GROUP C:
Croatia:
Top Players: Luka Modric (Tottenham; Midfield): Croatia’s success in the Euro Cup will depend on this player. He is a player with good playmaking but most importantly with great passing.
Style of Play: Depends on its attacking midfield, with the defense being its weakness.
Projected Standings: 3rd place; 3 pts. (Win-Ireland; Loss-Italy; Loss-Spain)
Notes: This team’s strongest line is its attacking midfield led by Luka Modric. It will be a very dangerous team but Italy’s talented defense and Spain’s greatness will leave Croatia in 3rd place of Group C.
Ireland:
Top Players: Robbie Keane (Galaxy; Striker): Keane is one of the most veteran players in this squad. However, he is still the leader of the team and he will lead Ireland’s offense with his goal scoring abilities.
Style of Play: Like Italy, Ireland is a team that depends on its defense. See Ireland to create its offense on the counter-attack.
Projected Standings: 4th place; 1 pts. (Loss-Croatia; Tie-Italy; Loss-Spain)
Notes: Ireland is a team with a good defense, but its productivity on the offensive side is poor. This will affect them gravely, and it will put them in fourth place of Group C.
Italy:
Top Players: Mario Balotelli (Manchester City; Forward): The young outspoken forward will be the center of attention of the Italian squad. He will use his talents like his strenght and speed to score most of Italy’s goals.
Andrea Pirlo (Juventus; Midfield): One of the most veteran Italian players, Pirlo will add his extraordinary passing abilities and ball control.
Style of Play: Its backline is its strongest line, and possibly the strongest amongst all teams in the Euro Cup. They lack greater offensive threats but Italy is a team that likes to have balance and possession of the ball with a strong midfield.
Projected Standings: 2nd place; 5 pts. (Win-Croatia; Tie-Ireland; Tie-Spain)
Notes: With its rich succesful soccer history, Italy is always one of the favorites to win any cup it participates. It will be the same this Euro Cup with its always impressive and over-achieving defense. Italy is weak on the offensive side, but it still has enough talent to come out in place of Group C.
Spain:
Top Players: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid; Goalie): One of the various leaders in this squad, Casillas adds assurance to the backline. He is possibly the world’s most talented goalie and see him making great saves for Spain this Euro Cup.
Xavi (Barcelona; Midfield): The player is a complete midfielder. He adds vision, playmaking, great passing, and speed. Along with Andres Iniesta, these two players will add composure to the best midfield in the cup.
Style of Play: Spain has a football similar to F.C. Barcelona. Under the feet of Xavi, Iniesta, and Cesc Fabregas.
Spain plays to have pure possession of the ball. Under this possession Spain will prevent the rival from attacking, and it also will allow for forwards like Roberto Soldado to score.
Projected Standings: 1st place; 7 pts. (Win-Croatia; Win-Ireland; Tie-Italy)
Notes: The reigning Euro 2008 champs will attempt to win its third major title in four years. Although missing David Villa and Carles Puyol, they are still group and cup favorites. Ths squad has too much experience and too much talent and taking the group’s first place should not be a problem.