Overview: Group C; dubbed the group of death for this tournament as expected contains four sides all capable of qualifying for the quarterfinals. France & Italy would be the favourites to qualify from this group given their world rankings, recent performances and overall pedigree. These two know each other rather well given their recent history. Both were finalists at Euro 2000 and World Cup 2006 and were in the same qualifying group for Euro 2008. The final group game on June 17th could be a potential group decider when these two face off.
France last won the Euros in 2000 when they beat Italy on a David Trezeguet Golden Goal in extra time. That Euro 2000 team has some similarities as the likes of Henry, Thuram and Makélélé still don’t know when to call time on their international careers. Les Bleus are obviously missing one of the main catalysts of that golden era of ‘98 and ‘00 and the one who lead them to the World Cup Final in ’06, the now retired Zinedine Zidane. France could have topped their qualifying group were it not for two shock 1-0 defeats, both home and away to Scotland who narrowly missed out on this summer’s championship.
The current Azzuri have qualified for the European Championships; a feat which the last World Cup winning side of 1982 could not manage to do. The last tournament triumph for the 3rd ranked team in FIFA however came back in 1968. The Italians have the oldest average age of all the competing teams with around 7 of the expected starting 11 either 30 or above. But age is never a factor in short tournaments like the Euros. The Italians topped a very difficult qualifying group containing the aforementioned France; managing to earn qualification in a 2-1 win away to Scotland on the last match day.
Not to be overlooked are the Dutch. Seeded first in this group L’Oranje have some history in this competition having made the semi-finals on the last occasion. They will no doubt be looking to send one of the two teams in blue back home early. Lack of World Cup glory shouldn’t be any indication that Holland are to be overlooked by Germany ’06 finalists Italy and France as the Euros is where they’ve excelled, their last victory coming in 1988.
Romania are the dark horses of the group. They qualified out of the same group as the Dutch and should be underestimated by the other group members at their own peril. A team solid throughout with good attacking ability, even if they don’t qualify for the quarterfinals they could throw a wrench in the works for the remaining three teams by taking some important points off of them especially given the competitiveness of the group.
The Squads
France
Goalkeepers: (1) Steve Mandana, (16) Sébastian Frey, (23) Gregory Coupet
Defenders: (2) Jean-Alain Boumsong, (3) Eric Abidal, (5) William Gallas, (13) Patrice Evra, (14) François Clerc, (15) Lilian Thuram, (17) Sébastian Squillaci, (19) Willy Sagnol
Midfielders: (4) Patrick Vieira, (6) Claude Makélélé, (7) Florent Malouda, (11) Samir Nasri, (20) Jérémy Toulalan, (21) Lassana Diarra, (22) Franck Ribéry
Forwards: (8) Nicolas Anelka, (9) Karim Benzema, (10) Sidney Govou, (12) Thierry Henry, (18) Bafétimbi Gomis
Head Coach: Raymond Domenech
Inspired Call-ups: Bafétimbi Gomis
Shock Omissions: David Trezeguet, Mathieu Flamini, Philippe Mexes
Analysis: Raymond Domenech is not the brightest razor in the bunch. Rumoured to not pick players based on their star signs is to be honest the only viable reason for the omissions of Serie A based players Trezeguet, Flamini and Mexes. Either that or his blatant bias and hate towards Italy. To each his own, however I don’t think there is anyone else in world football who would call up Jean-Alain Boumsong of the ‘Chuckle Brothers’ ( his partner in calamity being Titus Bramble) ahead of Philippe Mexes who has yet again been in great form for Roma and should be in the squad regardless of whether Boumsong was there or not.
Trezeguet was never in Domenech’s good books and the French coach probably still holds a grudge after his fatal miss in the 2006 World Cup. However, Trezeguet is someone who’s regularly scored 20+ goals every season and did so again, only missing out on the title of Serie A’s top scorer by one goal to his Juventus team-mate Alex Del Piero. Since the only in form striker in France’s squad expected to start is Karim Benzema at 20, then Trezeguet’s experience would have been a great assistance to the French campaign. Raymond should hope he does not rue this mistake. Flamini might have replaced Vieira in the squad after the captain picked up an ankle injury but he should have been in the team from the beginning rather than Diarra based on the simple reason of superior quality.
The key player for France will be Franck Ribéry who has been given the role of replacing Zidane. A big pair of shoes to fill despite the 24 year old’s undoubted quality. The French squad is good but I think the lack of a killer forward, who is on form, (as Anelka and Henry are top quality strikers) could prove to their downfall and when the quarterfinals come around the French could be on the outside looking in.
Another key man will be Claude Makélélé. At 35 this will definitely be his last major tournament by the shortness of it means that his age should not affect him too much. He’s displayed some good form for Chelsea this season. With Avram Grant having rested him many times, saving him for the important games like the Champion’s League and clashes with the other big four clubs in the Premiership mostly then he’ll be relatively fresh.
Youngsters like the Arsenal bound Samir Nasri and Lyon’s Jérémy Toulalan will be hoping to make the most of any chances they might get. Those chances could be few and far between unless injury befalls a colleague because of Domenech’s unwillingness to trade youth for experience in major tournaments. With France being in a group where slip ups cannot be afforded the pair might have to hope for a few cameo appearances at best.
The lack of form is not only evident up front as Eric Abidal has enjoyed an indifferent first season at Barcelona. His club mate Thierry Henry could say the same for himself as he’s failed to live up to expectations after his £16m move from Arsenal and the hype surrounding the ‘Fantastic Four’. Florent Malouda, like Abidal has also failed to emulate the form he did at Lyon for Chelsea.
Italy
Goalkeepers: (1) Gianlugi Buffon, (14) Marco Amelia, (17) Morgan De Sanctis
Defenders: (2) Christian Panucci, (3) Fabio Grosso, (4) Giorgio Chiellini, (5) Fabio Cannavaro, (6) Andrea Barzagli (19) Gianluca Zambrotta, (23) Marco Materazzi
Midfielders: (8) Genarro Gattuso, (10) Daniele De Rossi, (13) Massimo Ambrosini, (16) Mauro Camoranesi, (20) Simone Perrotta, (21) Andrea Pirlo, (22) Alberto Aquilani
Forwards: (7) Alessandro Del Piero, (9) Luca Toni, (11) Antonio Di Natale, (12) Marco Borriello, (15) Fabio Quagliarella, (18) Antonio Cassano
N.B: Alessandro Gamberini was called up to replace the injured Cannavaro.
Head Coach: Roberto Donadoni
Inspired Call-ups: Antonio Cassano
Shock Omissions: Filippo Inzaghi
Analysis: The world champions have managed to keep the core of the team which won them the World Cup aside from Francesco Totti and Alessandro Nesta who are both retired. However, given the fact that Nesta was injured after the USA game and Totti was not the most fundamental part of the success in Germany these two should not be heavily missed. Roberto Donadoni has assembled a good squad with some fresh ideas and new players. After he was appointed there were his critics as the Italians only drew their first game against lowly Lithuania but since then he’s found the right formula which lead Italy to the top of their group.
Analysis: The world champions have managed to keep the core of the team which won them the World Cup aside from Francesco Totti and Alessandro Nesta who are both retired. However, given the fact that Nesta was injured after the USA game and Totti was not the most fundamental part of the success in Germany these two should not be heavily missed. Roberto Donadoni has assembled a good squad with some fresh ideas and new players. After he was appointed there were his critics as the Italians only drew their first game against lowly Lithuania but since then he’s found the right formula which lead Italy to the top of their group.
Buffon is simply a colossus in between the sticks and even if teams manage to get by arguably the meanest defence in European football Buffon is considered in most corners as the best in the world. The aforementioned Italian defence has been dealt a cruel blow with Fabio Cannavaro set to miss the tournament due to injury. He was the catalyst behind the World Cup victory with his superior play and leadership qualities and will be hard to replace. Italian defenders are always good and surely whoever steps in for him, be it the always controversial Marco Materazzi or Giorgio Chiellini will be of the highest quality. The athleticism of Cannavaro will be just as hard to replace however as the inspiration he brings to his team-mates on the field is difficult to replicate. Buffon, who is most likely to be named captain in his place given he has the most caps in the starting 11 should still manage a good job. Once the Italians stay focused then they could still go all the way but as the tournament is yet to begin it remains to be seen how well they deal with Cannavaro’s loss.
The most likely person to substitute for Cannavaro would be Giorgio Chiellini. The Juventus man has enjoyed a fantastic season at the heart of the defence since switching from LB. Materazzi is the other alternative but he’s not enjoyed a very good season with Serie A champions Inter Milan. He is a big game player and manages to annoy the hell out of most attackers as Zidane among others can attest to, but as age has caught up with him he’s lost important skills such as pace.
The other key players will be Pirlo and Toni and with good performances from these two as well as the other players around them of course then Italy could go all the way. Italy’s success in Germany stemmed from a strong core of Buffon, Cannavaro, Pirlo and Toni.Pirlo and his midfield partner Gattuso both for Italy and AC Milan have not enjoyed their best seasons for their club but will be looking to change that for country. ‘Trilly’ as he has been affectionately nicknamed by the Italy fans due to his languid and graceful way of moving about the pitch has always performed much better for Italy as with the National side he is the focal point of the midfield unlike at Milan where he has to share to role with Kaka. His use of possession and set pieces will remain of importance throughout the tournament.
Gattuso has probably lost a bit of his pace and energy but the partnership he has formed with Pirlo since their days in the Italy youth sides is reason enough for Donadoni to keep faith. If necessity arises Roma golden boys De Rossi and Aquilani can offer something different, provided the former doesn’t start.
Bayern Munich man Luca Toni enjoyed a prolific season for the German giants, scoring 39 goals in all competitions on his way to become top scorer in the Bundesliga and joint top in the UEFA Cup. The power of Italy’s target man, not to mention his heading and finishing ability make him probably the best out and out striker in football at this present moment.
The major shock for most, though expected from my point of view was the call up of the fiery Antonio Cassano whilst leaving Pippo Inzaghi at home. Super Pippo had been in fantastic form prior to the end of the season but was left out as he didn’t fit the characteristics of Donadoni’s formation. One point striker up front supported by two forwards on either wing. Di Natale, Camoranesi, Quagliarella, (top scorer) Del Piero and Cassano are all capable of operating on the wings and Borriello who almost became Serie A’s top scorer fits the role of the Toni alternative given his physical build. Cassano is easily one of the most talented players in the world but his attitude could become a cause for concern especially since winning squads require a great sense of harmony and togetherness. If the squad manage to maintain that sense of harmony and Cassano proves his worth then it could be another success for the Azzuri.
Holland
Goalkeepers: (1) Edwin van der Sar, (13) Henk Timmer, (16) Maarten Stekelenburg
Defenders: (2) Andre Ooijer, (3) John Heitinga, (4) Joris Mathijsen, (5) Giovanni van
Bronckhorst, (12) Mario Melchiot, (14) Wilfred Bouma, (15) Tim de Cler, (21) Khalid Boulahrouz
Midfielders: (6) Demy de Zeeuw, (8) Orlando Engelaar, (10) Wesley Sneijder, (17) Nigel de Jong, (20) Ibrahim Afellay (23) Rafael van der Vaart
Forwards: (7) Robin van Persie, (9) Ruud van Nistelrooy, (11) Arjen Robben, (18) Dirk Kuyt, (19) Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, (22) Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink
Head Coach: Marco Van Basten
Inspired Call-ups: none
Shock Omissions: Clarence Seedorf
Analysis: Given their good history in this competition and ease with which they went through qualifying it was only a little surprising that the Netherlands were placed in Pot 1 of seeding alongside hosts Austria and Switzerland and holders Greece.
Marco van Basten has always been thought of as a good young coach but his career which unnaturally started as head coach of a national team has had its controversies and he has been criticised for his selection policy and lack of attacking football at times. Many were dumbfounded when van Basten left Holland’s two biggest players Ruud van Nistelrooy and Clarence Seedorf out of his side for World Cup Qualifying.The Seedorf issue could have been argued given that at the time, young stars such as Sneijder, Robben and Van der Vaart were emerging and Seedorf’s presence in the squads would have hindered their progress. Especially since the four-time Champions League winner had not been in the most scintillating form and had passed his peak. The omission of Ruud was a different case however. He was still at the time one of the most prolific finishers in world football and even though Holland had a few promising youngsters coming through the ranks, none of them had the pedigree of van Nistelrooy. Van Basten actually had to beg Ruud to forgive him and hence return to international duty to aid the Dutch. The case of Seedorf wasn’t exactly a shock omission, since Seedorf had been called up by van Basten but it is still worth mentioning. Having learned from his previous mistakes van Basten included Seedorf from the beginning. The former Ajax and Real Madrid man however declined to be included in the squad, strangely citing van Basten’s lack of trust in him as a reason. Seedorf could potentially regret this however as Holland have a good chance of going far if not all the way in the tournament and this would have more than likely his international swansong as it’s unlikely he would have been travelling to South Africa in 2010 as a part of any Dutch World Cup squad should they qualify.
Real Madrid trio van Nistelrooy, Sneijder and Robben will be key players for the Netherlands along with premiership based Edwin van der Sar and Robin van Persie. The Arsenal man might not be available for the first game against Italy after his injury ridden season but will play a major role in support of van Nistelrooy in the other games.
Robben will probably also be employed in a striker supporting role in a 4-3-3. The pace of Robin and Robben will be a threat to any side that comes up against Holland. Sneijder will be hoping to carry on from his positive first season with Madrid and have a good Euro 2008.
Van der Sar will be another hoping to carry good season form into the summer tournament having been one of the key players as Manchester United lifted the Premiership and Champions League double. He will also believe his awful luck in penalty shoot outs will be behind him as he was the hero in Moscow as United defeat Chelsea on penalties when van der Sar saved from Nicolas Anelka.
Romania
Goalkeepers: (1) Bogdan Lobont, (12) Marius Popa, (23) Eduard Stăncioiu
Defenders: (2) Cosmin Contra, (3) Razvan Rat, (4) Gabriel Tomas, (5) Cristian Chivu, (6) Mirel Radoi, (13) Cristian Sapunaru, (14) Sorin Ghionea, (15) Dorin Goian, (17) Cosmin Moti, (22) Stefan Radu
Midfielders: (7) Florentin Petre, (8) Paul Codrea, (11) Razvan Cocis, (16) Banel Nicolita, (19) Adrian Cristea, (20) Nicolae Dica
Forwards: (9) Ciprian Marica, (10) Adrian Mutu, (18) Marius Niculae, (21) Daniel Niculae
Head Coach: Victor Piturca
Inspired Call-ups: none
Shock Omissions: none
Analysis: I can’t say there is much I know about the Romanians aside from a few of their better players. But as overall team they’re quite good. A qualification campaign in which they only lost 1 game after qualification was secured indicates their quality. To be able to top a group including the Netherlands as well as Bulgaria shows that they are at the tournament on merit. The golden era which included the likes of Gheorghe Hagi is over but they can still boast quality in a few areas.
Romania’s best player and biggest threat upfront is undoubtedly Fiorentina striker Adrian Mutu. The 29 year old is coming off a fantastic season for the 4th place side in Serie A and UEFA Cup semi-finalists. During his days at Parma he was one of the best players in the league when that club which will be unfortunately be playing in Serie B next season were going through a fantastic era. His move to Chelsea didn’t turn out as well as he and others would have expected and hit rock bottom after his drug scandal caused him to be sacked by the London based outfit and banned from the game for 6 months. An inauspicious return to the game under Fabio Capello of Juventus was not what he had in mind and the following season he went to Fiorentina where his career has re-blossomed. If Romania are to progress out of the group, despite being potential banana skins to the other countries seeking a quarterfinal birth then Mutu will have to be at the top of his game.
Another key player will be Inter’s Cristian Chivu. The central defender has been employed in a defensive midfield role by Piturca for his country and has performed admirably there as well. The Romanian’s biggest hope for qualification is that the bigger sides in the Group of death underestimate them and they then capitalise on what would be a foolish mistake for any of Holland, Italy or France. If they weren’t placed in this group they could probably have a hope of qualifying out of it, but one can never be too certain in football.
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