Prediction for England-France

[Prenn]

On paper, France are far superior to England. I predict a first half in which England come out with guns blazing only to be exposed by Les Bleus on the counter. Nothing other than a French victory will do. A final scoreline 3-0 or 4-0 would inflict massive psychological damage on the Young Lions and would send a loud message to the other contenders.

Far superior? I think not. Better, yes, but far superior, no. As for your prediction it's about as wide as a Diego Forlan snap shot. Sven has never, ever had his England team go out with all guns blazing he prefers a cautious game. 3-0 or 4-0 is so unlikely the odds must be in the hundreds if not the thousands and given France's performance in the World Cup even one goal would be a God send.

[sinner78]

Far superior? I think not. Better, yes, but far superior, no. As for your prediction it's about as wide as a Diego Forlan snap shot. Sven has never, ever had his England team go out with all guns blazing he prefers a cautious game. 3-0 or 4-0 is so unlikely the odds must be in the hundreds if not the thousands and given France's performance in the World Cup even one goal would be a God send.


as well as the fact that those types of scores rarely happen in the european championships .
Another thread which becomes a magnet for sams army idiocy.

[MetroAndAGuinessPlz]

France were far superior to Senegal "on paper" also and I would say England has a marked edge over Senegal. I harbor no illusions about Englands chances of success in this match or in this tournament but it's by no means a lock for France.

[soji22]

France were far superior to Senegal "on paper" also and I would say England has a marked edge over Senegal. I harbor no illusions about Englands chances of success in this match or in this tournament but it's by no means a lock for France.

What happened at Korea/Japan 2002 was a one-off. A lot of reasons-- player fatigue, overconfidence, the injuries to Pires and Zidane-- have been put forth to explain Les Bleus's poor showing, and they don't tell the full story. To be honest, a French victory in that FIFA centennial would have been excellent preparation in light of the England match. Everyone within the French footballing fraternity sees winning Euro 2004 as a way of compensating for that ignominious exit. England have a lot of good young players and have reason to be optimistic. I think that they will probably make the quarterfinals then head back to Blighty.

[SupremoPete]

I reckon 2-1 to France. Lampard putting us 1-0 just before half-time and then a Henry double in the second half

[sinner78]

hey guys ,maybe england will save their best for the france game eh..
Just like we saved our best for germany in munich ,argentina in sapporo and the turks .We gotta be more focused for the swiss and croatia.

[sendorange]

hey guys ,maybe england will save their best for the france game eh..
Just like we saved our best for germany in munich ,argentina in sapporo and the turks .We gotta be more focused for the swiss and croatia.
That is my worry sinbad. Would be typical for the lads to get a draw against the French, beat the Swiss only to then blow it all against the Croats in the last game by being sloppy and demotivated.

[its called football]

That is my worry sinbad. Would be typical for the lads to get a draw against the French, beat the Swiss only to then blow it all against the Croats in the last game by being sloppy and demotivated.
Just like in the world Cup, beating Argentina and drawing the other two games to go into the bad side of the draw for the run to the finals. We'd have been semi finalists otherwise. I can see the same thing happening, just as it did in the qualifying games. Just hope that the squad has learnt its lesson since Macedonia, since it didn't learn it from Greece in the World Cup qualifiers. To long a history of performances like that, we need to put it behind us.

[Catfish]

2-1 to Les Bleus. This might be a 1-0 win for England. It will be very physical and cautious.

[sendorange]

Just like in the world Cup, beating Argentina and drawing the other two games to go into the bad side of the draw for the run to the finals. We'd have been semi finalists otherwise. I can see the same thing happening, just as it did in the qualifying games. Just hope that the squad has learnt its lesson since Macedonia, since it didn't learn it from Greece in the World Cup qualifiers. To long a history of performances like that, we need to put it behind us.
This is where Sven's lack of motivational skill causes us a problem. Can he get the lads up for their 3rd match in over a week when they know the hardest part is over and they're all starting to feel the tiredness? He hasn't been able to do it before, although at least this time Becks is fit and we have Gerrard coming off a season of being a captain and driving a team forward so hopefully these lads will do it themselves.

[chrizzah]

If only Owen were partnered by Lando... just kidding.

Predicting a score is completely arbitrary. There's really no way of knowing. I think England will do well, though. Just look in the past at all of the long-anticipated big matches. Turkey, most recently, Germany last world cup qualifying, and the world cup qualifier in Italy before that. I have no doubts that the midfield will do great. The key really is being able to convert the good opportunities. I just hope there isn't a let-down against Croatia. I think it is a benefit (I'm not saying it negates him, just that it's a benefit) that Henry plays on the same team as two of our backs and the rest play in the same league. The familiarity with his game is stronger.

[OwnGoalAgoos]

7-0 england

[fatmaradona]

lordy--as far as the Brits comment I was looking for comments from people all over that island, and not just England. If you haven't noticed England is the only team from the island of Britian to qualify, so I'm sure the whole island will be watching them (I realize that the Scots and probably the Welsh will cheer against them).
But it is so much more fun to jump to a conclusion and become so very, very sensitive.

Anyway, England always seem geared up for big matches, and I would'nt be surprised to see the upset---but against this France team, with so much to prove after the last WC, -- it would be quite a feat.

[Prenn]

lordy--as far as the Brits comment I was looking for comments from people all over that island, and not just England. If you haven't noticed England is the only team from the island of Britian to qualify, so I'm sure the whole island will be watching them (I realize that the Scots and probably the Welsh will cheer against them).
But it is so much more fun to jump to a conclusion and become so very, very sensitive.

Anyway, England always seem geared up for big matches, and I would'nt be surprised to see the upset---but against this France team, with so much to prove after the last WC, -- it would be quite a feat.

Might as well say 'Euros' cos people from all over Europe will be watching and probably cheering against England ;)

I really think it'll be a draw.

[fatmaradona]

Might as well say 'Euros' cos people from all over Europe will be watching and probably cheering against England ;)

I really think it'll be a draw.

true I suppose, but then again people in France, Italy, etc.. probably won't be watching the BBC or Sky Sports or whatever media service will carry the games there.

I think people are little too quick to call each a moron here--- oh well, off to cry myself to sleep.

[FreakiestJosh]

2-1 England Pires 1st then Owen then Rooney (As long as the oath Heskey doesnt play)

[Catfish]

Even though I will be pulling for St. George's Cross in this one, 2-1 to the French. I'm just not sold on England, YET! France just seems a little more talented.

[Holland in 06]

I think France wins 2nil but I will not countout England they always rise to the occasion against the the good teams. Ex Turkey,Argentina are a few examples. So It wouldn't surprise me to see England beat France 1-o,then tie the Swiss and bow out to Croatia.

[burning247]

2-0 England.

Well played Yanks, making us look like morons with your stupid "you britts" comments. Dumb Asses.


France better on paper? I'm sure thats what they thought going into WC 2002, but they couldn't even score.

[CelticBadger]

6-0 France
France finishing the game with only 8 players , 2 being sent off for laughing too much during the game and the other being sent off for losing interest.