Euro 2008 – Group B

30May08

Austria

Manager: Josef Hickersberger
Star man: Andreas Ivanschitz
Qualifying: -
2004 finish: Did not qualify
Best finish: Have never qualified before

The weakest side to qualify for Euro 2008 by a country mile (as a result of being joint hosts), Austria face an uphill struggle to avoid major embarrassment. Nobody wants to see the hosts make an early exit, but if Josef Hickersberger’s side look unlikely to escape Group B.

Predicted favored line-up:

(4-5-1)

GK Alex Manninger
RB Emanuel Pogatetz
CB Martin Stranzl
CB Sebastian Prödl
LB Markus Katzer
RM Joachim Standfest
CM René Aufhauser
CM Ivica Vastic
CM Jürgen Säumel
LM Andreas Ivanschitz
FW Roland Linz

Croatia

Manager: Slaven Bilić
Star man: Luka Modrić
Qualifying: W9, D2, L1
2004 finish: Group stages
Best finish: Quarter-finals (1996)

After humiliating England in qualifying, Croatia arrive at Euro 2008 a little over-hyped, but with a good chance of progressing to the quarter-finals. Consistency in selection has been key for Slaven Bilić, and whilst Eduardo will be a loss, the Croats will have to fancy their chances against Poland and Austria.

Predicted favored line-up:

(4-4-2)

GK Stipe Pletikosa
RB Vedran Ćorluka
CB Robert Kovač
CB Dario Šimic
LB Josip Šimunić
RM Darijo Srna
CM Luka Modrić
CM Niko Kovač
LM Niko Kranjčar
FW Mladen Petrić
FW Ivica Olić

Germany

Manager: Joachim Löw
Star man: Michael Ballack
Qualifying: W8, D3, L1
2004 finish: Group stages
Best finish: Winners (1972*/1980*/1996)

After a period of struggle (relatively speaking at least) at the beginning of the decade, Germany returned to the boil during the 2006 World Cup and haven’t let off since. As always, the Germans’ trump cards will be their organisation and mental strength, but in Michael Ballack they also possess a star man capable of almost anything.

Predicted favored line-up:

(4-4-2)

GK Jens Lehmann
RB Philipp Lahm
CB Christoph Metzelder
CB Per Mertesacker
LB Marcell Jansen
RM David Odonkor
CM Torsten Frings
CM Michael Ballack
LM Bastian Schweinsteiger
FW Miroslav Klose
FW Lukas Podolski

*As West Germany

Poland

Manager: Leo Beenhakker
Star man: Euzebiusz Smolarek
Qualifying: W8, D4, L2
2004 finish: Did not qualify
Best finish: Have never qualified before

Poland crashed and burned in the 2006 World Cup, but have been rejuvenated under Leo Beenhakker and could pose a serious threat to Croatia’s ambitions of progressing out of Group B. Euzebiusz Smolarek scored nine goals in qualifying and has been named Polish player of the year for each of the past three seasons.

Predicted favored line-up:

(4-4-2)

GK Artur Boruc
RB Marcin Wasilewski
CB Jacek Bąk
CB Mariusz Jop
LB Michał Żewłakow
RM Jakub Błaszczykowski
CM Dariusz Dudka
CM Mariusz Lewandowski
LM Jacek Krzynówek
FW Maciej Żurawski
FW Euzebiusz Smolarek

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Tags: Euro 2008, football, Uncategorized