Euro 2008: The Story So Far...A Dutch Delight But Don't Write Off Italy

It looks as though the winner of Euro 2008 will be a team that plays expansive, attack-minded football rather than one that places a great deal of emphasis on defence and grinding the opposition down, take not Greece and Romania. Anyway, that's what I hope will happen anyway.

Portugal, Germany, Netherlands and Spain have all impressed with their style of play in the opening round of group games.

For me, the biggest surprises were the Dutch. I knew they were capable of playing such good, attractive football, but to do it against the Italians and win 3-0 was some achievement. Before the tournament began, many wondered if Marco van Basten's side might fall victim to the kind of infighting that has damaged their chances in the past, but so far, there are no signs of disharmony. Let's hope that continues and that they don't fall prey to the hype of the press, and indeed can carry on playing the free-flowing football you associate with the team in orange.

As for Spain, the other big winners in round one, well, what can you say? In David Villa and Fernando Torres, they have a cutting edge most sides would envy. Their partnership shows real understanding: they feed of each other; they know how the other one plays; and they work hard for each other. It helps enormously that they have a brilliant supply line from midfield. Senna, Iniesta, Silva and Xavi who were all fabulous in the 4-1 demolition of Russia.

But, yep, their is always a but, especially where the Spanish are concerned, the perenial underachievers of world football, the Spanish are not infallible. Russia did create a number of chances, that better teams would have put away. How will the Swedes fare against Villa and Torres? We will find out on Saturday.