European Championships 2004

European Championships 2004 - Portugal

brief review of the teams

Published on June 10, 2004 By Muggaz In Sports & Leisure

Every two years football fanatics are blessed with excelent tournament's with champion players and quality fans. 2004 is the year of the European Championships, and what a tournament it is shaping up to be.

16 teams, 368 players, and 31 games will decide who the Kings of European football are. The format is four groups of four teams - all pooled according to their qualifying success. The top two teams from each group proceed to the quarter finals, then semi finals, and of course, the final in Lisbon at 'Estadio de Luz' in July 4th. Which team will prevail?

Group A

Greece have drawn a tough group. I dont think they have much chance of progressing to the next stage. Their club football is no comparisson to the great leagues of Europe, and inevitably, their national team suffers. They may have had a chance for the quarter finals in another group, but being drawn with the hosts, and the powerhouse Spain, the greeks will be able to enjoy most of thier summer as spectators

Portugal have had a golden generation of footballers to let them down. Winners of the under 21 world cup a few years ago, they were highly rated going into the World cup in Japan and Korea, however, they failed to impress. Names like Figo (Pictured) deserve to win a major trophy at international level, and with team mates like Rui Costa and Christiano Ronaldo, along with Vito Baia in goals, the home ground advantage may be vital - quarter finals certainty - who knows from there?

Russia impressed everyone in qualifying - the first team to make it certain. Unfortunately being lumped with the home team may come back to haunt them - I am afraid Russia's progression in this tournament rest in other teams abilities to perform or not.

Spain are the perennial under acheivers of world football. Arguably one of the best squads of individuals, with names like Raul, Morientes, Helguera and a keeper like Casillas they have constantly let their nation down. A team that benefits from one of the top, if not the best league in the world, they have always been under immense pressure to succeed - they have tremendous firepower up front, howver, the only thing that is stopping them as a team is probably their individual ego's. Semi finals.

Group B

Croatia surprised the world when they finished 3rd at World Cup 98... there will be no surprises here though, they aren't the team they used to be. While impressive in a recent 2-1 victory over Denmark, the croats have drawn current European champions France in the group, along with England - it's not beyond them to make the quarter finals, it will be very tough though.

England play France in their opening game. I am sure they are looking forward to it immensely. Should they perform well, they will beinstilled with confidence. England, undefeated in qualifying, certainly does have the capacity to go all the way, if they communicate. Led by the illustrious David Beckham (pictured) if he lets his football do the talking, England should make it to the quarter finals. Severley lacking in goals and defense, they can be exposed. Really needs the whole team to stand tall to get anywhere.

France are the current title holders, and whoever beats them can lift the trophy! Simply the best team in the tournament, with superstar individuals like Zidane, Vierra, Pires, Trezeguet, and possibly the best player in the world, Thierry Henry, they will be very hard to beat. The French play a fantastic team game, and their midfield is near unstoppable. For a team to beat them, they virtually have to bypass the midfield entirely, so in short - no one beats them. Expect Henry to kick the most goals for the tournament.

Switzerland are the make wieghts of group D. A 1-0 win over Liechenstein in their final warm up for the tournament will be their last victory for a while. The average wage of the Frenchor English players would be equal to that of the entire Swiss team... the gap in class in to great. The strikers in group B from the other teams will all look forward to this game as a chance to score some goals for their country.

Group C

Bulgaria consider themselves to be underdogs of Euro 2004, and rightly so. They dont have much to lose, and even playing amongst such esteemed company on the pitch is a privelage for them, a young side, however, they lack any depth and will make other teams look better than they should.

Denmark suffered a narrow loss to Croatia in the warm up games, however, they qualified reasonably well for the finals. Winners of the tournament in 1996, they cant hope to emulate that feat this time around. Players like Dahl Tomasson can entertain and surprise, but the depth and consitency to

Italy have always been successful on the world stage, and they are the team the ladies love to swoon over. Always contenders, they suffered their greatest national embarrasement when they lost 2-1 to South Korea at the last World cup, of course, they blamed it on the referree - they only had their 'score goal, sit back and defend' mentality to blame. 2 of the best goalkeepers in the world, and the best defense in the world, Nesta, Cannavaro form a great backbone, and Francesco Totti is a great forward player. They should come out on top of this group, and do well

Sweden Is another team made up of male models, although they certainly play good, cohesive football. Henrik Larson will be looking to bow out of the international stage in style, and this Swedish team can turn a few heads. Not really any 'Superstars' in the true sense of the word, just a diciplined team who can throw a spanner in the works, should outclass Denmark to make the quarters.

Group D

The Czech Republic have Pavel Nedved (pictured) - easily one of Europes best footballers last season, and a penchant for surprise. Also previous winners of the event in the 90's they are not a minnow in world football to be taken lightly. Their is a lot of experience in the team, however - the fates of football will decide the Czech's outcome in this tournament - grouped with Germany and the Netherlands, they will have to really turn it on to get to the quarters

Germany were the losing finalists in the last world cup, going down to Brazil 2-0. Famous for their typical German efficiency. This will be Oliver Kahn's last tournament, and the Germans will want him to go out in style. He has been a brilliant goalkeeper, and a German institution. Michael Ballack should rise to the occasion, and Germany will win games from sheer perseverance... not really any flare, just true grit. Semi Finals at least.

Latvia I will really enjoy watching the form of the other three teams in this group when they play Latvia... Were lucky to qualify for the finals, and should enjoy the experience, the defenders wont have too much fun though.

Netherlands have possibly been the greatest under acheivers of late in world football. Too many inflated egos and not enough communication makes a team of superstars near useless. Individual talent can only get you so far. Have not won a major tournament since the glory days of Marco Van Basten and Johan Cryuff, and their preparation has been rather stunted by infighting. Have the skill to go all the way with players like Van Nistelrooy, Davids, and Seedorf, but not the solidarity.

The count down has begun and kick off is in a little over two days - Portugal vs Greece. Its going to be a tiring fortnight for me.

BAM!!!

Comments (Page 5)

Sally jacobs

on Jun 20, 2004

That was just an amazing game, the quality is just another level totally! Davids is the kind of player Fergie should be looking for, he's thinking to small at the moment! There's been some shocks in this competition, looks like you're right about the Germans, and poor Spain! Mugs was right (damn that hurt, hehe!)!

I'm still not convinced about the formation, it makes you play creatively, and that's what we need, I just think it makes us a more exciting team, we look like we are on the same level as Europe then, and actually playing the beautiful game without such the physical element of the premiership, and beckham anywhere is a good Beckham

I'm so looking forward to tomorrow, I hope france choke that would be fab! COME ON ENGLANDDDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I need a tag, hmmm, you have your BAM, what can I have? BUM? Doesn't have same ring to it, hmm!

Muggaz

on Jun 20, 2004

it makes you play creatively, and that's what we need

Well du'h...

Like I said before, We need a creative mid-fielder to master the diamond formation... and I am sorry, but their is no one in the current fold that really has the master class like Zidane or Totti that a diamond really assists with!!!

I dont want to think too far ahead, but the next game that England plays in the QF's will be so much fun to watch!!! I am getting so pumped... this is shaping up to be the best tournament that I have witnessed!!!

Vassie (one of my Greek friends from work) came in this morning and told me how her dad and all her uncles woke her up at 5.30am this morning watching and cheering for the greeks!!! the mood an international tournament can bestow upon people is nothing short of fantastic!!!

I know what your tag can be...

Sally J
Wierdest Chick in the UK!

BAM!!!

Sally jacobs

on Jun 21, 2004

Vassie (one of my Greek friends from work) came in this morning and told me how her dad and all her uncles woke her up at 5.30am this morning watching and cheering for the greeks!!!

Ha you should pay attention to that and get your ass up early to watch England! Show some dedication young man! Hehe!

Our mid-field is our biggest advantage that's where we play the strongest, and with the Diamond formation it gives Rooney the chance to dip in and out of the midfield, which is a great part of his game, simply because of how physical he is, I think that unless we give it a chance we will be selling ourselves short! I know that Sven will have the 4-4-2 though, but I can dream!

Sally JWierdest Chick in the UK!

.....weirdest chick in the world would be better! Only a few hours to go...so exciting!

shadesofgrey

on Jun 21, 2004

OMG--this game is going to kill me. I'm listening to it on my computer because, of course, I can't head down to the pub in the middle of the afternoon--as much as I'd like to, my boss probably wouldn't be too terribly chuffed!

Anyway, it's hard enough listening to a game and not watching it, but England is keeping me on the edge of my seat--are they trying to give me a heart attack????

shadesofgrey

on Jun 21, 2004

YAY! England are thru to the quarterfinals--but a little help from Switzerland would make that even more glorious--I'd rather them be facing Greece than Portugal--ah, oh well!

Muggaz

on Jun 21, 2004

WAY TO GO ROONEY!!!! hahaha... he will be the youngest golden boot winner ever!!! I hope Man U buy him!!! please Fergie!!! I know you are reading this!!! hehe...

and Paul Scholes... finally breaking the drought!!! and Lampard!!! What a magnificent team!!! hahaha... I am so happy right now!!! EEEEENNNNGGGLLLAAAANNNNDD!!!!!!

Sally... on to our tactical discussion... Rooney, 2 goals, and two midfielders with individual goals... and it was 4-4-2... hehehe.... If Rooney plays deep, it does leave Owen in no mans land... and on current form, he doesn't have the capacity to take on the world class defensive partnerships...

Glad to see you are following the tournament Shades... to bad Irealnd are too crap so you cant follow them

hahaha... I am pupmped for the QFs!!!

BAM!!!

shadesofgrey

on Jun 21, 2004

to bad Irealnd are too crap so you cant follow them

I have a lot of nasty words to call you right now, but none of them are fit for blogging!

But since Ireland aren't in, I've defaulted to cheering on England--which is a weird state of affairs because I usually pray for horrific defeats! In fact, the only other time I can remember routing for England was the Six Nation's Rugby when England played France, and it was only because if England won Ireland would be in a three way tie for first, but if France won, Ireland was in second.

But my support for England has to be kept secret, or else the Irish guys will never let me tag along to the Celtic game!

Sally jacobs

on Jun 21, 2004

HEHEHE yay!!!!!!!!!!! Bring on portugal, ohhh yesssss, what a game, wow where to start? I'm so pleased for scholes I think that's just opened a totally different element to are game, if he can gain confidence from that, who knows where it can go. We had a great performace, did you see it yet? Though I have to say are defence is shakey to say the least, and we need to work on set plays, though they had very tall players so you know, excuses, Sven needs to sort it though!

Ok, yiu was right, yes I said it, YOU WAS RIGHT! 4-4-2 worked well for us, having said that, Owen and Beckham haven't scored yet, both huge talents and they have barely been involved in games, hmm does that formation help player such as them? I don't know, I'm to drunk to make a sensible argument, but what a game, role on Thursday, when we teach Ronaldo a thing or two, hehe!

Muggaz

on Jun 21, 2004

Hahaha... So you should be Sally!!! If i was in England, I imagine i would be quite lagered!!! isn't the mood that success in an international tournament brings fantastic!!! I imagine the whole of England is buzzing with Rooney Mania right now!!!

I hope you are right about Scholes... i think you are being harsh on Beckham though... he isn't in the team top score goals... it's his job to create them... and he did miss that penalty.. could proove to be very costly indeed... I would much rather be playing Greece than the Portuguese!!! I tell you that much!!! you do realise, he will be the scape goat should England loose... of course they wont though!!! this is the most excited anyone has had any right to be about the Eng National team for a long time!!!

Hahaha... this is awesome... a Soccer conversation with two chicks... who would have thought!!!

JU is full of wierd non sport likeing freaks....

BAM!!!

Sally jacobs

on Jun 21, 2004

a Soccer conversation with two chicks

Haha...some of us do know a thing or two about footy! Maybe I was slightly harsh on Beckham, he's done alot of leg work and worked hard, and calmed the mood of some of the players and generally done the things a captain should do, he hasn't had any outstanding performances though, and that's a worry, especially when we come to play at a higher level, we always look better with an on form Beckham!

I imagine the whole of England is buzzing with Rooney Mania right now!!!

Yep sure is, the reckon he's the best player of the tournament, I would agree, if it didn't bring back memories of the same thing been said about an 18 year old Michael Owen a few years ago? Look what that did for him, not alot, I hope it doesn't work out the same for Rooney, I hope he doesn't listen to it, and he keeps his head down and does what he does best!

I would much rather be playing Greece than the Portuguese!!!

Ditto, but what will be will be, and as you said I haen't been this excited about England in a long time, so maybe the challenge will do us good!

Sally jacobs

on Jun 21, 2004

Btw have you heard of Baddiel and Skinner?

Muggaz

on Jun 21, 2004

Btw have you heard of Baddiel and Skinner?

negative... who the devil are they?

BAM!!!

Sally jacobs

on Jun 21, 2004

They do a show called fantasy football, which basically takes the piss out of everything, they celebrate the wins and help you threw the disappointments, it's hilarious! Link

Muggaz

on Jun 21, 2004

Ah yeah.... we were lucky enough to have that telecast over here in the France 98 World Cup... man, they really gave it to Maradonna... those guys are soo funny!!! me and a bunch of mates got together and tried to petition the local networks to get this show back again, but we haven't seen it for 6 years

BAM!!!

JAMES DOE

on Jun 22, 2004

Euro-Beatles usurped Elvis, can Rooney do same to Pele?

http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsArticle.jhtml?type=footballNewsUK&storyID=5479993§ion=news

Hell NO!It ain't over till the fat lady sings...Let's see if they win the cup-then maybe...Pele came up tops against the commies and the swedes in '58,who gives a crap whether he scores 2 goals against a *supposedly* strong team or the swiss..let the jerries and the czechs come..then we'll see..although the gerries may be going out

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