The Kits - Group B

Group B is ‘intriguing,’ and by using the word ‘intriguing’ what I really mean is I have no clue who will come out. Germany looks like they have it in the bag. There are plenty of easy World War II jokes since Austria and Poland are in the group with them—if I was Polish or Austrian I’d sure as heck want to crush the Germans; while that will certainly add some incentive, I don’t see that happening. Croatia is always a wild card. You never know what team will show up (except that it will mainly consist of people born in Croatia-- along with a naturalized Brazilian or two).

Poland

Germany

 Poland is another red white combo jersey squad made by Puma—but they have gotten tricky—the home kit is white and the away kit is red. Once again Puma has decided to put a collar on the away uni’s. Very dull uniforms with only two colors and no stripes, diagonal lines or anything else to speak of. There is one thing: the crest is cool. Little yellow tips on the talons and claws! Okay Poland. You are forgiven for an otherwise dull kit.

Austria are in the tournament by virtue of being the one of the host countries. Like the ugly host throwing a party, it does not guarantee that they will be getting much action. Austria ranks pretty low in the world football pecking order, but perhaps their uniforms will make up for their team’s historical poor performances? No such luck. Red home kits, and just to mix it up, black away kits(!) Okay Austria. Good job with that away kit. There is some gold trim and a little stripey flag right on neck line. Again, Puma has collars on the away kit; why is Puma so into this? The crest is pretty cool, but as classic as an eagle might be I wish that bird was a little more handsome.

Croatia takes the cake for the most original kits. Like all the other national teams the kit design stems from the red and white checkered coat of arms. Check out this home jersey! It could double for an angry clown uniform, but I still kind of like it. It really comes together with the away kit—it has a nice rich azure blue and the red and white strips on the side and red around the neck. Clearly Croatian, and visually unique for the neutrals. The crest detracts from everything, but the away kit and the zany flare makes up for it.

Germany. As one might expect, with their sponsors Adidas being a German company and the German national teams’ success on the international stage, Adidas is going to make sure that, essentially, their flagship team looks good in their uniforms. The home white of Germany is legendary, and I have to say this home kit is super slick. I like stripes, and I like multi-colored ones even more, so while we have the good ol’ dull white kit, it all got put together with such aplomb that they get lots of credit. The away kit pulls them back to the ground. All of those intangibles that make the home uniform so interesting are swallowed up by the ugly away kit. I don’t get why they think that fat black stripe is a good idea, but then again (insert easy German joke here). I do like the crest a lot. That big circle with a squawky bird in it means trouble for the opposing team.

Photos:
soccerpro.com

Chris Ketcham is our resident expert on the pros and cons of soccer style. He'll be reviewing the kits of every Euro 2008 team over the next couple of weeks. Email him at chris.ketcham@gmail.com.