Euro Group D

Greece

Shocking champions at the last edition, defeating France, Czech and hosts Portugal in the knockout stages. I believe their defence will remain capable as a wall, and Nikopolidis will be a solid keeper, not the best, but solid. They are one of those teams that function more as a team, so it is perhaps normal to recognise few names in the lineup. Even if you do, you probably hadn't heard of them for the past seasons in club football. But they remain a threat, and they have the quality, as a team, to make the knockout stages.

Spain

Favourites of the group. They have flopped at the big stage numerous times, often ousted at the first knockout stage. They should progress rather comfortably, with Fabregas and Torres providing a good attack, and Casillas with Puyol a good defence. Well balanced team, but they will need to overcome the mental barriers. They won't win the title, but they should be good enough for the semi-finals, if they win the group, and avoid France, who defeated them 3-1 at WC 2006 in the Top 16 round.

Sweden

A shaky team. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a good striker, but requires more consistency. I rate him alongside Turkey's Nihat Kahveci, as strikers that can change things at the group stage, but not beyond it. Freddie Ljungberg is a shadow of his old self since leaving Arsenal, but he should do well to help the goals come.

Russia

Guus Hiddink is the star of this team. He had performed miracles with under-performing national soccer teams, such as South Korea and Australia. He also did well with Dutch side PSV Eindhoven. Can he do it one more time? I have a feeling this Russian team will not make the knockout stages. There isn't much talents, and it can already be considered a miracle to see them at a major soccer event, after previous failures. But they should register some points.


This is the most evenly matched group, and any of the teams can make the next round. However, expect Spain to emerge above the rest, and it will be a close and hardly-fought battle between the other 3 teams. All of the teams will finish with points.