Euro '08 Intrigue

Portugal progressed through to the quarterfinals with a convincing 3-1 win over Czech Republic on Monday, while Turkey broke the hearts of the Swiss with two second half goals to eclipse Switzerland 2-1 and eliminate the co-hosts after just two games in the group stage. Portugal clinches top spot in Group A. Czech Republic and Turkey will meet on Sunday with a spot in the quarterfinals up for grabs.

Croatia stunned Germany by going up 2-0 on the tournament favorites, and held on after a Lukas Podolski goal 10 minutes from time halved the deficit. With the win, Croatia wins Group B and will await the runner-up from Group A. Austria earned a last second penalty to shock Poland with a miracle 1-1 draw, giving the co-hosts hope of progressing when they meet Germany next Monday. Poland too has an outside shot of qualifying if they beat Croatia and get some help from a Germany-Austria draw.

Holland continued their impressive run through the Group of Death by dismantling France 4-1, while Italy stayed alive by drawing with Romania, who now find themselves in great shape of advancing if they win against a Dutch 'B' team or draw and see the Italians and French draw too. The Italy-France game Tuesday carries a ton of intrigue, as the two finalists from the '06 World Cup meet in the group stage with the knowledge that one or both will not be playing on in the knockout rounds of a major tournament. You couldn't pay me to predict the game between two underachieving powers at Euro 2008. But I'll go with France anyway, since they seem more poised to explode with two or three goals than do the Italians.

Spain is in control of Group D, and has qualified for the quarterfinals, if not yet clinched the group outright. Russia's victory over Greece set up an enticing game with Sweden, where similar to the Czech-Turkey contest, winner advances, loser goes home. Conventional wisdom suggests Sweden have the upper hand, but that same wisdom also urges to never count out a Guus Hiddink-led side. The Russians looked innovative and assured going forward against Greece, who just don't have the same magic in '08 that they had in '04. The Greeks still look like a capable side defensively, but just lack the imagination necessary to produce goals in this major tournament. I expect Russia to play Sweden to the wire and ultimately join Spain in the next round.