Spain will be favorite to top Group D at Euro 2008 but the presence of holder Greece and dark horse Russia is bound to rekindle its bitter memories of Euro 2004. Then, as now, Spain was tipped to cruise to the last eight, but a win over Russia, a draw with Greece and a defeat by Portugal meant it was sent packing after the group phase. The fact that Portugal and Greece ended up in the final provided scant consolation for Spain, with coach Inaki Saez being ousted soon afterwards. His successor Luis Aragones managed to steer Spain past the group stage at the last World Cup, but a defeat by France strengthened its reputation for choking on the big stage. Aragones is determined to avoid past mistakes and although he has plenty of faith in his young side, he will be wary of a group that also features an unpredictable Sweden. “I always think we are going to win even if we are playing against Brazil,” said the 69-year-old. “I want to win the championship, and won't be satisfied with just getting to the quarterfinals. “We always say it will be easy when we look at the draw but now that the tournament is near it all looks a bit more difficult. Sweden, for example, are as strong or even stronger than us and they have got further than us at big tournaments.” Spain has had an encouraging run-in to Euro 2008, beating both world champion Italy and losing finalist France in friendlies in recent months. It opens its campaign on June 10 against Russia which is also looking to break a recent run of disappointment at major championships. Russia has not got past the group stage since 1988 when, as part of the Soviet Union, it reached the European championship final in Germany before losing 2-0 to the Netherlands. But its qualification at the expense of England, the success of Zenit St. Petersburg in the UEFA Cup and the presence of Guus Hiddink in the dugout has transformed it into one of tournament dark horses. “Going by FIFA rankings, Spain is favorites (to win the group) and we are outsiders. But our guys work so zealously that they are worthy of victory,” Hiddink said recently. Russia's chances could be hampered by the absence of the live-wire Andrei Arshavin who will miss the first two games through suspension and by an injury to striker Pavel Pogrebnyak. Defending champion Greece knows its opponents will be more wary of it than in Portugal, but it is a more versatile side than four years ago. Its defensive solidity is likely to frustrate its opponents once again, while a strike force featuring 2007 Bundesliga top scorer Fanis Gekas should provide headaches for its rivals. “The last time in Portugal we were outsiders, but this will not be the case in Austria and Switzerland,” said coach Otto Rehhagel. “Our aim is to qualify for the second stage.” Its first opponent Sweden made an impressive start to qualification for Euro 2008, but faded and ended up finishing second in its group behind Spain. It has been in lackluster form in its warm-up matches but will be hoping the return of striker Henrik Larsson will provide some much-needed inspiration. - Reuters __
