EV Euro 2008 Group A Guide continued…
By Khilen Mehta
Portugal- Portugal’s best performance to date in the competition came in 2004 when they lost in the final to Greece. Prior to that, Portugal had appeared in two semi-finals where they lost on both occasions to France. They have played 108 matches in their 13 participations in the UEFA European Championship, winning 58, drawing 26 and losing 24 with 183 goals scored and 98 conceded. Although they may have only lost once in their qualifying group they endured a tense finale in their last group game against Finland where a 0-0 draw saw them through. However with arguably the best player in the world in Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored 8 goals in qualifying, they will go into every game with confidence.
Manager- Luis Felipe Scolari, “I know we have to improve for the finals.”
Key Player- Cristiano Ronaldo will carry on his unstoppable goalscoring form
Prediction- Beaten semi-finalists
Turkey- After a stirring start to their qualifying campaign which saw them win their first three games without conceding a goal, Turkey almost threw it all away but in the end they managed to qualify with a game to spare. Despite playing in all 13 UEFA European Championship qualifying rounds, Turkey’s first participation in a final tournament took place at UEFA EURO 96. Prior to the finals of UEFA EURO 2008, they have played 95 matches. In that time, they had won 35, drawn 22 and lost 38 of those fixtures with 110 goals scored and 135 conceded. Altho they lack incisiveness, they have pace and guile in midfield, and proven goalscorers in Kahveci and Tuncay upfront.
Manager- Fatih Terim, “I made a promise that we would qualify and make a significant contribution at the finals.”
Key Player- Nihat Kahveci is a proven international goalscorer
Prediction- Stubborn opposition but ultimately lack the class to progress
Tags: Euro 2008, euro2008, khilen mehta