Official EF EURO2008 thread

[ze devil's advocate]

I have seen so many threads here about Euro2008 related questions and complaints but none that really gets down to analyzing various teams and their chance of lifting the cup. So all you arm chair experts let it rip here. I start (use similar format and at the end feel free to ramble)-

Group A-
Czech Republic
Portugal
Switzerland
Turkey

Smart prediction- Portugal and Czech republic to go forward.
Upset prediction- Czech Rep and Turkey to go forward
Comments- Portugal's chance of lifting the cup 4 out of 5.
Sorry! Switzerland ain't going anywhere
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Group B-
Austria
Croatia
Germany
Poland

Smart prediction- Germany and Croatia to go forward.
Upset prediction- Can't decide
Comments- Germany's chance of lifting the cup 4.5 out of 5. Ze German machine never stops marching!
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Group C-
France
Italy
Netherlands
Romania

Smart prediction- Italy and France to go forward.
Upset prediction- Any one team out out of France, Italy and Netherlands can get knocked out.
Comments- Sorry Romania you are just making up the numbers in this tight group. Group of death! Italy's chance of winning 4.9 out of 5.
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Group D-
Greece
Russia
Spain
Sweden

Smart prediction- Spain and _________ to go forward.
Upset prediction- Apart from Spain they are all kind of equal
Comments- Spain's team looks strong on paper as always. Chance of winning 4.2 out of 5.
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Top 10 players to watch out for in no particular order-

1- Cristiano genius Ronaldo- Portugal
2- Cesc Fabregas—Spain
3- Fernando Torres—Spain
4- Joao Moutinho- Portugal
5- Quaresma- Portugal
6- Luca Toni- Italy
7- Karim Benzema—France
8- Franck Ribery—France
9-
10-

RAMBLING-

Italy or Germany to lift the cup. Would like Ronaldo to lift the cup but his team lacks a decent striker and he can't do everything alone. Switzerland and specially Austria lucky to get a free ride. Alex Frei NOOOOOOOO! Wanna see some good technical football and may the best team win.

[gbn]

I don't see England or Scotland there

Oh, I remember now...

Feffin prima donna overpaid donkeys

[ze devil's advocate]

	Quote:	gbn
	I don't see England

They are recharging their batteries for the start of Premiership. England team should turn up in Austrian outfit LOL

Seriously two host countries means free ride for two below average teams. Austria and Switzerland should be made to play each other. Only one free ride per tournament

[Lob]

I like this analysis. Italy is my choice with Croatia proving that they can do what Greece did - but with style.

[Chrisp]

OK someone has to go out on limb, Switzerland to advance to the quarter finals, they are a team that can beat anyone (and lose to anyone). Portugal is a one trick pony and the Czech Republic is not what they once were. The home advantage could prove to be the difference and they have a coach with nothing to lose. Ok so I'm dreaming, but wouldn't it be nice.

[Lob]

	Quote:	Chrisp
	OK someone has to go out on limb, Switzerland to advance to the quarter finals, they are a team that can beat anyone (and lose to anyone). Portugal is a one trick pony and the Czech Republic is not what they once were. The home advantage could prove to be the difference and they have a coach with nothing to lose. Ok so I'm dreaming, but wouldn't it be nice.

would you like to buy some magic beans? One careful owner - UBS

[crimson]

	Quote:	Lob
	I like this analysis. Italy is my choice with Croatia proving that they can do what Greece did - but with style.

you clearly have no sense of style

[ze devil's advocate]

	Quote:	Chrisp
	OK someone has to go out on limb, Switzerland to advance to the quarter finals, they are a team that can beat anyone (and lose to anyone). Portugal is a one trick pony and the Czech Republic is not what they once were. The home advantage could prove to be the difference and they have a coach with nothing to lose. Ok so I'm dreaming, but wouldn't it be nice.

It would be nice only if you are Swiss I agree that Switzerland are a team that can loose to anybody but I don't agree with your statement that they can beat anybody

Yeah Czech Republic is not as strong so Switzerland does have a chance of advancing. Turkey Vs Switzerland would be fun. I hope they don't start fighting though. Turkey Vs Portugal could get rough as well.

[ze devil's advocate]

Come on people where is the football spirit Campione campione

[tomcat]

After watching the Germans play last night I have my serious doubts about that team.

[Yokine]

Maybe add a poll/vote to select who you think will win, like was done for the World Cup 06.

And close the poll before the first game, the correct selectors get bragging rights

BTW, I'm going for Italy, being the Italophile that I am.

[ze devil's advocate]

Yeah mods could you add a poll?

[pinki]

I wouldn't underestimate Switzerland: Frei is back, Senderos is an excellent middle field player who specializes in cleaning up the mess, Streller is in great form again after his injury and Yakin is playing brilliantly at the moment.

I will make my final judgement this afternoon, when the official team list will be released.

Can they win it? Not really likely, but I think they will have a few surprises in store. I personally think either Italy or Portugal will take it home.

Looking forward to the Switzerland - Portugal match on the 15th...I have VIP box tics ;P

[DFH]

	Quote:	pinki
	I wouldn't underestimate Switzerland: Frei is back, Senderos is an excellent middle field player who specializes in cleaning up the mess, Streller is in great form again after his injury and Yakin is playing brilliantly at the moment. I will make my final judgement this afternoon, when the official team list will be released. Can they win it? Not really likely, but I think they will have a few surprises in store. I personally think either Italy or Portugal will take it home. Looking forward to the Switzerland - Portugal match on the 15th...I have VIP box tics ;P

Senderos is a terrible defender. Streller is a big stick. Frei and Yakin are decent. They'll be lucky to get out of the group.

[marko167]

Here's my tuppence:

Group A-
Czech Republic
Portugal
Switzerland
Turkey

On the basis that Switzerland can draw with anyone on their day and hopefully being a home team may give them a boost, I'm going Portugal to win and Switzerland runner-up.

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Group B-
Austria
Croatia
Germany
Poland

Smart prediction- Germany and Croatia to go forward.

I can't argue with this.

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Group C-
France
Italy
Netherlands
Romania

France aren't the team they used to be so I will go with Cheataly to dive their way to the top of the table with the Netherlands coming second.

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Group D-
Greece
Russia
Spain
Sweden

Finally the Spanish coach has dropped the old-timers Raul etc and has gone with a team of young uns so expect and hope to see run away with this group (mind you now that England aren't playing Spain are favourite to disappoint). Russia to come in 2nd.

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RAMBLING-
If and it is a big if, Spain play to their potential then they could fnally win their first major trophy. If not Cheataly.

[DFH]

Group A-
Czech Republic
Portugal
Switzerland
Turkey

Portugal and one other. Czechs often flatter to deceive in these tournaments, Switzerland can only be described as poor and Turkey good go either way. I'm going to guess Portugal and Czech Republic.
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Group B-
Austria
Croatia
Germany
Poland

Austria are terrible, Poland were terrible at the World Cup after a good qualification campaign. I think they'll push the Croats in what will be a tight group but my money will be on Germany and Croatia

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Group C-
France
Italy
Netherlands
Romania

Impossible to tell. France weren't "the team they used to be" at the last World Cup and they got to the final. In Ribery they've got one of the hottest talents around. Ribery is quality and Henry will be extra motivated. Their solid defensive core remains, they'll be hard to beat. Netherlands have some good players but it is hard to forget their awful World Cup performance and the fact that they finished second in qualification to Romania. Romania can clearly play, but tournament football is different. I'm not sure this Italian team is the solid, grinding unit from 2006. The new coach is marginally more attack minded, but that doesn't suit the Italians so much. I find it hard to see them winning the competition but think they will progress from the Group with France. As I said, anything could happen here and any of the four teams could not only qualify, but conceivably win the group.

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Group D-
Greece
Russia
Spain
Sweden

It is hard to pick a team from the dross of this group. Smart money is on Spain to qualify but they're notorious big tournament bottlers. Sweden are a team who always do quite well and always seem to get out of the group in the major competitions. Russia could surprise but it is hard to see Greece pulling the wool over our eyes as they did in '04. Spain and Sweden for me.

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A wide open tournament could see anybody win it. I'll be putting a couple of bets on different teams. Will definitely include Germany, Portugal and France. Maybe an outsider like Romania too. Will think about it closer to the time. The race for top-scorer could be interesting, Torres could grab a bag full in his relatively weak group. Ronaldo will score a few but maybe not the 5/6 necessary to be top scorer. Klose, Toni and Benzema come to mind also.

[Shirleyb]

Hi,

Could anybody recommend a good transportation conpany to transfer our personal effects from Ireland to Switzerland?

[ze devil's advocate]

	Quote:	Shirleyb
	Hi, Could anybody recommend a good transportation conpany to transfer our personal effects from Ireland to Switzerland?

WTF
.................

My money's on France after the world cup upset + support close to France, outside of that it's very difficult to predict between Spain, Portugal or Italy

Swissies sorry you haven't got a hope in hell, the group has Portugal, CZ written all over it

Outsider bet would be Sweden with the weak group

[heebeegeebee]

I'm backing Sweden, but it's cause Ghod is back playing for them one last time so purely based on irrational green and white hooped reasons.