Euro 2008: Group D

Will Spain make it to the final of Euro 2008?

Is this finally Spain’s year? Can they repeat 1964’s success and bring home a trophy? In a word, no. While the group is quite weak, they have been drawn on the same side as France, Italy and Holland, meaning they will probably have to beat two of them to reach the final.

Spain have an amazing group of players, with the world’s best goalkeeper in Iker Casillas; some of the best midfielders in Xabi Alonso, Xavi Hernandez and Cesc, and the world’s best striker, Fernando Torres. Oh, and David Villa and Andres Iniesta in back-up aren’t bad. So, why will Spain flop? Probably the usual reason; pressure. If they win the group, they will probably draw Italy, whose defence Torres could destroy with his pace, but the semis will be their best hope. Spain’s problem is defence, where they have no world class option. Carlos Puyol and Carlos Marchena just aren’t up to it compared to Cannavaro et al.

Sweden, who played Spain in qualifiers, will probably repeat their regular trick of going out in the knock-out phase, something Spain also do with infuriating regularity. Having scored in three World Cups and two European Championships, the return of Henrik Larsson, Scandinavia’s greatest footballer, will no doubt boost this squad, and give them the confidence and talent to finish above their average group rivals, Russia and Greece.

The staleness of the squad is alarming, with players like Freddie Ljungberg, Larsson, Olof Mellberg and Kim Kallstrom seemingly guaranteed of their place despite form. If the shackles are removed, the team can play exciting football, with Birmingham’s Sebastian Larsson a hugely talented player. The hope is that Kallstrom will flourish, finally, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic can live up to his considerable hype. Personally, I don’t rate the Inter Milan player, though he has the ability to pull the odd rabbit out of the hat.

So, this Greece team, as holders, should definitely qualify from the group, right? Wrong. The team is similar to Euro 2004, and under coach Otto Rehhagel, play a dull system that is designed to frustrate their opponents and secure a narrow win. Traianos Dellas remains the defensive lynchpin in front of the impressive Antonis Nikopolidis. The midfield remains the same, with the average Giorgios Samaras the country’s main playmaker. Angelos Charisteas is struggling with form, and Fanis Gekas and Giannis Amanatidis will help Samaras in his thankless role.

This Greek side is stale, and lacking in genuine quality, so a bottom finish in the group would not surprise me. The group they got through was without a doubt the weakest, with Turkey and Norway the best teams involved.

Russia, led by Guus Hiddink, definitely have the ability to cause a few problems for their group opponents this summer. Their manager is, in fact, their strongest asset, and one of the most coveted men in world football. Konstantin Zyrianov is a decent midfield player; probably Russia’s best, while the forwards, UEFA Cup winner Andrei Arshavin and Roman Pavlyuchenko will cause major problems, whoever they meet.

 

Arshavin is suspended for their first two games however so Dmitri Sychev or Alexander Kerzhakov will deputise. The older heads of Igor Titov and Alexei Smertin have been discarded in this new-look Russia. This Russian team has talent, though the tournament has come too quickly for them.  A solid group showing, beating Greece and maybe securing another draw, is probably the limit of their expectations.

Prediction:

1. Spain
2. Sweden
3. Russia
4. Greece

By: Ciarán Leinster