Two to Top Group C

[Bronaldo]

Romania and Italy to advance. I'm confident in Romania and i'm far from Romanian. People are not giving this team any chances and they will certainly turn a few heads.

[I-Got-The-BLUES]

Romania will surprise in how they play, but I don't think they're going to advance out of this group.

France and Holland are my picks.

[everythingfootball]

France and Italy to go though with Italy top.

[Suyuntuy]

Arguably the toughest group of death ever. According to the Elo Ratings (the only one I care about), Italy is # 3, France is # 4, Netherlands is # 6 and Romania is # 10 in the world.

No small dogs here.

Goal difference will be vital, but also injuries. Toni, Mutu and Ribéry are key players, losing them would be a lethal blow to their teams. In that sense, The Netherlands have a better chance to make it far if they survive this group: they don't have a single vital player at this point.

My prediction: Netherlands and France. But it's just a guess. I wouldn't be surprised at all if it's Italy and Romania.

[jerrito]

Arguably the toughest group of death ever. According to the Elo Ratings (the only one I care about), Italy is # 3, France is # 4, Netherlands is # 6 and Romania is # 10 in the world.

No small dogs here.

Goal difference will be vital, but also injuries. Toni, Mutu and Ribéry are key players, losing them would be a lethal blow to their teams. In that sense, The Netherlands have a better chance to make it far if they survive this group: they don't have a single vital player at this point.

My prediction: Netherlands and France. But it's just a guess. I wouldn't be surprised at all if it's Italy and Romania.

The injuries are adding up. Cannavaro (out for the tournament), Robben, Van Persie and Babel are out for the first match between Italy and Holland. It is a shame that injuries may be a big factor.

[KumarsS]

France are toothless without Ribery. They might not finish bottom of the group, but I think they may well have the bleakest shot at advancing.

[GrosMoulin]

France are toothless without Ribery. They might not finish bottom of the group, but I think they may well have the bleakest shot at advancing.

France was supposed to be toothless in 2006 with an old Zizou.
Now we're toothless without Ribéry.

What's next ? :)

[FNU]

I think it's logical to think whoever wins tomorrow will advance.

[AFCA]

I think it's logical to think whoever wins tomorrow will advance.

You'd think the NL-Italy result has some influence on that as well ;)

[Amsteldam]

I think it's logical to think whoever wins tomorrow will advance.
I think it's logical to think whoever doesnt win tomorrow is in a sh*tload of trouble :D

[DaveyGorgeous]

I think it's logical to think whoever doesnt win tomorrow is in a sh*tload of trouble :D

Def more accurate haha

[AFCA]

I think it's logical to think whoever doesnt win tomorrow is in a sh*tload of trouble :D

As things are, all 4 teams already are ;)

[glennaldo_sf]

Romania will surprise in how they play, but I don't think they're going to advance out of this group.

I agree. Romania are a decent team but they are the odd ones out. Not only will that have to beat one, but two of these teams for a place in the quarterfinals. This group is just way too strong.

I say Italy to go through. Holland to follow. Holland vs. France is the key match but I have a feeling this is one of those groups - kind of reminiscent to Italia 90 where Holland, England, Ireland and Egypt were all in one group (the former three were considerably stronger then). I reckon it will all come down to who beats on Romania the most. I say that Holland may have an advantage playing Romania last. Romania might get results in the other games but wear out by the last game. So if Holland can get draws in those two matches - they just need to win that final game

So I say the final standings will look like this...

Italy - 5
Hollad - 5
France - 3
Romania - 1

[exeprime]

I really can't see Holland performing very well. As far as I could tell, they have trouble against well-organized teams. Because in the preliminaries, besides the results, what I found to be most surprising was the lack of chances they had against us. Massive individual value, but they simply don't look like a well-cemented team. Van Basten's eternal experiments didn't do them much good.

But then again, you never know.

[Chess_Panther]

I agree. Romania are a decent team but they are the odd ones out. Not only will that have to beat one, but two of these teams for a place in the quarterfinals. This group is just way too strong.

I say Italy to go through. Holland to follow. Holland vs. France is the key match but I have a feeling this is one of those groups - kind of reminiscent to Italia 90 where Holland, England, Ireland and Egypt were all in one group (the former three were considerably stronger then). I reckon it will all come down to who beats on Romania the most. I say that Holland may have an advantage playing Romania last. Romania might get results in the other games but wear out by the last game. So if Holland can get draws in those two matches - they just need to win that final game

So I say the final standings will look like this...

Italy - 5
Hollad - 5
France - 3
Romania - 1

Kinda have the same feeling but I wouldn't be surprised if Romania ended above France though...

[FNU]

France should not be underestimated. I would say France is the favorite of the group since they've got the "easier" 1st game.

[ExpatSwede]

France should not be underestimated. I would say France is the favorite of the group since they've got the "easier" 1st game.
So who's the favorite now, after today's games? :D

I think the Dutch will beat the French, and the Italians will beat the Romanians... Which would leave the table like this, heading into the last day:
Netherlands 6
Italy 3
France 1
Romania 1

France-Italy... talk about a massive game! :eek:
And yet, France could win and still be eliminated, if Romania win by enough goals against the already safe Dutch! :eek:

[Amsteldam]

No people, I'm not at all comfortable with all this yet!!
Yeah we beat the WC champs, but we still have 2 matches to go.

Lose one (or both), and tie one and we are F__cked!!

So all you Dutchies behave and STFU for at least another week!!! :)

[ironduke2010]

Holland 5
Italy 4
Romania 4
France 3

lookin' good so far....

[Amsteldam]

lookin' good so far....
We are one of the best in the world, and we showed it so far ;)