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 6)

marchrhyme

on Jun 22, 2004

i have had only two occasions to witness the shutdown of major countries due to football. One, when I was living in England. Two, presently, now that I have moved to the Netherlands. Amazing what a ball and a bunch of sweaty males can do to the economy. My Dutchie shares your opinion on the Netherlands football team.

Muggaz

on Jun 22, 2004

Apparantly half of England watched the game last night... thats a lot of dudes...

As for Wayne Rooney being the next Pele... The English certainly do have a degree of skill in sensationalism... give me a few more years before Rooney can even be mentioned in the same breath as the genius!!!

BAM!!!

Sally jacobs

on Jun 22, 2004

...ahhh the amusement, I'll try and be nice, us English love our football, no doubt about it, people have had flags waving from their houses in a show of support for the team, flags from cars, everyone is currently football mad! Which is great and is a lovely feeling but because we have such a love for the game, we also think we should be best at it, and when we see someone with the talent that Rooney has, we get way ahead of ourselves, and we are usually set up for a fall, hmm, I hope that's not the case this time, and a bit of hope goes a long way!

me and a bunch of mates got together and tried to petition the local networks to get this show back again,

Wow, that's dedication!

Muggaz

on Jun 22, 2004

Wow, that's dedication!

its a good show!

BAM!!!

Sally jacobs

on Jun 22, 2004

Hehe, yeah they are very witty! I've found a song, that you have just got to listen to! Viva England, by Undercover, I'm searching for it now, but it's the theme tune to Only fools and Horses, hehe, it's great! FIND IT! haha!

Sally jacobs

on Jun 22, 2004

Found it

Link

Muggaz

on Jun 22, 2004

HAHAHAHAHA!!!! Arivaderci Azzuri!!!

My Italian friend called me this morning and informed me of the good news!!! I am sooooo happy that Denmark and Sweden both qualified... It makes the tournament so much more entertaining!!! In classic Italian style, they have claimed the 2-2 draw was fixed and should be investigated!!! I think it's a plausible result though, and the Italians only have filthy Francesco Totti to blame for spitting on a player... man.... I cant believe they didn't put the Bulgarians away...

BAM!!!

Robert Guinness

on Jun 23, 2004

They did put the Bulgarians away.

Muggaz

on Jun 23, 2004

They did put the Bulgarians away.

Hahahaha... no they didn't.... a team like Italy should convincingly beat Bulgaria... they scored their second goal in the last minute!!! hehe...

What a great tournament!!! the dirty Germans are gone now as well!!! This is the best chance for a major trophy that the English team will ever get... If they beat Portugal, they can win the whole tournament!!!

BAM!!!

Sally jacobs

on Jun 23, 2004

The Germans are out, my god, what a tournament! No germany, no Italy, what a tournament! I think you are conveniently forgetting the french, I'm so excited about tomorrow! We could just win this...how scary is that!

Muggaz

on Jun 23, 2004

I think you are conveniently forgetting the french

No young Lady, I am not...

The only time it is possible to come up against the French is in the Final, and I beleive based on the first group game, and the current momentum, England could beat France!

I also am rather excited about tomorrow!!! as the tounament progresse, more fans seem to be coming out in Melbourne!!! I am still rather mad it is on cable TV though... I had a letter published in one of our major publications yesterday, because I told them is was for shame... hehe

BAM!!!

Sally jacobs

on Jun 23, 2004

I had a letter published in one of our major publications yesterday, because I told them is was for shame... hehe

HA...yay for you! I hate to say it, but I actually agree with you, I think we have a chance against the French! Wow, scary stuff! We could actually win this, the team are looking good, ooooh! So you aren't actually watching any of the games live? That sucks, you realise you'll have to sort that out for the final!

shadesofgrey

on Jun 24, 2004

England is really trying to give me a massive heartattack. It's pretty difficult listening to the game on my computer and not getting caught by anyone.

Interesting that all the pregame talk was about how Owen shouldn't be on the team anymore--guess he showed them...

I'm not sure I can handle much more of this game!!

Sally jacobs

on Jun 24, 2004

Omg I'm drunk VERY drunk so don't pay attention to anything I say, but here's my rant! First if all thte ref was terrible, some of the decisions, my god, not that I'm a bad loser or anything like that! Rooney was a huge loss, and due to all the media coverage for him, we decided we couldn't play without him, and just sat back and defended! Though we did that well, though their goal was bound to come sooner or later. Campbell had a goal, that was a goal, terrible decision! The ref was miles off and the linesman let it in, GRRRRR! Then that goal in extra time, why oh why did we have to go to penalties! Don't mention Beckham to me, I'm currently a bitter, drunk disappointed England fan, who is going to write a letter of complaint about the penalty spot to UEFA GRRRRRRR

Muggaz

on Jun 24, 2004

Ohhhhh Sally

I was on my way to work, I left at extra time, and I received a phone call from the very same friend who is an Italian supporter, and he was just laughing, so I knew what had happened...

I dont think it's fair to complain about the ref... Portugal deserved to win... the controlled the game far better, and had a lot more shots on goal... such a shame for the English to go out...

Will Darius Vassell get persecuted by the English press you think? or they will just blame the ref?

BAM!!!

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