Group D
Greece
Four years ago today had you walked into a bookies and placed a bet on Greece to win you would’ve been laughed all the way home. But you would get the last laugh when you collected your money when Greece won the European Championships. However lighting will not strike twice and Greece will NOT win it again and I am not even sure they will get out of their group when you look at their opponents. Greece does have in Otto Rehhagel an experienced German manager who knows how to win matches. They also have some experienced footballers with the likes of Stelios (74 caps), Basinas (88 caps), Karagounis (74 caps) all from midfield. Up front Charisteas will be Greece’s goal hope and in goal Nikopolidis has 87 caps to his name. This Greece will be no pushovers but you just cannot see a repeat of 2004.
Russia
Guus Hiddink is one of the best managers at international level around at the moment; he took an unheard of South Korea side to the semi-finals in 2002 as well Holland to the same stage four years earlier. This Russian side is brimming with talent, silky football and great football brains. Zenit St. Petersburg showed the whole of Europe recently what a great side they are and expect them to be playing great football in the Champions League final next year. I would’ve put money on them qualifying from this group before I heard the news that influential playmaker and Captain Andrei Arshavin will be suspended for the first two games. He will only face Sweden in the last game when it could be too late for Russia to qualify.
Spain
There is a lot of pressure on Spain to finally come good in a major tournament and there is a lot of hope of the Spanish people to finally bring home a major trophy. Many critics, pundits, neutral supporters and even Jose Mourinho are suggesting that this year could be the year for Spain. When you have a the side which contains Fabregas, Torres, Ramos, Xavi, Silva, Villa, Puyol, Casillas, Xabi Alonso you have to quietly confident. But every time a big tournament comes around Spain have a side full of quality players but it doesn’t always mean they perform. I hope they do this year because they are easily the best side in terms of talent and flair this summer.
Sweden
Not many pundits are tipping Sweden for much success, but I think you would be a fool to write them off. I saw one critic who suggested they would finish bottom of their group, I’d be very surprised if this happened and I expect them to finish second in this group. In attack the Swedes have countless amount of goal scorers (Ibrahimovic, Elmander, Allback and of course the great Henrik Larsson). At the back Isaksson, Mellberg and Nilsson are capable of stopping world class players and in midfield the flair will come from Ljungberg, Svensson Kallstrom and Wilhelmsson. Sweden have goal scorers, solid defence, experience and creativity – all the attributes you need to be a force in major tournaments.
Greece
Four years ago today had you walked into a bookies and placed a bet on Greece to win you would’ve been laughed all the way home. But you would get the last laugh when you collected your money when Greece won the European Championships. However lighting will not strike twice and Greece will NOT win it again and I am not even sure they will get out of their group when you look at their opponents. Greece does have in Otto Rehhagel an experienced German manager who knows how to win matches. They also have some experienced footballers with the likes of Stelios (74 caps), Basinas (88 caps), Karagounis (74 caps) all from midfield. Up front Charisteas will be Greece’s goal hope and in goal Nikopolidis has 87 caps to his name. This Greece will be no pushovers but you just cannot see a repeat of 2004.
Russia
Guus Hiddink is one of the best managers at international level around at the moment; he took an unheard of South Korea side to the semi-finals in 2002 as well Holland to the same stage four years earlier. This Russian side is brimming with talent, silky football and great football brains. Zenit St. Petersburg showed the whole of Europe recently what a great side they are and expect them to be playing great football in the Champions League final next year. I would’ve put money on them qualifying from this group before I heard the news that influential playmaker and Captain Andrei Arshavin will be suspended for the first two games. He will only face Sweden in the last game when it could be too late for Russia to qualify.
Spain
There is a lot of pressure on Spain to finally come good in a major tournament and there is a lot of hope of the Spanish people to finally bring home a major trophy. Many critics, pundits, neutral supporters and even Jose Mourinho are suggesting that this year could be the year for Spain. When you have a the side which contains Fabregas, Torres, Ramos, Xavi, Silva, Villa, Puyol, Casillas, Xabi Alonso you have to quietly confident. But every time a big tournament comes around Spain have a side full of quality players but it doesn’t always mean they perform. I hope they do this year because they are easily the best side in terms of talent and flair this summer.
SwedenNot many pundits are tipping Sweden for much success, but I think you would be a fool to write them off. I saw one critic who suggested they would finish bottom of their group, I’d be very surprised if this happened and I expect them to finish second in this group. In attack the Swedes have countless amount of goal scorers (Ibrahimovic, Elmander, Allback and of course the great Henrik Larsson). At the back Isaksson, Mellberg and Nilsson are capable of stopping world class players and in midfield the flair will come from Ljungberg, Svensson Kallstrom and Wilhelmsson. Sweden have goal scorers, solid defence, experience and creativity – all the attributes you need to be a force in major tournaments.
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