Euro 2008

[German Ham]

Kinda new to this forum (joined last year but haven't visited in a while) so not sure if this is the right forum for this, so my apologies if it's not. And I know it's REALLY early for this, but hell, it's just for fun :)

I'm anticipating either Portugal or Germany to win this tournament. Germany has continued their exciting and effective play from the World Cup in qualifying from what I've seen so far, and their talent level seems to be much higher than most anticipated it was going into WC2006. Portugal...I dunno, they just seem to have "it" and I can definetly picture them going all the way. England has a good shot too if they can ever pull themselves together and play like they should. Soooo much talent there.

The two WC finalists, Italy and France, I don't see winning it. Italy will be too old (I think WC2006 was their last great hurrah) and France won't have the same chemistry as they did last year which a lot of it was from Zidane.


Obviously tons can and will change by next year with these teams and stuff, but like I said this is just for fun. Your thoughts?

[jpick]

well considering that it is only a year away, i am not as concerned with the age factor as much for italy.
they will still line up something like this

buffon
oddo--canna--nesta/matrix---zambrotta
gattuso---pirlo---de rossi
totti----quagliarella
toni

yes, the back line is getting up there (really the middle pair), but france played with thuram back there and did great in the world cup, and cannavaro will be as old as he was at the world cup, and he always plays great for the azzurri

i am worried about from an azzurri fan's perspective
a) if they can qualify, they are now solo second, but barely, and they have a tough group
b) chemistry, if totti comes back (almost certain he will, as donadoni seems to want him and platini and abete have spoke about suspension if he refused a call) will that make other people on the squad a little tense, as they might feel he got preferential treatment
c) donadoni's inexperience, pretty self-explanatory

those reasons make it to where i think italy, at this moment, though they can put a very good team together on paper, are not the favorites. they have some questions marks. france has more talent than people give them credit for, but they are definitely going through a transition period, and england might not even qualify, and well, if they do, we all know the story :D.
so yes, germany would be as good a bet as any, but portugal, though i am not as high on them as you are (though i am sure the portugal members on this board might eat me alive for that), are definitely a talented team. I put them in the second tier with the other giants.
plus what about holland, will they integrate ruud (I would say seedorf also, but i doubt he will be re-intergrated, plus johan neeskens will flip her lid if she found out i was putting milan people ahead of other, younger people from lesser known leagues :o) and some of that good young talent from the back-to-back u21 euros on their squad well?, who knows. plus, i don't have much trust in van basten.

so, yes, by process of elimination, the favorites a year on from the tournament are germany, but if france is on form and is fit, netherlands/portugal look good or totti is integrated back into the fold and italy starts to hit form, then I put those teams above germany.

then again, what do i know :p
cheers

[SportBoy333]

I expect Spain to win it should they qualify.

[jpick]

I expect Spain to win it should they qualify.

:confused:

any reason why, just curious?

[SportBoy333]

Based on talent alone they are always a threat to win a major tournament and one of these days they will eventually. Droughts, curses, etc. dont last forever.

[Karloski]

I expect Spain to win it should they qualify.

http://www.mazdanow.com/temp/laughing-smiley-007.gif

Good one...Haha!!

Spain have got about as good a chance of winning it as..well...England. Which is about 1 in a million. I guess miracles do happen however.

[Vinnievin]

http://www.mazdanow.com/temp/laughing-smiley-007.gif

Good one...Haha!!

Spain have got about as good a chance of winning it as..well...England. Which is about 1 in a million. I guess miracles do happen however.

ever read Terry Pratchett? :p

[ECMoney]

Kinda new to this forum (joined last year but haven't visited in a while) so not sure if this is the right forum for this, so my apologies if it's not. And I know it's REALLY early for this, but hell, it's just for fun :)

I'm anticipating either Portugal or Germany to win this tournament. Germany has continued their exciting and effective play from the World Cup in qualifying from what I've seen so far, and their talent level seems to be much higher than most anticipated it was going into WC2006. Portugal...I dunno, they just seem to have "it" and I can definetly picture them going all the way. England has a good shot too if they can ever pull themselves together and play like they should. Soooo much talent there.

The two WC finalists, Italy and France, I don't see winning it. Italy will be too old (I think WC2006 was their last great hurrah) and France won't have the same chemistry as they did last year which a lot of it was from Zidane.


Obviously tons can and will change by next year with these teams and stuff, but like I said this is just for fun. Your thoughts?

Don't worry about Italy, they have so many talented players from age 21-25 who can step in and you will see it slowly over the next year or two as Quagliarella and Chiellini are two for example that will be regulars by Euro2008 and are fairly young.

[German Ham]

Don't worry about Italy, they have so many talented players from age 21-25 who can step in and you will see it slowly over the next year or two as Quagliarella and Chiellini are two for example that will be regulars by Euro2008 and are fairly young.

I'm less worried about Italy than I am about France. I could see the French losing in the first knockout round or earlier, while I picture Italy in the semi-finals or possibly the finals if things break right.

I do think, however, that by next year Germany will be the best team in Europe, followed closely by Portugal and Italy.


Also, for anyone who knows...how are the Czechs looking for their Euro 2008 prospects? I mean I know they're second in their group and will likely qualify, but do they have a legit shot? The last time I really read about them in depth was in the World Cup last year (being ranked #2 by FIFA) and people were talking about how that or maybe Euro 08 would be the Czech's last hurrah due to a bunch of their stars retiring. Have they restocked talent sufficiently?

[benficafan3]

Spain I just don't count anymore.

France have lost their nucleus of players, although they do have the likes of Nasri rising, but I don't think they will be on par with other countries, only because they've lost so much leadership/talent.

Germany have been very convincing since the World Cup, but we saw how they've done at their last two Euros....

Portugal have plenty of talent coming up, and have been pretty good in qualifying. If they get a firm starting 11, they'll be pretty difficult to beat.

Italy have been alright in qualifying, but as has been previously mentioned, they have plenty of young talent such as Aquillani, Rossi, Rosina, Fabio Q, etc.

Why the lack of support for the Dutch in this thread? They are looked over much too often, and I would bet on them to go as far as the final, if they only had a better coach.

The current champions? They've used all the luck the gods could give them. I doubt they'll make it past the group stage. Their win in 04 was huge, but they did surpass Spain in qualifying, so we expected something extra from them, anyways.

[toon_soldier_86]

northern ireland!! they have beaten spain in qualifying amd are now at the top of thier group!!!

and they also have david healy, who has scored the most goals during qualifying.

[Oranje08]

Some of the people in this thread ("Portugal have an 'it' factor") need to actually watch some games before they make these outlandish predictions.

Teams and their chances of winning:

1. Germany -

The strongest in Europe at the moment... Should def. Be favorites.

2. Holland - Spain - France - Italy

Any two of these playing against each other would be a very good match. Any team in this group can beat any other, it all depends on how they perform on the day. Spain and Holland get underestimated because of their early exits from the WC06, however, they both could have easily went foward and made it to the semi's at least.

3. England -

Just out of the above group by a knifes edge. They have the players, they jsut can't scrape it together come tornament time. They're not doing nearly as well as they want in the qualifiers and if they come up against any of the above 5 teams in the knockout phase they will have about a 75-80% chance of losing. They are, however, better then:

4. Portugal - Czech Republic

A good side, but not at the same level as England or any of the above. England was the better side at the world cup, and if it wasn't for the ref not seeing the POrtuguese handball, england would have won 1-0. Beckham kicked it straight into that portuguese guy's hand, in the box. So basicly, england were and are better. I have a feeling that, if they are in group C or D and don't have a ************ austria or switzerland-like team to give them a free win, then they will not get out of the group stage. In WC06 they were lucky to be in a shithouse group. From Round of 16 to the Semi's, they scored only ONE goal. They arn't a top quality side like England and the rest.
Czech are pretty good. ************ performence at WC06, they will be hungry at EK08. Don't be surprised if they get out of theyre group and if they're lucky, semis. If they played POrtugal, they would draw 1-1 I reakon.
Also, Czech women are stunning, which means I hope they play Holland. Portuguese women are short and have big faces... it's weird.


5. Croatia - Serbia - Sweeden

Theyre okay. Outside chances at best. Hopefulyl sweeden play holland again so I can hook up with some sweedish chicks at the game.

6. Greece, Turkey, Romania, Poland, Austria, Switzerland etc

Greece have acheived shit since EK2004, as they will at EK08. These are the crap bags, the teams you HOPE are in your team's group stage.


I'd say the final will be Holland v Germany, and the germans score in the opening minute, then Van Persie outside the box BANG 78" and Huntelaar 92" amazing scissor goal to rival van basten's famous one BOOM thank you very much next flight to Amsterdam party time baby.

[Big balls]

Well if the tournament kicked off tomorrow, I would say Germany were the favorites, a bit strange since they were crap in the EC 2004 and a dream opponent after the group stage. Counted out by many before the WC and now they've risen once again. They are definetly not head and shoulders above the rest but if there is one favorite, it's Germany.

Btw, why can't English speaking people spell Sweden correctly ??

[German Ham]

Some of the people in this thread ("Portugal have an 'it' factor") need to actually watch some games before they make these outlandish predictions.

Teams and their chances of winning:

1. Germany -

The strongest in Europe at the moment... Should def. Be favorites.

2. Holland - Spain - France - Italy

Any two of these playing against each other would be a very good match. Any team in this group can beat any other, it all depends on how they perform on the day. Spain and Holland get underestimated because of their early exits from the WC06, however, they both could have easily went foward and made it to the semi's at least.

3. England -

Just out of the above group by a knifes edge. They have the players, they jsut can't scrape it together come tornament time. They're not doing nearly as well as they want in the qualifiers and if they come up against any of the above 5 teams in the knockout phase they will have about a 75-80% chance of losing. They are, however, better then:

4. Portugal - Czech Republic

A good side, but not at the same level as England or any of the above. England was the better side at the world cup, and if it wasn't for the ref not seeing the POrtuguese handball, england would have won 1-0. Beckham kicked it straight into that portuguese guy's hand, in the box. So basicly, england were and are better. I have a feeling that, if they are in group C or D and don't have a ************ austria or switzerland-like team to give them a free win, then they will not get out of the group stage. In WC06 they were lucky to be in a shithouse group. From Round of 16 to the Semi's, they scored only ONE goal. They arn't a top quality side like England and the rest.
Czech are pretty good. ************ performence at WC06, they will be hungry at EK08. Don't be surprised if they get out of theyre group and if they're lucky, semis. If they played POrtugal, they would draw 1-1 I reakon.
Also, Czech women are stunning, which means I hope they play Holland. Portuguese women are short and have big faces... it's weird.


5. Croatia - Serbia - Sweeden

Theyre okay. Outside chances at best. Hopefulyl sweeden play holland again so I can hook up with some sweedish chicks at the game.

6. Greece, Turkey, Romania, Poland, Austria, Switzerland etc

Greece have acheived shit since EK2004, as they will at EK08. These are the crap bags, the teams you HOPE are in your team's group stage.


I'd say the final will be Holland v Germany, and the germans score in the opening minute, then Van Persie outside the box BANG 78" and Huntelaar 92" amazing scissor goal to rival van basten's famous one BOOM thank you very much next flight to Amsterdam party time baby.


Well, what I meant with the "it" factor with Portugal is just that it seems to be coming together for them. Before the 2002 World Cup was when people really started talking about this potential "golden age" of Portugal's team (at least that's when I first heard it being seriously discussed), and then in Euro 2004 they played better and almost won the tournament. In WC2006, they started living up to their potential more and meshed together more effectively than the previous world cup... now, with the more young talent they have coming up and players like Cristiano Ronaldo finally living up to the hype, I think they'll be even stronger by Euro 2008. That's what I meant by "it" factor, that I think things will come together and break well for them in time for the tournament.

[dannytoone]

Some of the people in this thread ("Portugal have an 'it' factor") need to actually watch some games before they make these outlandish predictions.

Teams and their chances of winning:

1. Germany -

The strongest in Europe at the moment... Should def. Be favorites.

2. Holland - Spain - France - Italy

Any two of these playing against each other would be a very good match. Any team in this group can beat any other, it all depends on how they perform on the day. Spain and Holland get underestimated because of their early exits from the WC06, however, they both could have easily went foward and made it to the semi's at least.

3. England -

Just out of the above group by a knifes edge. They have the players, they jsut can't scrape it together come tornament time. They're not doing nearly as well as they want in the qualifiers and if they come up against any of the above 5 teams in the knockout phase they will have about a 75-80% chance of losing. They are, however, better then:

4. Portugal - Czech Republic

A good side, but not at the same level as England or any of the above. England was the better side at the world cup, and if it wasn't for the ref not seeing the POrtuguese handball, england would have won 1-0. Beckham kicked it straight into that portuguese guy's hand, in the box. So basicly, england were and are better. I have a feeling that, if they are in group C or D and don't have a ************ austria or switzerland-like team to give them a free win, then they will not get out of the group stage. In WC06 they were lucky to be in a shithouse group. From Round of 16 to the Semi's, they scored only ONE goal. They arn't a top quality side like England and the rest.
Czech are pretty good. ************ performence at WC06, they will be hungry at EK08. Don't be surprised if they get out of theyre group and if they're lucky, semis. If they played POrtugal, they would draw 1-1 I reakon.
Also, Czech women are stunning, which means I hope they play Holland. Portuguese women are short and have big faces... it's weird.


5. Croatia - Serbia - Sweeden

Theyre okay. Outside chances at best. Hopefulyl sweeden play holland again so I can hook up with some sweedish chicks at the game.

6. Greece, Turkey, Romania, Poland, Austria, Switzerland etc

Greece have acheived shit since EK2004, as they will at EK08. These are the crap bags, the teams you HOPE are in your team's group stage.


I'd say the final will be Holland v Germany, and the germans score in the opening minute, then Van Persie outside the box BANG 78" and Huntelaar 92" amazing scissor goal to rival van basten's famous one BOOM thank you very much next flight to Amsterdam party time baby.

Interesting...you say that England is ahead of Portugal because they played better than Portugal. Fine, even though the game was a draw(I personally think both teams played equally crappy).

But that doesn't explain how you have Holland above Portugal, because that game was very clear that Portugal was the better side.

[Oranje08]

Interesting...you say that England is ahead of Portugal because they played better than Portugal. Fine, even though the game was a draw(I personally think both teams played equally crappy).

But that doesn't explain how you have Holland above Portugal, because that game was very clear that Portugal was the better side.

I think Holland and Portugal were even at the world cup. Holland came within a centimitre of scoring.. and I honestly believe that had van Nistelrooy played instead of Kuyt, we would have won. However, portugal deserved the win becuase the goal was nice and they played and were coached better... I'm not judging england as better becuase of that one game, just as a whole, the same as why I think Holland, Spain, France and Italy are better then portugal...

Holland 2008 will be much stronger then Holland 2006, and I think Portugal 2008 will be about the same as Portugal 2006 give or take. If Holland and POrtugal played right now, it would either be a draw or Holland would win.

I look foward to the next Holland v Portugal match, weather it be a friendly, a 2008 match, or a WK2010 qualifier.. I lcan't wait to finally getting rid of the curse (cos thats all it is).

[johan neeskens]

Why the lack of support for the Dutch in this thread? They are looked over much too often, and I would bet on them to go as far as the final, if they only had a better coach.


Holland always does very well in the European championships for some reason, we got to the semis in the last two. For 2008 I don't think we're one of the top favourites but we are a dangerous outsider especially now that our youngsters are developing quicker than we all thought. A team like this:

-------------------------Sar-----------------

Zuiverloon--------Bouhla------Matthijsen--------Gio

---Seedorf----Sneijder or Van der Vaart----Drenthe

Van Persie----------Ruud-----------Robben


can't be that bad.

[spoonman]

We made the semis four out of the last five.

[johan neeskens]

We made the semis four out of the last five.

Strange isn't it how we always perform better at the Euros than at the world cup. Esp considering that the opposition arguably is of a higher average quality in the Euros.

[laolafever]

Hey man why you dont believe that england and spain dont can win the em. I maen i dont think too that they dont win but not because they are too bad. I think the only ones who realy have no chance are the austrians