UEFA Euro 2008 will start this weekend with the first match between Switzerland and Czech Republic. Austria and Switzerland are hosting the tournament this year. European Championship is organized every four years. The winner of the tournament becomes Chmapions of Europe and represents Europe in the FIFA Confederations Cup. Greece shocked the world of football in 2004 by beating host Portugal in the final. They had not even reached the second round of any major tournament before their 2004 heroics. In this post, I will preview the chances of each team to win this major tournament.

Switzerland 1 vs 2 Czech Republic
Portugal 1 vs 0 Turkey
Czech Republic 1 vs 1 Portugal
Switzerland 1 vs 0 Turkey
Switzerland 1 vs 2 Portugal
Turkey 2 vs 1 Czech Republic

I think Portugal is the team to watch in Group A. They have spine of a very good team. The only apparent weakness is lack prolific striker like Torres or Klose. Ronaldo was in superb form for Mancs whole season and scored more than forty goals in all matches. If he maintains his prolific form in front of the goal, you have to consider Portugal one of the favorites to win this tournament. They also have other quality players like Carvalho, Simao, and Veloso. They were runners-up to Greece four years ago. Luiz Felipe Scolari is very good coach and he won the world cup with Brazil in 2002. He also led Portugal to final of Euro 2004 and semifinal of World Cup 2006. He has the players and tactical nous to take Portugal to glory in this tournament.


Czech Republic has been a very competitive side in the last few tournaments. They have an aging squad this time around and I do not expect them to go far in this tournament. Switzerland is host of the tournament, but they do not have enough quality players in their rank to win the Euro 2008. Liverpool new boy Philip Degan will play for the Swiss team. I am looking forward to seeing him in action for the first time. I would love Turkey to shock the World of Football like Greece and win this tournament, but they have no realistic chance of winning this tournament. I hope they put a good fight and at least qualify for the quarterfinals.

Austria 0 vs 2 Croatia
Germany 3 vs 1 Poland
Croatia 2 vs 2 Germany
Austria 0 vs 2 Poland
Poland 0 vs 2 Croatia
Austria 0 vs 3 Germany

Germany and Croatia are deservedly favorites to easily qualify for quarterfinals from Group B. Germany are favorites to win this tournament. They have very strong squad led by Michael Ballack. They also have Lahm, Klose, Frings and other good players in their ranks. They also have another advantage our other teams favorite to win this tournament. They will be technically playing at home. Austria and Switzerland are German speaking countries.


Croatia is the real dark horse in this tournament. Slaven Bilić is a very talented up and coming managers in European football. Croatia also has a very good side. It is a pity that Eduardo will not be able to play for them. They can beat any team on their day. Austria is host of the tournament, but their own fans started the petition against their participation in this tournament. They are rubbish and have no chance. Poland is one of those teams, who do very well in the qualifiers of the tournament, but they never show up in the finals. They have chance to qualify out of this group.

Romania 1 vs 2 France
Netherlands 0 vs 1 Italy
Italy 1 vs 0 Romania
Netherlands 2 vs 1 France
Netherlands 3 vs 2 Romania
France 1 vs 1 Italy

Group C is the so called group of death. I think Italy and Netherlands will qualify for quarterfinals from this group. Italy is world champions and they have a very good squad, which is capable to win this tournament. I think they will go far in this tournament, but they would not be able to do the double of being World and European Champion at the same time. It is very rare that World cups winning team goes on and win the European Championship. France was the last team to achieve that special honor. They won 1998 world cup and 2000 European Championship. Their current squad is aging and some of the youngsters like Benzema and Nasri do not have enough experience to light up this tournament for French. I would not completely right off the French for this tournament. I think they will find it harder to make an impact in this tournament.


The biggest worry for Netherlands is lack of quality defenders in their squad, but their philosophy is scoring one more goal than their opponents. They have plenty of goals in them to do well in this tournament. I think Klaas-Jan Huntelaar will be one of stars of this tournament. I am also looking forward to seeing Dirk Kuyt playing for the Dutch team. Romania has a good side, but they are unlucky to be in the same group with France, Italy and Netherlands. They will most likely go home at the end of group stages.

Spain 2 vs 1 Russia
Greece 0 vs 1 Sweden
Sweden 0 vs 2 Spain
Greece 1 vs 2 Russia
Greece 1 vs 3 Spain
Russia 2 vs 1 Sweden

Spain is perennial underachievers of world football. I think their chance has arrived to taste some glory on international stage. They have a fully loaded squad. I will be supporting Spain in this tournament for obvious reason. Pepe, Alonso, Arbeloa and peerless Fernando Torres of Liverpool are in Spanish team. They also have Fabregas, Villa, Silva, Puyol, Ramos, and Xavi in their squad. I think if Spain fails to win this tournament with this squad, they will never be able to win anything on international stage. I think Torres deserves a winner’s medal. He had a fantastic season with Liverpool. It is pity that we finished the season empty handed. Torres was class above any other Liverpool player. He will do very well for Spain in this tournament. I think Silva will be star performer for Spain in this tournament.


Russia has a decent squad, but their best player is on their coach Guss Hiddink. He has taken the likes of South Korea and Australia out of group stages. I think Russia is one of the dark horses of the tournament. I have no doubt that they will qualify for the quarter finals with Spain from Group D. Greece are defending champions of Euro 2008. Most of their squad remain the same. I think bigger nations will not make the mistakes of four year ago and Greece will find it very difficult to use their tactical plan this time around. He stronger teams will not underestimate them. They will be eliminated from tournament at the end of group stages. Sweden have a world class striker in Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but they do not have many good players to support him. I think they will find tough to progress in this tournament.

Quarter-finals
» Quarter Final 1: Portugal 1 vs 2 Croatia
» Quarter Final 2: Germany 3 vs 1 Czech Republic
» Quarter Final 3: Italy 2 vs 1 Russia
» Quarter Final 4: Spain 3 vs 2 Netherlands

Semi-finals
» Croatia 1 vs 3 Germany
» Italy 1 vs 2 Spain

Final
» Germany 2 vs 1 Spain

Come on Spain!