Euro 2008 Preview: Group A

The European Championships are only five days away and although there is no England, there will be plenty to look forward to.

Here, I will look at Group A of Euro 2008, making predictions and evaluating each team.

Group A

Czech Republic

Portugal

Switzerland

Turkey

Czech Republic

The Czechs have often recently been touted as potential contenders for the big tournaments, often as dark horses. This year is no different.

However, without the vast experience and quality of Karel Poborsky, Tomas Rosicky, and Pavel Nedved, they may struggle to match the semi finals of four years ago.

Key Player: Jan Koller

When Koller is on form he is almost unstoppable. The two plus metre colossus terrorises defenders in the air, and is pretty nifty on the ground as well.

The Czech Republic's highest ever goal-scorer will be looking to fire his nation to a second ever European Championship title.

Prediction: Quarter finals

They will finish second in their group, some way ahead of third place, but will fall to Germany in the quarter finals. Shame if they come across Germany, as they could probably beat most other teams on their day.

Portugal

Portugal is going into this competition with a great deal of expectation on their backs. They've replaced one of the greatest players in their history, Luis Figo, with one of the greatest players in the world, Cristiano Ronaldo.

With the likes of Deco, Ricardo Carvalho, Ricardo, Bonsingwa, Pepe, Nani, and Nuno Gomes, they have strength throughout their squad, and with a coach like Luis Felipe Scolari, who I consider to be the best in the world, they have a real chance.

Key Player: Cristiano Ronaldo

Who else?

The Man. Utd. player has been in unbelievable form this season, and if he performs well, Portugal will go far. If he doesn't they won't.

Ronaldo may suffer the effects of a long season and despite all the other stars in the squad, you can't help but think it may be a one man team.

Prediction: Semi finals

They will win the group and go on to face Croatia in the quarter finals. After struggling past them, probably via extra-time, they will fall to Germany in the semi finals.

Switzerland

The co-hosts will have a tough time in a tough group.

This is the first major tournament in a long time without Stephane Chapuisat, the talismanic 100+ cap striker.

They have solid players throughout their squad. The likes of Phillip Degen, Phillip Senderos, Hakin Yakin, and Alexander Frei prove that, but they are surrounded by distinctly average players.

Key Player: Phillipe Senderos

A dodgy player at times, but a solid one at others. He is considered one of the Swiss' best players and he needs to prove to the doubters that he is good enough to play for both club and country.

If he has a solid tournament, then the Swiss could build on that and have a good run. If, however, he puts in some of the performances he has put in for Arsenal this year, the co-hosts will be watching most of the tournament from the stands.

Prediction: Group stage

The Czech and Portuguese teams are too good for Switzerland to topple them. In fact, the only thing standing in their favor is the co-host status, without which I would be predicting a tournament of doom and gloom bottom of their group having lost all their games.

Turkey

They are always a bit of an unknown quantity and they never seem to perform well in Euro Championships; however, they did reach the semi final of the 2002 World Cup. Another performance of grit and determination like that and they may just pip Czech Republic to second place.

If keeper Rustu Recber can perform to his best, then they will be hard to score against.

Key Player: Emre Belozoglu

The Newcastle man can open a can of beans with that left foot of his and is capable of smashing, curling, or chipping the ball into the back of the net. He is a truly gifted player who captained his side during qualifying, where he passed the 50 cap mark.

Able of sliding his forwards in, the question is whether they're good enough to finish the chances.

Prediction: Group stage

I can't decide whether or not they will come in third or fourth in their group. It all depends on the performance they put in against Switzerland. I can't see them matching 2002 and they will fall at the first hurdle.