THE GROUP OF DEATH!

by guest blogger Callum Sparrowhawk of footymad.net

The European Championships of 2008 kicked off yesterday with Group A but no doubt that the keen eye will be on Group C, the group of death. This tough draw sees three European giants; Italy, France and Holland face each other in the opening round with minnows Romania making up the numbers.

The world champions must surely be favourites to make the quarter-finals and with good reason after topping France in the qualifying stages. With a new look 4-3-3 formation - as opposed to a 4-4-2 system traditionally favoured by Italian Coaches down the years - the World Cup Winners have found a more attacking mentality. The Italians will be able to draw on the experience of Andrea Pirlo, Gennaro Gattusso and Gianluigi Buffon with Luca Toni leading the line.



The talismanic Francesco Totti will be a creative force for the Italians after another fine season at AS Roma, however the loss of Fabio Cannavaro to injury is a major blow – but not a fatal one. The players know how to win but does manager Roberto Donadoni? Marcello Lippi’s successor lacks experience in high pressure situations and could be exposed when the going gets tough.

Italy meet France on the final day of a potentially tight group stage, with Raymond Domenech’s side eyeing up a third European Championship. The French squad is showing plenty of promise but, in my opinion, their hopes depend on Domenech’s selections in attack. Lyon striker Karim Benzema enjoyed a fabulous season in Ligue 1 and it would seem foolish to leave him out – especially given the form of the rest of the strikers in the squad.



However, is Domenech brave enough to see superstars Thierry Henry and Nicolas Anelka grumbling and sulking on the bench? If he is, France could go all the way with the likes of Franck Ribery and Samir Nasri wreaking havoc on the flanks, but if he isn’t then a resilient defence could stifle the French attack.

The third giant of the group is Holland, a side famous for their brand of ‘total football’ displaying the finest technique and tempo in the world. At the helm is Marco Van Basten - one of the finest forwards to grace football’s illustrious history – however, he has set his team in a system of function over style. Up top, Ruud Van Nistelrooy is a famed goal threat around the box but his lack of movement nowadays causes problems for the wide players who find themselves sprinting beyond the Real Madrid man with ease.



The Dutch managed only 15 goals in 12 qualifiers so perhaps Ajax’s much touted hitman Klass-Jan Huntelaar should be considered instead. Holland’s hopes depend on whether the midfield can conjure up enough goals to see them through… I just don’t see it happening.

A slip up from either of the giants against minnows Romania will have a massive impact on who progresses, and the Romanians will be looking to Fiorentina’s Adrian Mutu to snatch them a result. However, the former Chelsea star is faced with a €12 million compensation claim from his former employers as a result of a positive drugs test during his spell at Stamford Bridge.

It would be great to see the underdogs earn a few points in this tough group, however unlikely it is, but as we all know, anything can happen in football. The French will have to beware on the opening day as they face the Romanians…remember Senegal at the World Cup anyone?!



I can certainly see the World champions Italy winning the group and I would fancy the French to follow them in second. However, the Dutch are unlikely to concede many goals and if the Romanians can stun somebody, I would put money on it being France and if they do then surely Holland would sneak in to the quarter finals.