The draw for the Euro 2008 Qualifying Round will take place later this morning. I'm anxious to see how well Portugal will do (I'm Portuguese if you can't tell ha ha)

I'll post my thoughts once the draw is complete.

Groups for the 2008 European Championship:

Group A: Portugal, Poland, Serbia-Montenegro, Belgium, Finland, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan

I'm pretty excited about our group as we're getting some top quality competition in Poland and Serbia-Montenegro, some decent teams that can create upsets in Belgium and Finland, and of course the squash teams in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. This group can easily go in any direction. I'm confident that Portugal will come out in first in this group (biases aside) though the big question mark will be...Who will be their coach and will they adapt to a new system? Luis Felipe Scolari is leaving at the end of the World Cup (or so he says), so it should definately be interesting.


Group B:France, Italy, Ukraine, Scotland, Lithuania, Georgia and Faeroe Islands

This is the Group of Death. France, Italy and Ukraine are some top teams and it's a shame one of them will be on the outside looking in at Euro 2008. Scotland, while they wont advance, will definately play spoiler. Personally, I hope Italy doesn't qualify but that's just me.


Group C: Greece, Turkey, Norway, Bosnia, Hungary, Moldova and Malta

I'm anxious to see Greece and Turkey clash again. That's going to be a pretty heated confrontation and it could very well be Norway and Turkey advising.


Group D: Czech Republic, Germany, Slovakia, Ireland, Wales, Cyprus and San Marino

Another interesting group, though I see Germany and Czech Republic advancing rather easily. Slovakia and the Czech's will be some great matchups based on their political history.


Group E: England, Croatia, Russia, Israel, Estonia, Macedonia and Andorra

England got a rather easy group as Croatia hasn't been as dominant as it once was, while Russia is still dangerous they're still nothing to fear.


Group F: Sweden, Spain, Denmark, Latvia, Iceland, Northern Ireland and Liechtenstein

This group intrigues me as Spain could very well miss Euro 2008. It'll be very interesting and one to keep an eye on.

Group G: Netherlands, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Albania, Belarus and Luxembourg

Netherlands must have laughed when they saw this...if they don't finish undefeated I'll be disappointed.

First of all, thanks for posting the Groups Enigma!

Group A: Portugal, Poland, Serbia-Montenegro, Belgium, Finland, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan
Wow, I'm glad you are confident. I think this is a tough group. With Scolari leaving later this year, Portugal needs to find a coach quickly to get settled and start leading the national team. I too am rooting for Portugal in this group with S-M finishing second.

Group B:France, Italy, Ukraine, Scotland, Lithuania, Georgia and Faeroe Islands
This is a really tough one. And you're right - Scotland could be a spoiler, but for whom?

Group C: Greece, Turkey, Norway, Bosnia, Hungary, Moldova and Malta
Bang on! Greece v. Turkey. Now if only Cyprus were in this group.

Group D: Czech Republic, Germany, Slovakia, Ireland, Wales, Cyprus and San Marino
CZR v. GER is going to be a great match. There may be some World Cup fallout to avenge (it is possible for them to meet in the Finals).

Group E: England, Croatia, Russia, Israel, Estonia, Macedonia and Andorra
May not be so easy. Israel beat France in WC qualifying. That was the whole reason for bringing back Zidane for international play but England will definitely advance. And Croatia qualified for the WC but are in Brazil's group.

Group F: Sweden, Spain, Denmark, Latvia, Iceland, Northern Ireland and Liechtenstein
True, Spain could miss out but Denmark hasn't been as strong the past few years and Northern Ireland beat England in WC qualifying.

Group G: Netherlands, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Albania, Belarus and Luxembourg
The only one that could Netherlands a fight is Romania - possibly.

Group A: Portugal
Group B: France
Group C: Turkey
Group D: Germany
Group E: England
Group F: ESPANA C'mon we will advance..! Ole! wink
Group G: Netherlands

Those are my predictions...but I would like to see how they fair in WC play first, before I make my final decisions.

It's too early to make predictions. After World Cup, we will see a bunch of players retire and coaches moving around. Once that's all settled, we can sit down and decide who will advance.