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EURO 2008 — Group of Death living up to its moniker

In important tournaments such as the ongoing EURO 2008, there is almost always a first stage group deemed the ‘Group of Death’.  In the 2006 FIFA World Cup, the USA were a part of that competition’s G-O-D, a group which included eventual winners Italy.  The four teams in the group were all well-regarded, but only two could continue past the group stage.

Sometimes - as in that World Cup group and now in the EURO 2008, there is a group which lives up to the billing as a G-O-D.  Such is the case with this tournament’s Group C.  As in the World Cup, EURO 2008 group stage has four teams in each group.  Two move on; half of this group’s big European sides will be gone tomorrow night.

Group C, who play their final matches on Tuesday night, includes FRANCE, ITALY, NETHERLANDS, and ROMANIA.  So, you have the teams from the 2006 World Cup Final, the number one seed (Netherlands), and another great team (Romania).

Yes, a true G-O-D…

You see, while the Netherlands have lived up to the high expectations as the number one seed of the tournament, the way the group’s first two matches have played out has been nothing short of a wild ride, and nothing less would be expected of a true G-O-D.

Let me put it this way:  Italy and France (the 2006 World Cup winner and runner-up, respectively) play each other tomorrow, and regardless of the outcome, even with a win by either, it is possible that neither will make it through to the next round - the quarterfinals.

This is because of the four in this group, only the Netherlands have actually won any of their matches.  Romania stands in second place because they have two draws.   France and Italy both had huge disappointing results, so they are now in 3rd and 4th, respectively, and in danger of elimination.

Should Romania win their match against the Netherlands, there is a chance that they will go through as the second team (along with the Netherlands, who are guaranteed a place).  It is entirely possible that Romania could win, as the Netherlands will want to rest their best players, rotating the squad to make use of a fresh lineup with no chance of elimination.  Romania will want to field their first team to have the best chance to get the most goals and a win so they can go through rather than one of the other two.

Yes, this Group of Death is living up to its moniker.  At least one - and possibly both - of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Final participants, with most of the same players now as then, will not go through.  The surprising and exciting results that have occurred thus far in this group, and the drama that will unfold in two simultaneous matches on Tuesday night are reasons this edition of EURO 2008 is garnering the most viewers ever in the U.S., and reasons why this tournament is the most-anticipated event in this sport this year.

It is, quite frankly, living up to the hype and exceeding expectations.  Perhaps , we have Group C - the Group of Death - most of all to thank for this !

Group C final group stage matches, 

Kickoff times of both, 11:45  PDT / 2:45 EDT

NETHERLANDS v ROMANIA  (ESPN 3/Classic - ESPN Deportes)
FRANCE v ITALY  (ESPN / ESPN Deportes)

View the full U.S. TV Schedule here

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This entry was posted on Monday, June 16th, 2008 at 3:07 pm and is filed under Soccer. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.