Dunno who wins, but today it's safe to say that Spain and Germany will enter as the biggest favourites.
Although it's still too early to tell, I'd say France. They have the second best player Europe in the form of Ribery. Behind him is a strong supporting cast. Players like Giroud, Pogba, Kondogbia, Varane, Lloris... they're a strong team in the making, front to back, and in two years time they'll iron out their kinks. They'll have the whole of France behind them.
^ They can give the UEFA player of the year award to Ribery, but it doesn't mean he's better than Cristiano. They gave it to Iniesta the season before, and he was no better than Messi and Cristiano then. Anyway, 1st or 2nd makes little difference as the point - I'm sure - was that France has this one great player called Ribery making them stronger.
Based on their careers to date C.Ronaldo can arguably be called the No.1 player (from Europe) ... throughout his career he has been a more decisive player than Ribery for club and country. As was the case with Zidane, France heavily depends on Ribery but he hasn't been able to live up to this living legend. Compared to Ribery (who'll be 33+ when EURO2016 starts), Giroud, Benzema, Nasri, ... can stick around a bit longer. Defensively France has great prospects (back 4 & defensive minded midfielders) ... offensive minded players like Grenier, Thauvin, Griezmann, Niang, ... should in time be able to improve France's scoring ability (the French NT has been struggling in this area). I feel that Germany & Spain will remain the favourites while NTs like Italy, Belgium, France, etc. are dark horses.
I think he meant number 1 today though, not career. If we start talking about career, Ribery's rank drops pretty significantly.
No ... they can only play friendlies. Unless UEFA relaxes its criteria ... Kosovo will need to enter into the UN. Serbia is opposed (will try to prevent that Kosovo becomes a UN member state) and they're getting help from Russia. So it might take a very long time eventhough NATO countries are proponents.
Was trying to project into the future ... yet who knows Ribery might even be better at the end of the 2015/16 season (as long as he doesn't retire as an international after this World Cup).
let's see how they do in next WC first ... since after the WC there will be (usually) a big change in teams, coaching ...
Portugal will be a largely changed team in 2016....... ----------------patricio--------------- -------Pepe-----------Ilori(Liverpool) Cedric(Sporting)--------------------------Coentrao ------------------William Carvalho(Sporting) ----Moutinho--------------------------Marcos Lopes(Manchester City) Bruma--------------------------------------------Ronaldo -----------------Some striker---------------------------------
I'd say it's finally time Deutschland get it done ! Assuming they don't in the WC next year. They've been to way too many Finals/Semi-Finals and haven't had luck. They deserve a big title and soon !
You know you're right. Spain's young generation is pretty rubbish. 2018-2026 World Cups, ain't gonna make it out of the group stage one single time.