For the football fan, summer 2004 is a time of serious festivities. Two of the largest football competitions are taking place over the next few months, sending the dedicated fan into a hermit heaven of unplugged phones, takeaway pizza and unrivalled, passionate obsession with the world's most popular game. Beginning on June 12th, the UEFA Euro 2004 kicks off its contest to discover which nation ranks top of the European footballing universe. This year the championships are being hosted by Portugal and run for three weeks culminating in the grand final on July 4th in Lisbon. But things do not end here. With just two weeks of rest and recuperation for the emotionally exhausted fan, the competition begins again but this time the event is the AFC Asian Cup, and is taking place in China. The celebrated tournament runs from 17th July to the 7th August and is predicted to be one of the highlights of football this year. With football, a national obsession in the majority of the countries taking part, life beyond the footy spectrum may be on hold for quite a while.

UEFA Euro 2004

UEFA Euro 2004 provides a 3 week long spectacle of world class football. Over the past year, preliminary rounds, involving 48 European teams, were held to decide which teams would qualify for the Euro 2004 finals. Below are the remaining 16 European teams who won through the initial contests and now have a chance of victory at the coveted title. The teams have been drawn into 4 groups with the first stage of the finals being a round-robin format with teams playing all the other teams in their group. The top two teams from each group then qualify for a place in the quarter-finals of UEFA Euro 2004.

The quarter-finals and thereafter take on a knockout format, that is, if you lose you are out. For a full schedule and line up of match dates and times, visit the official UEFA EURO 2004 site at http://www.euro2004.com

UEFA Euro 2004 or the UEFA European Championships as they were formally known have a long history. They began in 1960, with the first final being held in Paris, between the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia. The Russians won 2 goals to one in extra time and became the first ever UEFA European champions.

Following the success of the first tournament, the championships became a regular feature in the European calendar, taking place every 4 years. With time and the introduction of new teams, the competition has changed format over the years. The break up of the Soviet Union in the 1990s and the re-emergence of a larger number of independent nations, meant that 48 teams entered the initial stages of the competition in 1996. This led to the adoption of a structure with 16 teams in the final round and this competition format remains for the 2004 championships.

The reigning champions are mighty France who won the Euro 2000 with a golden goal and are again ranked as favorites to win this year. Over the past five years, France has become the number one team to beat in Europe. They have an exciting and dramatic style of football which is illuminated by their star players including prolific goalscorer Thierry Henri, and playmakers Patrick Viera and Zinedine Zidane. It will take an incredible performance by a talented side to upset the French team in the 2004 finals.

However, the French are by no means the only team capable of victory at UEFA Euro 2004. The consistent German side who always seem to have the ability and discipline to get a result when it matters, can never be ruled out. Tirelessly working down their opposition and then capitalizing on any small opportunity to get ahead, the Germans are a dangerous side and a tough competitor. But they do not have an easy Group and face a difficult line up with the Netherlands and Czech Republic. If they do not find form quickly, the may struggle to reach the final stages of the competition this year.

Other possible teams to upset France include Spain, England, and Italy. The attacking brilliance of the Italians possibly give Italy the edge at knocking the French off the top spot. England have potential and a good record since the takeover of their team by Sven-Goran Eriksson but unfortunately have a frustrating habit of not stepping up for the big occasion.

As the excitement mounts, we can but wait with avid anticipation to see which team will perform to the highest level to capture the UEFA Euro 2004 title. The final is to be held in Lisbon on the 4th July.

AFC Asian Cup 2004

Whilst Europe worships it's footballing heroes, the soccer madness in Asia runs just as deeply and passionately through the alleys and streets and into the stadiums. With 3.7 billion people between its borders, Asia's potential for football craze outstrips that of any other continent and in many nations like Iran, football already holds it nations sporting heart-strings.

The Asian cup was first held in 1956, two years before that of the European Championships. Its philosophy was similar, to bring together international teams into a regional tournament. The first tournament took place in Hong Kong with Korea Republic winning the title. This year's finals are to be in four of China's major cities; Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, and Jinan, with ticket prices ranging from 50 RMB (US$6) to 2000 RMB(US$242).

The preliminary Asian Cup competition involved playoffs between 43 teams across the world's largest and most populated continent. With such differences between nations, seasonal variations and distance between countries, successfully organizing the Asian Cup has been a feat in itself.

The teams that qualified for this year's finals is as follows:

As with Euro 2004, the competition begins in a group, round-robin format with the top two teams in each group qualifying for the quarter-finals which take place on July 30th. The quarter-finals and semi-finals are each one game which if necessary will go to extra time and penalties to decide the winner.

At the last Asian cup in 2000 Japan lifted the trophy and are highly ranked for the 2004 Asian Cup. However there are a number of other strong contenders which Japan will need to overcome before repeating the outcome of 2000.

The first hurdle will be Iran who are in Group D with Japan. Iran are three times winners of the Cup but have in more recent years failed to regain their domination of the event. However, the matchup between the present and former powerhouses of Asian football will be a tough one and both are seen as prospects to lift the Asian Cup this year. Top players to look out for are Japanese midfielder Junichi Inamoto and Japanese striker Tatsuhiko Kubo, Iranian legend Ali Daei alongside other superb Iranian striker, Mehdi Mahdavikia.

The Chinese are another nation that will undoubtedly put forward a very strong performance. On home territory and with a sudden emphasis being thrust into the international achievement of their sporting teams, China stands a chance and is expected to do well in this competition.

Other teams to watch for are the 2002 World Cup semi-finalists Korea Republic. Saudi Arabia are another talented team with a chance at the title, remaining unbeaten in the preliminaries of the Asian Cup. However the Saudi team have a tough group with no easy wins against Iraq, Turkmenistan or Uzbekistan.

The list below contains some useful sites to follow the events of the Asian Cup on the Internet:

• Asian Cup 2004
• FootballAsia - The home of Asian football
• China Daily - Sports
• Persian football
• AFC

Roll on the summer.

Sources/Further Information

Euro 2004 Portugal
AFC Asian Cup China

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