David Villa , Spain incredible in first game @ Euro

Today I was most definitely looking forward to seeing my favorite team at Euro 2008, Spain, and I was certainly not disappointed.
I had questions in my mind about how well the Spanish would play, primarily due to the previous game before this one against the United States, where they only managed to score one goal. However today in their first game at Euro against Russia, they have certainly found their stride and played the way i expected them too.
Yesterday I failed to point out players who played well in the Netherlands victory over Italy, but today I have no choice. David Villa was just brilliant, his hat trick in Spain's 4-1 victory, did a lot to soften the blow of Raul not being in this competition. He showed that Spain has top strikers besides the Spanish all time leading goal scorer, Raul. Before this match all I was hearing was Torres, Torres, Torres and although I love Torres very much as well, Villa just outshone him in this game. Aragones, to me for once did the right thing and that was to partner Torres and Villa up front, instead of using Villa as a substitute and it payed off big time.
After Villa's performances today, I'm sure Valencia will be beaming with joy, as their player is off to a good start in the competition and has thus potentially raised his value, which will intern justify the high price tag they have attached to the player. Valencia are reported to possibly sell at least one of their star players this summer in order to help ease the financial issues at the club, and Villa could very well be the one to be sold.
Spain have apparently gotten their defensive issues together but personally I think it needs some more tweaking, the defense cannot afford to loose concentration in the dying moments of the game just because they have the lead, it could cost them dearly if the scoreline was much closer. However, it was a good overall display by the Spanish and with a little bit more chemistry, it will be hard to stop them from winning Euro 2008. I give them two thumbs up.

Euro 2008

With Euro 2008 coming up on on June 7th, I just want to run through briefly who I personally believe are going to be favorites for the tournament.

Italy
Let's start with the current World Champions, Italy. With Totti out of Euro injured Italy will particularly look to Pirlo to lead the team, and I believe he is quite capable of doing so. It is quite unfortunate however that Fabio Cannavaro has been ruled out as he has sustained an injury in the team's last friendly game which would probably cause some defensive woes, but Italy is a team which is known for its solid defense, and therefore there should be a suitable replacement. The players to watch in this team are Pirlo, Del Piero, Zambrotta and Luca Toni. Look for Pirlo to dictate the midfield, Zambrotta to come up big in the defense and Luca and Del Piero to bang in the goals, as they both have been the top scorers in their respective leagues this season.

Germany
People hardly consider this team when they think of big teams but Germany is a very big side. Dating back to 2002, Germany has made the World Cup final loosing out only to Brazil and they finished third at the last World Cup by beating Portugal. Ballack, Klose and Torsten Frings are the stars for this side, so look out for big performances from these players.

France
There's no more Zinedine Zidane but France continues to produce amazing talent. After loosing out to Italy at the last World Cup, France will most definitely want to crown themselves champions of Europe. Look out for the young, talented Karim Benzema and Samir Nasri, Bundesliga's best Frank Ribery and veteran striker Thierry Henry.

Spain
Finally my favorite team, Spain, the great underachievers of Europe. Yes, they do not have many trophies as they have only won just one European title in 1964 but I just love the way they play. One journalist referred to the way they play as "tika taka" which means pass and go. I just love to see nice touch football and for this reason Spain is my favorite European team. Look for hitmen El Nino, Fernando Torres and El Guaje, David Villa to come up with big performances, along with the "midfield midgets", as I like to call them Xavi and Iniesta and Arsenal talisman Cesc Fabregas. The biggest concern for Spain right now would be the defense, hopefully they can get it together before the competition starts.

Euro 2008 should be great and although these teams I have mentioned may be the favorites, this is football, and we all know what they say, anything can happen.