Euro 2008: Group A

The strengths and weaknesses of the European Championship Group A contenders.

Group A in this year’s European Championship must have Cristiano Ronaldo salivating. After two years of hammering sub-standard Premier League teams, the Portugese winger gets to ‘test’ himself against Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Turkey. All sides have their merits, though Portugal should navigate through the group without major trouble.

Portugal are not faultless, despite Ronaldo’s form and Luis Felipe Scolari at the helm. The retirements of Luis Figo, Pedro Pauleta, Costinha and Manuel Rui Costa have severely hurt this team, and the old problem of a lack of a top-class striker will again rear its head.

Portugal battered England for two hours in the World Cup, though the team had no-one who could score. Ricardo Carvalho has been appointed captain but a turbulent season at Chelsea could affect him. On the subject of the Blues, right-back Jose Bosingwa will be looking to impress after sealing a £16.5 million move to Chelsea last week. Portugal might have to beat Germany in the semis and if they do, they will win the tournament.

The Czech Republic are something of an enigma going into the tournament. Having reached the final, then failing to get out of their group, then playing the best football of the tournament in the last three competitions, no-one is too sure how they will play.  Shorn of the experience of Karel Poborsky, Pavel Nedved and Tomas Rosicky, this is a new Czech team that will hopefully stick to Karel Bruckner’s ideals of attacking, flowing football. The strike force of Milan Baros and Jan Koller will be crucial. Both play well for their country despite iffy club form, and if they fire, the Czechs will be a force. There are still questions over the defence, as Petr Cech’s form has dwindled since suffering a fractured skull.  However they should have enough quality to qualify as runners up.

Switzerland are the great hope for the hosts. Though not a football-mad country, they have improved greatly recently; this being their third tournament in a row. Always a team based on work ethic rather than outstanding talent, the likes of Hakan Yakin and Johan Vonlanthen can upset most teams when on form. The problem is that Yakin hasn’t played a lot of football recently, and will perhaps be sluggish and off the pace.

The main strength of the Swiss is in defense. Philippe Senderos might be a liability at Arsenal and Johan Djourou just a peripheral figure, but at international level, they provide a solid base in front of goalkeeper Pascal Zuberbuhler. Striker Alexander Frei can provide goals, but has been out for a year with injuries. They play the Czechs in the opener, and a positive result could lead to qualification, though they won’t want to be going into the final game against Portugal needing a result.

Turkey, though talented will finish bottom of this group. Manager Fatih Terim can’t decide on a settled team and formation, and this should lead to a slightly talented team being disjointed and without real flow. Hakan Sukur, who scored 51 goals in over 100 appearnces for his country, has been left out of the squad, but there is talent there in Nihat Kahveci, Middlesbrough’s sporadic Tuncay Sanli, Gokhan Unal and Mehmet Yildiz. Brazillian-born Mehmet Aurelio is one to look out for in midfield, and Rustu Recber has finally been wrestled from between the sticks to be replaced by Volkan Demirel. This team might entertain occasionally, though, look out for the game against Switzerland. Aside from the fact that it could be crucial in qualifying, there is history, as the last time they met there was a mass brawl!

Prediction:
1. Portugal
2. Czech Republic
3. Switzerland
4. Turkey

By: Ciarán Leinster