Country: Russia

Manager: Guus Hiddink

Euro 2004 Performance: At the last Euro Championships, Russia played in Group A but failed to progress after losing twice and winning their last match which had no meaning.  Although they were in arguably the toughest group at that tournament, the taste of defeat always runs sour, so they will be looking to show their Russian pride at the start of this weekend.

Euro 2008 Qualifying Performance: In qualifying, Russia was in Group E, the same group that saw England fail to reach the finals.  Finishing on 24 points, Russia crept their way into the finals, and will be looking to prove that they really are a better side than football giants England, as they want to show they deserve their place.

Key Attacking Player: Andrei Arshavin showed last month in the UEFA Cup Final why people instill so much belief in him.  He controlled the game completely for his side FC Zenit St. Petersburg, dictating pace and play.  However, Arshavin will miss the first two games of the group stage, as he was red-carded in the last match of qualifying.  At that point when he returns, he can only hope Russia still has a chance to qualify to the knockout rounds.

Key Defensive Player: Aleksei Berezutski might be entering his first major tournament at the national level, but that does not mean he will not show the same fortitude he has for CSKA Moscow over the past few seasons.  After receiving the captaincy for the first time in March, he will look to use his leadership knowledge to keep the back line together.  Four years ago, it was the lack of goals and poor defense that led to Russia’s exit from that tournament.  For a strong tournament this year, Berezutski needs to keep that backline locked down.

Breakout Player: Pavel Pogrebnyak may be in his mid-20s, but the striker has been in the form of his life the past campaign, tying as top scorer in the UEFA Cup with none other than Luca Toni.  However, in the defeat to Serbia last Wednesday, Pogrebnyak suffered a knee injury that could leave him out of the squad.  This would be a major blow to Russia as he brings energy and tenaciousness every time he touches the pitch.  Hopefully, his injury will not be serious and he will be geared for action when Russia kicks off next Tuesday.

Predicted Group Finish: Fourth

Russia really does have a strong squad, but their lack of strength at the back will fail them, as keeping the ball out of the net has always been their weakness.  With Arshavin in amazing form, he will need to give some brace for Russia, even if it is only for that final game.  With him missing the first two though, it’s difficult to find a player in their squad that resurge and assume the role of controlling midfielder.  Not only does Russia have injury woes, but their group is one hardest to predict, as class is located all around.

Country: Spain

Manager: Luis Aragones

Euro 2004 Performance: Like their group mates Russia, Spain failed to progress to the knockout phase, but only after going through a tiebreak with Greece.  However, Greece was allowed through to the next round, as they both had the same goal differential, but Greece had netted more goals than Spain.  That problem will certainly be fixed come this tournament.

Euro 2008 Qualifying Performance: Spain finished atop Group F on 28 points, with a record of 9-1-2.  Their nightmare from the last Euros also seemed answered as they tied in the group for most goals scored.  David Villa led the team with 7 goals scored.

Key Attacking Player: Fernando Torres has proved to be one of the most lethal strikers in all of football.  In his first season at Liverpool, not enough could be said to how nearly single handedly on many occasions looked to be salvaging the team’s season.  Scoring 33 times through the campaign is what Spain will want to see, as they are looking to finally live up to the hype that is associated with Spanish football through the eyes of enthusiasts around the world.

Key Defensive Player: Carles Puyol is a name that every football fan knows.  Everyone knows of his ability to clear, to lock down, to start counter attacks, etc.  It will be interesting as to how he interacts with the assumed partnership with Sergio Ramos, the Real Madrid brick wall in defense.  With the tournament so short, mistakes cannot be allowed, so it is crucial for the ball to be kept out the net.  This has failed Spain before, but hopefully this year, a new chapter is finally written.

Breakout Player: David Silva might not be the youngest player at this years tournament, but his presence will defeinitly be called upon.  Although he may be limited to appearances from the bench, he is the kind of player that can regenerate a squad and reinvigorate all the players on the field.  His strike against Chelsea in the previous Champions League campaign is a testament to what this kid can do.  Inevitably, players like Villa and Torres will get tired, so having the firepower such as David Silva will certainly not hurt Spain.

Predicted Group Finish: First

You would have to assume that Spain would be a good favorite to win this group and progress decently deep into the tournament, but every major tournament, something always happens, whether on or off the pitch.  Prior to the ’06 World Cup, Aragones was placed on high scrutiny after he made racist comments on the training pitch in reference to Thierry Henry.  That incident left a gushing whole in the Spain squad, and although they performed decently, it marred their World Cup.  In terms of their play, they have all the tools, but sometimes having all the tools still doesn’t get the screw in the hole.  The thing that’s been missing with Spain has been chemistry: chemistry that Portugal has or even Germany.  I want Spain to do well this year because of all that flair in their side, but whether they can put it all together leaves me doubtful.

Country: Sweden

Manager: Lars Lagerback

Euro 2004 Performance: At the 2004 Championship, Sweden finished atop Group C on 5 points, level with Denmark.  Unfortunately, Sweden’s hopes were soon dashed in the first round of the knockout phase as their match with the Netherlands went to the dreaded penalty shootout, where they would lose 4-5 on penalty kicks.  That disappointment spells redemption quite clearly to the Swedes.

Euro 2008 Qualifying Performance: In qualifying, Sweden finished second in Group F behind group mate Spain on 26 points.  With a record of 8-2-2 with 23 goals scored, their defense will draw the biggest question marks when the first ball is kicked next week.

Key Attacking Player: Zlatan Ibrahimovic over the past few seasons has shown his appetite for goal leaves other teams with nothing but an empty plate.  For Inter Milan, he continues to be one of the most menacing forces in Serie A and the Swedish fans hope he can translate that ability into the national squad.

Key Defensive Player: Olaf Mellberg may be best remembered for that infamous Aston Villa, Birmingham game in which his throw-in found its way into the back of his own net, but surely he has moved on from that and into a class defender.  His move to Juventus is testament to this and his solid defensive skills will be called to action.

Big Surprise…: Henrik Larsson has amazingly come out of retirement at the request of Lagerback to give it one last go at a major trophy.  Larsson has had one of the most illustrious careers a footballer can achieve, and knowing that this will no doubt be his last tournament will just be a bigger motivator for the Swede.  His experience and leadership will be a great locker room builder for the Swedish squad, and should translate to on the pitch success.

Predicted Group Finish: Second

Sweden is another team that is full of firepower.  Players like Kallstrom, Ljunberg, and Elmander will all be crucial in how deep their success will run.  Again though, qualifiers are one thing, but major tournaments are completely different.  I do not know if Sweden can carry over the same chemistry they had through qualifying into the tournament.  And the news of Elmander sustaining an injury is another worrisome thought.  As one of the leaders in qualifying, his presence is crucial for triumph for Sweden.

Country: Greece

Manager: Otto Renhagel

Euro 2004 Performance: After entering the tournament as one of the teams with absolutely no expectations placed upon them, they left a month later as European Champions.  Their sit-back-and-wait tactics brought about that wretched play all enthusiasts of soccer hate to see.  However, their defensive tactic ultimately prevailed.

Euro 2008 Qualifying Performance: In qualifying for this year’s tournament, they finished on 31 points with a 10-1-1 record.  Their similar tactics once again proved to sit down other team’s offense, as they let up only 10 goals, while scoring 25 goals.

Key Attacking Player: Fanis Gekas is like most of the Greek players in emerging later in their careers.  Leading the squad in goals in qualifying with five, including a hat trick against Malta.  His break into the national squad with the belief from Rehhagel is what will give him the confidence needed to keep up his prolific form for his country.

Key Defensive Player: Traianos Dellas is a towering defender who earned All-Star honors at the last Euro Championships.  Although he never performs well at the club level, his consistent performances for the national squad are what keep getting him the caps he wants.  His height will make the other teams attacks off the ball be resorted to counter-attacks or ground play.

Breakout Player: Vassilis Torosidis is one of the most prominent rising Greek stars.  Although he may not start, he will just be taking in everything around him and gain experience with the aged stars on his squad.  As it turns out, his birthday is on the same day Greece opens their campaign against Sweden, so what a sweet present that would be to get an appearance.

Predicted Group Finish: Third

After their 2004 triumph, other European nations quickly realized the tactics Greece used were just draining to play against and even more draining to watch.  Any enthusiast will tell you that if they see those same tactics, they would a hope a team like Spain or Sweden would just quickly show them how to play real football, fluid football, and flair football.  This tournament, every squad knows their tactics and will be able to combat it, which spells a short June for Greece.

As defending champions, we almost need to thank them for their gritty and grinding finals performance in Portugal, as now every team knows: you cannot just play defense and expect to win. You are going to have to score, and score a lot.  With the talent located throughout literally every single squad at this tournament, the goals will be flying, bodies will be rolling, and pure heart will give eternal glory to those who will give it all in a total football tactic.  So until June 29^th, everyone has got a chance, and what a chance it is.

Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich let Avram Grant go on May 24. In the week that’s followed, over a dozen prominent coaches have been linked with the position, few of which were ever truly viable candidates to replace Grant. Such is the nature of speculation when a position like Chelsea’s becomes available.

An affluent owner willing to pay top dollar to ensure his high expectations are fulfilled - it is the type of story that tests the internet’s 24-second news cycle. Everybody is looking to break the news of The Blues’ new hiring.

Sorting through the maleström is an act of futility unless you have ear and glass to Peter Kenyon’s door, but as Euro 2008 gears up and the dust starts to gather on the head coach’s seat, expect some from the following list of already-uttered names to start truly dominating.

The Probables

That Stamford hasn’t moved to confirm Frank Rijkaard hints at a strategy.

The recently deposed Barça boss is considered the favorite for the position, and many reports have an offer already being made. But at the moment, he is not the boss at Chelsea, despite his having left Camp Nou a month ago. This is not to say that he won’t get the job, but it does speak to the approach Abramovich and Kenyon are taking. They want to be measured. Kenyon hopes to interview a number of different candidates. But the longer this coaching search goes, the more it hints at the club waiting until after Euro to name their man.

And that leads to Scolari.

Luiz Felipe Scolari, Portugal

Scolari has helped raise Portugal to the elite of Europe, transitioning from Luis Figo’s Golden Generation into the current team led by Cristiano Ronaldo. Portugal’s followers are starting to become accustomed to Scolari’s strong finishes in major competitions (finals of Euro 2004, semifinals of 2006 World Cup) and are expecting at least a finals appearance in Euro 2008, but many forget that Portugal is a relavitely small country with little international success (only qualified for four World Cups and four previous European Championships). That description belies the level of talent on the current squad (which is world class), but it helps put in perspective what Scolari has done. Of course, that perspective is necessary only if you’ve forgotten that this is a World Cup winning coach.

Having not managed at the club level since 2001 (Cruzeiro, Brazil), Scolari is said to be ready to move back to club soccer when his contract with Portugal runs out after Euro. Though he does not have significant European club experience, he has the most accomplished resume of any of the candidates. If he wants to move to Chelsea and has let his intentions slip to Abramovich, he has to be considered the clear leader.

Current Status: Favorite, 3-to-1

Frank Rijkaard, former Barcelona

Rijkaard leaves Camp Nou coming off a season where his team, one of the most talented in the world, finished a distant third in La Liga and, despite reaching the semifinals, failed to impress in the knock-out stages of the Champions League. A stunning array of offensive talent struggled to score throughout a two month run at the end of the season. That downturn saw the Blaugrana lose pace with Real Madrid atop the league table for the second season in a row. Rijkaard, whose job security had been a point of speculation for months, was let go, the announcement coming the day after an embarrassing 4-1 loss to Real Madrid.

Since then, some perspective on Rijkaard’s accomplishments has been gained. He won La Liga twice in his five seasons at Camp Nou. In 2005-06, he led the club to a the Champions League title. He won twice at Santiago Bernebau, something no other Barcelona FC coach has done.

Despite this, his tenure may be remembered for a disappointing end to the 2007-08 campaign, marked by his inability to get his talented side to consistently score goals. Given that a lack of positive football has been a concern for some time at Stamford Bridge (reportedly one of the reasons why Mourinho was let go), Rijkaard seems like a curious fit.

Current Status: Leading Contender, 5-to-1

Mark Hughes, Blackburn

Hughes had the Rovers on the edge of European qualification this season with a seventh place finish in the Premiership. The continued development of David Bentley and the successful integration of forward Roque Santa Cruz, two of the club’s three key players (along with goalkeeper Brad Friedel), are points in Hughes’s favor.

Hughes spent his playing days from 1995 to 1998 at Chelsea after a successful seven year run at Manchester United. He was in charge of the Welch national team from 1999 to 2004 when he moved to Blackburn. A respected tactician and leader, he is considered one of the up-and-coming coaches of the Premiership. He recently requested permission from Blackburn to interview for the vacated Manchester City manager’s position.

While Hughes lacks the elite managerial experience that Scolari and Rijkaard can boast, he has more knowledge of the Premiership than either (or possibly of both combined). He would likely be less expensive than either, in addition to being the a choice of the fans. Though it’s unlikely to be so (given previous appointments), if Premiership experience is a significant factor in Chelsea’s search, Hughes would be their man. If he is their man, they need hurry. Manchester City may move quickly.

Current Status: Dark Horse, 4-to-1

Didier Deschamps, former Juventus

Deschamps resigned from Juventus after leading the club back into Serie A after their relegation in the fix of their match-fixing scandal. He resigned ater the season and has been out of coaching since. He led AS Monaco to a Champions League final in 2004 and a French League Cup in 2003.

Deschamps has confessed to having interest in the Chelsea job, having played at Stamford Bridge in 1999-2000. Last week, he told a Monaco radio station that he believes he is one of three or four candidates on Chelsea’s list.

Deschamps has been away from coaching for a year, claiming he needed a rest, having gone straight from his playing career to the touchline. In the same radio interview, he said he is ready to get back into coaching, being flattered by his association with the Chelsea job. He also acknowledged that there is a style-of-play requirement at Stamford, alluding to that as a reason for Mourinho’s departure.

As with Rijkaard (and to a certain extent Hughes), there is an the element of why Chelsea has not made a stronger move to date for a coach that is available. Though one of the leading candidates, the odds of a Deschamps hiring looks slightly longer than those off Scolari, Hughes, and Rijkaard.

Current Status: Back-Up Dark Horse, 12-to-1

On the Edges

A second group of candidates have seen their names come up fleetingly with Chelsea’s search. With each of these candidates, there are either problems on their resume or obstacles in the way of a hiring. The odds on any of these guys coming to the Bridge are much longer than those of the favorites.

Carlo Ancelotti, AC Milan

Ancelotti is currently the head coach AC Milan, which is coming off a disappointing fifth place finish in Serie A, failing to qualify for the Champions League. Despite this, it’s been reported that Chelsea requested and were denied an interview with the Rossoneri boss. While many think that the interview request hinted at Ancelotti being the leader for the job, it seems more likely he is one of many that the Chelsea brass wish to interview. Had that interview happened, more consideration might be given to why Milan will not be in the Champions League next season.

Current Status: Wishful Thinking, 50-to-1

Sven-Goran Eriksson, former Manchester City

Eriksson is highly respected throughout the football world and has a number of impressive club jobs on his resume. The performance he put in at Manchester City has been viewed as a good one (by everybody but Thaksin Shinawatra). Despite this, there is the perception that City capitulated at the end of the Premiership season, leaving lingering questions as to why Eriksson could not translate some of the early season form past his side’s 6-1 end of October shallacking at Stamford. For City and most clubs in the world, the season-long performance would be enough for an instant hire. For Chelsea, it’s probably not enough.

Current Status: If All Else Fails, 33-to-1

Roberto Mancini, former Inter

After his departure from Milan, Mancini said he would be willing to talk about moving to Chelsea. He has not been called, casting doubt on whether Chelsea is interested. But the coaching search has a long way to go, and if Chelsea is intent on waiting through Euro, some currently available coaches on this list will find other jobs. If Mancini is still available later this summer, it will be difficult to find a manager with as good a resumé. The former Nerazurri boss is coming off three straight Serie A titles and one infamous, aborted resignation that he has been unable to live down. Expectations at Chelsea will be no less than they were at the San Siro.

Current Status: Lurking Viability, 25-to-1

Slaven Bilic, Croatia

Croatia’s qualification run into Euro 2008 has made Bilic a coaching commodity. He is known throughout English soccer for his success against the English national team during qualifying. He has less than two full years at the helm of Croatia, but an impressive performance this summer will draw further attention.

Current Status: Long shot, 60-to-1

Highly Unlikely

While you can not eliminate any of these candidates until the job is filled, these three are all unlikely to make their way to the Bridge. In a couple of cases, it is unclear they have ever been viable considerations for Abramovich and Kenyon.

Guus Hiddink, Russia - After being an early favorite, Hiddink took his name out of the running, throwing his weight behind fellow Dutchman Rijkaard. (200-to-1)
Dick Advocaat, Zenit St. Petersburg - The UEFA Cup champion has been lightly campaigning for consideration amongst Premiership sides, though he has shown no specific desire towards Chelsea. His name has been mentioned by advisors to Abramovich. (150-to-1)
Roy Keane, Sunderland - More internet rumor and Sunderland fear than viable candidate, Keane seems loyal to Sunderland after helping them climb from the Championship and stay in the Premiership. (250-to-1)

Eliminated

A few other candidates have been mentioned during the last week. While a coupe of these names have been available for hire, others speak to the hysterical buzz surrounding the job. In either case, all four have been eliminated as possibilities, possibilty to the chagrin of Blues-backers.

Marcello Lippi, former Italy - Still searching for the right fit after winning the World Cup, Lippi eliminated himself, saying the language barrier would be too much.
Jurgen Klinsmann, Bayern Munich - Newly inked contract was deemed ironclad when Chelsea looked to swoop before Klingsmann’s first match at the help of Bayern.
Michael Laudrup, Panathinaikos - Briefly mentioned as a candidate after leaving Getafe. Was hired for the Greek club yesterday.
Jose Mourinho, Inter - Even above Mark Hughes, the true Chelsea fans’ choice. Whomever steps into his seat on the sidelines will see what Grant saw - an awfully big pair of shoes waiting to be filled.

The Field

Is it possible that somebody beyond this list could be be running Chelsea FC come the fall? All you have to do is think of the odds you would have gotten at this time last year on Avram Grant replacing Jose Mourinho to know that anything is possible.

Current Status: Anything is Possible, 30-to-1