Top 5 Statistical Euro Groups of Death

There has been much talk about Euro 2008’s group of death, Group C, where France, Italy, the Netherlands and Romania will face off, with only two spots available for advancement. But how does it shape up against some of the groups of death past? This is the fourth European Championship since the creation of the FIFA World Rankings in 1993, and in those four Euros, these are the top five groups of death, in order of average FIFA ranking of the group:

1. Euro 1996, Group C (Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Russia)
Average ranking: 5.5
The only time that all four members of a Euro group were ranked in the world’s top 10 by FIFA. Germany won the group with two wins and a draw, while the Czechs advanced on goal difference, leaving Italy in a disappointing third and the shell-shocked Russians without a single win.

2. Euro 2008, Group C (France, Italy, Netherlands, Romania)
Average ranking: 8
Only two weeks to wait before this one kicks off, with both defending World Cup finalists looking to hold off two strong contenders. Romania may be the underdog, but their qualifying results against Holland should make anyone wary of them.

3. Euro 2000, Group D (Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Netherlands)
Average ranking: 9.75
The #2-ranked Czechs managed only one win, and finished third, as Holland won all three to top the group. Henry and Trezeguet powered France to second place, and Zidane took over in the knockouts to lead France to the win.

4. Euro 2000, Group A (England, Germany, Portugal, Romania)
Average ranking: 10.75
Portugal was the lowest-ranked team in the group at #15, but completely dominated, winning all three matches. A last minute Ioan Ganea penalty for Romania sent England home early, and put Romania into the knockouts.

5. Euro 1996, Group B (Bulgaria, France, Romania, Spain)
Average ranking: 13.75
France and Spain both went undefeated to qualify from the group, but Bulgaria was only a point behind, after they beat the Romanians and drew with Spain, powered by the one-man offense of Hristo Stoichkov.

Romania and France have the honor (read: headache) of being drawn in three of the top five hardest groups of the past four championships. 2004 is the only championship not represented here, with the toughest group in Portugal being Group D, in 8th place overall.