Introduction / Feizal Rahman / 06 June 2008 / Leave a comment

Portugal may not go all the way but they should prove too good for their Group A opponents and we'll be seeing the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Richard Quaresma in the knock-out stages. And Switzerland may be the ones joining them, says Feizal Rahman.

To cap off an astonishing season of 42 goals and a Premiership and Champions League double, it may be written in the stars for Cristiano Ronaldo to now go on to lead his native Portugal to European Championship victory (9.0 to win). Football, however, rarely throws up such fairytale endings and analogous to his Brazilian namesake capitulating under such expectation at the 1998 World Cup, it is surely asking too much of the 23-year-old to replicate match-winning performances at the highest level into the month of June. Portugal, as Manchester United, are not solely reliant on the winger's talent and can boast world-class ability in all areas except perhaps the most vital - the attack.

With 8 goals in qualifying, Ronaldo scored 5 more than nearest team-mates Nuno Gomes and Simao Sabrosa with 3 each. As all-time leading scorer Pauleta now enjoys international retirement, striking duties rest with the ageing Gomes, the uninspiring Helder Postiga and the relatively unproven Hugo Almeida. It's in midfield though where the Portuguese can boast an abundance of talent for coach Luis Scolari to choose from; the flair of Simao, Ricardo Quaresma and Nani, the guile and experience of Deco and Petit, the precision passing of Miguel Veloso and Joao Moutinho and, of course, the explosiveness of Ronaldo. Yet, although solid enough in defence with the likes of Ricardo Carvalho, Fernando Meira, Miguel, Bruno Alves and Jose Bosingwa, something just doesn't convince about the overall bundle offered by the Portuguese.

Second to Poland in qualifying, other than a solitary defeat away to the group winners, Portugal drew six times - most disappointingly away at Armenia and then at home to Finland. Two recent friendly losses away at Italy and at home to Greece have done little to elevate confidence. It appears that Portugal are too laden with flair in midfield and it could be a case of too many cooks spoiling the proverbial broth. At the 2006 World Cup, Portugal unwittingly laid out the blueprint for Premiership Arsenal's fortunes this season; technically formidable in possession but frustratingly impotent in the final third and always liable at the back under duress. Even if Ronaldo is able to unmask himself as a living, breathing Superman and can turn it on for a few more games, one suspects - as in previous tournaments - it will still not be sufficient at the business end of affairs. Nevertheless, up against vastly weaker opposition in Group A, the Portuguese are a safe bet to finish top of the table at [2.36].

The Czech Republic ([26.0] to win) finished qualification above Germany, managing to beat the overall Euro 2008 favourites away in Munich but only after suffering their sole group loss at home to them. Despite this, a glance at the players in the Czech squad reveals that several of the names of the side that entertained so many at Euro 2004 are either not present (Arsenal's Tomas Rosicky and Juventus' Pavel Nedved) or in the twilight of their career (Nuremburg's Tomas Galasek and Jan Koller). Karel Bruckner's charges went on to disappoint at the 2006 World Cup, bowing out at the group stages behind eventual champions Italy and debutants Ghana. With arguably the world's best goalkeeper in Petr Cech and a stern looking defence including Zdenek Grygera, Marek Jankulovski and Tomas Ujfalusi - all of whom ply their trade in Serie A - the Czechs should be tough to beat, but the lack of proven midfield flair and attacking potency means a quarter-final exit is probably the best they can aspire to.

Joint-hosts Switzerland are an interesting consideration having surprised all at the last World Cup, topping their group above eventual finalists France and the industrious South Korea. Elimination in the second round by Ukraine via penalties saw the Swiss head home without conceding a single regular-time goal in their four games. The impenetrable defence had suggestive form in qualifying for Germany, their only defeat coming in the away leg of a play-off against Turkey - two away goals enough to see the Swiss through. This time however, there has been no such competitive preparation and in 19 friendlies since the World Cup, they have won 9 (against largely weaker opposition), lost 9 and drawn 1. Two notable results on Swiss soil, however, were a draw against Argentina and a win a few weeks later against Holland. Home advantage may prove to be a valuable factor for the Swiss here against questionable opposition in the Czechs and Turkey.

The Turks just pipped Norway to second place in qualification behind fierce rivals Greece but results show they are inconsistency epitomised. Villarreal striker Nihat has had a productive season in La Liga with 18 league goals helping the 'Yellow Submarines' to 2nd place behind champions Real Madrid, while five of the Turkish squad reached the Champions League quarter finals with Fenerbahce. Although neither has a great record in major tournaments, the cool-headed Swiss can be taken to outperform the occasionally fiery Turks and confound us. It's [2.2] that Switzerland safely negotiate their way out of the group and [6.4] on a Group A straight forecast Portugal 1st/Switzerland 2nd and that's where my money is going.

Tags: Cristiano Ronaldo, Euro 2008 betting, Euro bets, Quaresma