Surely what no one thought was that the French and Italians - finalists in the World Cup just a couple of years ago - would both head home early.

But that is the fascinating prospect tonight as Group C reaches a climax in Switzerland.

It will definitely happen should Romania beat Holland.

And while the form the Dutch have shown in their opening two matches would suggest it is unlikely that they will lose, just look at Portugal in their final group game against the Swiss.

Guaranteed top spot after two matches, the much-changed Portuguese lost - and Holland are in exactly the same position.

Given that the Romanians are a better side than Switzerland - and they finished above Holland in their qualifying group - they will fancy their chances.

But, even more impressively in my book, France and Italy can knock each other out this evening.

A draw in their game in Zurich would mean both failing to qualify, as long as Romania are not drubbed in Berne.

The French and Italians have looked pale shadows of their former selves in the opening couple of games but it would still be remarkable to lose both before the knockout stages.

I will not be sad to see the back of defending champions Greece, however.

Their brand of football is a blot on the landscape and while it might have made a refreshing change that they won four years ago, they showed no ambition in either of their opening two games this time round and deserve to be on the first flight home after tomorrow's game against Spain.

In the same group, my tips Russia recovered from their defeat against Spain to beat the Greeks and now face a winner takes all clash with Sweden.

A draw is no good for the Russians, but with Andrei Arshavin available again they can beat the aging Swedes.

Arshavin, who inspired Zenit St Petersburg to UEFA Cup final glory, has missed the opening two games after being sent off in the final qualifier against Andorra.

His return is just the tonic our 28-1 shots need.

THERE has been so much talk about which club David Villa will go to after the championships, it is almost like Euro 2008 is a footballing supermarket.

Oh, hang on a minute, that's exactly what it is.

All the Premier League managers will be watching with interest, ready to fill their squads for the 2008-09 campaign with either the cream of the continent or - in the case of some - the dregs of the sides going out in the group stages.

Villa will go to the highest bidder, or Chelsea as we like to call them.

But I would like to see Jan Koller in the Premier League.

What a combination he and Dean Windass would make at the KC Stadium in Hull City's one and only season in the top flight of English football.