Euro contenders ready for battle
Sunday, 8 June 2008
GENEVA, June 7(AFP): Europe's top international football competition kicks off Saturday, with Switzerland and Austria set to host a friendly, wide open competition.
Switzerland take on the Czech Republic in the opening game as the 16 Euro 2008 finalists come out to fight for the title of best on their continent.
The usual suspects such as world champions Italy, 2006 World Cup finalists France, three-time champions Germany and perennial contenders Spain and The Netherlands go into the championships as favourites - but in truth they appear to be wide open.
Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon believes the world champions are justified favourites at Euro 2008, though losing inspirational captain Fabio Cannavaro earlier in the week could prove to be a decisive blow in stopping them from emulating France in adding the European crown to the world one that the French managed in 1998 and 2000.
Italy are in Group C, the group of death, with the team they beat in the final in Berlin in 2006, France, the Netherlands and Romania.
"It's hard, but that's also because we're in the group. We're calm, and we respect our rivals - the Dutch and the French of course but also Romania who have strong players like (Adrian) Mutu," said Buffon, who plays with Mutu at Juventus.
"In some respects the Euro is harder than the World Cup."
Spain look to have their strongest squad for many a year but unimpressive performances against Peru and the United States may be the precursor for another letdown as they seek to add to their sole senior title, the European championships back in 1964.
However, their idiosyncratic coach Luis Aragones may be their biggest drawback and his ditching of star striker Raul was made to look even weirder when the Real Madrid icon was named Spanish player of the year by his peers.
French coach Raymond Domenech was rather more upbeat than usual after the French rounded off their three warm-up matches against South American opposition having won two and drawn one.
Switzerland take on the Czech Republic in the opening game as the 16 Euro 2008 finalists come out to fight for the title of best on their continent.
The usual suspects such as world champions Italy, 2006 World Cup finalists France, three-time champions Germany and perennial contenders Spain and The Netherlands go into the championships as favourites - but in truth they appear to be wide open.
Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon believes the world champions are justified favourites at Euro 2008, though losing inspirational captain Fabio Cannavaro earlier in the week could prove to be a decisive blow in stopping them from emulating France in adding the European crown to the world one that the French managed in 1998 and 2000.
Italy are in Group C, the group of death, with the team they beat in the final in Berlin in 2006, France, the Netherlands and Romania.
"It's hard, but that's also because we're in the group. We're calm, and we respect our rivals - the Dutch and the French of course but also Romania who have strong players like (Adrian) Mutu," said Buffon, who plays with Mutu at Juventus.
"In some respects the Euro is harder than the World Cup."
Spain look to have their strongest squad for many a year but unimpressive performances against Peru and the United States may be the precursor for another letdown as they seek to add to their sole senior title, the European championships back in 1964.
However, their idiosyncratic coach Luis Aragones may be their biggest drawback and his ditching of star striker Raul was made to look even weirder when the Real Madrid icon was named Spanish player of the year by his peers.
French coach Raymond Domenech was rather more upbeat than usual after the French rounded off their three warm-up matches against South American opposition having won two and drawn one.