Group C, the deadliest in Euro 96

By Vic Mills

LONDON (JP): It is fitting that two of the finest stadiums in England -- Anfield and Old Trafford -- should host what many believe to be the toughest of the four groups in the European soccer championships.

Designated the 'Group of Death' by the media, Group C brings together Italy, Germany, Russia and the Czech Republic.

Considering its standing in the world game, Italy has a poor record at the European Championships. Winner just once, and that on home soil 28 years ago, the Italians have since qualified just twice in six attempts.

Despite finishing runner-up in World Cup '94, the Italian fans, some of the most critical in world soccer, fear for their side's chances this time around.

A solid back four built around the outstanding Paulo Maldini and masterminded by former AC Milan coach Arrigo Sacchi gives way to an attack which is unsettled and unable to find the net.

It doesn't lack talented forwards, but after trying the likes of Lazio's Giuseppe Signori and Piere-Luigi Casiraghi as well as Fabrizio Ravanelli and Gianfranco Zola up front, Sacchi is still undecided about his best combination.

The growing maturity of Juventus youngsters Alessandro del Piero, Zola and Ravanelli has given the coach more options. Roberto Baggio, sadly plagued by injuries, is missing from the squad.

Another notable absentee for the Azzurri, more a personality clash than a pulled muscle, is that of Gianluca Vialli.

The loss of such players has left Italian fans fearing the worst.

Logic, though, says such pessimism is unfounded because a good defense can take a team a long way in such a tournament.

If it can find someone to score regularly (it tuned up Paolo Rossi in 1982 and Toto Schillaci in 1990 in the very last minute) it has a squad that should at least make the semifinals and would surprise no one outside its native shores by winning the trophy.

First Italy must overcome the formidable might of Germany, a nation that has already won the tournament twice and currently stands as the most successful European team in all national-level competitions.

Famed mentality

Is the German winning dynasty coming to an end? Denmark pulled off a major shock by beating it four years ago. And Bulgaria knocked it out of the last World Cup before it reached the semifinal stage.

There are two things you can rely on with the current German side: its famed tournament mentality, and a team motivated by the desire to make up for recent disappointments.

A blend of youth and experience will carry out its traditional patient, muscular and determined game.

The Bayern pair of Christian Ziege and Markus Babbel - newcomers to a defense that surprisingly leaked just a goal in the qualifiers - play alongside Juergen Kohler and Thomas Helmer who between them have over a 100 caps.

Midfield is the domain of the experienced Andreas Moeller and Thomas Haessler and prolific Mehmet Scholl, their job made easier by playing behind the world's most complete center forward, Juergen Klinsmann. With over 30 goals for the national team, he is at his peak.

When it comes to his partner, the Germans are spoiled for choice, with Fredi Bobic, Stefan Kuntz and Oliver Bierhoff all pushing for places.

Results in the last four years have somewhat ruined the German aura of invisibility. It will nevertheless be a huge upset if it fails to make the semifinals.

The loose cannon it both Group C and the tournament is Russia.

Now separate from the other former republics, it has been strengthened by the lack of old internal rivalries and the decision of many non-Russian players to opt for it, instead of the likes of the Ukraine.

As technically gifted as any in the tournament, the Russians will use their skill and pace to try and force opponents into high-speed attacking duels.

As ever, they are dependable in defense (Viktor Onopko is among the best in Europe with Youri Nikiforov the ideal foil) and with Igor Shalimov, Andrei Kanchelskis and Valery Karpin running the midfield, the attacking options are numerous.

By far the highest scorers in the qualifiers, the front three of Igor Kolyvanov, Serguei Kiryakov and Igor Dobrovolsky will be keen to add to their tally against their more illustrious rivals.

Star-less

All of which is bad news for group outsider, the Czech Republic. Neat, technically correct players, much will depend on the resilience of their defense, marshaled by Kaiserlautern's Miroslav Kadlec.

Two factors, however, may hand the psychological advantage to their opponents: the lack of a real superstar in the side, and the fact that they managed, during and otherwise impressive qualification, to lose to Luxembourg.

The lack of a creative midfield ball player may tell against them and leave much responsibility on the shoulders of Patrick Burger.

The Czechs are the exception that proves the rule among the footballing nations that have emerged from the ruin of the old Soviet Bloc.

Most of the new countries have thrown off the yoke of Communism and old tribalism, and seen their football improved and liberated.

The Czech republic, however, has been weakened by the loss of players like Moravcik and Dubovsky to the Slovakian half of old Czechoslovakia.

It has done well to qualify, but the draw has been cruel. It will take all its energies not to finish pointless and the quarterfinals are surely beyond it.