Euro 2008 – Group C

03Jun08

France

Manager: Raymond Domenech
Star man: Thierry Henry
Qualifying: W8, D2, L2
2004 finish: Quarter-finals
Best finish: Winners (1984/2000)

Despite an impressive 3-1 victory over Italy early in their qualifying campaign, Raymond Domenech’s side subsequently stuttered and eventually ended up being doubled by Scotland. Nevertheless the talent is clearly there, but the likes of Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira will need to be fully fit and on form if France are to do well.

Predicted favored line-up:

(4-4-2)

GK Grégory Coupet
RB Willy Sagnol
CB Lilian Thuram
CB William Gallas
LB Eric Abidal
RM Franck Ribery
CM Patrick Vieira
CM Claude Makelele
LM Florent Malouda
FW Thierry Henry
FW Karim Benzema

Italy

Manager: Roberto Donadoni
Star man: Gianluigi Buffon
Qualifying: W9, D2, L1
2004 finish: Group stage
Best finish: Winners (1968.)

Antonio Cassano’s tear stained anguish at finding his last minute winner against Bulgaria would not be enough to ensure Italy’s passage into the knock-out stage was one of the enduring images of Euro 2004. Even taking into account the loss of captain Fabio Cannavaro to injury, it seems unlikely that the World Cup holders should prove so abject this time around.

Predicted favored line-up:

(4-3-3)

GK Gianluigi Buffon
RB Christian Panucci
CB Marco Materazzi
CB Andrea Barzagli
LB Gianluca Zambrotta
CM Andrea Pirlo
CM Massimo Ambrosini
CM Gennaro Gattuso
RW Mauro Camoranesi
FW Luca Toni
LW Antonio Di Natale

Netherlands

Manager: Marco Van Basten
Star man: Ruud van Nistelrooy
Qualifying: W8, D2, L2
2004 finish: Semi-finals
Best finish: Winners (1988l)

Lack of discipline proved to be the Netherlands’ downfall yet again in the 2006 World Cup, and qualification for Austria-Switzerland was marred by rumors of unrest in the dressing room. Marco Van Basten will end his spell as Dutch coach after the tournament and will be hoping to finish on a high.

Predicted favored line-up:

(4-2-3-1)

GK Edwin van der Sar.
RB John Heitinga
CB Joris Mathijsen
CB André Ooijer
LB Wilfred Bouma
DM Giovanni van Bronckhorst
DM Demy de Zeeuw
AM Rafael van der Vaart
AM Wesley Sneijder
AM Robin van Persie,
FW Ruud van Nistelrooy

Romania

Manager: Victor Piţurcă
Star man: Cristian Chivu
Qualifying: W9, D2, L1
2004 finish: Did not qualify
Best finish: Quarter-finals (2000)

Victor Piţurcă’s side may have pipped the Netherlands to the top of Group G in qualification, but it will be a brave man who gives them any chance of escaping the ‘Group of Death’. Mutu and Chivu are the stars, but elsewhere quality seems a little thin on the ground.

Predicted favored line-up:

(4-4-2)

GK Bodgan Lobont
RB Cosmin Contra
CB Dorin Goian
CB Gabriel Tamaş
LB Răzvan Raţ
RM Florentin Petre
CM Paul Codrea
CM Cristian Chivu
LM Nicolae Dică
FW Adrian Mutu
FW Ciprian Marica

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Tags: Euro 2008, football