Prediction for Euro 2008......................

European Championship beckons and this is how I think it will pan out….

Winners: Spain

Spain will be worthy winners by playing classy and skilful football. Villa and Torres’ strike partnership cannot be matched. They, literally, do have everything. Pace, unerring, awareness and dedication. They have been under achievers at all tournaments (it makes England’s record look rather pleasant. This will be their year, Cesc Fabergas will make a big difference, and he needs to be on the form he was for Arsenal for the first six months of the season.

They do have the easiest group and Sweden will be their sternness test, I believe they will win all three. They are vulnerable at the back, they will be involved in some high scoring games and it will be these games, which the public will want to watch.

Iniesta, Villa, Torres, Fabergas, Casillas, Silva, Alonso, Riena, Puyol, Xavi, Senna, thee I say more.

Runners Up: Germany

Germany will have another strong tournament, just like a James Bond baddie, or Arnold Swwarzenegger’s Terminator, the Germans keep coming back.

Germany will play their typical display of disciplined football, working for each other and have the superior mental aptitude. Michael Ballack will be leading his country out and they hope he can supply Klose and Gomez with the quality needed to score goals.

They almost done it in 2006 and I believe they can go one better.

Third: Italy

They will fail to add to their world cup triumph at the hands of Spain in the semis, a decent platform to success, I just feel Spain will be luckier. Captain Fabio Cannavaro will need to play a huge role and be the heartbeat of the team. Luca Toni will be a striker to look out for.

Surprise Package: Croatia (semi-finals)

Knocking England out, decent manager, favourable group, there should be no reason why Croatia should not do well. A lot will depend on, Tottenham bound, Luka Modric to supply the finish article and lead his team to a surprise semi final appearance.

Biggest Flop: France

Doomed to fail, too many players unwilling to perform. William Gallas and Claude Makelele both finished the season trophy less, so did Thierry Henry. They will be the last one to come out of the group of death. Italy and Holland will do it, it will be very difficult. Even Scotland beat them twice.

Top Goals corer: Fernando Torres

Man of the moment, give him the ball and he will score. If the midfielders supply enough chance, with no doubt, Torres will finish the majority of them off.

Player of the tournament: Cesc Fabergas

Time to turn good for Spain, not favoured by Luis Aragonas but he will turn it around and will be the inspiration. A decent chance to shine.

Biggest let down: Cristiano Ronaldo

Too much in one season, distracted by all the transfer speculation and will be found out. It will be a shame, the world’s best player may just have had the season of his life but we struggle.

Manager of the tournament: Slaven Bilic (Croatia)

Knocking England out, finishing top of the group, he may be much underestimated in the game. We give his players believe and he has the tactical know how to be a flying success.

Worst Refereeing decision: One from Howard Webb (probably)

And the Hosts: Switzalnd and Austria….

…I have them gaining one point between them. An Austrian draw against Poland. Woop Woop.