LITTLE BOY BLUE'S EURO DIARY - Monday, June 2: FIVE DAYS TO GO

Last updated : 02 June 2008 By Little Boy Blue
It all gets going this Saturday with co-hosts Switzerland meeting the Czech Republic in Basle, then Portugal and Turkey go head to head in Geneva a few hours later.
 
Not since France won in 1984 has a host nation emerged as champions and I'll be very surprised if either Switzerland or Austria buck that trend this time around.  In fact, I'm inclined to think Swiss hopes will take a bit of a tanking in this weekend's opener.  The Czechs were probably the unluckiest of losers in Portugal four years ago, when they lost out to a Greek 'silver goal' in the semi-final, and they will again be serious contenders to lift the trophy. 
 
Most Bears will have been surprised to see Libor Sionko show up so well against Scotland on Friday.  After a fair start, scoring on his competitive debut at Motherwell, he really didn't do much for us and, when he was equally disappointing for FC Copenhagen against the Sheepies in the UEFA Cup, I wrote him off as an over-rated chancer.  Maybe it is easier for him with the Czechs because he has better players around him so it will be very interesting to see how he shapes up over these next few weeks.
 
With the possibility of Pavel Nedved pushing himself back into the team, the Czechs certainly don't lack quality.  Cech, Jankelovski, Ujfalusi, Rosicky and Koller could all walk into any team in world football and they should get off to a flyer at the weekend. They never had to get out of first gear against Scotland and I'm not expecting them to be pushed too hard in this group, with only Portugal looking capable of running them close.
 
Having blown it when they were host nation in 2004, then done well to get to the semis of the World Cup two years ago, the Portuguese will fancy their chances, especially if Ronaldo can put all the current transfer speculation out of his head and produce the goods.  Saturday's opener against the Turks will give us some inclination of what sort of Portugal team will turn up, the infuriating under-achievers or the genuine article.  I'm hoping for the latter but I'm not so sure.
 
Apart from a good showing in the World Cup of 2002, Turkey have no real tournament pedigree and many regard them as having been lucky to edge Norway out in their qualifying group. Fatih Terim is now in his second spell in charge of the national team and, having had great success at Galatasaray before having mixed fortunes in Italy, he will know how to get the best out of his team but I don't think they have the quality to get through even this relatively modest group.
 
As co-hosts, there will be a bit of pressure on Switzerland but I don't suppose even their most fervent fan is expecting too much.  If they can make a good start, a bit of belief might build and they could get carried along with the momentum but kicking off against a top quality outfit like the Czech Republic really loads the dice against them.
 
My money is on the Czechs to win the group, possibly with maximum points, and I'm going for Portugal to grab second spot, just so long as they make a good start on Saturday.
 
CRYSTAL BALL GAZING
 
Switzerland 0 Czech Republic 2
Portugal 2 Turkey 1
Czech Republic 2 Portugal 1
Switzerland 2 Turkey 2
Switzerland 1 Portugal 1
Czech Republic 3 Turkey 0
 
                         Pld. W D  L  F  A Pts.
CZECH REP          3  3  0  0  7  1  6 
PORTUGAL           3  1  1  1  4  4  4
SWITZERLAND      3  0  2  1  3  5  2
TURKEY                3  0  1  2  3  7  1
 
LITTLE BOY BLUE