Portugal

The Euro 2008 tournament is about to get underway, so I need to make these predictions fast.

Group A

Portugal
Czech Republic
Switzerland
Turkey

The last time we saw Christiano Ronaldo, he was at midfield crying about missing his penalty kick, even though Man. U pulled out the Champions League. 

Assuming the tears have dried, it's hard to believe any of these other three teams will pose any sort of problem for them. After being upset by Greece in the finals last time around, the Portuguese are a team to fear.

Group B

Germany
Austria
Croatia
Poland

Some may argue the two-four spots, but the top dog is obvious. Germany just has too much fire power for these other teams. I also think that captain Michael Ballack has something to prove. 

The Germans have not won anything since 1996, and Chelsea's recent dramatic loss has only added to the pressure now placed on Ballack to justify his career.

Group C

France
Italy
Netherlands
Romania

As much as it pains me, it's hard to see the Italians winning this group. They struggled to even make the cut. Also, it's going to be hard to watch them play without beloved striker/attacking midfielder Francesco Totti.

Throw in the revenge factor from the 2006 World Cup, and I think the French will edge the Italians in group play.

Group D

Spain
Russia
Greece
Sweden

Can the Greeks repeat?

No. No, they cannot. 

For the Spanish it's a big goose egg in the World Cup, and no Euro championship since 1964. That all may change with one man: Fernando Torres. 

The young Spaniard is coming off a sizzling hot year in the Premier League. Toss in some veteran leadership from Xavi, Carles Puyol, and captain Iker Cassillas, and the Spanish will be making major noise at the end of the month.

The European Championships will surely be a magnificent event. Who will survive the group stage? This is Jonathon Murphy's verdict.

Group A

Group A consists of Switzerland, Czech Republic, Portugal and Turkey.

This is a tough group with Portugal, Turkey and Czech Republic in it. I think Switzerland will have a go but will not be good enough. The winners of that group will be Portugal. Because of recent form, the runners-up of group A will be Turkey.

Group B

Group B consists of Austria, Croatia, Germany and Poland.

This could be a wide open group, and we may see an outsider creep into the quarterfinals. I would favour Germany to win the group, but the runners-up is a hard prediction. Austria and Poland will have to fight for their place, but Croatia will go through.

Group C

Group C consists of Netherlands, Italy, Romania, and France.

This is a tough group for any team and a fun group to follow. There will definitely be some interesting games in this group. Sadly, Romania will not be competing in the quarterfinals. So it's a battle against three.

France never quite on top form in Euro. Netherlands also haven't been their best, but they have a good chance. Italy, the world, champions will also be up there.

I think the winner of that group will be the Netherlands and runners up will be Italy. It could be decided on goal difference, and with Romania in the group, goal difference shall be high.

Group D

Group D consists of Greece, Sweden, Spain and Russia.

Again, this is another tough group. It has two teams on good form and the defending champions. Greece will not want to go out in the group stage as defending champions and can be good when they want to be.

I would love to see Spain go all the way, and they are also in good form. Russia have something to prove, and with Guus Hiddink as coach, anything could happen.

Sweden usually do well on big occasions and will be up for a battle. I think because of form the winner will be Spain and the runners-up will be Russia.

So I think the quarter finals will consist of:

Spain, Russia, Netherlands, Italy, Croatia, Germany, Portugal and Turkey.

I will report back after the group stages to analyse who are through to the quarters and I shall predict the next results. Keep checking.

The 2008 European in Austria and Switzerland is only two weeks away, and the predictions and analysis of the tournament have kicked into full swing.

The tournament consists of four groups of four teams, which are placed as follows:

Group A

Czech Republic, Portugal, Switzerland, Turkey

Group B

Austria, Croatia, Germany, Poland

Group C

France, Italy, Netherlands, Romania

Group D

Greece, Russia, Spain, Sweden

Today, we'll start with a look at Group A.

As listed above, this group consists of tournament co-hosts Switzerland alongside strong Portugal, a fading Czech team and group wild card Turkey.

Players to watch for:

The Swiss

Philipp Degen

A good young left back who was recently signed by Liverpool FC. However, his fitness for the tournament is in question.

Philippe Senderos

On his day, he can be among the best backs in Europe, but he is inconsistent. The question for the Swiss is, will he have his days in June? 

Tranquillo Barnetta

A good young midfielder, but he is doubtful for the group stage of the tournament due to injury.

Hakan Yakin

The team's backbone. The tournament will most likely be his last chance to shine in the red and white, and he will have to carry the team on his shoulders at times.

Alexander Frei

Switzerland's star striker from Borussia Dortmund may shine like never before with home pitch advantage.

The Portuguese

C. Ronaldo

Just mentioning his name is enough to strike fear in the hearts of opponents. The only concern is that he may be burnt out after the long season he had.

R. Carvalho and Bosingwa

Both of these backs should provide protection against any counter attacks mounted by the opposition.

Deco

He will be the conductor of Portugal's offensive march.

Nani, Quaresma

They will provide a threat down both flanks, and a support for Ronaldo.

The Czechs

Marek Jankulovski

The glue that holds the Czech back line together.

Milan Baroš, Jan Koller 

One of the great offensive partnerships in international football, but they will need to be extraordinary this time around.

Petr Čech

The best goalkeeper in the world, there is no other like him. He will have to stand on his head and helmet this tournament.

The Turks

Gökhan Gönül (23 back)  Sarıoğlu (23 back/wing)

The young Turkish defensive duo, both are rising stars and Sarıoğlu provides a threat down the right wing as he can sometimes conjure up menacing runs.

Hamit Altıntop

The Bayern Munich regular will provide a threat to any defensive and strength in midfield with his offensive flare and creativity if fit for the tournament.

Kazım Kazım

Another young rising star in Turkish football who might surprise many skeptics this summer.

Nihat Kahveci

The Villarreal forward will need to come up big with coach, Fatih Terim, deciding to go with youth, scratching former Turkish star striker, Hakan Şükür.

***

Portugal should top the group with no trouble gaining the full nine points. Second place however, is up for grabs. Out of the three remaining nations, the Swiss arguably have the best team, but the fitness of some of their star players is in question and may prevent them from advancing.

Turkey could very well surprise many and advance past the group stage with their strong young talent.

The Czech Republic, on the other hand, is the team who should be favorites to grab the second spot, and will most likely be in a fight to grab the pride position. Although they have a strong defense and decent strikers, those will not be enough without the creative touch and offensive talent of team captain Tomáš Rosický. Even the best keeper in the world won't be able to save them this time.

The key for the Swiss is to get off to a good start against the Czech Republic, in order to build momentum going into their second game versus Turkey. The second tilt for both nations, Turkey and Switzerland, should decide their fate. Anything else but a win for either side might (and I say "might" with the strongest reservations) allow a weaker Czech side to slip through.

The openeing match for this group and the tournament will be played on June 7th at 18:00 (Local Time) and 12:00 (EST).

Here is the official schedule for Group A:

Saturday 7 June 2008
1	Switzerland	18:00	Czech Republic	Basel - St. Jakob-Park
2	Portugal	20:45	Turkey	Geneva - Stade de Genève
Wednesday 11 June 2008
9	Czech Republic	18:00	Portugal	Geneva - Stade de Genève
10	Switzerland	20:45	Turkey	Basel - St. Jakob-Park
Sunday 15 June 2008
17	Switzerland	20:45	Portugal	Basel - St. Jakob-Park
18	Turkey	20:45	Czech Republic	Geneva - Stade de Genèv

With no British or Irish representation in this year's European Championships, it will be a simply neutral point of view!

No Three Lions, Shamrocks or Bagpipes to cloud the judgement of what should be a cracking month!

The tussle for the title of European Champion will be fought competitively by sixteen teams. The favourites for the crown include Portugal, Germany, France, Holland, Czech Republic, Spain and World Cup winners Italy.

As Greece showed in 2004 the smaller teams can have a big impact on the tournament. Croatia, Sweden, Russia and Turkey will fancy their chances coming off the back of impressive qualifying campaigns.

The event is being held in Austria and Switzerland and the consequence of that is Austria's first ever Euro appearance. The Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna will host the June 29 final.

So which team is best equipped to win this years version of the 48 year old competition. Will it be the Ronaldo driven Portugal, the effective Germans, counter-attacking Italy or will French flair ignite Austria?

First Portugal, they hold one weapon no one in Europe can counter, Cristiano Ronaldo. The scorer of 30 EPL goals and the Champions League top scorer with seven.

Can the players around him reach to his standards? Deco, Maniche, Nani, Queresma and Gomes. The quality is there to succeed.

The Germans come in on the back of a scintillating qualifying campaign, rounded off by a record 13-0 drubbing of San Marino. If Joachim Low continues Klinsmanns policy of attack, with the players available then Germany stand a great chance of glory.

The Netherlands are the underachievers of world football, with a deadly attack and quick midfield the Dutch should be reaching the latter stages each time. A no-show in 2002, played poorly in 2004 and went out in the last 16 in 2006. 

Van Basten will be expected to lead the Orangemen to the semis and beyond in his last year in the job

The Czech Republic are a dogged yet classy eleven. Galasek, Matejovsky, Baros and the giant Koller are well capable of scrapping with the more established names. An effective team in which everyone knows their role. Can they gatecrash Switzerland?

Spain, with a deadly attack, skilful midfield and solid defence have one of the best eleven's on paper. Problem is football isn't played on paper. Like the Netherlands their recent history suggest decline but with players like Ramos, Puyol, Xavi, Iniesta, Fabregas, Torres and Villa the Spanish team have the quality to beat anyone on their day.

France, bounced back from defeat to Greece in 2004 to reach the World Cup final against Italy marred by Zidane's red card. Les Bleus have every component of champions bar the mindset. As unbelievable as it sounds Gallas, Henry, Malouda and Abidal when wearing the blue are completely different players devoid of confidence. Will the French media cause Les Bleus to crash out?

Finally World Champions Italy, go in on the back of a shaky qualifying round when losing out to Scotland became a real prospect. They scraped through but this isn't the side that won in Berlin two years ago. Older, slower and prone to more mistakes.

However the Italians have great players in nearly all positions and will expect to go far. Can the Azzurri do the double?

Personally I can't wait for the start and what I'm looking forward to most is none of the "best team since 1966" crap on the BBC!

Let's enjoy the football marathon objectively and let the best team win.