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| GROUP C |
| NORWAY After a disastrous start under new coach Nils Johan Semb, Norway won their remaining 7 games to qualify comfortably ahead of 2nd placed Slovenia. Friendly form has been good. Key Players Tore Andre Flo - It's been said before but it's worth repeating, for the majority of European clubs Flo would be an automatic starter but at Chelsea he is part of the squad rotation system. Sensational technique for such a huge player and a great finisher but lacks aggression Solskjaer - Super sub at Man United but a certain starter for Norway. Like Flo, awesome technique, clinical finisher but sometimes misses absolute sitters Iversen - In my opinion he's better then Solskjaer, tremendous finisher and also creates chances for his team-mates but is injury prone Liabilities Berg - He's a great tackler but has zero pace which means he'll get shamed by speedy forwards Carew - World Class potential, a mountain of a man with scary pace but takes the art of missing 100% chances to new levels Prospects Qualifying for major international tournaments is becoming a habit for Norway. This is an experienced team with a superb attack and plenty of quality in midfield but the defence lack pace and none of the key defenders have had good domestic seasons. Norway need to overcome the stage fright that has plagued them in the past two World Cups. Like group rivals Spain are capable of going far if the belief is there. SLOVENIA Made the most of an easy group to finish behind Norway and then stunned the World with victory over the Ukraine in the play-offs. Prospects No one really knows much about the team. Not filled with household names but Katanec was very successful at club level despite being limited technically, the team will draw on his incredible drive and determination but they couldn't have asked for a tougher birth at international level. Katanec has the makings of a great club coach. SPAIN Camacho took over following a humiliating defeat against Cyprus and Spain didn't look back, winning their remaining games and scoring an outrageous 39 goals in the process. Excellent form in friendlies. Key Players Mendieta - Outstanding for Valencia in the champions league, a tireless worker with tremendous technique and an eye for goal Raul - Joint top scorer in the Champions League, explosive pace, awesome technique and a regular scorer of spectacular goals Liabilities Hierro - No pace, has started to make hospital passes at an alarming rate Guardiola - While his range of passing is great also has no pace which is a distinct problem in such a key area Should have gone to the Low Countries : Campo, Karanka & Morientes (Real Madrid) Should have stayed home : Hierro (Real Madrid), Alfonso (always injured) Prospects Confidence will be sky high following a hugely successful season for Spanish clubs. The is by far the most gifted Spanish team of the last decade, oozing quality and depth in every department but the decision to omit Campo and Karanka who formed a World Class partnership in the Champions league for Real Madrid (don't laugh) seems insane, especially as Hierro is such a liability in defence. They have the talent to win the tournament and win in style but will they finally overcome their trademark stage fright? YUGOSLAVIA Qualified from a tough group but only just. Recent form has been poor. Prospects There are too many players past their sell by dates. Yugoslavia are dependent on Mihajlovic's long balls (oooerr!) and delivery from set pieces. The defence isn't great and despite being plagued by injuries, Jugovic remains the team's most consistent midfielder. The supposedly great prospect Dejan Stankovic has shown little at Lazio other than a handful of spectacular long range goals. Millosevic and Kovacevic don't convince at this level meaning Yugoslavia will once again look to the hugely gifted by aging Mijatovic in attack. Yugoslavia will do well to qualify from a tough group. Overall : Spain and Norway are clear favourites, like that means anything! |