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Group A:
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England:
Star Man: Alan Shearar
One To Watch: Emile Heskey
Manager: Kevin Keegan
Prospects: They could win the competition, or fail to get out of the group. When you hear the FA Chairman talking about reaching the final it's time to run for cover. They have a decent looking forward line but, with the Neville brothers at fuill-back and Kevin Keegan unlikely to do the proper thing and drop fading goalkeeper David Seaman, they don't look like winners.
Odds: 11/1
Prediction: Quarter-finalists.
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Germany:
Star Man: Oliver Bierhoff
One To Watch: Sebastian Deisler
Manager: Erich Ribbeck
Prospects: They're old, unfancied and squabbling with each other. Exactly the sort of recipe from which the resoulute Germans will fashion a strong challenge. You cannot ignore the fact that they've only failed to reach the semi-finals once in the last seven Euro Championships.
Odds: 10/1
Prediction: Semi-finalists.
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Portugal:
Star Man: Luis Figo
One to Watch: Pauleta
Manager: Humberto Coelho
Prospects: Soon to be Ireland's World Cup oppnents, 15 of the 22 players Portugal are likely to take were born in a four year span between 1969 and 1972. They won two World Youth Cups, but this is their huge senior chance as they'll be too old by the time Portugal hosts Euro 2004. You'd fancy them to emerge from Groups B or C but not this one.
Odds: 20/1
Prediction: Early Exit.
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Romania:
Star Man: Georghe Hagi
One to Watch: Petre
Manager: Emerich Jenei
Prospects: As Leeds and Arsenal found out recently, one swish of Hagi's left-foot is
better than any amount of scuffing and batling. He's a class act and will look to leave top-class football with better memories than his Copenhagen red card. But, just like Portugal the draw hasn't been kind to Romania and they'll be one of the better teams going home early.
Odds: 25/1
Prediction: Early Exit
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Group A Fixtures:
Date - Team - Team - Venue - Kick-Off
12/6 Portugal v England Eindhoven 19:45
12/6 Germany v Romania Liege 17:00
17/6 England v Germany Charleroi 19:45
17/6 Romania v Portugal Arnhem 17:00
20/6 Germany v Portugal Rotterdam 19:45
20/6 England v Romania Charleroi 19:45
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Group A table:
Team P W D F A
England 0 0 0 0 0
Germany 0 0 0 0 0
Portugal 0 0 0 0 0
Romania 0 0 0 0 0
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