Euro 2008 Preview: Group D

My European Championships preview enters its fourth stage. This time, I look at Group D.

Group D

Greece

Russia

Spain

Sweden

Greece

The reigning champions Greece have perhaps an even stronger squad than four years ago. Unfortunately for them, so have most other teams, and the chances of a second shock in a row seem very slim. However, if Angelos Charisteas, Antonis Nikopolidis, and Traianos Dellas can put in the type of performances they did four years ago, anything could happen.

Key Player: Angelos Charisteas

I was juggling between him and Dellas, who I considered to be the best player four years ago, but I settled on Charisteas, due to his goalscoring prowess. When he is on form, he is constantly a threat, due to his aerial threat and ability on the floor. He was a huge factor in Greece's previous successful campaign, and scored the goal which ultimately won them the trophy.

Prediction: Group Stage

Greece will be a tough team to beat, but I don't see any chance of them repeating their fantastic tournament from four years ago. Whether they will come third or fourth I'm not sure, as this, in my opinion, is the hardest group to call in the whole tournament.

Russia

Spear-headed by Guus Hiddink, one of the best coaches in the world at the moment, Russia will fancy their chances. As another team hard to beat, the Russians will fancy themselves to qualify from this group along with Spain.

Key Player: Diniyar Bilyaletdinov

The 23-year-old Lokomotive Moskva captain has a dangerous left-foot, and has bags of potential. This tournament will be the perfect opportunity for him to pronounce himself. If he can come of age and put in creative displays, Russia will have a good chance qualifying from the Group Stage.

Prediction: Group Stage

No real players who can provide a spark and moment of genius, which is further rocked by the fact that their perhaps best hope Andrei Arshavin is banned for the opening two games.

Spain

Experiencing the type of expectation placed on England and Liverpool every year—this will be our year! Certainly they are more fancied than any previous year, but can they finally do something in a major tournament again?

With players like Cesc Fabregas, Fernando Torres, Carles Puyol and David Villa, they should put up a better fight than in previous years. With one of the strongest squads at this year's tournament, they have perhaps the best strike force and a selection of world-class keepers to choose from. Victor Valdes didn't even make the squad!

Key Player: Fernando Torres

If "El Nino" can carry his form from England into Austria and Switzerland, Spain has a fantastic chance. With the creative force of Fabregas and Xavi behind him, I predict he will be equal top-scorer with Germany's Miroslav Klose, each with six goals. If he is on sparkling form, none may be able to stop them.

Prediction: Finalists

They will perform superbly well in every match, with their games being very entertaining. Although they have the best squad they have had in years, they face the toughest run in the tournament. After winning their group, they will play Holland in the quarterfinals, winning in a thrilling game 4-3, and then will go on to beat Italy in the semifinals.

High on confidence, they will go into the final, but will fall at the final hurdle to Germany 2-0, with Klose scoring in the 7th minute, and Ballack in the 73rd. If that comes true, I'm becoming a fortune teller!

Sweden

This Sweden side is as strong as it's been for a long time. With the boost of Henrik Larsson confirming that he'll play, Sweden has an experienced squad brimming with quality with the likes of Freddie Ljungberg, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Kim Kallstrom. If you're thinking of betting on a shock winner, Sweden may be a good idea.

Key Player: Zlatan Ibrahimovic

When he's on form, he can be one of the best in Europe. However, he hasn't been on his top form for a while now. Certainly, he needs to improve his scoring record for Sweden, as he hasn't scored for them since October 2005.

Prediction: Quarter-Final

I think that Sweden is the most likely for a shock win this year. However, I don't believe there will be such a thing, and as they face France, Holland, or Italy in the quarters, it seems unlikely that they will get past that stage. However, if Larsson puts in some of his Celtic and Manchester United displays, and Ibrahimovic proves his doubters wrong, they could surprise everyone.