Euro 2008

The hosts’ deficiencies compromise Euro 2008’s legacy

By Matthew Day ⋅ January 30, 2008 ⋅  Print This Post ⋅ Post a comment

Of those that qualified for Euro 2008, so-called ‘whipping boys’ are noticeable by their absence. There are always a few that make it to the World Cup - the likes of Japan, Saudi Arabia, Costa Rica and Iran in 2006 - but the European Championships, at half the size of its global counterpart, boasts a terrifically strong line-up of nations.

That is, apart from our two hosts.

Although having two weak sides in 16 is not a great problem, the hosts play a key role in the tournament’s ambience, and happy hosts equal a happy tournament. One of the lasting memories of Germany’s hosting of the World Cup was the way in which Germans suddenly fell in love with football after much scepticism up until just days before the globe’s biggest sporting event began.

The swarms of football lovers that travelled to the country helped, but moreover it was Germany’s surprising progress that triggered a wave of patriotism and gave a feel-good factor to the tournament. Upon beating Portugal to finish third, the noise and celebrations that followed may have fooled some into thinking Germany had won the Jules Rimet trophy itself, but repeats of such scenes appear extremely unlikely in Austria and Switzerland.

The former were dealt with reasonably kindly when the groups were decided, but Austria’s lack of pedigree means that their tournament is liable to end after just three games. They were placed alongside Croatia, Germany and Poland in Group B yet gaining more than a couple of draws is hard to envisage, especially if the home crowd is similarly pessimistic about their chances. It is hard to gauge just how much enthusiasm there will be from countries more usually inclined to hosting - and winning - ski events when a ball sport neither are very good at comes to town.

Switzerland did make the knockout stages at the 2006 World Cup and somehow exited the tournament despite not conceding a goal in their four matches - the first time in the competition’s history. It was hardly riveting stuff from the Swiss, however. A bore draw with France was followed up by two hard-fought victories against Togo and South Korea before a loss to underdogs Ukraine on penalties after their second 0-0 draw of the tournament, a match heralded as the worst of the entire World Cup.

Still, coach Kobi Kuhn, who constantly looks like an excitable child on Christmas morning (in a heart-warming way), has something to build on. The Euros would have been better served if Switzerland had been placed in Group B, replacing their co-hosts, rather than entering Group A along with the Czech Republic, Portugal and Turkey. Although Turkey were unconvincing in qualifying, Portugal and the Czechs were not. The pair possess superior squads and have enjoyed greater recent success in major competitions. The former reached the final of the 2004 event while Karel Bruckner led his Czech Republic side to the semis before being ousted by Greece in extra time.

The door is not closed for Switzerland - if they can beat Turkey, they then stand a chance. Before that, they face the Czech Republic in the tournament’s opening game and much relies on it. Bruckner’s squad is ageing and not as strong as it was four years ago while there should be a surge of anticipation ahead of the first match and expectation from the Swiss public of a good start. Turkey is the must-win middle fixture before Switzerland take on Portugal in the final group game.

Bursting with talent and on the back of a World Cup last four appearance, the Swiss will be huge underdogs but Portugal were not at their best in qualifying and coach Luis Felipe Scolari is set to leave his job at the end of the tournament, raising questions about the team’s motivation. Despite this, even a draw for the co-hosts would be a huge surprise.

The World Cups in 2002 and 2006 and the Euros in 2004 were carried by a successful host nation. Interest was maintained throughout and the fervour and enthusiasm swelled as the tournament reached its latter stages. Without a host nation beyond the group stages, Euro 2008 risks attracting the kind of interest English viewers will give it from the Swiss and Austrian fans. The big boys will always sell tickets, but without the added fascination of a host wilily progressing through the rounds, gaining more and more attention and galvanising an entire nation, the tournament will lose much of its charm.

Nevertheless, recent tournaments have suggested miracles are possible - see South Korea or Greece - and both the Austrians and the Swiss are desperately hoping for one of their own to slalom down from the mountain peaks and spur their nation on into the knockout stages.

Tags: Austria, Euro 2008, Switzerland

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