Europe’s Best Prepare for a Clash in the Alps

The European Soccer Championship (Euro 2008) begins Saturday with co-host Switzerland kicking it off against the Czech Republic. Of the 16 teams in the highly regarded competition, seven are ranked in the top 10 of FIFA’s world soccer rankings. The teams are divided into four groups of four, with each team playing the other three in its group, and the top two teams advancing to the quarterfinals, which start on June 19. The final is June 29 at 2:45 EDT, live on ABC.Here’s a breakdown of the four groups and predictions for the eight quarterfinalists:Group ACzech RepublicPortugalSwitzerlandTurkeyWith Cristiano Ronaldo leading the attack, Portugal (no. 9 in FIFA’s rankings) is a virile favorite. Its only weakness may be the lack of a classic striker, but the midfield should provide plenty of goals and the defense is solid.The Czech squad (no. 6) is in transition: Midfield maestro Pavel Nedved has retired, and its other playmaker, Tomas Rosicky, will miss the tournament due to injury. The Czechs do have an unforgiving defense, though, and its goalkeeper, Peter Cech, is among the best in the world.Switzerland has had its own trouble with injuries this year, but they can count on a well-organized defense to keep games close. Playing in the comfort of home stadiums will help, too. In attack, Alexander Frei will need to score goals for Switzerland to advance. Given the country’s home-field advantage, it has a good shot to join Portugal in the quarterfinals.During qualifying for Euro 2008, Turkey’s performances fluctuated between brilliant and dreadful. While the attacking tandem, Nihat Kahveci and Tuncay Sanli, can score goals, the team’s area of concern will be defense. They have some injury problems, with Hamit Altintop and Gokhan Gonul both doubtful.Players to WatchCristiano Ronaldo, PortugalAlexander Frei, SwitzerlandPeter Cech, CzechMarco Aurelio, TurkeyKey MatchSwitzerland vs. Czech Republic, the tournament opener, is crucial for both countries.Quarterfinals PredictionPortugal and SwitzerlandGroup BAustriaCroatiaGermanyPolandGroup B includes the tournament’s co-host, Austria — the weakest team in the tournament. The team is in poor form, having won only two of 16 games in the last 18 months. Advancing from the group stage is unlikely for Austria.Germany is the favorite to win Euro 2008: Prolific striker Mario Gomez joins a squad that was good enough to finish third at the 2006 World Cup.Croatia and Poland are both solid teams, but Croatia will probably struggle to score goals without striker Eduardo da Silva, who suffered a horrific broken leg in January. (Curious readers can find replays of the injury on YouTube, but the video is not for the faint of heart.) Croatia does have talented midfielders in Luka Modric and Niko Kranjkar, though, and should still advance to the quarterfinals.If only the German national team strikers, Miroslav Klose and Lukaz Podolski — both Polish by birth — were on the Poland team instead, that nation might have enough firepower to be a serious threat in this tournament. As it stands, Poland is an average squad good enough to advance, but not a serious challenger for the title. Ebi Smolarek, their talented attacking midfielder, will likely play a starring role in any tournament run for Poland.Players to WatchAndreas Ivanschitz, AustriaLuka Modric, CroatiaMario Gomez, GermanyEbi Smolarek, PolandKey MatchPoland vs. Croatia could decide who joins Germany in the quarterfinals.Quarterfinals PredictionGermany and CroatiaGroup CFranceItalyNetherlandsRomaniaThis group is undoubtedly the “Group of Death”: Italy won the World Cup in 2006, beating France in the finals. The Netherlands (no. 10) and Romania (no. 13) are also strong.While Italian playmaker Francesco Totti has retired, the team’s midfield is in good hands with A.C. Milan duo Gennaro Gattuso and Andrea Pirlo and the tenacious Daniel De Rossi. Despite Fabio Cannavaro’s injury, the defense remains solid in front of Gigi Buffon, one of the top goalkeepers in the world. Striker Luca Toni is also in top form.While France also remains formidable, the generation of players that won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 is near the end of its line. Zinedine Zidane, the star of those teams, has retired. The new generation, led by Franck Ribery and Karim Benzema, has not yet fully developed the on-field understandings and partnerships that are crucial in soccer.The Dutch team is getting healthy at the right time, with key players returning from injury: Wesley Sneider, Rafael van der Vaart, and Arjen Robben make up a great attacking midfield trio. But the talent in attack is not balanced in defensive midfield, and the Netherlands could struggle.Romania is a good team — in the wrong group. Star striker Adrian Mutu will be the key for Romania. If he’s scoring goals, they could have a chance to advance.Players to WatchFranck Ribery, FranceLuca Toni, ItalyArjen Robben NetherlandsAdrian Mutu RomaniaKey MatchItaly vs. France is the most highly anticipated match of the group stage.Quarterfinals PredictionFrance and ItalyGroup DGreeceRussiaSpainSwedenSpain is loaded with talent, and on paper it looks certain to advance from a mediocre Group D — but it has a long history of taking talented teams to big tournaments and turning out a bad result. Still, the weakness of the group should allow the team to advance.Greece is the defending European champion, though it’s not one of the traditional European powers. The team returns most of the players from their 2004 championship team and should be a strong side.Russia managed to qualify for Euro 2008 only because England could not win their last qualifying game. Russian manager Guus Hiddink is a master tactician and renowned for getting the most out of his teams.Sweden has a number of talented strikers, led by Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrik Larsson, who came out of retirement for Euro 2008. The challenge will be providing enough support from the midfield.Players to WatchKostas Katsouranis GreeceAndrei Arshavin RussiaFernando Torres SpainZlatan Ibrahimovic SwedenKey MatchGreece vs. Spain could decide who gets the final quarterfinal spot in Euro 2008.Quarterfinals PredictionSpain and Greecesamsternjones@gmail.comGroup AJune 7 Switzerland vs. Czech Republic, Portugal vs. TurkeyJune 11 Czech Republic vs. Portugal Switzerland vs. TurkeyJune 15 Turkey vs. Czech Republic Switzerland vs. PortugalGroup BJune 8 Austria vs. Croatia, Germany vs. PolandJune 12 Croatia vs. Germany Austria vs. PolandJune 16 Poland vs. Croatia, Austria vs. GermanyGroup CJune 9 Romania vs. France, Netherlands vs. ItalyJune 13 Italy vs. Romania, Netherlands vs. France June 17 France vs. Italy, Netherlands vs. RomaniaGroup DJune 10 Spain vs. Russia, Greece vs. SwedenJune 14 Sweden vs. Spain, Greece vs. RussiaJune 18 Russia vs. Sweden, Greece vs. Spain

Europe’s Best Prepare for a Clash in the Alps

Europe’s Best Prepare for a Clash in the Alps

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