With the first game of the last round of the groups being played today, a number of countries have already secured their passage to the next round.
Portugal were the first team to secure their place, when they beat fellow "opening day winners" Czech Republic convincingly 3-1.
Croatia were the next team to make it through and secure top spot in their group, when they overwhelmingly over-came Germany 2-1.
Holland sent a clear message through Europe when they beat 1998 world cup winners, Euro 2000 winners and 2006 world cup finalists, France 4-1.
Last night it was Spain's turn to book their place in the last eight. They beat Sweden 2-1, with a last minute winner from the tournament's top scorer so far, David Villa.
With the top spot in every group now determined, a lot of teams will fight it out to secure second spot.
If everything goes accordingly, the countries competing in the last eight will look like this:
Portugal, Turkey, Croatia, Germany, Holland, France, Spain and Sweden.
Now out these eight teams, only three, in my view, can win the tournament.
Germany: They look very secure at the back and very convincing going forward. All they need to do is to drop Gomez because he looks embarrassingly out of depth. In Ballack, they have an experienced leader and a world class player. But above all, they have the wit and determination to deal with teams that come at them, teams that sit back or teams that get real physical. Germany are in my view, already overwhelming favourites to claim the trophy.
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Portugal: Unlike Germany, they have actually justified all the hype that surrounds them. They have blown away they're first two opponents with relative ease. In Ronaldo they have arguably the best player in the tournament and he hasn't even hit top gear yet. All this is, amidst reports that their coach Scolari has signed for Chelsea and will be leaving after the Euros. Portugal have already given a huge hint as to where the trophy might be going.
Croatia: This team might not be everyone cup of tea and are probably not fancied by many. They came through the qualifying rounds beating England home and away. They struggled past co-hosts Austria and then blew away Germany in the second game. They're play is compact and free-flowing at the same time. In Modric they have a possible future world star. He is accompanied by Niko Kranjcar and Nike Kovac who are very capable players.
You might be wondering why big teams like Holland, France, Italy and Spain don't make the cut. The reasons are simple.
Holland have a history of choking when it matters. They can score as many goals as they want in the groups and play whatever fancy football they like. In the end, they will come across a gritty, determined team and Holland will bottle it, like they always do.
France are surprisingly playing below par. You can point to many things as to the reason why but one thing they can't escape is the age factor. A lot of France's stars are coming to the end of their careers.
Players such as Makelele, Thuram, Thierry Henry, Sagnol, Coupet and Gallas are all 30 years old or above. They have no urgency about their play and pass off a certain vibe of carelessness.
Italy are simply not as good as people think. In my view, they boast a lot of grossly over-rated players and have no chance of winning Euro 2008. How they managed to the world cup in 2006, is quite frankly beyond me. Players such as Materazzi, Cassano, Ambrosini, Camoranesi (who is decent but overrated) and Toni are not as good as the hype suggests.
How Toni managed to score 39 goals last season is unbelievable. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that he played in the Bundesliga and the UEFA Cup. They also have a lot of aging players, like France.
Spain are a lot like Holland. They choke when it really matters. They also have strong similarity with France in their way of playing. They tend to play 150 sideway passes and one forward pass and in the end they go nowhere. There is absolutely no urgency about them and it is quite frustrating to watch.
So there we have it. The three contenders for the top prize, in my view, are Croatia, Germany and Portugal. Please forward your comments and views whether you disagree or agree...
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2 months ago
i believe that the croatia vs germany game was a one time slip for croatia and i just don't think germany has the stuff to get it done. i believe there are only two teams that could win this tournament and they are Portugal and Spain. You have listed great reasons for why portugal could win but spain has too much firepower for any team. David Villa is absolutely lighting it up and with Torres helping him out with a goal and a few assists, theres no stopping them
from 2 months ago
Yes. If Spain play with a little more tempo and urgency, they are capable of blowing away any team that come before them. The question is though, Can they? Can they up their tempo and kill teams off? It remains to be seen...
2 months ago
I don't think Germany can do it.. something just tells me that Spain will win it.. their time seems to have finally come.
from 2 months ago
Every tournament we say ' this is spains year' and they end up disappointing everybody. When the pressure is on, they tend to bottle it and thats why they wont win it...
2 months ago
As an Italian fan, I agree with the hype on many of those players, especially Ambrosini. But I blieve that if we can pull through into the knockout stages, we'll be contenders. I also think Holland has the discipline to do well this year, and if David Villa keeps working his magic, Spain will do well also.
from 2 months ago
I firmly believe Spain as well as Holland are just a bunch of chokers. Once the pressure is on, they bottle it.
As a Dane, I dont think much of Italians as it is. Gianfranco Totti's antics at the Euro2004 in the game against Denmark (which ended 0-0 incidently) was a complete and utter disgrace. He spat at Christian Poulsen and then put in a career threatening tackle on a defender and simply walked off smiling. He did get his marching orders though, if I remember correctly. Since I have despised everything about Italy.
But good on you for agreeing that those players mentioned are just a bunch of over-rated players.
Thanks for the comment..
from 2 months ago
Another one worth mentioning is Di Natale. How he managed to start the other day, I don't know. And while Holland and Spain typically DO choke, Portugal chokes often as well. But if Italy doesn't win it, I want the Dutch to win, partially because I have a small wager going with my friend about it, but also because I enjoy players such as Huntelaar, Sneijder, Van Persie, and, as a United fan, Edwin.
2 months ago
Like they say..It's not over till it's over..traditionally I feel associated with the underdogs so Spain,Turkey,Portugal,Holland,Sweden,Germany..Everybody's still in it :p
Thanks for Sharing,Salomon..
SS
2 months ago
I dont know, have a gut feeling about the dutch this year they seem to be playing some of the best football in the competition along with Portugal and Spain. Really fancy Holland taking it out this time, write them off at your own peril..
Nice Read...
from 2 months ago
I grew up watching and supporting Holland. Never had any real hope for my own country so i'd always pick Holland as my second team. Every tournament, they vuild up a real hype about them, only to disappoint everyone when it mattered....
Simply put - they have a history of choking...
2 months ago
Toulalan is not over 30, he is 24!
I put a fiver eachway on France after the Romania game at 11-1, I wish I had waited until after the Dutch game as they are now 22-1!
I still think France or Italy will get through and not Romania, and I think whichever one of those two does get through, will have as good a chance as anyone to win the tournament.
Before it started, I saw Germany as winners, but I can't see them beating Portugal now (assuming they meet). The Germans look slack defensively, and aside from Podolski their attacking players have not got going at all, even Klose looks out of sorts, while German player of the year Gomez has been very poor so far. The Portugal speed merchants will be relishing playing against Janssen, Mertesacker and co.
It will be Croatia or Portugal from that half of the draw in the final, with Turkey dangerous outsiders who cannot be discounted.
The other half is more open, and I wouldn't rule anyone in or out at the moment. I think Russia will beat Sweden to the other place in the quarters though, they have the Hiddink factor. I think the same as you about the Dutch and Spain, can't help thinking it will all end in tears for them both, just like it usually does.
from 2 months ago
Oops, I responded to your comment below. Hate when I make that mistake....
2 months ago
Lol I stand corrected this time...
I also think the winner between France and Italy will make it through as Romania dont have enough to overcome a Dutch side that is really on fire..
Germany are still huge favourites in my opinion. This simply because of they gritty attitude that the Dutch and Spanish dont posses. If they meet Portugal in the last 8, then its pretty safe to say that the winner of that match will be the eventual Euro2008 winners.
Having said that, if either one of Holland, Spain or France/Italy make it to the final, then its impossible to predict. That then becomes a one-off game and anything can happen.
Holland's likely opponents in the next round is Sweden, who will probably upset the odds and the Dutch will not run out easy 3 or 4-0 winners.
Thanks for the comment....
from 2 months ago
If Holland have any sense ( and I think they do) they will field a second rate team and lose... thus eliminating Italy.
The only thing between them and the cup will be Germany.
Croatia play with great heart but if all goes logically it`s down to the two best in Europe Germany and Itlay with the Dutch showing off some fantastic football.
Ironically Italy for all their bad results have played at a pedigree level. They`ve had bad calls against them and just bad luck. Holland should make sure they go.
That`s how I sum up Euro 2008.
from 2 months ago
haha S, I too feel Holland should put out their B side and help put Romania through. I'd like to see my once favourite player doin his thing - Adrian Mutu...
I just dont think Italy are as good as people make them out to be. If they can overpower France however, i wouldn't bet against them bullying their way through to the final.
Portugal of course are not considered a "big" side by anyone. They have "big" players though and that makes them a real danger to anyone..
Every tournament there is an underdog. In 2004 it was Greece and they fulfilled the ultimate "underdog ambition". This time around there are plenty underdogs to choose from. Turkey, Croatia, Romania or even Sweden to a certain extent.
My pick of the bunch is Croatia as they seem to have the more confidence of them all.
2 months ago
Portugal are not nor were they ever a big side.
All the media bla bla will soon be over as Germany is sure to overrun them.
2 months ago
France without the Algerian wiz is reduced to their former status in football....which aint much.
from 2 months ago
I surely hope they put Italy where they belong - 'At home, watching the quater finals". France still have some world class players in Henry, Gallas and Makelele. They just have an idiot of a coach, who wont let talents like Benzema and Nasri showcase their talent...
2 months ago
Spain are the eternal favourite winner- losers. Good grief......wish they would actually win something for a change.
from 2 months ago
haha Amen to that...
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