|
The nine different countries have won the European Championship since it started
in 1960 and only Germany and France could win it more than once. Germany has a
record of winning Euro Championship thrice (in 1972 and 1980 as West Germany
and 1996 as unified Germany). In 2004 Greece surprised everyone by lifting the
Euro for the first time as against no expectations as similar to Denmark in 1992.
Can Italy repeat what France did it in Euro 2000, when they won the Euro after
winning the World Cup in 1998. West Germans won back to back big trophies in
1972 and 1974 when they won Euro and World Cup respectively. Italy after
winning the World Cup 2006 will have high expectation from home fans to win the
Euro 2008 as well. Hope Roberto Donadoni will marshal his troop to win second
Euro Championship for Italy (Italy won in 1968) after his predecessor Marcello
Lippi’s triumph at World Cup 2006 in Germany. Italian team is in group of death (Group C) where they have to meet France,
Netherlands and Romania, as far as ranking is concerned, all the teams are in the top 10 of Europe (as per May 2008
ranking), and in the Euro 2008 qualification too both France and Italy were in the
same group with Italians winning the group and France bagging the second spot.
Many of the pundits are considering Italians favourite following their recent
record and form, and not to forget that they are unbeaten in their last 14
matches. In the qualification, Italy only lost to France in the second match 3-1
but after that they are unbeaten so far. But it will be interesting to note the
progress of teams in its group and no doubt about that which ever team wins the
Group C will automatically become favourite to win the Championship. It will be
very tough for Italy to overcome the quality oppositions Netherlands, France and
Romania. France and Netherlands are big time teams and they have quality
players in their sides in all the positions. Romania was ahead of Netherlands in the
Euro qualification competition and their recent results are also encouraging.
Romania was a popular side during Gheorghe Hagi era but now again Romania is
showing the glimpses of past and expected to do well.
Portugal under Scholari has made a significant progress - reached the semi-finals of World Cup 2006 and only lost to Greece in the Euro 2004 finals. For Portugal Christiano Ronaldo is key and he is undoubtedly the best player in the world at this juncture, with two trophies for MU and 42 goals in a season for MU he is expected to take Portugal into the top of Group A where Czech Republic and Turkey will be a tough opponent apart from host Switzerland. Czechs will be fighting for the top spot along with Portugal in this group.
From Group B Germany are clear favourites to move to the knock-out stage along with Croatia. Though host Austria is in the same group but they may not throw up that kind of resistance to Germany and Coratia. Poland may be a surprise package in this group considering their qualification performance where they qualified as group winner ahead of Portugal and it was one of the highly competitive groups where Finland and Serbia was the tough opponents along with Belgium. It will be interesting to follow the progress of Croatia in the group considering their exploits in the qualification competition, and it was Croatia which stopped England from qualification to Euro 2008.
Greece the holders and surprise package of Euro 2004 are in group D along with Russia, Spain and Sweden. Greece recent form is a concern for Otto Rehhagel and specially his defense. That was not the case for Greece in 2004. The team has created huge expectation after winning the Euro 2004 but early exist from World Cup 2006 was a huge disappointment for fans. Spain which has won European Championship in 1964 was an underachiever in recent decades considering the strength of its players. Spain is going to Euro 2008 with lot of expectation and the team has few exceptional talents, if they can fire then Spain will definitely book its place in knock-out round and progress beyond. Fernando Torres, Cesc Fabregas, Iniesta, Sergio Ramos, etc., all had good season with their respective club sides. Russia under Guus Hiddink will be interesting to watch and never know may be a surprise package in the Euro 2008. Wherever Hiddink has moved he was successful in transforming the team and he may succeed with Russia too.
It will be an exciting three weeks of high quality football which will be enjoyed by millions all over the world. 5 million fans are expected to visit the venues and it is already sold out. That is the reflection of Euro popularity and for all of us (football fans) back in India it will be welcome relief after IPL bombardment. Among Indian football fans Portugal seems to be the most popular team may be because of Christiano Ronaldo. There may be good number of fans from India supporting France, Italy, Spain, Netherland and Germany. No doubt Euro 2008 will receive record viewer ship from India and football fans across the globe will have an entertaining three weeks.
| 
