Euro Flops

After choosing Russia as my team most likely to over achieve this summer, it is only fair I consider the opposite. Which one of Europe's elite will suffer the humiliation of falling at the group stage and boarding an early plane home with their tails tucked firmly between their legs?

Strangely this year (so far) I don't think you can include England in this category. Usually by this stage the English press has succeeded in convincing the nation that this tournament will end the [insert number] years of hurt. However, to this point, Hodgson is riding on the crest of a wave of pessimism that should take the pressure off a team depleted by injuries and suspensions. Mind you, an unexpected victory over the French will soon change Fleet Street's angle on the chances of the Three Lions.

Then there's Group B; immediately annointed as this year's Group of Death. As a result it means that at least one of Holland, Germany or Portugal will not qualify for the Quarter Finals, surely joining Denmark (it's never a risk to write off the Danes...) at the nearest airport. But due to the strength of that group I still think it would be unfair to label the loser as a flop.

So for me that leaves one nation; Italy. As much as I would love to have that £20 from a previous blog to bet on Russia to win the competition, I'm convinced it would be money better spent on the Azzurri crashing out. I know it's dangerous to write off a country that has won four World Cups and one Euro, but this issurely the worst Italian squad ever taken to a major competition.

Where once catenaccio was organised by the likes of Baresi, Maldini and Bergomi, now the defence reads Chiellini, Barzagli and Maggio. When losing the 1994 World Cup Final the Italian midfield included Albertini, Berti and Donadoni, now Marchisio and Nocerino get significant game time. Pirlo, for the record, is still there but then again I'm fairly sure he was an unused sub in their previous Euros win in 1968. Finally, think of all the famous Italian strikers over the years such as Rossi, Baggio, Schillaci, Vieri; the names roll of the tongue. Not now. Now their hopes rest on Di Natale, Super Mario and Cassano-who only returned to action in April following heart surgery.

Some might say "But hold on, they qualified?" which is a valid point. Not only did they qualify, in fact, but they actually won their group undefeated! Even so, put simply Group C was rubbish. They beat the Faroes, Northern Ireland, Slovenia and Estonia comfortably at home but drew with the Ulstermen in Belfast and Serbia in Belgrade. The only impressive result, on paper, appears to be a 3-0 home victory over the talented Serb side, but even that came courtesy of an abandonement after just 6 minutes!

I'll come right out and say it; Italy are playing for third place in the group. Here's how I see it. They will lose their opening match to Spain and, quite possibly, take a bit of a drubbing in the process. Russia recently hammered them 3-0 in a friendly in a match that could have ended in a cricket score and, if Spain fire, it could get ugly. They face a potentially tricky encounter in their second match against Croatia. If, as predicted, their opening game has been a disaster then Bilic's charges are not the ideal tonic for bruised confidence. So, by the time of the final group matches, Italy might already be out as they line out against the Irish in Poznan. Trapattoni's men may well be in the same boat, leaving this game as the battle to avoid the wooden spoon. Even worse for Prandelli though, could be a scenario in which Ireland have shocked Croatia and know a result against the Italians takes them through.

The more I consider the permutations the more I can see Italy finishing Group D in fourth place with zero points. How embarassing that would be for such a great footballing nation. I would normally say it's worth a flutter but, chances are, most of the Italian squad have already put a few Euro on it.

Will Italy flop at the Euros? Leave your comments here.