My prediction A Portugal Switzerland Czech Republic Turkey B Croatia Germany Poland Austria C Italy France Romania Netherlands D Spain Greece Russia Sweden QFs Portugal - Germany Croatia - Switzerland Italy - Greece France - Spain SFs Germany - Switzerland Italy - Spain F Germany - Spain Winner Spain
Hey guys, haven't seen these on the air yet, but there's a bunch of new ESPN commercials promoting EURO. I LOVE the Italy spot....Germany might be my second favorite... http://youtube.com/profile_videos?user=chesterg1&p=r
hello, I've been here since 2006 but it's always funny reading the before competition argues I see a lot of people rooting for italy and netherlands but honestly I don't see them going to the finals don't get me wrong, I am french and I am waiting for my NT's first games with lots of anxiety but group C beeing the "group of death" that should prove extremely difficult: I am afraid that every team will lose lots of strength trying to qualify from it and will be kicked out before the semis. therefore, in my opinion, germany, portugal and spain are most likely the true contenders this year. as for my outsider, I wouldn't rule out poland just yet I certainly hope I am wrong though go France and go to hell domenech
Germany, Spain, & Portugal are all legitimate contenders... I can't see Poland advancing out of group play. That group is gonna be Germamy & Croatia. I think Austria may even give Poland a run since they will be playing in front of 50,000 in Vienna.
I sadly have to agree. Imo, Italy has some major flaws...pirlo/de rossi can't seem to coexist that well in midfield, the lack of depth in attack, the lack of a true gamechanger up front like totti or cassano, a coach still in over his head, in back the choice to either play materazzi and have a (for italy) weak defense or play barzagli and have two cbs who are not threats on set pieces (which was big for italy in '06)...add to that, there seems to be a few chemistry/ego problems plus del piero still thinks he's baggio of '94 , and I agree, I think italy is crashing out. I will be rooting for them, but I don't see good things in that group of death myself unless some of these issues get fixed and fast. I hope I am wrong.
Okay if thats what you think. Though I think Poland has a really good chance. If no one thinks that then they obviously judge em by past tournaments rather then recent events. Poland were top in their group which contained Portugal, Serbia, and a surprise Finland. Though a lot of people will think of Group C has the group of death, Group B has Poland and Croatia who both showed quality in their qualifiers, Germany favorites to go all the way for many. Austria who showed rather some minor upsets in friendlies lately and are host.
I think germany will win the group, but i can't decide who out of croatia and poland will come 2nd. however, if germany do not win the group - the low probability event - then I don't see poland qualifying as I do not think they can beat germany and get 2nd place. It is a psychological thing...
I mainly say that b/c I saw Poland get waxed at home by the USA 3-0 in March. This wasn't one of those games you can sluff off and say, "well, its just a friendly" because Poland was using it as a Euro tune-up. The fact that the US went to Poland and won makes me think the Poles are in real trouble come time for Euro. Of course, they could always pull it together and surprise us, but if I was putting money on it, I'd bet on Germany to win it and Croatia to finish 2nd in the group.
Croatia equally was thrashed in a friendly at home v the Netherlands just two months ago. Just because they beat England doesn't automatically mean they're world class, you know.
But you have to admit there is a big difference in getting thrashed by the Dutch and getting thrashed by the US, the same US team that hasn't had a lot of success playing on European soil. My opinion is that a team worthy of Euro success, even on an off day, should beat the US at home 3 months ahead of the tournament. Don't get me wrong, I am huge fan of the USMNT and maybe we have improved so much that we are as good as most teams in Europe. I COMPLETELY agree with you that beating England really doesn't mean that a team is world class. I think England got what was coming to them after a below average World Cup and Euro qualifying run - they have problems of their own. But I still think Croatia are a better side than Poland. I even said earlier that Austria, playing at home v Poland, might be able to get a draw. The great thing about it is that we get to see it played out...
Thats unfair your judging Poland based on one game. We also started a lot of players in that game such as Brozek, and Piszezck who rarely appeared for Poland during the qualifiers and by the time they came out we were losing 2-0. Also if you are consider Poland game against USA you should maybe also consider Poland's 2-0 win against Czech in February, or Poland's 2-1 win against Portugal during qualifiers in which we fairly dominated.
Friendly is a Friendly, Romania got beat by Israel, and Poland got beat by US, either way does not matter all that much since Poland used 4 new players in their 1st half, 2nd half was no contest nothing could be done; it happeneds football is football on paper Poland is better then US but football is not played on paper and this is the beauty of the game. Germany and Croatia have better players then Poland and overall they are stronger, but Poland has a solid squad with good players that complement one another. Poland qualified on top of their group, ahead of Portugal; In under a year we beat Portugal at home, tied them in Lisbon, tied Russia in Moscow, scored a win against the Czech Republic. Germany and Croatia are a concearn, but this is football the beauty of the sport is that a average team like Poland has the potential to beat Germany and Croatia. Were not delusional, we know Germany and Croatia talent wise are stronger then us, were not hoping for a miracle what matters to us is that our team gives a good account of themselves and we know they will because they are capable of upsetting either Germany or Croatia. Were realistic here, we know what the odds are; Germany and Croatia are the favorites and have the potential and the talent to win Euro 2008. This is not an easy group, I rather see Poland play Czech Republic, Portugal, Switzerland, Turkey, Greece, Russia unfortunately we did not get the luck of the draw so were basically stuck in a group against Germany, Croatia and Austria who will be playing in their home turf. As bad as the draw may seem it could have been much much worse.
same goes for Holland of course... I guess it depends on too many factors to really say anything meaningful about the outcome of a tournament (Greece 2004, anyone predicted that?). Especially when your in a group with France, Italy and Romania.. But if Germany plays the way they played in '06 they do have a good chance of being a finalist. I do hope the referees have learned from the diving of the Italians (against Australia at the WC, what a disgrace) and Portuguese... I hate that !
I also hate unfair definition because of bad referees performances I think that Portugal and Germany could be finalists...
Yeah, diving is awful. Unfortunately, I don't think it will ever be completely out of the game, and referees will still fall for some oscar-worthy performances.
I say: allow video based desicions like at icehockey, am. football, etc.. Referees at these sports enjoy far more respect and no bikkering afterwards..