Well, is it England or is that considered blasphmy? Any other countries that Irish supporters tend to generally follow if the Republic of Ireland are NOT in a competition? Thanks for your thoughts.
Being a life long Gunners supporter I feel that I'll most likely be rooting for France, seeing as so many of the French NT play for Arsenal!
I was thinking of tossing my support behind the Germans actually. They played a fine game against us in 2002 (even though we'd have whooped their arses from Ibaraki, to Berlin, to Dublin and back again if Keano were there), and proved that a team of our caliber could get to the final (and had a few things be different, we could be walking around with the Jules rimet trophy now!). However, my watches for underdogs, are Greece and Switzerland. Greece are in a tough group, but they beat Spain in qualifiers, (whom their paired with again), and Switzerland have two great strikers in Yakin and Frei. I had one my world famous Sebastian Says predictions made days ago, and I shall now announce it: Switzerland will draw England. As far as winners go....it's difficult to pick against France, but I think this may be the year Sweden are finally victorious.
I'm sure the Brazilian FA would have been interested to know what these different things would be, considering they haven't seen the Jules Rimet in about 20 years!
I doubt many Irish fans will be supporting England, quite the opposite in fact. I usually have a bet on a team when Ireland are not involved to make it extra interesting, and funnily enough I was thinking of backing England as I reckon its about time they won something and have some excellent young players like Gerrard and Rooney. But they're not good value at 8-1, I'd rather back Holland (also 8-1) or the best value bet must be the Czechs (14-1).
All Irish people think exactly the same, therefore all will be supporting the same team, as one, throughout the tournament. This includes all pets, goldfish and barnyard animals. As they, too, are Irish, in their own way they will be all supporting the same team. However, it is not possible to tell you which team will be the recipient of this massive support (don't forget those braying donkeys, now), as it is a secret.
No need to be a smart ass about it. I don't like making broad strokes about people of various countries. Just thought it was a no brainer that many Irish would not be supporting England in Portugal. That's all. Sorry for causing mental and emotional anguish.
if you were half as clever as you think you are you might have made that a bit funnier samarkind, never mind i'm backing portugal
I just can't bring myself to support England....so I hope Spain or Portugal wins. I hope France and Switzerland fail miserably.
I'm going down to Portugal, so I'll probably develop a soft spot for the hosts, although I'm not usually impressed by their team. Other than that, its Latvia all the way! Got tickets for the Germany-Latvia match in Porto, looking forward to a few drinks with the Latvian supporters beforehand. Would be so much more fun if Ireland were there though.
I hope France don't fail miserably, if they do well be the ones playing a French team with a lot to prove this autumn!
Yeah it would be great to see Latvia upset a few more big names. Their win out in Turkey was superb! Enjoy your visit to Portugal.
I'm in this group too. Plus, I hope that France get all of their winning and goal scoring out of the way this summer...
Sweeden. They are a good team who could win thier group. That group (Italy, Sweeden, Bulgaria and Denmark) is actaully a pretty good group. Sweeden could make a good run.
England. Although I feel every fibre of my being protest when I say that word I can´t think of any real reason why not. I support Blackburn, an English team, so I tend to go for England if Ireland or Scotland don´t qualify. A lot of the English fans are absolute d*cks (ie. the ones that tend to be male, aged 18-30, and who loiter around such places as Magaluf in a permanent state of drunken, idiotic, aggression), but on the most part the fans are grand and support us when we play. I can no longer reasonably justify not supporting them.
... and here's another question for everyone here. If England aren't in a tournament who do you think the English support? Obviously I can't speak for everyone in Britain but I'd imagine it would be, in order. Wales Scotland N. Ireland S. Ireland Anybody else would be a long way behind. I think the reason is because we all recognise that all our international players play in the same leagues in EPL and SPL and tend to play in the same way so maybe it's our STYLE of football we're supporting as much as anything... whatever. Personally I've always got on very well with the Scots, Welsh, (my better half was born in Barry and my daughter went to Uni. in Pontypridd), and Irish. I think it's a great shame you lads aren't there.