Day Four of Tyler Duffy’s fun-to-read Euro Championships preview. He blogs at The Odds and Sods. Thanks to ESPN, Euro 2008 has a mini-World Cup feel to it, which is nice. They’re going to have a nightly show of some sort, which is also cool. We hope that Tommy Smyth is in there like swimwear, because the guy makes us want to lap up soccer as if it were Pellegrino. This WAG? Sylvie van der Vaart, who is married to a player on the Netherlands. Sure, they’re not in this Group, but so what?

If FOX were covering Euro 2008, they would probably come up with a photo montage of some obscure nordic war or an epic recreation of the 1054 schism (followed by gratuitous Buckner-Dent footage of course) to make this group seem interesting. My talents of deception are not that great.

Greece: Greece shocked the world to win Euro 2004 (100:1 shot), playing a boring Apollo brand of soccer rather than an eclectic Zorba variety. The Greeks followed their victory, however, with an ignominious failure to qualify for the 2006 World Cup. They did have the most points (31) of any team in Euro 2008 qualifying and they have risen to a record 8th in the ever accurate FIFA world rankings, but the bookies remain unconvinced at 22:1. Greece will field largely the same side from four years ago, though that may not be an advantage. Notably absent will be retired captain Theodoros Zagorakis, who was the best player of Euro 2004. Greece will need luck to escape the group and another devilish deal to advance.

Russia: As long as he is not handling your taxes, you are in good hands with Russia manager Guus Hiddink. He led the Dutch to the World Cup Semi-finals in 1998, the South Koreans to the semi-finals in 2002, and the Aussies to the knockout stages in 2006 (almost beating Italy). The Russkies will miss playmaker Andrei Arshavin, during the squeaky bum time of the first two matches, but his Zenit St. Petersburg partner Konstantin Zyryanov did an admirable job deputizing for him when they pantsed German giants Bayern Munich and could presumably do so again. They do have an obvious weakness, “the twins” (Aleksei and Vasili Berezutski) at the back crumble meekly against vertical strikers.

Spain: The Spanish are the Rasheed Wallace of European soccer. Their talent is always fearsome, but seldom does it materialize into effective performance. La Furia Roja have two elite youngsters in Fernando Torres and Cesc Fabregas (seen here en fuego). But, the Spanish system suits neither of them. Torres thrived (to the tune of 33 goals) in the frenetic, seat-of-the-pants Liverpool attacks, a sharp contrast to the Spanish possession game. Fabregas suits the style, but with Spain having three or four excellent midfield playmakers, he cannot run the show as he does with Arsenal. They will be vulnerable at the back, but they have a first-rate keeper in captain Iker Casillas to cover for it. Spain should follow history, rolling through the group before being shot down cruelly.

Sweden: The Swedes stunk during qualifying, skulking into Euro 2008 through the backdoor. They have been replicating the form of their captain/underwear model Freddy Ljungberg, last seen lamely lumbering around the West Ham dressing room. The engine for the team is at the front with Inter star Zlatan Ibrahimovic (who makes a cameo in this sweet Nike ad), cagey veteran Henrik Larsson, and Toulouse striker Johan Elmander. But like an unloaded pickup, they will be vulnerable to skidding at the back, particularly as first choice keeper Andreas Isaakson hardly played for Manchester City last season. Ibrahimovic has the talent to carry them if hot, but except Sweden to hit the sauna early.

Spain should sail through this group like a pristine colon. As I learned from 80’s movies, Don’t trust the Russians. But, if Guus can bring the Socceroos into the group stages, he can get anyone.