellow Brit and you do not have a direct team to support then let us help you make a choice with what team to support. If you are anything like most people then you will support who your favourite player is so the Ronaldo fans will be supporting Portugal, the Torres fans will be following Spain and the old school Ruud Van Nistelrooy fans will be following Holland (Netherlands). If you do not know who the team are then here they are:
Group A:
Switzerland
Czech Republic
Portugal
Turkey
Group B:
Austria
Croatia
Germany
Poland
Group C:
Netherlands
Italy
Romania
France
Group D:
Greece
Sweden
Spain
Russia
Most people will be supporting the favourites who are Portugal, Germany, Italy and France. Yea sure we could all talk about how much potential Portugal have with Nani and Ronaldo or How much experience Italy have especially being World Cup winners but maybe you would like to stay neutral? Well if you do then you will want to know which games are going to be the best and which will offer the best attacking football so here we go.
In Group A the best game on paper will be Portugal Vs Czech Republic, when you look at that fixture your mind will be thinking Nani flips and Ronaldo free kicks, Deco frills and Quaresma skills but the Czechs should not be underestimated. Petr Cech in goal to keep things tight at the back, and class in Kollar and the Czech god Paval Nedved set to return maybe the Czechs missing Rosicky won't be noticeable as first thought, the only predictable thing about the fixture is that it will be set as a very unpredictable game.
Group B, some people say this will be the sleeping group with Germany the only team who look threatening and with Michael Ballack coming into a rich streak of form that statement will not be to far off the mark. Maybe all the attention should be turned to the other three teams in the group to throw out the most entertaining games with nothing but a runners up spot to lose.
For the most free flowing, attacking and dramatic football, Group C is the place to be. Sadly for Romania they look set to be out classed by the three big heavy weights which all are looking to make a mark on the tournament as Holland, Italy and France will all try to punch their way into the later stages of the competition. Holland certainly look strong after they won the U21 Euros last summer and with Italy coming off the back of a world cup win nothing seems to be beyond their reach. France will be hoping that Holland and Italy's recent success plays in their favour as a French revolution looks likely ten years on from their famous world cup wins.
Maybe the most unpredictable group is the one which concludes the setup,Group D. With the group consisting of Greece, Sweden, Spain and Russia. Spain are well know as El bajo Rendimiento will look to not live up to their name and with Fernando Torres having an exceptional first season in England he will hope to emulate some of his 32 goals for Spain alongside David Villa who will look to fire Spain to glory, With a strong midfield in Xavi, Xabi Alonso and the wonder boy Cesc Fabregas running the midfield the El Ninos will be looking for a strong run this year. The other three team Greece, Sweden and Russia all have an even chance of qualifying and maybe they even have the unseemly appeal to dig deep and pull off an upset to knock out Spain and to cause a few more upsets along the way.
Key Players
Fernando Torres – If you could spend 26.5Million on one man worth while then this looks like the man who is worthy, with 32 goals to date in his locker Fernando 'El Nino' Torres will hope to put his mark on the International stage
Cristiano Ronaldo – Maybe the only player in the world who could be the most important player in any team and still be loved by the world media, the two year running PFA and Writers player of the year will hope to get to his Third International tournament on the back of a Champions League final and 40 goals this season and finally lift an international trophy.
Michael Ballack – After his free transfer the cool and calm German machine was thought to be the shrewdest bit of business this year, but with a stuttering start to the season people were waiting for him to be shipped out. However, in a massive turn around MB has been given the captains arm band at his club on occasions and has been firing his team into the title race which sees them go into the last day of the season joint top, maybe this will be the Germans skipper year to lift the trophy.
Well you have had briefings of the groups, the games and the individuals, now it is just time to sit back and watch the football without biting your nails over the British boys for this time round, Maybe it is time to appreciate what exceptional talents there are around Europe without having your hearts come into play.
