Continental virtue: Euro2008 promises to be highly competitive

In the last few years, the European Championships have provided better football than the World Cups. The last two editions of the European Championships, for example, have been high on substance and spectacle, even if Greece’s dour tactics triumphed four years ago. Indeed, that is the beauty of the tournament, for it promotes the continent’s disparate football philosophies on a stage uncluttered by whipping boys such as Togo and Saudi Arabia. That is not to say the World Cup’s global appeal comes at the price of good football; rather, that the European Championship’s sixteen team format ensures immensely competitive groups.

Taking a look the Euro2008 groups illustrates the point. Group D, which contains Greece, Spain, Sweden, and Russia, can be arguably described as “the group of life”. Spain and Sweden beat each other once in the qualifiers, while Russia came out of a group containing Croatia and England. Greece are the reigning European Champions and will definitely fancy a spot in the quarter-finals. All four teams, then, are on relatively equal ground. Certainly, Spain are the most talented side in the group, but their notorious knack to choke will comfort their opponents.

There is similar near parity throughout the tournament, with perhaps Austria the side who look most out of their depth. Though the likes of Germany, Italy, and France are a class above the competition, their superiority is no guarantee of success. The European Championships have produced the most unlikely winners in recent memory. Denmark triumphed in 1992, and Greece pulled off a mythical feat by hoisting the trophy four years ago.

There are probably no such surprises in store for Euro2008. The winners will most likely come from the usual suspects, with Croatia the potential dark-horses. Yes, the same Croatia who defeated the self-important and overrated England football team twice during qualifying. The cynics, or the number crunchers, will tell you that England’s failure to qualify will cheapen Euro2008, but if the ease with which Croatia disposed of them is anything to go by, then we are all richer for England’s absence.

Amidst the big names, World Champions Italy, Germany, and France look the strongest sides. French coach Raymond Domenech has revitalized his team by introducing new faces like Lyon’s Karim Benzema, while Germany coach Joachim Low has built on the groundwork Jurgen Klinsmann laid out during World Cup 2006. Italy had looked unconvincing during the first few games of their qualifying campaign, but they finished top of their qualifying group, ahead of France. The Azzurri definitely have what it takes to win the tournament, even if coach Roberto Donadoni has lacked conviction with his formations and selections.

Portugal, World Cup semi-finalists two years ago and perhaps the fourth force in the competition, come to Euro2008 with Cristiano Ronaldo playing the best football of his career. The Manchester United winger scored eight goals for his country during the qualifiers and has been in devastating form in the league.

With Austria and Switzerland hosting Euro2008, and the preparations going as planned, it should be a memorable summer. Euro2004 was a colourful tournament that reached full brilliance because hosts Portugal went all the way to the Final. That may be beyond Austria and Switzerland, so it is up to the hosts’ neighbouring countries like Italy and Germany to make most of their potentially large number of fans. And, if by some chance, Italy do meet Germany in the Final, and that game is anything like their semi-final encounter in World Cup 2006, then it will undoubtedly inspire neutrals and partisans.

Tags: Euro 2008 Austria-Switzerland, euro 2008 trophy, euro cup, trophy