Country: France

Manager: Raymond Domenech

Euro 2004 Performance: Four years ago in Portugal, France began their Euro campaign with convincing fashion finishing atop their group without losing a match.  However, they were quickly knocked-out in the first elimination round by eventual winners Greece 1-0.  Having won the championship four years prior to that point, the defending champs were surely crushed in their defeat.

Euro 2008 Qualifying Performance: In qualifying for this year’s tournament, France was once again matched with its World Cup Final counter part, Italy.  Throughout the entire qualifying campaign, France struggled with new players and formations, but a win on the final day and a Scotland loss meant the two-time winners were through to the finals in Austria/Switzerland.

Key Attacking Player: Who to pick, who to pick… The shear attacking options that France has just makes any football enthusiast want to salivate.  Anelka, Henry, Gomis, Benzema, Govou, Ben Arfa, and Nasri are just some of the players who if on another team, would easily be the top scorers.  If I had to choose someone though, it obviously would be Henry.  In what could be his last major tournament for the national squad, he should be looking to end on the highest note he can, by lifting the Euro trophy.  As France’s all-time leading scorer, there’s no doubt that total will rise by the end of June.

Key Defensive Player: Again, whom do you choose? The experience matched with the youth on this squad makes me quiver.  After impressing just a couple days ago in the friendly against Ecuador, Lilian Thuram showed that he still has the tenacity needed to be one of most concrete defenders in the world.

Breakout Player: Karim Benzema is without a doubt the future of Les Bleus.  Is there even a question to his ability?  After scoring 20 league goals this past season for l’OL, he has showed he has the eye for goal that critics have been proclaiming about for years now.  If he does not get the nod to start with Henry or Anelka, coach Domenach might as well just recall Trezeguet, seeing as they would both just remain on the bench.  The partnership Benzema engineers with Anelka or Henry will ultimately determine France’s success in the tournament.

Predicted Group Finish: First

As much as it pains me to say it, France by far has the most class, youth, and talent of any team represented in the tournament.  To think of the combinations at Domenech’s disposal is horrifying to the eyes.  Within their squad, four or five different teams could be assembled, all with a very different look, and yet France would still be favorites to win the tournament.  Like I said two weeks ago, my favorite is Portugal, but France has the fire power from all of the big four leagues, from the big teams, and with that arsenal, France will most likely be seeing bleu, blanc, et rouge at the end of June as they hoist the trophy.

Country: Italy

Manager: Roberto Donadoni

Euro 2004 Performance: The reminder of Euro 2004 in Portugal to Italian fans will bring a bitter taste.  Although not losing a match in the group stages, Italy lost out on a place in the elimination rounds through goal differential.  Needing a win on the last day, Italy succeeded in downing Bulgaria, but came one goal short in the end, as Sweden and Denmark moved on into the knockout phase.

Euro 2008 Qualifying Performance: Again, Italy was placed into the same group as the arch nemesis, France.  Although they were assured a spot in this years tournament on the second to last match of qualifying, the level of competition Italy had to face throughout qualifying has already given them an edge as they have experienced competitive football against class squads.  Also, there one loss has proved that they can still provide solid play although being a much more mature side.

Key Attacking Player: Luca Toni will be Italy’s go-to man in attack.  After his summer move last year to Bayern Munich, he has showed his quality ranks among the best and scored 24 goals to prove that point.  Whether he acts as a lone striker or is partnered with Quagliarella/Cassano/Del Piero, his presence will mean goals for Italy.

Key Defensive Player: Fabio Cannavaro proved in the last World Cup that he is a worthy defender and a brick wall in the Italy defense.  The former World Player of the Year and European Player of the Year will have to exhibit the same composure needed two years ago, in which the Italian defense only allowed two goals the entire tournament, if they want to lift that Euro silverware.

Breakout Player: The one critical component missing from Italy’s squad is the inclusion of young talent.  With the likes of Mario Balotelli missing, who is lauded to be one of the next superstars in world football, it gives the appearance of Italy being a “has-been” side; a team that does not have the speed or agility to play the new modern game.  By next tournament, Donadoni will have to pick players like Balotelli and other rising stars for Italy to keep its prestige.

Predicted Group Finish: Second

Although I think the Italian side is full of aging players, the slow, simple pass, wind-and grind style will just eat up the games they play but will see them earn the victories.  This is not the kind of football we want to see, but it’s what we are going to get: pure and simple.  If you want to pick an exciting team, then stay away from Italy.  Just remember to keep yourself awake because it is true that they sneak goals like that from sleeping defenses.

Country: The Netherlands

Manager: Marco Van Basten

Euro 2004 Performance: At the past Euro Championship, the Netherlands managed to reach the semi-finals before losing to hosts Portugal.  In the group stages there, the Dutch finished second behind the Czech Republic with unconvincing 1-1-1 record.

Euro 2008 Qualifying Performance:  Over the course of the past two years, the Dutch had to fight for qualification in Group G, before finally securing their place in the finals in the second to last match of qualifying.  Robin van Persie led the squad in goals, netting four in 7 appearances.

Key Attacking Player: Robin van Persie will have to re-find that thirst for goal if there is to be any attacking presence for the Dutch.  Granted that the Dutch are another example of a squad full of superstars, it is still important to note that van Persie brings electricity and power to any offense.  His stunning goals for Arsenal are just some examples of how he can change the game with a kick of the boot.  With the attacking options at hand for Holland, it is essential a working partnership be found in the coming friendlies.

Key Defensive Player: Giovanni Van Bronckhorst has always proved he is a rock in defense for both club and country.  As a member of the Barcelona squad that won back-to-back league titles and the Champions League, he was very influential as a left-back and even managed four goals in his first season with Barça.  Now as a Feyenoord player, the club he has supported since he was a child, he has continued to prove his value as stable hold in defense.

Breakout Player: Although already making the break through for his club, Ryan Babel will be ready to take that next step and be a major influence in this years finals.  Appearing in all 12 qualifying matches, he seems to be a favorite to van Basten and could be starting along side fellow Reds teammate Dirk Kuyt.  Having missed out on the World Cup through a knee injury, that limited him to only one second half appearance, he will be looking to prove that he can play at the highest level, with van Basten saying he has the potential to be the next Thierry Henry.

Predicted Group Finish: Third

The caliber of the Dutch squad is truly something to watch, but having not faired very well at all lately in major tournaments, it is hard to believe that they can manage to beat out the Italians or the French.  Ever since the groups were drawn months ago, this group has been analyzed and analyzed, and frankly, it all comes down to a coin flip.  Edwin van der Sar is surely flying high after his Champions League triumph, having saved the match winning penalty kick.  If he can carry that momentum into the national squad and protect that net like his child, then the Dutch could even scale their way to the top of the group and a place in the knockout phase.

Country: Romania

Manager: Victor Piturca

Euro 2004 Performance: Failed to Qualify

Euro 2008 Qualifying Performance: Oddly enough, all four teams in this group were had to play against one of the other group members.  Romania, in their case, beat out the Netherlands to land atop Group G in qualifying with 29 points.  In 12 matches, scoring goals did not at all seem like a problem, as they netted 26 goals, while only conceding seven.

Key Attacking Player: Adrian Mutu is one of the best footballers to ever have come out of Romania.  His 23 goals this last past season for Fiorentina prove his ability to put the back in the back of the net.  As co-leader in goals scored during qualifying (tied with Ciprian Marica) with four, he surely will be adding too that total this June.  

Key Defensive Player: Cristian Chivu is one of those defenders you look at and then quickly look away, as there looks to be nothing special.  But one would be sorely mistaken.  The Inter Milan back has been a key fixture in his club’s side that has now won back-to-back Serie A titles.  Although being a strong defender, he can give the random and reckless two-footed sliding tackle a little too often, so it will be important for him to stay out of the referee’s book and make sure that nothing gets into the net.

Breakout Player: ?tefan Radu is the youngest player on the Romanian squad and will be looking for more experience this June, even if it means learning from his teammates.  Dubbed “the new Chivu,” the Lazio fullback will hope to see action from the bench, but even if that plan fails, Radu is a player that could be leading the defense of this squad come next World Cup.

Predicted Group Finish: Fourth

Face it. What can you expect?  France, Italy, and the Netherlands.  Just acknowledge that at least you know you have the chance to show three of the worlds biggest football powers that you have been reforming.  It really is a shame for the Romanians, because there squad is not necessarily weak, but everything is proportional.  When judged up against the likes of Henry, Benzema, Cannavaro, Toni, Sneijder, van Nistelrooy, and van Persie, can you really expect anything good?  Not to discredit Romania and say they will not score or anything.  I would not be surprised to actually see a lot of high scoring matches in this group.  All four teams know the only way to win is to put the ball in the net.  Chances will not be taken, and by chances, I mean holding onto leads.  The two teams that make it to the knockout rounds will be the teams with the most fluid run of play, with a lot of attack and flair.

The glamour group of Euro 2008…let’s see what really happens…