Euro 2008 Preview

Well, what an end to the season that was. A Man United double was just about enough to make me hurl down the front of my replica jersey.

And so, to Euro 2008. France are the team everyone's watching, and the group of death. Searching for Zizou, that's what we're about. A Zizou for 2008.

Does Portugal have a Zizou for 2008? A player who can score a headed goal in a big final?

Nasri to Arsenal. If you believe the rumors, Nasri will line up with the Arsenal. Fabregas and Nasri are from the same mold. No one's one-touch passing could ever reach the high level of quality we've seen from Cesc for three seasons. His skill level is unmatchable, but Nasri, has something of a mini-Cesc about him. The player has a good first touch of the ball.

Is there room for Hleb and Flamini in a side with Nasri? Hleb would make a nice reserve winger, but if we wants to go, it would be understandable given Nasri is the new midfielder to partner Cesc.

Au revoir Mathieu. Good-bye to questionable-end-product Hleb?

But, for the France first 11, it looks like Nasri hasn't done enough, yet, to get the nod alongside Makalele. Vieira could be set to retain the Captaincy, and that means that Nasri could be axed along with six others from the provisional list of 30!

Nasri has not shown that he's stronger in a slide tackle than Vieira. Nasri's prospects have not improved since he did make some starts late in France's Euro-2008-qualifying campaign.

Here's the first 11 I'd like to see for France:

Benzema Anelka
Henry Makalele Toulalan/Flamini Ribery
Evra Gallas Thuram/Mexes Sagnol/Diarra
Coupet

Bring in some young blood, why not? Nasri as an attacking sub.

Bring on Holland and Italy. Should be a couple crackers. And I'd even pay to watch Romania.