'Europass': the ball of Euro 2008

The official ball of Euro 2008 was presented in Lucerne (Switzerland). The name that has received the ball is "Europass", which had the technology used in it.

The new spherical surface allows players to control the ball in any atmospheric condition. The "revolutionary" PSC-Texture ™ system consists of a fine skin, which allows a greater grip between the ball and the boot.

The name "Europass" makes a clear allusion to the European competition, which takes place in the two neighbouring countries: Austria and Switzerland. Therefore, refers to that connection border between the two nations. Similarly, represents the "passes" (pass) that will make the players on the pitch.

Trix and Flix official mascots of the Euro 2008

The official mascots for Euro 2008 are two porcupine footballers, dressed in white and red (the colors of the flags of Austria and Switzerland, countries organizers.

What better way to spice the union of Austria and Switzerland for the holding of this Euro Soccer 2008, with 2 friendly porcupine as pets in the event, with the colors of the host 2 selections.

According to the creator of the company mascot "Warner Bros. Consumer Products" Trix and Flix also part of the official image of the Euro in Austria and Switzerland represents the alpine mountains. In addition the company and organizers want to show themselves with the mascot double union of peoples with team spirit and soccer.

The names of the official mascots of the Uefa Euro 2008, were elected by more than 67,000 football fans in Austria and Switzerland, with a 36.3% of the votes. So Christian Mutschler (Director of the Uefa Euro) showed convinced that pets and their name will form an important part in this Euro.

RUSSIA A NEW GENERATION (Group D)

Despite not having great figures on the pitch, Russia may count on the technical direction with one d elos best coaches in the world: Guus Hiddink. The Dutch proved to throughout his career that is a true strategist, triumphing in both clubs and in selections.

Russia will be a combined they do not put things easy for their contenders. Classify Euro occupying the second position of his group leaving out nothing more and nothing less than the English selection.

Hiddink has made clear that Spain as a favorite part of the group but also ensures that Russia will not go on holiday to this quote mainland "We have begun a new era with new players. The most important thing for our Federation is having come this far and made the classification Now we have nothing to lose, "said the coach.

SWEDEN THREAT SCANDINAVIAN (Group D)

Dirty reaches this Euro taking one of the most complete teams of 16 participants. It is always a selection battle in such competitions. The strength of his players coupled with the technical quality of some of them have made this combination that is one of the most complete at present.

Despite having sorted this issue occupying the second place in its group, the Swedes take this appointment with the firm conviction reflect on the field three qualities that define it: discipline, strength and technique.

Sweden has a coach of the stature of Lars Lagerback, considered one of the best strategists of European football.

The team will participate escadinavo for the fifth consecutive time in an international championship teams, fans used to enjoy with their presence. But not everything has been rosy for the Swedes, since in his latest offerings have disappointed his followers, who were expecting a better performance.

GRECE CURRENT CHAMPIONS (Group D)

The champions of Euro 2004 in Portugal reach Austria and Switzerland with the intention of demonstrating that it reached in lusas land was not the result of chance. The Hellenes will have to cope with Spain, as they did four years ago, and it must fight for a quota to the quarter finals with the complicated Sweden and Russia.

Throughout the qualifying round, the selector Otto Rahhagel offensive lasted a system with 4 men at the bottom, 3 in the middle field and 3 others in the lead. Each sector is well balanced with players of great strength possessing an extraordinary technical quality.

ESPAIN ETERNAL FAVORITE (Group D)

Every time we approach a World Cup or European Championship, Spain is among the favorite teams to lift the award. Despite having won throughout its history only a European edition of the contest, the Iberian country still appear on these lists of candidates.

Spain comes to this great event with an interesting bloc made up of a new litter of young players who have given the team a particular style, especially in the field and creative offensive.

The selection will try once again win an international tournament that it certifies once and for all as one of the great combination of the old continent. On this occasion, Aragones will rely on the quality of this new group that has given this selection a positive image in recent years.

This period has coincided with the convening of the non-top scorer in the history of Spain, Raul Gonzalez, a decision that has been simultaneously praised and criticized by detractors and admirers of the player.

Likewise, the "sage of Hortaleza" said several times that the presence of madrilista captain in the Euro is not discarded, leaving a door open for a possible appeal that really seems impossible.

ROMANIA WOLVES DRESSED AS LAMB (Group C)

The selection led by Victor Piturca arrives with the cartel to be the Cinderella of the so-called group of death, and is not for less. Left paired in a group with teams from the size of France, Holland and Italy, is not exactly to launch rockets. Still, these teams may not relax even one minute before the Romanians because they will be willing to one of the surprises of the highest continental competition.

In connection with the draw, the Romanian coach was taken with some smoke the result "It was a nice draw for us. It is far easier group. We have no problems in playing against the two finalists of the last World against Holland." He indicated.

In principle the selection not part with much favouritism to move to the quarterfinals; arrive disguised as wolves in sheep, a factor that could benefit this combination that has nothing to lose but everything to gain.

NETHERLANDS THE CONSENT OH THE FANS (Group C)

The Netherlands is one of the choices we always come with favouritism but in the end stay on the road. At present Netherlands is headed by Van Basten, a member of this team that won the only Euro in that country in 1988.


On the "lucky" to them deparó in the lottery, said that the technician could not hide his surprise, "The World also enter the so-called 'Group of Death' (with Argentina, Ivory Coast and Serbia and Montenegro). I wonder how they will now call on this. "He said.

Van Basten will seek leave by the door of the large selection, because after the Euro will leave the office for national coach to Ajax Amsterdam.

FRANCE VETERANS OF THE EURO (Group C)

France can boast of being the only choice, alongside Germany, having won more than once the European nations (1984 and 2000). Having lost their final World Cup Germany 2006, the Gauls try to win the Euro "drawn spine", although once again will be measured to Italy always complicated.

The coach Raimond Domenech reach the continental tournament relied on the experience of many of their veteran players a thousand battles. The block is virtually the same team which took in the past World, especially in defensive tasks.

There is no doubt that this time the halos will miss the highest figure in recent years, Zinedine Zidane.

ITALY TEAM TO BEAT (Group C)

Italy reach the Euro with a high forehead after being selection of the past world champion. Virtually possesses the same block two years ago while Roberto Donadoni, substitute Marcelo Lippi on the bench, has made several tweaks in some positions.

The draw for Euro this was something cruel and paired with France to Italy, Netherlands and Romania in so-called group of death, however these teams will enable us to enjoy full of vibrant party rivalry.

The great doubt Italy focuses on the possible convening of Alessndro Del Piero, who has not entered into the plans Donadoni in the last friendly meetings

CROATIA NIGHTMARE OF THE BRITISH (Group B)

Croatia ranked dramatically on the road leaving nothing more and nothing less than to England. The Croatian fans remembered for many years one party in a historic victory helped them to occupy the first seat of the group, but not everything has been positive for selection because unfortunately the naturalized Brazilian Eduardo Da Silva, the tournament will be lost by strong mainland injury suffered in the Premier League.

Slaven bilic has no major figures but has managed very well engage all their parts, forming a large bloc's hard to beat. Account in the centre of defence with the experienced Ribert Kobac. The medium field will be commanded by Captain Nico Kovac, while Nico Kranjcar and Darijo Srna try to feed balls to striker Mladen Petric.

POLAND BONE HARD ROER (Group B)

Poland reaches the Euro with a "Crack" that shines on the bench: Leo Beenhakker. Since he took charge of the selection this man began working on developing a system capable of mixing youth and veterans. Over time Beenhakker was forming a solid blocking very difficult to beat which was polishing with the months and training. The results were the best, the Poles managed the feat of classifying for the first time in its history at a European Championship football on an almost masterful.

In this long-awaited and expected competition coach relies on several of the players who made it possible for Poland to classify contest, including Jakub Blaszczykowsk, Jacek Krzynowek, Mariusz Lewandowski and of course, the scorer Euzebiusz Smolarek.

It is worth noting that one of the keys to this selection and basa en el gusto po good touch and possession of the ball as well as the tendency of the game for the most dangerous moves towards the goal.

AUSTRIA WITHOUT MUCH HOPE (Group B)

Austria is among the countries that come without much favouritism to win this edition of the Euro. In principle, the local teams have a comparative advantage based on public support, but in the case of Austria could not say the same. And is that even the same hobby is aware of the limitations of this combined.

Austria has participated in 7 final stages of the World Cup but this will be the first to do so in the Euro. The preparation of the team has not been very productive, causing unease in some sector of the hobby, which went so far as to create a website that does not stop participating in the tournament organizing.

Hickersberger usually plays 4-4-2 that can be changed to a 5-4-1. The goal would be guarded by Helge Payer, owner in the last few games of the team. In defence, Garics and Gercaliu play in bands while in the centre of defence would host a post Pröd, Pogatetz and Stranzl.

The responsibility for the attack will almost surely Roland Linz, who was summoned after being absent for several months by technical decision.

GERMANY KINGS OF EUROPE (Group B)

One of the primary tasks of selection led Jöachim Löw will be to erase the bad records obtained in the last Euro. Since the 1996 edition, when it raised the maximum award in England in the finals after defeating the Czech Republic, the Germans have not been able to reap positive results in excerpts mainland.

Germany occupied the second place in its group at the stage of clasidicación the Euro 2008, however, was the first to ensure its quota.

his selection is virtually the same block that had the last world. At that event, which managed to occupy third place beating Portugal.

In defence there are several options, including Per Mertesacker, Philipp Lahm and Arne Friedrich. In the midfield, Löw given responsibility for Michael Ballack to be the director of the eleventh. In the work offensive, Bastian Schweinsteiger will be a nightmare for defenses rivals.

CZECH REPUBLIC ALWAYS IN THE FIGHT (Group A)

The Czech Republic reached the Euro after having been champion of his group Qualifier overtaking the German team always complicated. The taste is the offensive game has not gone unnoticed in the field furbolístico, since it is a team capable of generating spectacle when it was proposed.

The selector Karel Brückner've had to change some parts in his scheme of the game after being removed from Karel Poborsky and Pavel Nedved, emblems players in this country in recent years. However, the Czechs now have a block where highlight certain figures, such as Tomas Rosicky.

Despite not having fallen into a very complicated group, Brückner believes that one can not claim victory until after it met its objectives. "We have a great respect for our rivals. Personally, I will be happy with the draw only when we have in our pockets the pass for the quarterfinals" the technician sentenced

TURKEY A TEAM THAT CAN NOT BE UNDERESTIMATED (Group A)

Turkey one of the choices we suffered for classifying the final phase of the Euro. After a good start, fell significantly their level even threatening to pass the competition. The penultimate day was key to defeating his rival in Oslo to direct, Norway. Finally, Turkey won the last date.

The coach Terim will not be able to count probably one of the figures and banners of this team over the last few years: the player Hamit Altintop, having suffered a rupture of matatarsiano the bone right foot.

Throughout the phase clasificasión, Terim has used several gaming systems that vary according to the opponent, partly due to the absence of some important figures who are already recovered, including Nihat Kahveci.

Several players playing a position at work offensive. For bands, Gokdeniz Karadeniz, Tumer Metin and Arda Turan "fight" because they are holders. The defense is perhaps the weakest of the online system used by Terim, which highlights the work of right side, Gokhan gonul.