Euro 2008 - It's here!!!

-

-

4 years on and it's back!

Yes! The tournament that pits the creme de la creme of Europe is finally here. Hot favorites, dark horses, rising stars and seasoned warriors. You name it, they've got it. And to make things even more interesting, must of us would have probably discussed to death by now what looks to be the most toughest group in recent Euro history - The Group of Death (Group C of course).

As if the 12am and 2.45am time slots weren't challenging enough, friends and families in living rooms across Singapore will find themselves divided for a month as the huge following of Dutch, French and Italian fans slog it out to gain bragging rights over the other.

Personally, looking at the 16 that have made it to Switzerland-Austria, its hard to put your finger down on one team you'd genuinely believe will win it. Which is also testament to how far the game has grown in terms of standard and development in various countries. Can you pick a winner?

Here's my take on the teams and the groups they're in:

Group A
Czech Republic
Portugal
Switzerland
Turkey

At first glance, Portugal does look like where the smart money should be and I wouldn't fault anyone for believing so too. Ronaldo's scintilating 42-goal season mixed with youth and experience of the likes of Moutinho and Deco are more than enough reasons to back the Portuguese to breeze through the group stages. I'd give the Czechs more credit than they're due though. They finished at the top ahead of hot favorites Germany in the Euro Qualifiers and were semi-finalists in 2004. I actually fancy the effeciency of the Czechs over Portugal and lest we forget, Turkey are no push-overs themselves and are sure to cause a shock or two in the competition. The Swiss are of course on home soil and we all know what happened to the host nation at the last Euro (google "Euro 2004" or "Ronaldo in tears")

TD's picks - Grp Winner: Czech Republic, Runner-up: Portugal

Group B
Austria
Croatia
Germany
Poland

Ok ok, maybe not all the groups are gonna be tough. Group B looks like a shoo-in for heavyweights Germany and the ever-improving Croatia. Austria and Poland are gonna be in for an uphill task trying to come away from their 3 games with their pride intact. Yes of course Austria's a co-host too in the competition but they definitely are nowhere near where Switzerland are at at the moment. Expect no surprises in this one.

TD's picks - Grp Winner: Germany, Runner-up: Croatia

Group C
France
Holland
Italy
Romania

Ahh, the Group of Death. Need we say more? The line-up is tantalising and so too are the players. Henry.. Van Nistelrooy.. Pirlo.. and the list of who's who in football today goes on. The Dutch look like a team rejuvenated under Marco Van Basten with an injection of youth and flair in this current batch of hopefuls. France and Italy of course are no strangers to the big stage having been finalists in the last World Cup - which Italy won - and gracing the final stages of various international competitions many times. Tough one to call.

TD's picks - Grp Winner: Italy, Runner-up: France

Group D
Greece
Russia
Spain
Sweden

A defending champion, an under-achiever, an over-achiever and the eternal hopefuls. That's how Group D reads to me. Spain look strong to make it through with a team that might finally make the grade this time round. There is enough invention and experience to suggest that this could be the Spaniards most successful campaign yet. Then again, they've broken countless of fans hearts before with complacent and careless performances previously. An Ibrahimovic-led Sweden have baflled critics on more than one occasion. First getting past the group stages of the last World Cup, and then stunning Italy in the very same competition in 2004. Guus Hiddink has been known to make magic out of the teams he's handled and this Russia side looks to be no different. They look primed for a huge upset but only time will tell how they will fare. Greece are defending champions but none are anticipating a shocking repeat of 2004.

TD's picks - Grp Winner: Spain, Runner-up: Russia

Overall Champions: France ;) (seriously.)
Runner-up: Germany

More picks...

Golden Boot: Lukas Podolski

Player of Euro'08: Karim Benzema