euro 2004

[kahn1]

What do most of you think of germanys chances are to win the euro? I think as long as kahn is healthy and with the great defense that they play i dont think anyone will beat them.

[Basti]

It depends on how Voeller integrates the young defense with the team because as everyone saw in the world cup it was a bit shakey at times.

[olafgb]

We'll see. Of course you always need luck, but I'm afraid that it won't happen again that a team has such an easy run to the final. Realistically Spain, Italy, Portugal, France, Netherlands, England and maybe even Denmark or Sweden aren't worse than Germany.

[Ethel The Frog]

2004 is a long distance away, and I do not even know where the games will be played.

I will be routing for the Netherlands. They sure seem to have a lot of good young talent these days, though I do not know who will be the enforcer that replaces Davids in 2004.

[astabo0ty]

i think hollland will win it. if not them maybe england. but in response to Ethel the Frog, why do u make it sound like Davids will be out? i believe he will only be 31 in 2004....

[Eisern Union]

2004 is far too far away to make a prediction, and it looks wide open anyway. Germany will benefit from an easy qualification group, though. Scotland as the #2 team is in turmoil (I could easily see them finishing 3rd or 4th) and Iceland is a dangerous team, but won't really challenge Germany. Much easier draw than England and Finland for the WC.

[olafgb]

I think an EC is very hard to predict. There's hardly any team making the final tournament that's without chances to win the title.

[Ethel The Frog]

You are right that I may have written Davids off too early. But I am more curious as to whether there is another national team enforcer competing for the position. Now that Dutch league football is not available on FSW in the US anymore, I won't be able to see many games. (I am psyched for the Feyenoord match at the end of this month).

I think that given his rough style of play, Davids is probably at his prime now and will have trouble dealing with the big men of football in 2004. For example, I think he would have a tough time with Ballack even today if that were the matchup -- though I would love to watch such a matchup, just as I loved watching him one-on-one against Viera last year in CL (or maybe Thursday league, I can never remember). I hope to see another matchup between those two this year.