Difficult predictions for 2004

Matthew Lynn

The Olympics will make Greece's economy the real European athlete this year, while Spain has got a good case to turn the G8 into the G9

At this time of the year, it's good to reflect on the life and work of Nils Bohr. Not for his work on theoretical physics, which laid the foundation for the atom bomb. Nor for his daring escape from his native Denmark following the German invasion of that country during World War II. But for this penetrating insight: "Prediction is difficult. Especially if it is about the future.'' With that in mind, here are some predictions for Europe in 2004. With the Athens Olympics set for this summer, Greece is ready for its greatest economic boom for a couple of millennia. It's already happening. W...