Euro 2008 – Group A

29May08

Czech Republic

Manager: Karel Bruckner
Star man: Peter Cech
Qualifying: W9, D2, L1
2004 finish: Semi-finals
Best finish: Final (1996)

Despite pipping Germany to top spot in qualifying group D (thanks in part to a surprising 3-0 win in Munich), Karel Bruckner’s side do not look as strong as in previous tournaments. With the mercurial Pavel Nedved having retired and Tomáš Rosický ruled out by injury, the Czechs appear a little short of flair, but don’t bet against them progressing to the knock-out stage at the very least.

Predicted favored line-up:

(4-4-2)

GK Peter Cech
RB Zdeněk Grygera
CB Tomáš Ujfaluši
CB Radoslav Kováč
LB Marek Jankulovski
RM David Jarolím
CM Tomáš Galásek
CM Jan Polak
LM Jaroslav Plašil
FW Jan Koller,
FW Milan Baros

Portugal

Manager: Luiz Felipe Scolari
Star man: Cristiano Ronaldo
Qualifying: W7, D6, L1
2004 finish: Final
Best finish: Final (2004)

Portugal suffered only one defeat in a tough-ish qualifying group (which included Poland, Serbia, Finland and Belgium) and go into the tournament as one of the favourites to do well. Cristiano Ronaldo will obviously be the player Scolari will be hoping can make the difference, but Chelsea’s Ricardo Carvalho will also have a key role to play.

Predicted favored line-up:

(4-3-3)

GK Ricardo
RB Miguel
CB Ricardo Carvalho
CB Fernando Meira
LB Paulo Ferreira
CM Petit
CM Deco
CM Miguel Veloso
RWF Cristiano Ronaldo
FW Hugo Almeida
LWF Ricardo Quaresma

Switzerland

Manager: Jakob Kuhn
Star man: Alexander Frei
Qualifying: -
2004 finish: Group stage
Best finish: Group stage (1996/2004)

Switzerland went out 2006 World Cup finals without conceeding a single goal from open play; their last-16 match with Ukraine finished 0-0 and went to penalties. Given this was their most successful showing at a tournament in recent years, it seems likely the joint hosts will stick with their highly conservative style.

Predicted favored line-up:

(4-5-1)

GK Diego Benaglio
RB Philipp Degen
CB Patrick Müller
CB Philippe Senderos
LB Ludovic Magnin
RM Johan Vonlanthen
CM Gökhan Inler
CM Hakan Yakin
CM Gelson Fernandes
LM Tranquillo Barnetta
FW Alexander Frei

Turkey

Manager: Fatih Terim
Star man: Nihat Kahveci
Qualifying: W7,D3,L2
2004 finish: Did not qualify
Best finish: Quarter-finals (2000)

Fatih Terim’s side made heavy weather of a relatively easy qualifying group, but will be happy simply to have made the tournament after missing out on Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup. Turkey are not the powerhouse side of six years ago, but with players like Emre Belozoğlu and Nihat Kahveci should not be taken lightly.

Predicted favoured line-up:

(4-4-2)

GK Volkan Demirel
RB Gökhan Gönül
CB Servet Çetin
CB Gökhan Zan
LB Hakan Balta
RM Hamit Altıntop
CM Emre Belozoğlu
CM Mehmet Aurélio’s
LM Arda Turan
FW Tuncay Şanlı
FW Nihat Kahveci

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