Euro 2008: Group A Analysis

Portugal

Coach: Phil Scolari

The Guys You Know: Christian Ronaldo and Deco

The Ones You Should: Miguel Veloso and Hugo Almeida

Reasons for Hope: Forget Ronaldo! Portugal’s claim as one of the favorites of the tournament is based on their backline. Pepe, Carvalho and Meira give them three reliable and tough CB’s, while Bosingwa and Ferreira (likely to play on the left) give them fullbacks capable of defending and attacking. With Petit and Veloso holding in front of them, the only scoring this back line in bound to see will be at Ronaldo’s after-parties.

Reasons for Concern: Who will score? The Portuguese system churns out talent at every position but one. The likes of Nuno Gomes and Helder Postiga do little to scare Superliga reserve sides, let alone the best defenses in Europe. However, the emergence of Hugo Almeida at Werder might provide them with a new forward, who can definitely score in a 4-4-2. If he proves capable of holding the ball up for the attacking force that is Ronaldo, Deco, Nani and Queresma, there will be no stopping this team.

Unknown Fact: Portuguese is commonly spoken in Portugal.

Bottom Line: If their attack can score, they will win this tournament easily.

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Switzerland

Coach: Koebi Kuhn

The Guys You Know: Tranquillo Barnetta and Phillippe Senderos

The Ones You Should: Patrick Muller and Gokhan Inler

Reasons for Hope: Playing at home doesn’t hurt, but Kuhn’s side is a very composed and organized side. The return of Muller allays the defensive fears that Arsenal fans were well aware of with the pairing of Senderos and Djourou. Muller, the defensive organizer, is the heart of a solid defense. His influence on Senderos is remarkable and the development of Udinese’s Inler into a top holder provides insulation at the back. With two strong attacking fullbacks in Degen and Stuttgart’s Magnin, they should be able to match their defensive prowess from Germany 2006.

Reasons for Concern: Barnetta’s ankle is touch and go. If he is fit, he spearheads the offense with Man City’s Fernandes and Lazio’s Behrami working off him. If he isn’t, Fernandes and Behrami, while hard working, lack the industry and imagination to allow this team to score often, especially with the weak front line.

Unknown Fact: The famous book Heidi is about American Football.

Bottom Line: Expect emotion to allow them to get past the Czech’s in the first game. This should lead to a showdown with Turkey for the 2nd position in the group. Considering only one of those two teams can defend, expect Switzerland to make it to the knockout, but no further.

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Turkey

Coach: Fatih Terim

The Guys You Know: Hamit Altintop and Emre

The Ones You Should: Servet Cetin and Nihat

Reasons for Hope: When it works, this team can score at will. They are blessed with attacking flair in Bayern’s Altintop (who looks set to overcome a late injury), Newcastle’s Emre, Galatasaray’s Arda and Boro’s Tuncay Sanli. The pairing of Villareal’s shit-hot Nihat with Fenerbahce’s Senturk gives them one of the most underrated pairing up front at the tournament. They should be one of the funnest teams to watch this June.


Reasons for Concern: They lack a holder (now that Mehmet Aurelio is questionable) and the ability to defend aerials. Other than the solid Cetin, their defense is shaky on a good day and relies on the old adage of the best defense is a good attack. Any team that plays them on the counter should fire their manager at the half.

Unknown Fact: The modern founder of Turkey, Mustafa Ataturk, could eat his weight in Jello Pudding Pops.

Bottom Line: Defense wins tournaments. Their games will win them plaudits and fans, but it won’t get them to the knock-out phase.

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Czech Republic

Coach: Karel Brueckner

The Guys You Know: Petr Cech and Tomas Galasek

The Ones You Should: Martin Fenin and Jaroslav Plasil

Reasons for Hope: Petr Cech seems to be regaining the form that made him the best in the world. The men sitting in front of him, Jankulovski of Milan, Rozenhal of Lazio, Grygera of Juve and Kovac of Spartak, are solid and will keep them in games as well as allow Karel’s men to play the attacking style that is his trademark without the absolute fear of the counter. In addition, the next generation will be represented by target man Martin Fenin. If he is given the opportunity, he can make up for the loss of Rosicky, albeit higher on the pitch.

Reasons for Concern: The loss of Rosicky is brutal. He had taken over as their talisman following the departure of Nedved. But his injury only masks a rather average midfield outside of the star. Plasil on the left is not to be underrated and could flourish if pushed to create, but Galasek is old, Jarolim and Marek are average and rather shocking by Czech standards. On top of that, a partnership that should have been disbanded before Germany in Koller and Baros makes even the Portuguese feel bad for the Czechs.

Unknown Fact: The population of the Czech Republic is primarily composed of supermodels. The remaining 10% are sycophants and well-wishers.

Bottom Line: Transitions periods are tough times for national teams. The Czechs are well past the last generation that was by far the best team at Euro 2004. They are two to four years from utilizing the bulk of the U20 finalists from last year, with Fenin being the first to make his mark. Sadly, this should be a rough tournament for the country, but the mark of a good footballing nation is the ability to qualify in the lean years, and the Czechs have done just that.