Euro 2008 gets underway

The end of the World Cup is barely 2 months ago and we are already on the path of the next major international tournament: Euro 2008.

While there have already been a handful of games, Saturday marked the real beginning of the qualifing. What stands out -

Group A: Finland easily defeated Poland 3-1, after a poor world cup showing, this does not sit well for Polska, they need to find offense and a style soon or else they will miss out of the Euro. Belgium drew with Kazakhstan 0-0, not good for the Belge. I still think this group will go to Portugal with Finland, Belgium, Poland and Serbia fighting it out for second.

Prediction: Portugal and Belgium qualify. Poland has too many question marks, Finland while strong at home always falls short, Serbia could qualify but the world cup has called for too much or a turn over for the squad.

Group B: This could be seen as the group of death: World Cup winner Italy, World Cup runner up France, World Cup 1/4 finalist Ukraine. The first day was quite telling: France easily defeated Georgia 3-0 and it could have been more. Without Zidane the French went to a 4-4-2 with Ribery and Malouda given free reign of the park, Saha and Henry up front. It was evident that the Georgian team could not handle the speed of Ribery coming off the flanks. The real test will come Wednesday when we have a world cup rematch - France v Italy. Other surprise, Italy held to a draw at home versus Lithuania 1-1. That cannot sit well with the world cup champions. There is no margin for error and dropping points is a cardinal sin. Granted all this can be forgotten if Italy was to find a victory at Stade de France.

Prediction: France and Ukraine qualify. I think that Italy is in a transition and with their poor start they will get surprised by either Ukraine or Scotland. France is motivated after a heartbreaking loss in the WC finals. Scotland might surprise a team or two during this qualifier but will fall short.

Group C: This group is wide open. Norway staking itself as the favorite even before it smacked Hungary around 4-1. Greece and Turkey find themselves again for qualifying. It will be difficult again to go into Turkey to play the Turks, this I think gives them a slight advantage in this group.

Prediction: Turkey and Norway qualify. The defending European Champion does not make it to defend their title. Turkey is too tough at home and good enough to win where need be on the road. Norway is similar to Turkey with their homefield advantage.

Group D: Germany ekks out a 1-0 victory vs Ireland. The Czechs almost lost points to Wales. This groups is full of underachievers. The German team played above itself at its own world cup, it will be hard pressed to match the irratioanal expectations for this squad. The Czechs are in a major rebuilding and the games vs Slovakia should prove facsinating. Ireland is still bitter over their missing the world cup.

Prediction: Germany and Slovakia. Germany will struggle but get through. The Czechs and Irish will find difficulty and not qualify while upstarts Slovakia will surprise and qualify.

Group E: England - Andorra: England defeats Andorra 5-0, braces from Crouch (still think he is useless) and Defoe. Andorra did not even have any threats at the english goal. This was the expected outcome of this match and England should not get too ahead of itself. Granted, the England group is their's to lose, Russia and Croatia being the only two nations that really have a chance to unseed England as favorites.

Prediction: England and Russia. Hiddink will work his miracles with an underachieving Russian team. Croatia will be in a dog fight until the end but will fall short to the Dutch master.

Group F: Spain eases into the qualifiers with a 4-0 win over Liechtenstein, could this be the start of a Spanish run deep into a major tournament? I think so, the spanish squad is young and experienced post world cup. Their group is perfect, it should not be too difficult but enough quality teams to keep the spanish sharp: Sweden and Denmark.

Prediction: Spain and Denmark. The Danes will look to get back to the tournament where they have found the most success.

Group G: Whaooooo, how can Holland "beat" Luxembourg 1-0, that is scarey. Then again for the Euro 2000 qualifiers France beat Andorra 1-0 on a PK in the dying minutes....but Holland that destroyed Ireland a few weeks ago should fare better against one of the smaller European nations. The essential was done however with the 3 points. Also, Romania and Bulgaria ended up with a fascinating 2-2 draw, Bulgaria coming back end of game score two goals to get the point.


Prediction: Holland and Romania. Even with first round scares these teams have too much fire power not to get through.