Italy
The Italians are playing worse these days. This was proved by the friendly match with the Russian national team, which ended in a Russian victory 3:0. With the highest respect to our players, I couldn’t imagine 8 years ago that Italy would let in three answerless goals. There are no players of high European class in the team. They have Buffon and Pirlo, but these players are not young. There is no new Totti, Nesta, Del Piero, Maldini, Canavarro and so on. After the victory in World Cup 2006 the team’s professional level decreased. It will be difficult for Italy to qualify, as Spain, Croatia, and Ireland are tough competitors.
Spain
The current champions of the World and Europe. Here we can put a full stop. In recent years Spanish club football is on the up, first of all due to Barcelona. Thanks to that club, the Spanish national team is on the up too, because the leading players are from Barcelona and Real.
Cassilias, Reina, and Valdes. Every coach would be happy to have such goalkeepers. The defense is weaker than other positions, but it has Pique, Ramos, and Puyol. The halfbacks are Habi, Iniesta, and Juan Mata, who had a brilliant season in Chelsea.
Unfortunately the team lost David Villa, who was injured about 6 months ago. But they still have Torres and Llorente. Nevertheless, Villa has higher class than they do.
Croatia
It is the shadow favorite of the group. Many experts give preference to Spain and Italy. But it is doubtful. Croatia is strong enough to push out Italy and become one of the two teams who will play in the quarterfinals from Group C.
Half of the players of the national team play in leading European championships. Ivica Olic’s injury will hardly negatively influence the results of the team. Croatia has no strongly marked goal scorer. Any player is a threat to the competitor’s goal. The key player of the current squad is Luka Mordic, who is the captain of Tottenham. The team has great ambitions and it will do its best.
Ireland
Ireland seems to be the outsider of the group on paper. Is this true? It will be difficult for Ireland to qualify. But the team is high-spirited.
The current squad is composed of players from the English Premier League. They have no real high-class professionals, but the team is solid. They want to prove that they come to Poland and Ukraine because they do deserve it. The head coach, Giovanni Trapattoni, is a big advantage to the Irish team. The experienced Italian will definitely create surprises for his compatriots, as well as Spain and Croatia.
