EURO 2008 INFO

In any case, that includes a study by the research department of UBS, the first bank in Switzerland. The Czech Republic win the next European Championship Nations for the second time after his coronation in 1976 and the famous Panenka in the final against Germany.

Economists and analysts have completed their investigation into the model used to classify chessplayers (Elo system). Various factors were taken into account variables such as the Economic and Monetary each country, FIFA and UEFA rankings of the various selections, the earlier confrontations, the history in the competition and the advantage of the terrain.

On the other hand, the Swiss bank has also calculated the potential in terms of market value of the various players. Cristiano Ronaldo (23 years, Portugal, which is estimated at 50 million euros), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (26 years old, Sweden, 38 million euros) and Andrea Pirlo (28 years, Italy, 36 million euros) lead the dance. Thierry Henry (30 years) is the only French listed in the top ten of this ranking (35 million euros).

These methods enabled them to predict the victory of Italy in the finals of the World Cup 2006, several months before his coronation. A stroke of luck? Perhaps not. Indeed, the financial institution had also predicted two of the four semi-finalists (50%), six of the eight quarter-finalists (75%) and thirteen of the finalists eighths (81%). The impressive success rate.

France eliminated prematurely

For this summer, UBS therefore put on a success of the Czech Republic on June 29 in Vienna. Finally, teammates Jaroslav Plasil, winners of Switzerland in half, coming to the end of Italy, who knocked off the Netherlands in the other semi-final, after a meeting of a penalty shootout! *

Regarding the French team, the forecasts are not encouraging. The men of Raymond Domenech would not pass the first round of the event. Les Bleus completed last Group C behind the Squadra Azzurra, the Netherlands and Romania.

The lights supporters, however, may be reassuring. The authors of this study stress that the euro is otherwise noted that World Cup. They recognize, as well as the accuracy of their predictions is most concerning.

With Thierry Henry and his family to avoid the predictions!

* Table comprehensive final according to UBS:

-- Quarter-finals: Switzerland - Germany, Croatia - Czech Republic, Italy - Greece, Netherlands - Spain

Semi-finals: Switzerland - Czech Republic, Italy - The Netherlands

Final: Czech Republic - Italy