 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
| GROUP B |
| BELGIUM Qualified as joint hosts. Under George Leekens Belgium bored everyone to tears during the last World Cup and form in friendlies was so poor many felt the team would suffer the ignominy of a first round exit at home. Waseige's appointment as coach has seen a dramatic turnaround in fortunes for the Red Devils. Since his appointment the Belgians have defeated Italy and Norway and held neighbours Holland to consecutive draws including a sensational 5-5 thriller in Holland in Waseige's first game in charge. Prospects Like their neighbours, Holland, Belgian always seem to produce good, technical players many of whom are still playing in the less competitive championships, no doubt clubs from Italy, Spain and England will be watching closely. Nilis rarely plays well for Belgium but they are no longer toothless in attack with Strupar and Emile Mpenza scoring regularly at international level, well in friendlies. Good recent form ensures confidence will be high and with home support Belgium should get to the Quarter-final stage. ITALY After a great start Italy laboured through qualification taking only two points from their remaining 3 games. Form in friendlies has been awful aside from victory over Portugal. Italy were humiliated at home to hosts Belgium and away to Spain. Key Players Toldo - Italy's fourth and fifth choice goalkeepers, Abbiati and Mazzantini, would be starters for the majority of national sides, such is the quality Italy are blessed with in goal and Toldo is the best of the bunch. Comfortable in the air and despite his huge frame, is one of the most spectacular shot stoppers in the World, more so than Batistuta's goals, Toldo's saves got Fiorentina to the second stage of the Champions league Nesta - The best defender in the World. Precision tackler, strong, quick, good in the air. Has been heads and shoulders above any other defender in Serie A this season including Thuram Fiore - Despite good performances when given the opportunity to play, Parma sold Fiore to Udinese at the end of last season and he has been a spectacular success. A rarity in Serie A, a goalscoring midfielder, Fiore posses an explosive shot and has the ability to play wonderful through passes Liabilities Albertini - World Class at making inaccurate 40yd passes, a complete waste of a position. Supposedly gives tempo to the team, the sort of tempo every team could do without i.e. a half arsed one Inzaghi - His form during the second half of the season for Juve was awful. Against Perugia in the last game of the season Inzaghi missed guilt edged chances that ultimately cost Juventus the championship Should have gone to the Low Countries : Di Canio (West Ham), Simone Inzaghi (Lazio), Ferrante (Torino), Fuser (Parma) Should have gone on Holiday : Albertini, Delvecchio, Filippo Inzaghi Prospects Like Keegan, Zoff's pig headed instance of picking players based on reputation may cost him dearly. Vieri is a huge loss, none of the forwards have played well in recent months so unsurprisingly Zoff leaves the two form Italian strikers at home i.e. Simone Inzaghi and Marco Ferrante and didn't even consider Marco Simone or Paulo Di Canio who have had outstanding seasons at Monaco and West Ham respectively. Totti is a wonderful talent but since the arrival of Nakata at Roma has tried to win matches by himself, over dribbling and shooting from improbable distances and angles. Totti needs to get his head straight if Italy are to stand a chance. Fiore should to one of the stars of the tournament and in true Italy fashion is equally as likely to blow the crucial penalty in a shoot-out! Should make the quarter-finals but will struggle to get further. SWEDEN Came through one of the tougher qualifying groups with ease, dropping just two points on the way. Predictably solid in friendlies. Prospects One word describes Sweden - methodical. A hard working, tough tackling team that lack flair and imagination. Much has been made of Larsson's return from injury but he's never convinced at a higher level, there is a World of difference between playing in Scotland and against the top teams in Europe. Sweden may be difficult to beat but they are desperately short of quality in attack, feeding off the giant Kennet Andersson has become too predictable. Gifted youngsters Ljunberg and Osmanovski will need to deliver the goods if Sweden are to have a good tournament. Here's a quote from Torbjorn Pettersen who I assume writes for Swedish newspaper, Daggens Nyheter, taken from World Soccer : "To succeed at Euro 2000, I wish our midfield would read Ljunberg, Ljunberg, Ljunberg. Also what's the use of playing friendlies like the one against Denmark, where most of the football was just shit?" TURKEY Missed out on an automatic place to Germany and came through the play-offs against Ireland thanks to inspired goalkeeping from Rustu. Prospects The backbone of the team is built around this years treble winning Galatasaray side (league, cup and UEFA Cup). Turkish players are now hot property in Europe with many targeted by clubs from the more glamorous leagues. Turkey have qualified for their second successive European Championships and the experience will stand them in good stead in the future but this tournament has probably come too early for them. Overall : Belgium and Italy to qualify but Sweden could ruin both teams chances if they find some goals. |