Total Football and total respect at Euro 2008

By Mike Collett - Analysis

BASEL (Reuters) - A superb hat-trick from Spain's David Villa and goals of beauty from Portugal, Germany, Netherlands and Sweden have put an extra sheen on a bright opening round of matches at Euro 2008.

One hugely debatable goal plus defeats for the reigning world champions Italy and European champions Greece and both co-hosts Switzerland and Austria have also added to an intriguing first four days of competition.

The action has been relatively clean too with such high stakes -- after eight games to Wednesday we had not seen a single red card.

Only one match, the sterile Group C opener between Romania and France has failed to produce a goal or an outright winner.

Unusually in all four groups, the top two teams are due to meet each other in the second round of games over the next few days, including France who are second behind the Dutch in Group C over Romania for alphabetical reason.

Depending on how the results go, four teams could reach the quarter-finals with a match to spare and while it is still early days, some likely favourites appear to be emerging.

Portugal, Germany, Netherlands and Spain all impressed in their openers, and Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari summed up the feelings of all his colleagues after his side's impressive 2-0 win over Turkey in Geneva in Group A on Saturday.

"It is so important to start well and win the first game as every opponent is tough," he said. "An opening win doesn't guarantee a place in the next round but it helps enormously."