Euro 2008 Predictions: Group D

Group D isn’t the Group of Death (if you don’t which is, then get up to speed) but it is the Group of Hmm… Interesting.

You’ve got the defending champions in Greece, a Russian team coached by a tournament football zen master, a Swedish team with the Zlatan and Larsson combo and a Spanish team with a gazillion billion euros worth of talent.

So let’s do this the only way we can. Eyes closed and hope for the best.

Greece

Largely domestic squad with some decent players. Traianos Dellas can give anyone he’s marking an afternoon they’ll remember, captain Angelos Basinas dictates from deep in midfield, Giorgis Karagounis can strike a free kick while striker Angelos Charisteas (scorer of that Euro 2004 winning goal) is quick on the floor and big in the air. But this isn’t the Euro 2004 team. Because captain and Player of the Tournament Theo Zagorakis has retired. So, reluctantly, I’m predicting the Euro 2004 champions will finish bottom of Group D and go home early. But they won’t go without a fight.

Read our Greece Team Profile for more.

Russia

Packed full of CSKA Moscow and (UEFA Cup winning) Zenit St. Petersburg players. Igor Akinfeev will almost definitely impress in goal, and if he doesn’t then Viacheslav Malafeev will do it for him. Identical twins Alexei and Vasili Berezutsky shared a womb and will share defensive duties in Swissaustria, while hardworking 2007 Russian Player of the Year Konstantin Zyryanov will provide a shield from midfield. Going forward there’s the height of Roman Pavlyuchenko and the – woosh! there he goes – pace of Dmitri Sychev. But the key man is no. 10 Andrei Arshavin. Playmaker and captain and all quality. He’s also suspended for the first two games. But with Guus “group qualification guaranteed” Hiddink in charge, I still expect Russia to finish second.

Read our Russia Team Profile for more

Spain

You can’t argue with quality. Keeper Iker Casillas is up there with the best, defender Sergio Ramos is on his way to similar hallowed status, Cesc Fabregas isn’t much of a TV show host but a great little midfielder, Xavi, Iniesta, Xabi Alonso and Marco Senna can all play a bit and up front you’ve got free-scoring David Villa and Fernando Torres. What could possibly go wrong? Something might, and a midfield long on talent but short on toughness could be a problem. But I’m predicting Spain will top Group D. Unless they don’t.

Read our Spain Team Profile for more.

Sweden

Keeper Andreas Isaksson looks to be first choice despite spending a season on the bench at Man City. Olof Mellberg is reliable at the back (and wears a beard without looking scruffy, an impressive feat) but is short of quality company. In midfield, Christian “rat-tail” Wilhelmson has got a few tricks, Kim Kallstrom’s got an eye for a pass and captain Freddie Ljungberg’s got broken ribs, which can’t be good. Up front is where the action is. Henrik Larsson came out of international retirement (again) to grace us with his sticky out tongue celebration and Zlatan Ibrahimovic is fit and ready to do to Euro 2008 defences what he did to Serie A this season. Should be entertaining, but the lack of decent defenders could well see Sweden finish third, or worse.

Read our Sweden Team Profile for more

So here’s my best guess at the final standings in Group D:

1. Spain
2. Russia
3. Sweden
4. Greece

Think you can make a better prediction? Of course you do. So enter our Euro 2008 Predictor Contest. You get points for picking the order the four groups will finish in, and for predicting which teams will be in the quarters, semis and final, plus big points for selecting the overall winner.

Prizes up for grabs include a £100 ($200) voucher from UKSoccerShop.com three Euro 2008 team jerseys from SoccerPro.com and a pair of Nike Euro 2008 special edition football boots, also from SoccerPro.com.