My group predictions

Group A winners Switzerland
Group A runners up Portugal
Group B winners Croatia
Group B runners up Germany
Group C winners Italy
Group C runners up Romania
Group D winners Russia
Group D runners up Spain

PS I will be giving match to match predictions soon. Enjoy the football!!!!!

Group D Preview- Spain

Perennial underachievers, losers they always bottle in on the big stage. In a word Spain. They boast one of the best squads they had in years, perhaps even the best ever. Lots of good young players most of them in good form and no real gaps anywhere. Casillas, Puyol, sergio Ramos, Fabregas, Alonso, Iniesta, Xavi, Villa, Torres. Quality throughout and most of them with a lot of good years ahead of them. Eccentric manager Luis Aragones, known for his racist remarks towards Thierry Henry, has a wealth of talent to work with that can only be compared to the french. He left Raul and Joaquin out of the squad but you can probably guess that they will not be missed. He likes to employ a diamond 4-4-2 formation and certainly he is bound to deliver some success. The writer (blogger) certainly believes so. Otherwise Spanish excitement yet again in 2 years time.

PROS:
1)Best striking partnership in the tournament in Torres and Villa
2)Great cover everywhere in the pitch
3)Solid defence and midfield and the relatively young squad should transform to plenty of energy on the pitch

CONS:
1)They always bottle it. Franco is no longer a political leader
2)Youth might mean inexperience
3)In the quarter finals they match up with the 'group of death'

Goalkeepers

1 Iker Casillas
13 Andrés Palop
23 Pepe Reina

Defenders

2 Raúl Albiol »
3 Fernando Navarro
4 Carlos Marchena
5 Carles Puyol
11 Joan Capdevila
15 Sergio Ramos
18 Álvaro Arbeloa
20 Juanito

Midfielders

6 Andrés Iniesta
8 Xavi Hernández
10 Cesc Fàbregas
12 Santi Cazorla
14 Xabi Alonso
19 Marcos Senna
22 Rubén de la Red

Forwards

7 David Villa
9 Fernando Torres
16 Sergio García
17 Daniel Güiza
21 David Silva

Group D Preview- Greece

The current European champions are back but this time the element of surprise will not be there for them. With successful German manager Otto Rehhagel in the team and the same spine of players with addition of good young players like Torosidis, Gekas, Samaras and Salpingidis signs of optimism are there to be seen for the greeks. Goalkeeper Nikopolidis had an excellent season as well as a lot of the defenders but Haristeas's poor form in the Bundesliga is a major concern for the manager. They also employ a 4-3-3 formation that becomes a 4-5-1 when defending but midfiled has been a problem area with choices being very thin for Rehhagel. Should they qualify through their group anything can happen

PROS:
1)Solid team with the same spine as 2004
2)Good defenders with a lot of British like players in Katsouranis, Patsatzoglou and Torosidis doing a lot of running
3)Lots of combinations can take place upfront with a handful of different striker styles-clinical striker in Gekas

CONS:
1) No real cover (depth) in midfield
2)Element of surprise is now gone
3)Central Defenders (apart from Kyrgiakos) are all on the slow side




Goalkeepers

1 Antonis Nikopolidis
12 Kostas Chalkias
13 Alexandros Tzorvas

Defenders

2 Giourkas Seitaridis
3 Christos Patsatzoglou
4 Nikos Spiropoulos
5 Traianos Dellas
11 Loukas Vintra
15 Vassilis Torosidis
16 Sotiris Kyrgiakos
18 Giannis Goumas
19 Paraskevas Antzas

Midfielders

6 Angelos Basinas
8 Stelios Giannakopoulos
10 Giorgos Karagounis
21 Kostas Katsouranis
22 Alexandros Tziolis

Forwards

7 Giorgos Samaras
9 Angelos Charisteas
14 Dimitris Salpingidis
17 Fanis Gekas
20 Giannis Amanatidis
23 Nikos Liberopoulos

Group D Preview- Sweden

Sweden always seem to qualify for big competitions but they never go too far, like neighbours Denmark did when they won EURO 92 in Sweden. Larsson's return out of international retirement and Zlatan Ibrahimovic's return to match fitness are two poistives to a side coached by Lars Lagerback who employs a british style 4-4-2 formation. their main problem lies in the lack of creativity in midfield will be counteracted by a pacey and up tempo game against opponents who like to play possession football. If Larsson and/or Ibrahimovic hit form anything can happen..

PROS:
1)Good striking options with the likes of Allback and Rozenberg coming off the bench
2)Solid and compact midfield
3)The group is not the hardest

CONS:
1)A lot of injury and fitness worries (Ljungberg, Ibrahimovic)
2)Larsson has been playing in a low level back home in Sweden
3)No midfield creativity apart from maybe kallstrom
4)Ageing squad, slow defence


Goalkeepers

1 Andreas Isaksson
12 Rami Shaaban
13 Johan Wiland

Defenders

3 Olof Mellberg
4 Petter Hansson
5 Fredrik Stoor
14 Daniel Majstorovic
15 Andreas Granqvist
23 Mikael Dorsin

Midfielders

2 Mikael Nilsson
6 Tobias Linderoth
7 Niclas Alexandersson
8 Anders Svensson
9 Fredrik Ljungberg
16 Kim Källström
18 Sebastian Larsson
19 Daniel Andersson
21 Christian Wilhelmsson

Forwards

10 Zlatan Ibrahimović
11 Johan Elmander
17 Henrik Larsson
20 Marcus Allbäck
22 Markus Rosenberg

Group D Preview- Russia

Russia qualified for EURO 2008 with a lot of luck after losing to israel in qualifying. Their strongest 'card' is manager Guus Hiddink, a great tactician and a highly respected international manager who has succedeed wherever he has been. The spine of the team comes from UEFA Cup winners Zenit St Petersburg so spirits in the camp should be high. Captain Andrei arshavin's 2 match ban will be a big loss because he is a player with great vision and unpredictability a player who can win a game by himself. This is a prelatively young team and the only one that plays with 3 at the back and wing-backs covering the entire flank the russians could advance to the quarter finals but much will depend on their poening game with Spain

PROS:
1)Good team spirit, tactically astute manager
2)Anyukov could be the best up an coming right back in Europe
3)Progrebnyak and Pavlyuchenko are typical british style centre-forwards who should give defences a scare

CONS:
1)Arshavin's absence in the first two games
2)Their defence is a bit slow
3)Overall quality not the best

Goalkeepers

1 Igor Akinfeev
12 Vladimir Gabulov
16 Vyacheslav Malafeev

Defenders

2 Vasili Berezutski
4 Sergei Ignashevich
5 Aleksei Berezutski
8 Denis Kolodin
14 Roman Shirokov
22 Aleksandr Anyukov

Midfielders

3 Renat Yanbaev
7 Dmitri Torbinski
11 Sergei Semak
15 Diniyar Bilyaletdinov
17 Konstantin Zyrianov
18 Yuri Zhirkov
20 Igor Semshov
23 Vladimir Bystrov

Forwards

6 Roman Adamov
9 Ivan Saenko
10 Andrei Arshavin
13 Pavel Pogrebnyak
19 Roman Pavlyuchenko
21 Dmitri Sychev

Group C Preview- Romania

Romania are back on the big stage for the first time in 8 years and they will be massive underdogs in the 'group of death'. Their chance in the charismatic Fiorentina forward Adrian Mutu much like George Hagi in the 90s. Vitor piturca's men have the advantage of an excellent qualifying campaign where they beat holland one of their forthcoming opponents. Christian Chivu, Cosmin contra and Ciprian Marica will be the players to look out for in an otherwise excellent romanian team that employs a 4-4-1-1 formation. They might cause a huge surprise to anyone that underestimates them.

PROS:
1)Excellent team unity, great width and pace
2)In Mutu, Chivu and Contra they have an excellent player in each line of the field
3)Hungry to prove that they deserve to be among the best

CONS:
1)Very tough group
2)Not enough depth, Mutu is irreplaceable
3)Plenty of players have not been at this stage
4)Poor goalkeeper(s)


Goalkeepers

1 Bogdan Lobonţ
12 Marius Popa
23 Eduard Stancioiu

Defenders

2 Cosmin Contra
3 Răzvan Raţ
4 Gabriel Tamaş
5 Cristian Chivu
6 Mirel Rădoi
13 Cristian Sapunaru
14 Sorin Ghionea
15 Dorin Goian
17 Cosmin Moţi
22 Ştefan Radu

Midfielders

7 Florentin Petre
8 Paul Codrea
11 Răzvan Cociş
16 Bănel Nicoliţă
19 Adrian Cristea
20 Nicolae Dică

Forwards

9 Ciprian Marica
10 Adrian Mutu
18 Marius Niculae
21 Daniel Niculae

Group C Preview- Holland

One of the all-time greats of european football, Holland manager marco van basten has agreed to manage FC Ajax just after this tournament. This is the third major tournament in a row where the dutch find themselves in the so-called group of death. The two previous times they qualified through their group only to be knocked out both times by Portugal. This time around they cannot meet Portugal until the final, 20 years after Holland's only success with Maroc Van Basten leading the Oranje to the top. As always with dutch football there is an abundance of striking options with Van Nistelroy, Kuyt, babel, van Persie, huntelaar and Arjen Robben providing an excellent weaponry of choices upfront although Robben and van Persie endured an injury-hit season. Seedorf;s absence will be a big blow to the dutch hopes and a lot will rest on Holland's golden boy Rafael van der Vaart. On the plus side van Der Sar's excellent season (probably the best of his career) in goal.

PROS:
1)Great choice of strikers
2) Van Der Sar had an excellent season
3)Asalways they can play the dutch way with a suitable 4-3-3 formation

CONS:
1)No great defenders, they will have to work hard to keep goals out
2)No Seedorf, he will be a huge blow
3) A few players had average seasons with their clubs



Goalkeepers

1 Edwin van der Sar
13 Henk Timmer
16 Maarten Stekelenburg

Defenders

2 André Ooijer
3 Johnny Heitinga
4 Joris Mathijsen
5 Giovanni van Bronckhorst
12 Mario Melchiot
14 Wilfred Bouma
15 Tim de Cler
20 Ibrahim Afellay

Midfielders

6 Demy de Zeeuw
8 Orlando Engelaar
10 Wesley Sneijder
11 Arjen Robben
17 Nigel de Jong
23 Rafael van der Vaart

Forwards

7 Robin van Persie
9 Ruud van Nistelrooy
18 Dirk Kuyt
19 Klaas-Jan Huntelaar
21 Ryan Babel
22 Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink

Group C Preview- Italy

World champions Italy paired yet again in what slowly become a rivalry with france. With a somewhat unexperienced manager in Roberto Donadoni (with spells with Livorno and Lecce) they should be considered among the favourites. They usually employ a 4-3-3 formation with more or less the same side that won the world cup bar Francesco Totti and Alessandro Nesta. Their great midfield trio, Luca Toni's presence upfront and as always with italians grat defending and defenders mprovide the makings of a great footballing side. With del Piero and Cassano included in the squad there should be good cover coming from the bench although just like the french Donadoni elected to leave out prolific striker Filipo Inzaghi.

PROS:
1)Buffon is probably the greatest goalkeeper in the world
2)A lot of options upfront with a lot of in form strikers in Qualiarella and Di Natale and Cassano
3)Good defensive cover with De Rossi, Aquilani, Perrotta and Gattuso providing cover for Materazzi and Canavaro probably the best defensive duo in the tournament

CONS:
1)AC Milan players have been out of form. especially pirlo who is essential to Italy's play
2)Barzagli is the only cover to the regular defensive duo. chiellini might be able to play there although he could be the starting right back



Goalkeepers

1 Gianluigi Buffon
14 Marco Amelia
17 Morgan De Sanctis

Defenders

2 Christian Panucci
3 Fabio Grosso
4 Giorgio Chiellini
5 Fabio Cannavaro
6 Andrea Barzagli
19 Gianluca Zambrotta
23 Marco Materazzi

Midfielders

8 Gennaro Gattuso
10 Daniele De Rossi
13 Massimo Ambrosini
16 Mauro Camoranesi
20 Simone Perrotta
21 Andrea Pirlo
22 Alberto Aquilani

Forwards

7 Alessandro Del Piero
9 Luca Toni
11 Antonio Di Natale
12 Marco Borriello
15 Fabio Quagliarella
18 Antonio Cassano

Group C Preview- France

Les Bleus in the first major tournament in 12 years without Zinedine Zidane probably possess the best squad in the tournament. As it is commonly used in football nowadays manager Raymond Domenech employs a 4-2-3-1 formation with Vieira and Makelele playing the two holding midfield roles. They are both in their 30s but still are two of the best in the business if not the best. The main dilemma Domenech is facing is how to fit Lyon wondekid Karim Benzema in the starting line up with Thierry Henry expected to play the sole striker role. Ribery has been in wonderful form with bayern muncih and will be expected to orchestrate the frech build-up play. Domenech has caused some distress by leaving out the likes of Trezeguet and Ludovic Guly especially Trezeguet who is a 'fox in the box' kind of centre forward as well as a proven striker with an excellent goal ratio. Still with youngsters such as Nasri, Ben Arfa, Gomis and a bench including Anelka, Frey, Toulalan and Diarra any starting eleven would bring no surprise to the footballing public.

PROS:
1)Great squad, quality everywhere
2)goals, goals ,goals with Anelka, Ribery, Henry, Benzema as well as a lot of creativity
3)Great midfield anchormen in Makelele, Vieira, Toulalan providing safety for their defence

CONS:
1)Bad qualifying campaign, problems in team cohesion and unity
2)Defence might be suspect with Thuram being in decline and Boumsong cannot provide decent cover
3)Henry had a bad season at barcelona and should be a worry as well as the overall age of the squad



Goalkeepers

1 Steve Mandanda
16 Sébastien Frey
23 Grégory Coupet

Defenders

2 Jean-Alain Boumsong
3 Eric Abidal
5 William Gallas
13 Patrice Evra
14 François Clerc
15 Lilian Thuram
17 Sébastien Squillaci
19 Willy Sagnol

Midfielders

4 Patrick Vieira
6 Claude Makelele
7 Florent Malouda
11 Samir Nasri
20 Jérémy Toulalan
21 Lassana Diarra
22 Franck Ribéry

Forwards

8 Nicolas Anelka
9 Karim Benzema
10 Sidney Govou
12 Thierry Henry
18 Bafetimbi Gomis

Group B Preview- Germany

Germany are always named favourites no matter their quality and form at the time of a big tournament. They are the most succesful national team in Europe and this time around they qualified with a particular ease. After an unexpected success in the world cup they hosted in 2006 Jurgen Klinsmann left to be replaced by his former assistant Joachim Loew who has kept the team going in the same vein. He employs a diamond 4-4-2 formation with in form Mario Gomes expected to partner the prolofic Mario Gomes upfront in place of out of shorts Lukas Podolski who had an idifferent season in bayern Munich. One of the worries in Low's head is the lack of football many of his players experienced the past season as well as the goalkeeping situation. The kind draw is one of the plus points with germany expected to ease up to the semi-finals in theory of course. The emergence of captain Mickael ballack at chelsea should give the germans enough optimism for the upcoming tournament

PROS:
1)Settled squad the last couple of years
2)Strong midfield+ a prolific striker in Klose
3)Philip Lahm probably Europe's best left-back


CONS:
1)Shaky defence, Metzelder has not featured much for Real Madrid
2)Lack of options upfront that led to the inclusion of veteran Neuville who plays his football in Germany's second tier with Borussia Monchengladbach
3)No clear choice for a goalkeeper




Germany squad
Goalkeepers:
Jens Lehmann (Arsenal FC)
Robert Enke (Hannover 96)
René Adler (Bayer 04 Leverkusen).

Defenders:
Christoph Metzelder (Real Madrid CF)
Per Mertesacker (Werder Bremen)
Philipp Lahm (FC Bayern München)
Arne Friedrich (Hertha BSC Berlin)
Marcell Jansen (FC Bayern München)
Clemens Fritz (Werder Bremen)
Heiko Westermann (FC Schalke 04)

Midfielders:
Michael Ballack (Chelsea FC)
Thomas Hitzlsperger (VfB Stuttgart)
Simon Rolfes (Bayer 04 Leverkusen)
Torsten Frings (Werder Bremen)
Bastian Schweinsteiger (FC Bayern München)
Piotr Trochowski (Hamburger SV)
Tim Borowski (Werder Bremen)
David Odonkor (Real Betis Balompié)

Forwards:
Miroslav Klose (FC Bayern München)
Lukas Podolski (FC Bayern München)
Mario Gómez (VfB Stuttgart)
Kevin Kuranyi (FC Schalke 04)
Oliver Neuville (VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach).

Group B Preview- Poland

Poland are the most under talked team in the competition. They have a manager who has been all around the world and possesses a wealth of experience in Leo Beenhakker and they should be the only real threat to favourites Germany and Croatia. They will depend heavily on racing Santander striker Ebi Smolarek, who had a really good season in Spain, for goals and Celtic goalkeeper Ante Boruc to keep them out. With more or less the same squad that failed to impress in the Germany World Cup in 2006 they might depend hugely on manager Beenhakker to pull a "rabbit out of the hat".

PROS:
1)Manager Leo Beenahkker took Trinidad & Tobago to the World Cup so Poland might surprise people
2)In form players in striker Ebi Smolarek and keper Ante Boruc
3)Solid at the back with a few exeprienced heads

CONS:
1)Talisman Zurawski has been out of sorts the last couple of seasons although he had a good spell in Greece with Larissa FC
2)No real creativity in midfield


Goalkeepers

1 Artur Boruc
12 Tomasz Kuszczak
22 Łukasz Fabiański

Defenders

2 Mariusz Jop
3 Jakub Wawrzyniak
4 Paweł Golański
5 Dariusz Dudka
6 Jacek Bąk
13 Marcin Wasilewski
14 Michał Żewłakow
15 Michał Pazdan
23 Adam Kokoszka

Midfielders

7 Euzebiusz Smolarek
8 Jacek Krzynówek
10 Łukasz Garguła
16 Jakub Błaszczykowski
17 Wojciech Lobodzinski
18 Mariusz Lewandowski
19 Rafał Murawski
20 Roger Guerreiro

Forwards

9 Maciej Żurawski
11 Marek Saganowski
21 Tomasz Zahorski

Group B Preview- Croatia

The conquerors of England boast a quality squad throughout the pitch. With the Kovac brothers and Simic providing safety for goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa and a midfield with creativity, width and flair with Srna, Luka Modric (recently signed by Tottenham for £16 million) and Niko Kranjcar the only worry should be the absence of an out and out striker in Eduardo. Having said that the likes of Ivica Olic, Mladen Petric and Kalinic should be enough to fill in as the proud valcan nation of Croatia attempt to surpass the wonderful achievemts of the class of 1998. That team boasted world class players like Davor Suker, Zvominir Boban and Prosinecki. The common ground between the two teams. Charismatic manager and player in France '98 Slaven Bilic


PROS:
1)Great squad, quality throughout with mixture of youth and experience
2)Luka Modric probably the best midfielder in the world at his age
3)Spirits are high after beating England at Wembley in an impressive qualifying campaign, good finals draw

CONS:
1)No Eduardo
2)Can sometimes be a little naive defensively
3)Bilic has no real experience of managing at that level


Goalkeepers

1 Stipe Pletikosa
12 Mario Galinović
23 Vedran Runje

Defenders

2 Dario Šimić
3 Josip Šimunić
4 Robert Kovač
5 Vedran Ćorluka
6 Hrvoje Vejić
13 Nikola Pokrivač
15 Dario Knežević

Midfielders

7 Ivan Rakitić
8 Ognjen Vukojević
10 Niko Kovač
11 Darijo Srna
14 Luka Modrić
16 Jerko Leko
19 Niko Kranjčar
22 Danijel Pranjić

Forwards

9 Nikola Kalinić
17 Ivan Klasnić
18 Ivica Olić
20 Igor Budan
21 Mladen Petrić

Group B Preview- Austria

On paper it looks like the easisest of the groups with Germany and Croatia being clear favourites. The other of the co-hosts in this case, they have been named as the worst team to ever compete in the European Championships with even the local fans have no belief in this team achieving anything. Without any big stars they usually play a 4-5-1 formation. Goalkeeper Alex Manninger, defender Emmanuel Pogatetz and midfield maestro Andreas Ivanschitz are the leading men in an otherwise mediocre team consisting from players competing in their local Austrian Bundesliga. The game against Germany is the one to look for, but on the other hand nobody expected Greece to win 4 years ago so you never know...

PROS:
1)Playing at home
2)Big opportunity to shine for most of those players

CONS:
1)No real goalscorer
2)Paul Scharner one of the best Austrian players banned from the national team
3)Poor results in the build up, lack of quality overall


Goalkeepers

1 Alex Manninger
21 Jürgen Macho
23 Ramazan Özcan

Defenders

2 Joachim Standfest
3 Martin Stranzl
4 Emanuel Pogatetz
12 Ronald Gercaliu
13 Markus Katzer
15 Sebastian Prödl
16 Jürgen Patocka
17 Martin Hiden

Midfielders

5 Christian Fuchs
6 René Aufhauser
8 Christoph Leitgeb
10 Andreas Ivanschitz
11 Ümit Korkmaz
14 György Garics
19 Jürgen Säumel
20 Martin Harnik

Forwards

7 Ivica Vastic
9 Roland Linz
18 Roman Kienast
22 Erwin Hoffer

Group A Preview- Turkey

Back on the big stage for the first time since their heroics in Japan and South Korea in 2002, where they finished 3rd, this side might not be as strong but Turkey still possesses a lot of quality with the likes of Nihat Kavehci, Mehmet aurelio, Tuncay Sanli and Emre all players with great skill and ability. On the other hand Turkey are really weak on defence where their choices are really limited. Turkey goalkeeping hero (also known for his eccentric military appearance with 'camouflage' paint under his eyes) is in the squad but will probably be second choice to Fenerbahce keeper Volkan Demirel who had a great season. Their main strength might be highly respected and sought-after coach fatih Terim who back in 2000 won the UEFA Cup with Galatasaray and is known as a great motivator and tactician. He raised a few eyebrows on electing to leave out Basturk and Halil Altintop.

PROS:
1)Excellent players on the ball
2)Nihat has been in great form with Villareal
3)Greece's success in 2004 might act as motivation

CONS:
1) Very weak in defence
2) No Hakan Sukur anymore (the country's top scorer)




Goalkeepers

1 Rüştü Reçber
12 Tolga Zengin
23 Volkan Demirel

Defenders

2 Servet Çetin
4 Gökhan Zan
13 Emre Güngör
15 Emre Aşık

Midfielders

3 Hakan Balta
5 Emre Belözoğlu
6 Mehmet Topal
7 Mehmet Aurélio
10 Karadeniz Gökdeniz
11 Tümer Metin
14 Arda Turan
16 Uğur Boral
19 Ayhan Akman
20 Sabrı Sarıoğlu
22 Hamit Altıntop

Forwards

8 Nihat Kahveci
9 Semih Şentürk
17 Şanlı
18 Kazım Kazım
21 Mevlüt Erdinç

Group A Preview- Switzerland

Swtitzerland: Yet another team with a long-serving manager Kobi Kuhn. For him it will be the last big tournament and on home soil people in Switzerland hope for some kind of success. As demonstrated in the World Cup Switzerland are a tough team to beat, but also find goals hard to come. Much will depend on striker Alexander Frei who recently came back from injury and seems to be in good form. Switzerland also boast a good solid midfield with players such as G Fernandes (Man City), Barnetta and Cabanas providing good versatility. Senderos has not had the best of seasons as well. They usually employ a rigid 4-5-1 formation with much of the creativity expected to come from Hakan Yakin.

PROS:
1)Team has been playing together for years
2)Good midfield with a lot of young energetic players
3)Frei is back in form

CONS:
1)Senderos is in shaky form
2)Where are the goals going to come from




Switerland Roster
Goalkeepers

Eldin Jakupovic
Diego Benaglio
Pascal Zuberbühler

Defenders

Philipp Degen
Johan Djourou
Stéphane Grichting
Stephan Lichtsteiner
Ludovic Magnin
Patrick Müller
Philippe Senderos
Christoph Spycher

Midfielders

Tranquillo Barnetta
Valon Behrami
Ricardo Cabanas
Daniel Gygax
Benjamin Huggel
Gökhan Inler
Gelson Fernandes
Johan Vonlanthen
Hakan Yakin

Forwards

Eren Derdiyok
Alexander Frei
Marco Streller

GROUP A Preview- Czech Republic

Back in 2004 they were the outstanding team of the tournament, with dazzling displays of free-flowinf football only to be beaten by the evetual winners Greece. Now they are back for another go with 68 year-old Karol Bruckner still at the helm as a few of their golden generation of players reach th latter stages of their careers. nedved has already retired from international football and the likes of Grygera, Jankulovsky, Ujfalusi, Galasek, Sionko and Koller all in the wrong side of thirties. Having said that they still boast one of the best goalkeepers in the world in Peter Cech and quality players such as Plasil, Baros and Rozenhal. With Rosicky of Arsenal alo out injured as well it looks unlikely that they will repeat the magic of EURO 2004. Bruckner likes to employ a 4-4-2 formation with the midfield usually staying rigid in a diamond formation and the full backs playing the entirity of the wing. Koller and Baros should be the partnership yet again upfron although both of them had mediocre seasons with their clubs.

PROS AND CONS

PROS:
1)Starting eleven will be as good as anyone
2)Peter Cech with Ujfalusi and Rozenhal (or Kovac) should be formidable
3)Koller and Baros have been playi ng together upfront for years
4)Young hopeful striker Martin Fenin could squeeze in after a very good season in Germany with Eintracht Frankfurt

CONS:
1)Ageing side without talisman Nedved and charismatic playmaker Rosicky
2)Plenty of key players had a poor season notably Jankulovsky, Koller
3) Not enough depth in quality with a few squd players not playing in top leagues


Czech Republic roster
Goalkeepers:
Petr Čech (Chelsea FC)
Jaromír Blažek (1. FC Nürnberg)
Daniel Zítka (RSC Anderlecht)

Defenders:
Marek Jankulovski (AC Milan)
David Rozehnal (S.S. Lazio)
Tomáš Ujfaluši (Atletico Madrid)
Zdeněk Pospěch (FC København)
Zdeněk Grygera (Juventus)
Michal Kadlec (AC Sparta Praha)
Tomáš Sivok (AC Sparta Praha)
Radoslav Kováč (FC Spartak Moskva)

Midfielders:
Tomáš Galásek (1. FC Nürnberg)
David Jarolím (Hamburger SV)
Jaroslav Plašil (CA Osasuna)
Jan Polák (RSC Anderlecht)
Marek Matějovský (Reading FC)
Libor Sionko (FC København)
Daniel Pudil (SK Slavia Praha)
Stanislav Vlček (RSC Anderlecht)

Forwards:
Jan Koller (1. FC Nürnberg)
Milan Baroš (Porsmouth FC)
Martin Fenin (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Václav Svěrkoš (FC Baník Ostrava)

GROUP A Preview-Portugal

An unpredictable group to a certain extent with EURO 2004 finalists Portugal, co-hosts Switzerland, great Euro performers Czech Republic and Turkey taking part.

Portugal should be named as favourites to win this group. They have the best options and quality on the wings with the likes of Nani, Quaresma, Simao Sabrosa and the almighty Ronaldo creativity should be no problem. 2002 world champion and well respected coach Luis Felipe Scolari likes to employ a 4-2-3-1 formation that provides good cover for the defence with 2 holding midfielders and plenty of creativity. Scolari likes to put Ronaldo in the lone striker role, which could be an attempt to fit all the flair players in his starting line up but it could be that Portugal never boasted a world class out and out striker. Pauleta never made the grade in international football and he s been left out this time around with Nuno Gomes always better coming off the bench as well as Helder Postiga. Ricardo should get the nod as No 1 although he has spent most of his season on the bench at Real Betis in Spain. Defence looks solid with Carvallho and Pepe at the centre newly-signed Chelsea player Bosingwa on the right and Marco Caneira at the left.

PROS AND CONS

PROS:
1) Best player in Europe in Ronaldo
2) Great wing players
3) Scolari has been there for 6 years now so squad is settled with tactics etc.
4) settled defence with lots of choices from the bench aka Fernando Meira, P. Ferreira, Miguel

CONS:
1)Goalkeeping situation, Ricardo has not played Rui Patrico and Quim have not had great seasons
2)Deco has been out of form all season
3)No quality out and out striker

PORTUGAL ROSTER
Goalkeepers

Rui Patrício
Ricardo
Quim

Defenders

Bosingwa
Miguel
Jorge Ribeiro
Pepe
Fernando Meira
Paulo Ferreira
Bruno Alves
Ricardo Carvalho

Midfielders

Nani
Ricardo Quaresma
Deco
Simão
Petit
João Moutinho
Miguel Veloso
Raul Meireles

Forwards

Cristiano Ronaldo
Hélder Postiga
Hugo Almeida
Nuno Gomes

EURO 2008

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