FanNation

Yup, the European Championship (not to be confused with the UEFA Champions League) kicks off on June 7. Here is a brief list of the groups, along with their current (April) FIFA ranking, followed by the zonal ranking within Europe (I will update this when the May rankings are released):

*UPDATED* with May rankings (last ranking before tournament):

Oh, and the tournament will be televised on ESPN here in the US, with most matches taking place in mid-afternoon. 

GROUP A

• Switzerland (48)(28)
• Czech Rep. (6)(4)
• Portugal (9)(7)
• Turkey (T25)(T16)

GROUP B

• Austria (101)(43)
• Croatia (13)(11)
• Germany (5)(3)
• Poland (27)(18)

GROUP C

• Netherlands (10)(8)
• Italy (3)(1)
• Romania (12)(10)
• France (7)(5)

GROUP D

• Greece (8)(6)
• Sweden (23)(15)
• Spain (4)(2)
• Russia (T25)(T16)

I have two comments to begin with. First of all, having joint hosts will more often than not result in a travesty, of the sort that sees Switzerland, but especially Austria, given *seeds* in their groups (as if they were European football powers... hardy har har).

Which leads to my second comment--because of this absurd seeding, the remaining draw created an imbalance in the groups. Group B, while not a lock for Germany, is clearly not of the same quality as groups A and D. Group C is at the other extreme--based on FIFA ranking, the *fourth*-ranked team of the four (Romania) would be *second*-ranked in group B.

But leaving all the ranking and seeding controversy aside, what do I think about the tournament itself? Well, I feel that this year might see Portugal live up to the promise it showed at EURO 2004 (which it hosted), in which it reached the final; and World Cup 2006, in which it reached the semifinal. I also think that Spain is poised to make a run to the title... although it is so poised in almost EVERY tournament and always seems to come up short ;-)

So, here's an early bracket:

Quarterfinals:

• Portugal (winner A) 4-2 Croatia (runner-up B)
• Germany(winner B) 3-0 Czech. Rep (runner-up A)
• Italy (winner C) 2-0 Sweden (runner-up D)
• Spain (winner D) 1-1 France (runner-up C); Spain wins in pen.

Semifinals:

• Portugal 2-1 Germany
• Italy 2-2 Spain (3-2 Italy at extra time)

Final:

• Portugal 1-0 Italy

Yeah, right. ;-) Pretty boring, as I'm predicting the four winners in the group stage will be the four semifinalists. The only lower-ranked team I'm picking to make it through to the quarter-finals is Sweden (over Greece). I'm guessing that Italy will still have the all-around strength of squad to carry the Azzurri through to the final, but that the unpredictability of Portugal's stars will be the key--I'm assuming that Messers Ronaldo and Nani pull something out of their uh, sleeves that proves the difference that can crack both the German and Italian defenses in successive matches. Though I predict the final (as most are) will be a tedious affair with lots of, um, the "dark art of simulation."

I could be wrong, though.

TO BE CONTINUED...