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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