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GENEVA - GREECE may have won Euro 2004 with a dull, defensive 4-5-1 brand of football.
But, here at Euro 2008, attacking football has been the rage - and reaping rewards.
After the first round of matches, a picture of who are likely to fly to the top of the tables and who are headed for an early exit has emerged.
It is no coincidence that the early front-runners have all emphasised offence, rather than defence.
Of the four leaders, Portugal, whose result against the Czechs yesterday was not available at press time, look best-equipped to triumph in Vienna on June 29.
Their 2-0 win over Turkey was borne out of sound tactics, solid performances and experience.
After their near-miss in the 2004 final and fourth place at the last World Cup, the Portuguese have amassed the know-how needed to thrive in a long competition of endurance and attrition.
The Turks did their best to unsettle them, keeping their shape in defence and cutting Cristiano Ronaldo down at every opportunity, but Portugal patiently and methodically chipped away for a result.
It is a credit to coach Luiz Felipe Scolari that the Portuguese found alternative routes to goal, with Deco influential and even centre-backs Pepe and Ricardo Carvalho posing scoring threats.
Another team experienced in going all the way are Germany.
Third in the last World Cup, Joachim Loew's men looked fit, sharp and strong in all departments when they beat Poland 2-0 to lead GroupB.
But, while many fans and bookmakers backed the Portuguese and the Germans to shine, few expected the Netherlands to do the same.
The Oranje have been the biggest surprise, after whipping world champions Italy 3-0 to storm to Group C's summit.
It was the outstanding performance of the tournament, and one that truly showcased attacking football.
What remains to be seen is whether coach Marco van Basten can coax similar displays from his volatile squad.
Another side notorious for under-achieving are Spain.
But their 4-1 spanking of the Guus Hiddink-led Russia suggests better times lie ahead.
The match produced the biggest scoreline of Euro 2008 and is a testament to their lethal strike partnership of David Villa and Fernando Torres.
Previously marooned up front, Torres now has a deadly side-kick in Villa, and they have breathed life into the matadors.
Of those who face an early exit, the biggest name could be France.
The two-time European champions (1984 and 2000) were bland and bereft of ideas in the 0-0 draw with Romania.
Coach Raymond Domenech has a glittering galaxy of stars, but he is guilty of not extracting the best out of them.
They will need to improve drastically if they are to get past the in-form Dutch and an Italy out to prove a point in the 'Group of death'.
Hosts Switzerland have received plaudits for organising a well-oiled tournament, but they are also tops in the wretched-luck stakes.
Kobi Kuhn's men were gutsy against the Czechs, but were rocked by star striker's Alexander Frei's injury.
Elsewhere, Poland wanted dearly to beat bitter rivals Germany and that opening Group B loss will probably be too much for them to take.
And Greece are no longer the team at the Euro.
Champions four years ago, their defensive tactics have been superseded by the new emphasis on attack.
Faced with firepower of that magnitude, Otto Rehhagel's men were clueless.
Perhaps asking directions to the nearest airport would be helpful.
meng@sph.com.sg
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