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As the summer approaches and with the Olympics right around the corner we can't forget about the second biggest Soccer tournament in the world.Euro 2008.With one major powerhouse missing from the tournament, that being England...

Euro 2008: A Look Ahead to the Tournament

by Ian Zymarakis (Columnist)

18

1,289 reads

Preview/Prediction

April 02, 2008


As the summer approaches and with the Olympics right around the corner we can't forget about the second biggest Soccer tournament in the world.

Euro 2008.

With one major powerhouse missing from the tournament, that being England. How will the rest of the tournament play out?

Here are my predictions of the 8 teams that will advance from group play to the knockout rounds.

 

Group A

Czech Republic

Portugal (Euro 2004 Runner Up)

Switzerland

Turkey

Group Winner: Portugal

Group Runner Up: Czech Republic

In a group that has two of the major powerhouses in the world and one of the host nations this group could be interesting.

Czech Republic and Portugal are the obvious favorites to advance from here but don't sleep on Switzerland or Turkey.

Switzerland is a host nation in this tournament and host nations tend to do pretty well because of the home field advantage they receive.

Turkey is another team that is dangerous because of how aggressive they can prove to be when needed.

I still see Portugal and Czech Republic advancing from this group as the Czechs have a lot to prove since their early World Cup dismissal and Portugal looks for some revenge since losing in the final of Euro 2004.

 

Group B

Austria

Croatia

Germany

Poland

Group Winner: Germany

Group Runner Up: Austria

In what looks to be the weakest of the four groups I see Germany running away with this group by getting the full 9 points that can be received.

Their battle with Poland could be a very competitive match that could even turnout in a draw but I see Germany being able to go 3-0-0 here.

Austria, the second of the two host nations, like Switzerland will get a huge home advantage and that will push them through to the knockout round. They are a very good squad and could defeat any of those teams except Germany.

Poland and Croatia are quality teams that I don't think are playing their best soccer at this time, with so much time till the tournament begins things could change I just don't see it happening though.

Croatia and Poland will battle for who gets to be third in the group and who is the cellar dweller from Group B.

 

Group C

France (World Cup 2006 Runner Up)

Italy (Reigning World Cup 2006 Champions)

Netherlands

Romania

Group Winner: Italy

Group Runner Up: Netherlands

In a group that is arguably the toughest in the tournament next to Group D, Group C contains three world class teams and a Romanian squad that is on their way back up since falling so far since World Cup 94.

France has not been playing their best soccer since Zinedine Zidane retired from international play, they just don't have an offensive explosion even with Thierry Henry on the squad.

They struggled to get into the Group Play portion of this tournament as they barely snuck in over Israel. I see them continuing to struggle in this tournament and will not advance from this group.

Italy is the defending World Cup Champion and always play tough in big tournaments like this, I don't see it any different as Italy shows why they won World Cup 2006 and will win this group.

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18 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment

  1. Salaar Arshad Shamsi about 1 year ago

    Good Preview..Ian..However,you could add the likes of Torres and Iniesta to your players to watch..

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  2. Ashish Verma about 1 year ago

    Group C would be the most exciting group to watch.

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  3. Matt S about 1 year ago

    Good preview, can’t see Austria doing anything though. Even with home advantage they will not make it through to the next round and I think they will be lucky if they win a single game.

    Should be a good tournament, Spain will be a threat if Torres and Fabregas stay fit and fresh and can replicate their Premiership form.

    With Messi and Kaka not in action this summer if Ronaldo does well then the Ballon d’Or is guaranteed to be his.

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  4. Andrew McNair about 1 year ago

    Well written Ian.

    I doubt Austria will get through from that group as Croatia are a quality side. Switzerland looked poor against Germany and have little chance.

    Watch out for Sweden as they are always a surprise package.

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  5. XXX XXX about 1 year ago

    Romania I wish them well in the group of death, no matter I do think they could be an interesting shout with a fit Mutu and strong again Chivu they are no pushover to anyone in there...

    Poland v Germany will be great in terms of atmosphere and hopefully a great match, as good if not better than the World Cup match up.

    The Dutch you just never know, not in terms of will they win it, but in terms of will they be effective as their talent would have us believe.

    Djibril Cisse, good shout Ian, he put the ball by and then ran passed Ashley Cole like he was the slowest man in the world which he is not, he now has the opportunity to prove it, he is an angry man but with huge ambition once again an exciting mix always.

    Greece they will play with heart and will turn up with no sense of being a lesser nation, far from it their the champs and have recently been very impressive, they go there with intent.

    Enjoyed the article very much Ian...

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  6. mike kraljevic about 1 year ago

    Interesting picks, however can't completely agree....I can't say there are any huge favourites,
    group A can go any way, I expect Portugal taking one of the two spots...not necessarily taking 1st either, don't forget the Turks, Czechs, and Swiss are all good sides who can push any "world class" team and cause an upset, each of those teams have the talent in their squads. Remember Greece knows Portugals pin number! If you want to beat the Portugese everyone watch Greece when they've played Portugal...ugly but effective. Portugal is not unbeatable.
    You discount Croatia too much in group B, I actually tip them to top the group over the Germans. Read some of the German periodicles, the Germans fear the Croats more than any other team in the tournament. The Germans admit the loss to Croatia was there worst ever defeat and the beginning of their stagnant decline in football. The Croatians can undo them again.
    Group C is anyone's. It will be tight, I can see any of the teams getting through...equally, yes even Romania!
    Group D will be Greece, Spain or Sweden. Russia have the talent however have not become a "team" yet...they will though eventually. Russia also got through to the Euro's ONLY because Croatia beat England 3-2 at Wembly in the final group game, had England tied Croatia, Russia would be out.
    Dude don't just look at the final scores and write, you have to watch the games see how the teams play, a team can outplay their opponents, be the "better team" so to say and lose. It's not just about scorelines.... to me at least, for me it has to do with a lot of factors, which team was the more creative, passing, cohesiveness, chances made, etc.
    Mike

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  7. Salomon Gonzales about 1 year ago

    Group C is the group to watch for sure. Although you can really be certain who'll go through from it, with Romania the only certainty of not advancing. Calling the winner between France, Italy and Holland is like choosing a winner between Arsenal, Chelsea and Man United with all 3 on form. Quite frankly impossible but makes it all the more exciting.

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  8. Simon Williams about 1 year ago

    I think Switzerland are the dark horses. They had a very good world cup for a mediocre team, proving that they perform when it matters. With home backing, I think they are a big threat with some decent young players.

    I know there friendly results have been pretty poor, but it must be very difficult when you have only played friendly matches for two years. When the big games start, I expect them to be in good shape and be well organised. I think they can make the semi's with a bit of luck.

    In terms of an overall winner, its difficult to look past Italy or Germany for me, both proven winners, both stacked with quality players, and both have goalscorers supreme in Toni and Klose.

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  9. Gianfranco Totti about 1 year ago

    I certainly hope Diego Capel gets called upon here. And I've got Italy, Spain or Netherlands winning it all.

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  10. Ian Zymarakis about 1 year ago

    I don't know yet who I think will win the tournament. I like Netherlands a lot but I am of Greek descent so I have some loyalties there. I hope Greece makes a long run in defense of their title. We'll see.

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  11. Tim Yu about 1 year ago

    Never too early to look ahead Ian. Good stuff.

    If I had to put my money on a team I would probably put it on Italy as they are coming back with the usual strong defense that led them to the World Cup trophy. France is always a threat but I'm not entirely sold on Domenech as a manager since he seems sold that his team can win without the likes of Mexes or Trezeguet. It'll also be a big test for Karim Benzema to leave his mark on the international stage.

    Can't wait for EURO 2008, even if England's already eliminated.

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  12. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    Disagree with the Austria prediction (they still have a ways to go).In Group A the Czech Republic is the team to beat with Portugal and Turkey to battle it out for 2cnd.In Group B Poland will be the surprise team in this group with Germany and Croatia to fight for second.In Group C Italy and Romania to advance.In Group D Greece and Spain to advance.

    And for the final we see Czech Republic over Spain

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  13. Jer b about 1 year ago

    Israel wasn't even in the same group as France and Italy...

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  14. Ian Zymarakis about 1 year ago

    yeah you're right actually, I messed up there.... were they in the same group for world cup 2006 qualifying?

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  15. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    I dont agree with France not going through since they step up their game alot when it comes to big tournments. I luv italy is a team but i wouldnt give too much of an example of their world cup antics...both france and italy struggled in group phase however clearly france had the harder draw playing spain in 2nd round (compere that to australia for italy which they barely won coz of a controversial penalty), France beat brazil (italy played ukrain, again no comparison), And the semi finals were finally an equal draw; and lets not forget there was only one (half) missed penalty that set them apart in the world cup. Clearly, with buffon going the other way, we can say safely that italy were lucky to win the world cup; none of the other players missed the penalties. I see france drawing both their big games and winning Romania. Italy and neitherlands would go for a win; with italy coming out trumps in my opinion. That should decide first place.

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  1. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    i''d be surprised if germany isnt in the final and expect them to score a bucketload of goals along the way...would love to see a germany vs holland final.

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  2. Ian Zymarakis about 1 year ago

    I'm pumped, the tournament is right around the corner. I can't wait

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