Pacesetters catching the eye

Six days into UEFA EURO 2008™ and a number of sides have already signalled their intentions with commanding performances in Austria and Switzerland.
Portugal purr
The Netherlands brought the tournament to life with a stunning 3-0 win against world champions Italy while Spain laid down their marker with an impressive 4-1 rout of Russia. Portugal, backed by their army of vocal supporters, are also starting to purr and with Cristiano Ronaldo at the top of his game will take some beating.
Ballack goes Dutch
Among the players, opinion is split over which side looks strongest with Spain and the Netherlands drawing admiring glances from across Austria and Switzerland. “I was really impressed by the Dutch victory against Italy, the world champions,” said Germany captain Michael Ballack, whose side kicked off with a 2-0 win against Poland. “They played on a high technical level with fast football. But there are some other teams, like us, who had a good start in the tournament, as well.”
Spain applauded
Not surprisingly Italy defender Fabio Grosso was also taken aback by the Netherlands, but fancies Spain’s chances too. “I have seen all the teams so far and the Netherlands are certainly among the best sides here,” he said. “They played well and earned a crushing victory against us. But Spain played a great match against Russia so they are the ones to watch. Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic concurred. The FC Internazionale Milano man scored a terrific goal in his side’s 2-0 win against Greece but is already looking ahead to Saturday’s showdown with Group D leaders Spain. “Everybody knows how strong Spain are,” he said. “I saw part of their [opening] game. They play technical football, the way I like to play.”
‘Attractive football’
Greece defender Vassilis Torosidis also has Luis Aragonés’s side on the mind. “So far I have been impressed with Spain,” he said. “They play attractive football and their movement is of a high quality. They are direct in their attacking game, pacy, and have high-calibre strikers with excellent finishing skills. It will not be easy to face them.”
Portugal praise
Netherlands goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, was keeping his side’s defeat of Italy in perspective as he talked up Portugal’s chances. “I’m not surprised Portugal have already qualified for the quarter-finals,” he said. “I already knew before the tournament how good they are and they have played very well here.” Spain coach Aragonés agrees. “Because we often train at 6pm, and then eat after we finish, I and my players are by no means seeing all the teams in action. Germany, as always, look good. I really liked Sweden’s performance in their first match even though [Johan] Elmander was missing. However the best displays of the tournament so far have been Portugal”.
Carvalho calm
Portugal defender Ricardo Carvalho, though, was looking to play down expectations on his side. “There are teams that are bigger favourites then Portugal. Of course we have good players, and I think as a team we showed we can go far, but there are always teams that show up very strong. And then you also still have Spain, Germany, France apart from the game not going very well [against Romania].” Czech Republic coach Karel Brükner was even more succinct when asked to name the best team so far. “The Netherlands.” Who do you think have shone the brightest? Have your say below.