Die Nationalmannschaft : Euro 2008

[bayern15]

Today was held the draw for Euro 2008. This is the group of Germany:

Group D
Czech Republic
Germany
Slovakia
Republic of Ireland
Wales
Cyprus
San Marino

Not a very easy group, but not very hard either. Watch for Republic of Ireland to fight for the second place. Wales and Slovakia will be very competitive in their home turf. In the end should be Germany over Czech Republic. I think that with Nedved retiring after World Cup, Czech Rep will lose a leader and wont be able to compete again in higher levels.

[The Old Lady Hertha]

Today was held the draw for Euro 2008. This is the group of Germany:

Group D
Czech Republic
Germany
Slovakia
Republic of Ireland
Wales
Cyprus
San Marino

Not a very easy group, but not very hard either. Watch for Republic of Ireland to fight for the second place. Wales and Slovakia will be very competitive in their home turf. In the end should be Germany over Czech Republic. I think that with Nedved retiring after World Cup, Czech Rep will lose a leader and wont be able to compete again in higher levels.

We should have no problems with Wales ( minus Giggs), Cyprus or San Marino. I can see us having no real problem beating Ireland (minus Keano). Slovakia is on the rise though, I can see them causing some problems. But in the end, I think this is an easy group IMO. Czechs not only will lose Nedved, but probably Koller too (is he retiring?). Poborsky is going to leave too.

[pmannion]

We should have no problems with Wales ( minus Giggs), Cyprus or San Marino. I can see us having no real problem beating Ireland (minus Keano). Slovakia is on the rise though, I can see them causing some problems. But in the end, I think this is an easy group IMO. Czechs not only will lose Nedved, but probably Koller too (is he retiring?). Poborsky is going to leave too.

Just like you had no real problems beating Ireland minus Keano in 2002? ;)

Its a difficult group for Ireland, but with a new manager I'm hopeful we'll do well. Reminds me a lot of the 2002 WCQ group with Holland and Portugal when everyone wrote us off. We came through, though. We hope to get Germany, Wales and the Czechs at Croke park - the 79,000 seat GAA stadium. Can't see any side getting a win there. However, I think we will struggle away and qualification will be very difficult.

[arthur d]

I think this is wide open. Ireland are a very good team, so it's not inconceivable that they'll kick us out. Anyway, it'll all depend on the next years. Maybe Podolski will be the next Pele, and well be unbeatable, or maybe not. It's far too early to make any predictions.

[ohk4]

When do the games start? September right?

[Mehr]

This is a tough group.

Ireland is a good team, wales and slovakia will be tough away...and Czech are world class. This is a group where we have to win all the home games...any screwups could cost 1st place.

[Bayerntone]

A moderately tough group.

Czechs is the team to beat in this group. They are weakened largely due to the retirement of Nedved, but Rosicky and Smicer are good. Baros is not performing well at Aston Villa. Hopefully with the growing maturity of the young Germans after WM2006, most of them can reach or close to reaching stardom and win over from the Czechs the edge of the game.

Home victories must be secured.

Ireland is dangerous. They are ever tenacious and often leave you with more surprises than the time to recover.

Slovakia is on the rise. And unpredictably stronger than you think.

The rest of the three teams are weaker. Germany should win over them but with a word of caution when playing Wales away.

[PsychedelicCeltic]

We should have no problems with Wales ( minus Giggs), Cyprus or San Marino. I can see us having no real problem beating Ireland (minus Keano). Slovakia is on the rise though, I can see them causing some problems. But in the end, I think this is an easy group IMO. Czechs not only will lose Nedved, but probably Koller too (is he retiring?). Poborsky is going to leave too.
Unless you know something I don't, Giggs will be playing in the Euro 2008 qualifying matches.

[The Old Lady Hertha]

Unless you know something I don't, Giggs will be playing in the Euro 2008 qualifying matches.
i thot he was going to retire

[Terim is a legend]

A moderately tough group.

Czechs is the team to beat in this group. They are weakened largely due to the retirement of Nedved, but Rosicky and Smicer are good. Baros is not performing well at Aston Villa. Hopefully with the growing maturity of the young Germans after WM2006, most of them can reach or close to reaching stardom and win over from the Czechs the edge of the game.

Home victories must be secured.

Ireland is dangerous. They are ever tenacious and often leave you with more surprises than the time to recover.

Slovakia is on the rise. And unpredictably stronger than you think.

The rest of the three teams are weaker. Germany should win over them but with a word of caution when playing Wales away.
Baros scored 2 today, and has scored 4 in hisa last 7 games, so he is now officially performing well again.

[eirebhoy]

Its a tough group but I'm happy with it. We won't be expected to qualify which is a good thing. The new manager has a decent core to work with. I don't think, player by player the Czechs are much better than us. Given, Finnan and Duff are world class. Keane and Dunne are both very good. There's a lot of youngsters coming through, more than ever before. I'm confident that we can qualify.

[spunkymonkey]

Its Germany v Ireland in the first game on 2nd September. Anyone any idea which city this game will be played in?

[smithfan]

IMO Germany and Ireland will become 1st and 2nd. Czech Republic shows a tendency to fall.

[Herr Wolf]

As much as I hate to admit to it the Czechs are better than Germany right now. Hopfully though Germany will make a run in the World Cup and gain back some confidence. If Germany doesn't make it out of the Group, were awful. Germany's young players will emerge, I think the future is bright. Czechs finish first, Germany finishes second.

[smithfan]

As much as I hate to admit to it the Czechs are better than Germany right now. Hopfully though Germany will make a run in the World Cup and gain back some confidence. If Germany doesn't make it out of the Group, were awful. Germany's young players will emerge, I think the future is bright. Czechs finish first, Germany finishes second.

Right now, I'd agree. However, the Czechs will probably lose Nedved, Koller, Galasek and Poborsky! They are in the same situation than we were a few years ago. And it needs some time to become a good team after such a period. However, WE have many young players who will perform in the World Cup and gain experience so that they're hopefully in good condition after 2006. I think, we're the favourites - and in my opinion, the Czechs will fail. It's Germany and Ireland :D

[Osnator]

Its Germany v Ireland in the first game on 2nd September. Anyone any idea which city this game will be played in?

The game will be played in Stuttgart.

[F96]

I don't see us having trouble qualifying. sure, we'll lose some points but the other teams will as well.

I hope that Ireland will finish second though, I like the Irish.

[The Old Lady Hertha]

Germany will play Sweden in the Arena auf Schalke August 16th and then Klaus Toppmoller's Georgia in the OsteeStadion in Rostock October 7th according to uefa.com

[prymetyme]

I agree with Fraulein i want the Irish to finish second, we'll do well with our youger players maturing nicely by then

[Bayerntone]

Friendlies and Euro 2008 schedule immediately after the world cup:

16.08.2006 Deutschland - Schweden Gelsenkirchen
02.09.2006 EM-Qualifikation: Deutschland - Irland Stuttgart
06.09.2006 EM-Qualifikation: San Marino - Deutschland
07.10.2006 Deutschland - Georgien Rostock
11.10.2006 EM-Qualifikation: Slowakei - Deutschland
15.11.2006 EM-Qualifikation: Zypern - Deutschland
24.03.2007 EM-Qualifikation: Tschechische Republik - Deutschland
02.06.2007 EM-Qualifikation: Deutschland - San Marino
06.06.2007 EM-Qualifikation: Deutschland - Slowakei
08.09.2007 EM-Qualifikation: Wales - Deutschland
13.10.2007 EM-Qualifikation: Irland - Deutschland
17.10.2007 EM-Qualifikation: Deutschland - Tschechische Republik
17.11.2007 EM-Qualifikation: Deutschland - Zypern
21.11.2007 EM-Qualifikation: Deutschland - Wales