Euro 2008- the seeding system

[johan neeskens]

Sorry, the link's in Dutch but you can all read the UEFA country coefficient list if you scroll down.

What it comes down to is this: there will be four groups at Euro 2008. Austria and Switzerland as hosts and Greece as the reigning European champions are top seeds, i.e. pot one countries. If both the Netherlands and Germany qualify, the fourth 'pot one' spot will be between them. The decision will be based on the UEFA country coefficient, counting performances in qualifying for the world cup 2006 and UEFA 2008 (exluding play offs). Germany are ever so slightly ahead at the moment.

What's interesting about this to me is that it's actually not very preferable to be a first seed. As a second seed you've got a chance of three in four to be drawn into a group with the relatively weak (with all due respect) Austria, Switzerland or Greece. The nightmare for us (and indeed Germany, I imagine) would be if we were to be drawn into the same group.

I also wonder if the UEFA coefficient determines the seeds overall as the way it stands now, Portugal, France and even Italy would only be third seeds.

[96Squig]

Actually, I'd prefer the Netherlands as opponents to Italy or France, so being in one group with them wouldn't be a big deal for Germans. many would look forward to the game. This is due to the success we'v had lately, though.

[johan neeskens]

Actually, I'd prefer the Netherlands as opponents to Italy or France, so being in one group with them wouldn't be a big deal for Germans. many would look forward to the game. This is due to the success we'v had lately, though.

Yeh but the point is that as a pot one seed you could end up in a group with both the Netherlands or Germany AND France!

[geego]

And Spain isn't even listed - that could send them to pot 4! :eek:

From pot 1 - Germany!
From pot 2 - Netherlands!
From pot 3 - France!
From pot 4 - Spain!

Now that's a group of death... :D

[NapoliSupporter]

I also wonder if the UEFA coefficient determines the seeds overall as the way it stands now, Portugal, France and even Italy would only be third seeds.

Actually, isn't France a 4th seed at the moment?

Group of Death:
Germany, England, Italy and France.

Group of Life:
Austria, Sweden, Poland, Finland

[Edgar]

The pots and a mock draw -> link (http://blog.sport365.ro/eduard_ranghiuc/2007/09/13/euro-2008-situatia-la-zi-8/).

The coefficients for all teams -> link (http://blog.sport365.ro/eduard_ranghiuc/2007/09/13/euro-2008-clasamentul-coeficientilor-7/).

[johan neeskens]

And Spain isn't even listed - that could send them to pot 4! :eek:

From pot 1 - Germany!
From pot 2 - Netherlands!
From pot 3 - France!
From pot 4 - Spain!

Now that's a group of death... :D

Scary stuff innit. And there's still people who claim that the world cup groups are more difficult!

[johan neeskens]

The pots and a mock draw -> link (http://blog.sport365.ro/eduard_ranghiuc/2007/09/13/euro-2008-situatia-la-zi-8/).

The coefficients for all teams -> link (http://blog.sport365.ro/eduard_ranghiuc/2007/09/13/euro-2008-clasamentul-coeficientilor-7/).

Now isn't that lovely, a mock draw with Holland in a group with Italy and Spain.

It's been a while, I forgot how tough the Euros were.

[Quaresma]

Yah, being first seed is a curse in this Euro.

3 massive teams in one group.

[NapoliSupporter]

Yah, being first seed is a curse in this Euro.

3 massive teams in one group.

Not necessarily. Lets not get ahead of ourselves here. Anyone can dream-up difficult groups but they almost never come to reality. In the end, I doubt any group will have more than 2 massive teams.

[johan neeskens]

Not necessarily. Lets not get ahead of ourselves here. Anyone can dream-up difficult groups but they almost never come to reality. In the end, I doubt any group will have more than 2 massive teams.

There will be at least one group with three massive teams, i.e. the group that gets Germany or the Netherlands as first seed.

[96Squig]

Wow, I can read Romanian.

[NapoliSupporter]

There will be at least one group with three massive teams, i.e. the group that gets Germany or the Netherlands as first seed.


Only if you consider Poland and Czech Republic massive teams. :cool:

I think everyone is in agreement that the Euro groups are tougher than World Cup groups on average. The debate around this forum has been mostly centered on which tournament is tougher to win.

[johan neeskens]

Only if you consider Poland and Czech Republic massive teams. :cool:

Plus, I think everyone is in agreement that the Euro groups are tougher than World Cup groups on average. The debate around this forum has been mostly centered on which is tougher to win.

The difference this time is that both the two hosts and the reigning champions are relatively weak. This ironically puts you in a better position for the draw as a second seed than as a first seed.

[NapoliSupporter]

The difference this time is that both the two hosts and the reigning champions are relatively weak. This ironically puts you in a better position for the draw as a second seed than as a first seed.

The difference this time is that the teams who really earned top seeds will be officially considered second seeds, and those who are really lower seeds will be officially listed as top seeds.

The pots are essentially the same as they normally would be, just with different numbers on them.

[smithfan]

The Dutchman is right. That is why I wouldn't be very sad if we lose some points in our upcoming Euro qualification matches. We're almost through anyway. Either Germany or the Netherlands will be in a Group of Death, most likely.

[Sand im Kopf]

The UEFA coefficient isn't very good at predicting the strength of a team anyway. Even as top seed you could get a relatively easy group (e g. Sweden Poland Finland) and a pot 2 team could still get a veritable group of death (e.g. Switzerland, Italy, France) even without drawing the top seed.
I'd rather have Germany win all remaining games than lose and destroy confidence as well as the current winning streaks just for a somewhat higher chance for an easy group.

[NapoliSupporter]

The UEFA coefficient isn't very good at predicting the strength of a team anyway. Even as top seed you could get a relatively easy group (e g. Sweden Poland Finland) and a pot 2 team could still get a veritable group of death (e.g. Switzerland, Italy, France) even without drawing the top seed.
I'd rather have Germany win all remaining games than lose and destroy confidence as well as the current winning streaks just for a somewhat higher chance for an easy group.

Agreed! In addition, I don't think playing Switzerland in Basle is any easier than playing Holland on neutral ground.

[johan neeskens]

The Dutchman is right. That is why I wouldn't be very sad if we lose some points in our upcoming Euro qualification matches. We're almost through anyway. Either Germany or the Netherlands will be in a Group of Death, most likely.

My thoughts exactly. Oh well, it'll give the world something to talk about eh.

[johan neeskens]

Agreed! In addition, I don't think playing Switzerland in Basle is any easier than playing Holland on neutral ground.

Hehehe. Read up on Holland's Euro performance over the past 20 years mate. And compare it to Switzerland's.