PortugalWorld Ranking: 11
Euro 04: Finalist (L-Greece)
WC 06: 4th Place (L-France/Germany)
Three to Watch: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Deco (Barcelona), Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea)
If you prefer attacking soccer with some flair, this might be the team for you. The Portuguese butter their bread in the offensive third and have the best player in the world in Cristiano Ronaldo. Returning their core group from the 04 and 06 international campaigns leaves this team as the clear favorites in Group A and one of the favorites to hoist the trophy in three weeks. Also, just so you know, their coach, Luis Felipe Scolari, is a dead ringer for Gene Hackman. Expect to see some Hackman movie quotes in Portuguese in the coming days, courtesy of IMDB and Babelfish. If these guys don't get to the semis and see Germany, I'll be shocked.
SwitzerlandWorld Ranking: 44
Euro 04: Group play
WC o6: Round of 16 (L-Ukraine)
Three to Watch: Alexander Frei (Borussia Dortmund), Johan Djourou (Arsenal), Tranquillo Barnetta (Bayer Leverkusen)
The co-hosts from the land of chocolate and pocket knives open against Czech Republic tomorrow, coming off a surprise performance in the World Cup where they didn't surrender a single goal in 390 minutes of play (they lost in a shootout to Ukraine after a scoreless draw). They're a bit different from Portugal, playing a more conservative style that emphasizes defense and seeks to capitalize on counters, but don't underestimate them. We've seen the power of a home crowd in international tourneys over the last decade, and despite some injuries and a dearth of marquee names on the roster, the Swiss could build off their run in Germany and make it out of this group with some luck. They're probably battling the Czechs for second banana.
Czech RepublicWorld Ranking: 6
Euro 04: Semifinalists (L-Greece)
WC 06: Group play
Three to Watch: Petr Cech (Chelsea), Milan Baros (Portsmouth), Marek Jankulovski (AC Milan)
Last seen dismantling the U.S. in the World Cup then crashing out against Ghana and Italy, the Czechs enter Euro 08 with a veteran squad. An injury to Arsenal's Tomas Rosicky, the team captain and one of the side's best players, presents a big void the Czechs may not be able to fill. Critics denounce these guys as old and kind of clunky, but anyone who watched their opening game against the Americans nearly two years ago to the day might beg to differ. They're ranked so well by FIFA for a reason, and will contend in Group A barring something unforeseen.
TurkeyWorld Ranking: 20
Euro 04: Did not qualify
WC 06: Did not qualify.
Three to Watch: Tuncay Sanli (Middlesbrough), Nihat Kahveci (Villareal), Servet Cetin (Galatasaray)
Group A's mystery team hasn't been seen on the international scene since a Cinderella run in the 02 World Cup that saw them reach the semifinals and challenge eventual champion Brazil. It's probably better if you judge these guys by the links provided, because I really know very little about them, other than a.) they probably won't advance, b.) they supposedly have crazy, Oakland Raider-type fans, and c.) all their guys play in Turkey. Your guess is as good as mine, but I'm going to say Turkey gets smoked, three and out.
Enjoy the games, Group B preview coming soon! Graphics for this article will also be posted tomorrow.
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