European Championships 2004 - Portugal

brief review of the teams

Every two years football fanatics are blessed with excelent tournament's with champion players and quality fans. 2004 is the year of the European Championships, and what a tournament it is shaping up to be.

16 teams, 368 players, and 31 games will decide who the Kings of European football are. The format is four groups of four teams - all pooled according to their qualifying success. The top two teams from each group proceed to the quarter finals, then semi finals, and of course, the final in Lisbon at 'Estadio de Luz' in July 4th. Which team will prevail?

Group A

Greece have drawn a tough group. I dont think they have much chance of progressing to the next stage. Their club football is no comparisson to the great leagues of Europe, and inevitably, their national team suffers. They may have had a chance for the quarter finals in another group, but being drawn with the hosts, and the powerhouse Spain, the greeks will be able to enjoy most of thier summer as spectators

Portugal have had a golden generation of footballers to let them down. Winners of the under 21 world cup a few years ago, they were highly rated going into the World cup in Japan and Korea, however, they failed to impress. Names like Figo (Pictured) deserve to win a major trophy at international level, and with team mates like Rui Costa and Christiano Ronaldo, along with Vito Baia in goals, the home ground advantage may be vital - quarter finals certainty - who knows from there?

Russia impressed everyone in qualifying - the first team to make it certain. Unfortunately being lumped with the home team may come back to haunt them - I am afraid Russia's progression in this tournament rest in other teams abilities to perform or not.

Spain are the perennial under acheivers of world football. Arguably one of the best squads of individuals, with names like Raul, Morientes, Helguera and a keeper like Casillas they have constantly let their nation down. A team that benefits from one of the top, if not the best league in the world, they have always been under immense pressure to succeed - they have tremendous firepower up front, howver, the only thing that is stopping them as a team is probably their individual ego's. Semi finals.

Group B

Croatia surprised the world when they finished 3rd at World Cup 98... there will be no surprises here though, they aren't the team they used to be. While impressive in a recent 2-1 victory over Denmark, the croats have drawn current European champions France in the group, along with England - it's not beyond them to make the quarter finals, it will be very tough though.

England play France in their opening game. I am sure they are looking forward to it immensely. Should they perform well, they will beinstilled with confidence. England, undefeated in qualifying, certainly does have the capacity to go all the way, if they communicate. Led by the illustrious David Beckham (pictured) if he lets his football do the talking, England should make it to the quarter finals. Severley lacking in goals and defense, they can be exposed. Really needs the whole team to stand tall to get anywhere.

France are the current title holders, and whoever beats them can lift the trophy! Simply the best team in the tournament, with superstar individuals like Zidane, Vierra, Pires, Trezeguet, and possibly the best player in the world, Thierry Henry, they will be very hard to beat. The French play a fantastic team game, and their midfield is near unstoppable. For a team to beat them, they virtually have to bypass the midfield entirely, so in short - no one beats them. Expect Henry to kick the most goals for the tournament.

Switzerland are the make wieghts of group D. A 1-0 win over Liechenstein in their final warm up for the tournament will be their last victory for a while. The average wage of the Frenchor English players would be equal to that of the entire Swiss team... the gap in class in to great. The strikers in group B from the other teams will all look forward to this game as a chance to score some goals for their country.

Group C

Bulgaria consider themselves to be underdogs of Euro 2004, and rightly so. They dont have much to lose, and even playing amongst such esteemed company on the pitch is a privelage for them, a young side, however, they lack any depth and will make other teams look better than they should.

Denmark suffered a narrow loss to Croatia in the warm up games, however, they qualified reasonably well for the finals. Winners of the tournament in 1996, they cant hope to emulate that feat this time around. Players like Dahl Tomasson can entertain and surprise, but the depth and consitency to

Italy have always been successful on the world stage, and they are the team the ladies love to swoon over. Always contenders, they suffered their greatest national embarrasement when they lost 2-1 to South Korea at the last World cup, of course, they blamed it on the referree - they only had their 'score goal, sit back and defend' mentality to blame. 2 of the best goalkeepers in the world, and the best defense in the world, Nesta, Cannavaro form a great backbone, and Francesco Totti is a great forward player. They should come out on top of this group, and do well

Sweden Is another team made up of male models, although they certainly play good, cohesive football. Henrik Larson will be looking to bow out of the international stage in style, and this Swedish team can turn a few heads. Not really any 'Superstars' in the true sense of the word, just a diciplined team who can throw a spanner in the works, should outclass Denmark to make the quarters.

Group D

The Czech Republic have Pavel Nedved (pictured) - easily one of Europes best footballers last season, and a penchant for surprise. Also previous winners of the event in the 90's they are not a minnow in world football to be taken lightly. Their is a lot of experience in the team, however - the fates of football will decide the Czech's outcome in this tournament - grouped with Germany and the Netherlands, they will have to really turn it on to get to the quarters

Germany were the losing finalists in the last world cup, going down to Brazil 2-0. Famous for their typical German efficiency. This will be Oliver Kahn's last tournament, and the Germans will want him to go out in style. He has been a brilliant goalkeeper, and a German institution. Michael Ballack should rise to the occasion, and Germany will win games from sheer perseverance... not really any flare, just true grit. Semi Finals at least.

Latvia I will really enjoy watching the form of the other three teams in this group when they play Latvia... Were lucky to qualify for the finals, and should enjoy the experience, the defenders wont have too much fun though.

Netherlands have possibly been the greatest under acheivers of late in world football. Too many inflated egos and not enough communication makes a team of superstars near useless. Individual talent can only get you so far. Have not won a major tournament since the glory days of Marco Van Basten and Johan Cryuff, and their preparation has been rather stunted by infighting. Have the skill to go all the way with players like Van Nistelrooy, Davids, and Seedorf, but not the solidarity.

The count down has begun and kick off is in a little over two days - Portugal vs Greece. Its going to be a tiring fortnight for me.

BAM!!!

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