Euro 2008: Players To Watch

Euro 2008 starts in a mere 10 days, and as with anything football (or as we call it here in the States, soccer), I am quite excited for it.

Last year, I was actually thinking about going to Switzerland this June, where I have some family, to watch some of the tournament's games. But when I decided instead to go to the Philippines this past November, that pretty much killed the Switzerland idea in terms of a pure cost basis.

But of course, that does not mean I won't enjoy watching it on TV here (all the games are on ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPN Classic, with the Final on ABC). And here are a list of some players I personally would like to see play in the upcoming tournament, for various reasons.

So by Group and by Country, they are:

Group A:

Portugal:

Christiano Ronaldo - Midfielder - I hate him because he's in Man U, but there's no denying this kid's talent. The fact that he scored 42 goals for Man U this season across all competitions while playing from the wing is insane. There might not be a better player in the world right now when it comes to running at defenders with speed, power, ball control and dribble. One of those rare players whom you just think something will happen when the ball is at his feet.

Sadly, that's about it for Group A, as Tomas Rosicky of Arsenal (my favorite team) is hurt and won't be playing. If he had been healthy though, he would have been fun to watch. There's a reason why they call him Little Mozart.

Group B:

Croatia:

Luka Modric - Midfielder - He agreed to join Tottenham about a month ago, which is a shame (Tottenham is Arsenal's biggest and historical rival). He seems tiny - listed at 5'8" and 143 lbs. but there is a reason why a lot of the big European clubs wanted to buy him. I'm curious to see him play, as his size makes me think his style of play is like Little Mozart's (even though he is smaller!).

A special note also to another injured Arsenal player who would have been in the Croatia squad - Eduardo. The Brazilian born striker was the team's leading goal scorer in qualifiers and was finally showing off his talents after a rough start with Arsenal in his first year. Then he suffered the most sickening leg injury I have seen since Joe Theismann's. Google or You Tube it if you really want to, but I don't think it's worth the churning feeling in your stomach.

Germany:

Mario Gomez - Forward - A German named Gomez? Yes, his father is Spanish, even though Mario himself was born in Germany. There is nothing like the European football off-season when rumors swirl like crazy, and Gomez if you believe the tabloids, is a potential target of Arsene Wenger in his bid to strengthen his current Arsenal squad. I personally think Arsenal need another striker. Adebayor was great last year, but Bendtner is still young and growing, Van Persie is always hurt, Eduardo is out long term, and Carlos Vela, wunderkind as he is supposedly, is still only 19 and entering his first season with Arsenal's first team. Arsenal need some depth/security up front and if Gomez is indeed a target, I want to see his qualities.

Group C:

Ah, the Group of Death. This group has Italy, The Dutch, France and Romania. Safe to say Romania will be one of two teams not making it to the next round from this group. The other one? Man, I don't know but it should be quite the treat watching those 3 powerhouses slug it out.

Italy:

Andrea Pirlo - Midfielder - With Francesco Totti having quit International Football and Alessandro Del Piero not capable of 90 minutes of magic anymore, a lot of the offensive creativity for the Italian team will probably be Pirlo's responsibility now. But then again, he was their offensive fulcrum in the 2006 World Cup as well, not Totti. Him, Cannavaro and Buffon make the Italian team tick. And if he is on, the Italian counter attack will be deadly.

France:

Samir Nasri - Midfielder - Arsenal is supposedly really close to signing him and I hope he gets enough time on the pitch in the tourney so I can get a teaser of what to expect from him for the club. He is a playmaker who can play wide or in the middle, and has been called the new Zidane (but probably because of his Algerian heritage more than anything, since he is only 20 and has not reached his full potential yet).

Karim Benzema - Forward - Another young French forward who is being targeted by a lot of the big European clubs supposedly. Only 20 as well, he's made quite the impression in Champions League play already. If he's sold by Lyon before the tourney, expect a huge price tag. If he's sold after the tourney, expect an even heftier price as most are tipping him to possibly having a breakout tourney.

Netherlands:

Robin Van Persie - F - Another Arsenal player, he has showed long glimpses of his considerable talent, but has gotten injured too often. Possesses a lethal left foot that can score goals from long range and free kicks, but has superb touch as well. He is also a great playmaker and could be the closest thing the Dutch team has to the great Bergkamp when it comes to being able to create for others while being a threat to score. If he's healthy, I look forward to seeing him in action, something I have not seen too often for Arsenal the last 2 seasons.

Group D:

Spain:

Cesc Fabregas - Midfielder - My favorite player,and not coincidentally, the best player in Arsenal. He was given the #10 jersey for the Spanish team, which basically means he is expected to pull the strings for the team the way he does for Arsenal. Spain is notorious underachievers, but perhaps with Cesc leading the way, this could be the year the voodoo ends.

Fernando Torres - F - "El Niño" could be on the receiving end of a lot of Fabregas passes for goals, and I am quite excited to see if this partnership produces quality. Torres plays for Liverpool and is probably Group D's most feared goal scorer. He's my early favorite for the tournament's Golden Boot.

As for my prediction for the title? I say this is the year Spain finally wins a major tournament. And then I'll finally be able to refer to them in my head as something else besides "The country who colonized the Philippines for 300 plus years".

Viva España!!!!