NDR-Euro 2012

For anyone whose interested:
I highly recommend the World Soccer Euro 2012 preview issue, as well as starting today Zonalmarking.net(Michael Cox) will be releasing comprehensive team previews that are typically excellent. Enjoy!

Thanks man.

Any favorites from anyone?

Vive Le France!

It seems to be Germany/Spain, with a sprinkling of the declining orange with various pundits calling for France/Croatia as dark horses. I figure that has more to do with both countries having completely lowered expectations.

Ireland is going to exact its revenge on Francia

Via a Richard Dunne, shanked hat trick.

I believe the ESPN empire has all the games - including ESPN3.com and, presumably, the WatchESPN app.

Yes, all matches will be broadcast live. Some only on espn3, I haven't seen a TV schedule though. ESPNFC.com is the website they created specifically for the tourney, and there does not seem to be one anywhere on it.

i would be more into this tournament if Argentina, Brazil and Mexico were invited.

There's no need to dilute a quality tournament with former great national teams.

https://twitter.com/GrantWahl/status/210031010576998401

beat me to it. at least it wasn't Mike Greenberg, that'd of made it a fair bit more embarassing.

Is Univision picking up any matches/spanish language TV rights in the U.S.? Or is that left to ESPN Deportes.



Erin Go Braugh! Ireland Forever!

How in the heck did the English team get past them then. LOL.

In a word: pity.

From what I can tell, ESPN Deportes has the rights in the US.
http://www.livesoccertv.com/competitions/international/uefa-european-championship/

i predict Messi will not score one goal in this tournament.

I haven't seen any publication sourcing Univision having rights for the Spanish broadcasts. I would assume this would have something to do with what Rey said. Without the involvement of Argentina, Mexico, and Brazil(I know brazilians speak portugese, they remain an incredibly popular team in the hispanic community), the price was presumably too high to justify what would amount to poor ratings.

Looking forward to this. Caddman's fearless predictions:

Group A
Russia
Poland
Czech Republic
Greece

Group B
Netherlands
Germany
Portugal
Denmark

Group C
Spain
Croatia
Italy
Ireland

Group D
France
Ukraine
England
Sweden

A quick question:

If Italy withdrew from the competition amid the recent scandals, who would take their place?

I've been wondering this as well, I would assume that it would be Estonia, as they finished second in that group, or possibly the best 2nd place team to not qualify which I think would mean Bosnia?

You've pretty much got my predictions group for group, with the exception of Group C, from which Ireland will emerge, and your Group D, which drastically underestimates the giant can of whoop-ass Zlatan is about to unleash

It would be Bosnia. Read it somewhere last week with all the Italy bullshit.

Sweden worry me.

And I almost put Germany 3rd in their group. Mainly because of Germany's history of failure in Ukraine. Thanks, I'll be here all week. Tip your waitress.

I am having a hard time figuring out who is going to get out of Group A on my ESPN bracket.

Russia is the strongest side but they have players like Pavy and Arshavin that are hit or miss. Poland is weak although they are playing at home. Czech Republic doesn't have the same players as when they whipped the USA 3-0 back in 2006, but they still have Rosicky and Cech. Greece have always blown peoples' minds since they won Euro 2004.

If I had to guess the champion it would be Germany or Holland. I have been following closely the Spanish news and there is some unrest in the Spain camp. Players are unfit, Xavi hating on Real Madrid players, and they are not sure which striker will be their number 9 (in-form Negredo or Torres).

Anyone interested in a Euro 2012 Fantasy League? I've already got a team picked on the UEFA site and would start one up if there's some interest.

http://en.euro2012fantasy.uefa.com/