With the big kick-off just moments away I figured it was time to stick my neck on the line and make a few predictions about Euro 2008’s winners and losers.
So without further ado, here are my thoughts and what are arguably the four most important titles that will be dished out over the next three weeks.
The Surprise Team: There is always one team at these tournaments that turns the form book on it’s head and powers its way through to the knock-out stages. A team that nobody fancies before the games commence but then go on to defy the odds at every available opportunity. In Euro 2004 that team was Greece who, despite being decidedly average, actually carried on surprising all the way to the final. I don’t think we will be in for anything like that level of shock this time but one team will do considerably better than expected. For me that is going to be Poland. They have come into the tournament on the back of some impressive displays and, unhampered by any superstar egos, they have quietly gone about the business of preparing to play some football. They might not be overly popular with the neutral but I think they will win some friends over the next couple of weeks.
The Worst Team: No point in even discussing this. There is only one contender for this particularly unsavoury title – Austria. The co-hosts will set this tournament alight in the same way Derby set the Premier League alight last season. So bad are they that home advantage will count for nothing and, if they lose their opening match against Croatia, I fully expect their massively disillusioned fans to turn completely against them. Of course I could always be wrong. The last two years of dismal performances could all be part of some greater masterplan. Yeah, right. And Sheffield United will win the Champions League next season…
The Golden Boot: Hmmm. Plenty of contenders here. Ronaldo, for example, has been on fire over the last year and, if he takes his club form into the tournament, he could finish with anything up to 10 goals. Henry, on the other hand, has had a nightmare season and he will be looking to put that behind him when he turns out for his country. Luca Toni is also amongst the pre-tournament favourites for the most presigious personal prize on offer at Euro 2008. As is Germany’s Klose, top scorer at the last World Cup. But my bet is on Fernando Torres. The Spaniard had an absolutely barnstorming first season with Liverpool and he is, for me, the most outstanding striker in the world at the moment. Why wasn’t he born in England…
The Winners: And finally, the prediction you have been waiting for. Who do I think will win Euro 2008. It is between five teams – Italy, France, Germany, Spain and Portugal. Nothing controversial about that particular list, it’s probably the same as everybody elses. However, while most people think the crown will be heading towards Italy or Germany, I tend to lean towards Spain. I just have this sneaky feeling that it is their time to shine. And do I have the courage of my convictions? Absolutely. I am going to stick €20 on them as soon as I have finished writing this. Which should pretty much gurantee it doesn’t happen…