Euro 2008 / Mike Norman / 28 February 2008 / Leave a comment

"Mystical" Mike Norman looks into his crystal ball to predict which youngsters such as France's Benzema, Portugal's Quaresma and Spain's Bojan can make a real splash at Euro 2008

The World Cup of 1990 saw the emergence of Paul 'Gazza' Gascoigne as a truly world class footballer. Although the young Geordie was already rated as a brilliant player in this country, it was his performances for England on the world stage that catapulted him to super stardom, creating a frenzy of 'Gazzamania' on his return from Italia 90.

Due to a lot of injuries, and some well documented personal problems, Gazza never really hit those heights again as a player and now faces his toughest challenge ever as he tries to battle the demons that plague his life. I wish him well.

The month of June may well be a painful one for fans of the English national team, but that shouldn't prevent us all from admiring the immense talent that will be on show at this summer's European Championship. Whether it's a well known Premiership star, or a lesser known European based player, it's inevitable that another youngster will burst on to the world scene just like our Gazza did.

Portugal are currently trading at [8.6] to win the tournament outright and they would be my selection to lift the trophy as things stand now. Their squad is littered with talent, with some highly promising youngsters expected to steal the show. Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani need little introduction, but Porto's Ricardo Quaresma is a player that is rated very highly on the continent and could well be Portugal's star man. He is blessed with exceptional speed and dribbling abilities, and will cause full-backs havoc regardless of which wing he is flying down.

I rate Portugal a solid bet at [2.56] to finish top of 'Group A', ahead of the Czech Republic ([3.35]), Switzerland ([5.2]) and Turkey ([7.6]). At shorter odds, I'd be amazed if Portugal don't qualify from this group, with the odds of offer being [1.43] to say that they will.

The favourites for Euro 2008 are those tournament specialists Germany, who can be backed at [5.8] to win outright, or at [3.1] to reach the final. The Germans are renowned for their togetherness as a team rather than for having individual stars - but this summer could be very different. At just 22, Lukas Podolski is a striker who could set this tournament alight. He is a natural goalscorer who can score with either foot as well as being excellent in the air. Podolski has already played 45 times for the German national team, and his record of scoring more than once every two games has seen him being compared with the great Jurgen Klinsmann.

Germany are my bankers to win 'Group B' at odds of [1.7]. They will have few problems seeing off Croatia ([3.55]), now minus their own young star in the unfortunate Eduardo, while Poland ([8.2]) and Austria ([16.5]) will pose little threat.

Regular underachievers Spain are going to win one of these tournaments one day, and you can back them at [7.6] if you think now is the time for them. They have a solid looking squad with some outstanding youngsters in Torres and Fabregas - but given the chance, Barcelona's Bojan could well be a surprise package. He is still only 17, but the fact that he is on the fringe of the first team at a massive club suggests how highly he is regarded. In defence, the excellent Sergio Ramos is another player to keep an eye on, and he should help Spain win 'Group D' at [1.96].

France, Italy and Holland lock horns in 'Group C' - the group of death! Holland are available at [15] to win the tournament and [3.7] to win the group, but they look devoid of top class players to me, with only Ryan Babel and Wesley Sneijder being youngster of note. Current World Champions Italy could easily do the double by becoming European Champions, but I would be a layer at odds of [8.2], and at [2.84] to top the group. Their squad if full of experience rather than promising youngsters and I think they will lack that extra quality come the latter stages.

I have a feeling that France will raise their game come the summer and they might represent some value at [10.5] to lift the trophy. They are available at [2.92] to win the group, and with some top class Premiership players in their squad they represent a solid selection. But it's Lyon's Hatem Ben Arfa and the exciting Karim Benzema that look set to be key players for the French, and perhaps be amongst the players of the tournament. Benzema is highly promising player who can play anywhere across the attack, a bit like compatriot Thierry Henry.

Now if Benzema turns out to be anywhere near as good as Henry, then Euro 2008 really will be worth watching - I'd love to know your thoughts.