Thoughts on Group C ---------- The Swedes are masters of advancing out of groups. In recent years Denmark has won groups over sides like the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, France, Romania, and Norway. Italy are notorious slow starters and have never had a whole lot of success against Scandinavian clubs (4-1-4 v. Sweden; 3-0-2 v. Denmark all time). Italy will be the flop of the tournament. France will win final against Holland or England.
La France will crush all these puny countries who actually think they even have le smallest chance to win this cup.
isnt that what you were saying prior to wc02 france had a joke of a qualifying group and even though they won the confederations cup they didnt impress me there france has the most depth but we'll see btw do us a favor crush england in the first game and make sure their guys pick up some yellows
Turkey is so far down on the list, that they won't even get a match in ;P (perhaps you should give Latvia a little more credit). That being said, I think Italy takes it because of the easier first round. Spain and Portugal, England and France, Germany and Holland - they'll all knock themselves silly in the group stages. Italy hasn't won a major in quite a while and I finally think it's their time, especially after the difficult loss to swallow in Euro 2000.
it does not really matter. The Czech Republic will play Germany in the first round. By the quarterfinals when injuries started to take its toll, Germany will be playing against teams with talent pools as deep.
2002 comes before le 2003 Non, can you not le see that I did not even grace this forum by joining before may 2003?
I think Del Peiro, Veiri and Totti will have to say something about that. Tell me, who does either Sweden or Denmark have that could possibly stop such a powerful trio?
Italy has turned to be an underachiever in NT competitions. They are always among the four favorites, but have failed to win a major tournament since 1982 and a Euro Cup since 1968. Far from being a problem, like it seems to be for Spain, it is an itch for Italians.
They are just names. Italy had bigger names the last time we met and still we won (qualification game to euro 2000). I fear sweden far more than Italy because sweden plays like a team.
I think Denmark will get at least a draw against Italy, quite possibly a win. Italy is vulnerable to pace at the back and their fullbacks are lacking. Denmark's fast wingers and counterattacks will tear them apart. Sweden are a very good solid team. Italy seem to have a lot of hype on this board for someone, clearly people were not watching them in qualifying or their performances in the last World Cup. Italy 2004 is not Italy 1982 or even Italy 1994.
all of them are French - 9 of your list were born in France - the other 2 are adopted french. Now tell me which of the following basket ball players are actually americans (I mean, by your definition i.e. ancestors of the american indians) Michael Jordan : no Bryant : no O neal : no any other US sport man : no now go get yourself a life.
I believe they are better than in any of those years. From goalie to defense to defensive midfield to creative midfield to goal scorers. The key is ... they have an even bench as well.
thats why croatia started your downfall at wc02 and then that ang dude put you out of your misery italys problem is there attacking midfield is weak!!!! who plays the wings?????? croatia scored 2 goals on that italian defense in 90 minutes and our team was at their lowest point at wc02 mixing the old and young guys at training camp problems between the players..... dont get me wron i still see italy as having a shot to win it all but i think it will be holland taking it and the czechs and france are in there as well. spain and england will NOT win this thing--whoever is saying this doesnt know much about their NT and behavior youll see favorites holland italy czech france spain england and portugal ---NO WAY
ZZ10, Bravo! and thank you. As if RevPOWA's comment were not ignorant enough, you might notice that he left Zidane out of France's starting XI. He not only needs a life, he needs a brain!
well cisse wont be playing at euro 2004 after his suspension and since henry and pires + viera have to carry arsenal all season long can someone say injuries or overexhaustion france looks stron now but lets see what theyll look like on paper in may..... same thing with the england lads play as many games as possible exhaust yourself hahahaaa
Ya but players are supposed to play hard for their clubs, personally I wouldn't have it any other way. If every player was like Ronaldo and just rested a whole year, then ofcourse he's gonna win the WC. It's the guys who play their guts out and still have some sweat to drop at the end of the year and then compete in international tournaments...those are the guys who should be respected.
Dark horses are: Russia and Latvia!!! But Latvia in the group of death. An d Russia has problems with the coach. If he is going to be all right than Russia will show it"s power!!! If not than Rep. of Chezch will win: i had a dream...
England will piss this tournament, especially if Shearer comes out of retirement. With the likes of Rooney, Owen, Beckham, Scholes, Gerrard and Campbell how can we fail ?
No way to England Sorry Rambler ... 1st of all Shearer will not come out of retirement and England will lose QF to Postugal Holland willl waltz over everyone Gonna be an orange crush kind of tourney
Re: No way to England Holland ? Don't be silly. You are lucky to even be there. England would destroy Holland, but we will not meet as you have no chance of progressing beyond the group stage. A 6-0 win over Scotland stands for nothing. Scotland are third rate now. And Prenn, of course I remember Shearer. I remember Hately and Tony Woodcock for crying out loud. Shearer packed in international way too soon. Big mistake, and one I imagine he will regret.