Spanish Armada to Raid Europe

This weekend see’s the start of Euro 2008 which for many England fans will appear to be a non event due to England’s non participation. The tournament gets underway with Portugal playing Turkey and all eyes will be fixed closely on Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo has been in cinterlating form this term with 42 goals and will be well touted for the leading goalscorer of the tournament. 

Looking at the four groups it is apparent that Portugal, Czech Republic, Germany, Croatia, France, Italy, Spain and Greece will be fancied to progress into the ¼ finals.  

In Group A Portugal have arguably the best player in the world in Ronaldo and they have other excellent attacking players as Deco, Simao and Nani, they also have Carvalho, Alves and Bosingwa who are all very capable players. They are sure to qualify from the group and I think the very experienced Czech Republic will follow them. Milan Baros seems like a completely different player when he puts the Czech shirt on. He won the Golden Boot four years ago and his partnership with the giant Jan Koller will be very key to their success. They also have the best goal keeper in the world in Petr Czech.  

In Group B there will be some interesting matches with Germany locking horns with both Poland and Austria and the always consistent Croatia make up the group. Germany are the pre tournament favourites and barring a miraculous turn of events they will qualify from this group. They have a lot of attacking threat with Miroslav Klose who won the Golden Boot in the World Cup and the excellent Lukas Podolski, they also have Kristian Scweinsteiger who is liable to score a goal. Phillip Lahm who was selected as the left back of the tournament in the last World Cup but more importantly they have Michael Ballack. He has been in inspirational form for Chelsea of late, scoring very crucial goals, and his contribution will be key to Germany’s chances. Although Poland had a brilliant record in qualifying (finished in front of Portugal) I believe that Croatia will progress from this group. They topped England’s group and are a very difficult team to break down, Luka Modric who has just signed for Spurs looks an exceptional player. Both him and Captian Niko Kovac will be crucial to Croatia’s progression in the competition. 

Group C must be referred to has the group of death. It has both the last World Cup winners and World Cup finalist and the previous World Cup Winner. It also has two very good teams in the very attack minded Netherlands and very well organised Romanians. Although Romania finished in front of the Netherlands I think they would be able to reverse form with them because of the amount of attacking options to them. Van Nistelroy is a world class player, Van Persie, Robben and Van der Vaart are also very good attacking players and they have the very exciting Klas Jan Huntelar. Netherlands problems lie at the back and this is where they are likely to be found out. Both France and Italy are very strong defensively and this I think will be the difference between who progresses in this group. France have a great deal of experience in Thuram, Gallas and Sagnol they also have Patrice Evra. More importantly Claude Makelele and Matthieu Flamini will provide the solidity which will allow the very exciting Franck Ribery and Karim Benzema to have a lot of the ball. They also have Thierry Henry who is undoubtedly still a world class talent. Although Italy would have been rocked by the injury of their talisman Fabbio Cannavaro they should still be able to qualify from this group. Cannavaro was player of the tournament in the World Cup. They still have a great deal of experience all over the park with Materazzi and Panucci, Gattuso and Pirlo. However Italy’s difficulty has always been in scoring goals so their key player could be Luca Toni. 

Looking at Group D Spain will be a warm order to win this group. Even though I believe Spain will win the group it is difficult to see who will finish runners up. Spain have some much quality across the park it is difficult not to see them going really close in this competition. Casillas, Ramos, Puyol, Xavi, Fabregas, Villa and Torres are all world class players. Greece are the holders, and are very difficult to break down but if a team scores first against them they will find it difficult to win. Therefore it is between Sweden and Russia for the remaining place. Sweden are a very capable side Hleb and Ibrahimovic will be key players for Sweden. However I believe Russia could finish runners up to Spain. They have a collection of players who play together at club level the majority coming from the impressive UEFA Cup Winners Zenit St Petersburg. They also have one of the most astute managers in Guus Hiddink who is wanted by Chelsea and the very impressive Andrei Arshavin will be key to Russia’s success or failure. 

Therefore if the Groups go as planned the Quarter Finals will consist of Portugal v Croatia. This will be a close tie but I think Portugal’s attacking flare could just see them through against the well organized Croatians.  

Germany v Czech Republic. I can only see a Germany win. They have enough quality right across the field to win this match and they should win comfortably. 

France v Russia. This will be closer than people would predict. Remember after all Russia toppled England. I would still fancy France to win they have a solid defence and midfield and enough creativity up front to see off Russia. 

Spain v Italy. This to me seems the most difficult of the quarter finals. Italy are almost impossible to break down and are never the most attacking or best to watch of teams. Spain always flatter to deceive. This surely has to be their best chance given the players they have and the strength of the Spanish league. Therefore I tip Spain to win this match given that Italy do not have a Fernando Torres, he could be the difference. 

The first semi final would see Portugal play Germany. This is difficult to call. Portugal have so much attacking talent but they do not have an out an out striker. Germany on the other hand have balance all over the pitch and both Klose and Podolski are very capable strikers. This to me could be the difference and I tip Germany to get to the final. 

The other semi final would see France play Spain. Both teams are pretty evenly matched. France have solidity in the middle and the back. It will come down to minor details such as how France deal with Torres and how Spain stop Ribery from getting the ball. I think that Spain’s time has come they are a younger side and have not peaked where as I think France have seen better days given they have several players in their 30’s and Henry has had an injury plagued season. 

My prediction is that Germany will meet Spain in the Final and that Spain will win. Although Germany have quality all over the pitch they do not possess a world class striker where as Spain have two. They have Villa and Torres. The key will be how Germany deal with Fabregas and Torres and if Spain can prevent Ballack from seeing much of the ball. 

As well as Spain winning the tournament I could see Fernando Torres being the leading goal scorer at 10/1 with Dones. I would recommend 3 points on this and 10 points on Spain to win the tournament at 5/1. If you open up an account with Betfred today you will receive a Free Bet