Euro 2008

[my_forehand]

Which country will take it home this year?

Group A: Czech Republic, Portugal, Switzerland, Turkey
Group B: Austria, Croatia, Germany, Poland
Group C: France, Italy, Netherlands, Romania
Group D: Greece, Russia, Spain, Sweden

• Most interesting group?
• Who advances from their respective group stages?
• Who do you think will win and why?
  
• Top goalscorer?
• Most clean sheets?

Official website: http://www.euro2008.uefa.com/

France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Netherlands, Portugal really seem to be to good for the other teams - I think they'll have the best shots...(provided France/Italy/Netherlands make it through their group stages...

My opinion...

Group A: Czech Republic, Portugal, Switzerland, Turkey - Portugal, Czech
Group B: Austria, Croatia, Germany, Poland - Germany, Croatia
Group C: France, Italy, Netherlands, Romania - France, Italy
Group D: Greece, Russia, Spain, Sweden - Spain, Greece/Russia

• Most interesting group? - Group C, hands down
• Who advances from their respective group stages? ^.^
• Who do you think will win and why? - France, if they play as a team look to make a huge impact - filled with individual talent
  
• Top goalscorer? - Dunno, a striker - don't really care though...
• Most clean sheets? - Coupet, Gallas, Evra, Sagnol, Thuram...France again

Order of play...

This thread is in honor of malakas!

 

[malakas]

wow!!!lol nice thread!

Group A
Switzerland
Czech Republic
Portugal
Turkey

Group B
Austria
Croatia
Germany
Poland

Group C
Netherlands
Italy
Romania
France

Group D
Greece
Sweden
Spain
Russia

I think the teams who will advance are: Czech-Portugal,Germany-Croatia,Italy-Netherlands,Spain-Greece

Once again,Germany has the easiest draw possible and the Group C is the group of Hell with almolst all teams have equally chances to advance!

Let the fun begin!!!!

 

[ericsson]

Italy i think is strong but they're in a very strong group.

 

[forzainter]

Ok, ok, lets get started, top goalscorer, I predict Luca Toni, people will say 'what about Fernando Torres?' - ok I agree with Gianluigi Buffon on this one, Spain have had him every year for about 5 years or so and what has he done? Nothing much.
Group A:
Portugal and Switzerland - did you see how bad czech republic were vs Scotland, if anything Turkey go through instead of the Swiss.
Group B: Germany and Croatia, ok
Group C:Italy and Romania, Holland haven't impressed me at all, they wont do anything and Romania could give France and the netherlands a shock, but Italy win every game.
Group D:Spain and Sweden, title holders go out.

Im predicting an Italia win, they are my second picks as personal favourites with Germany my favourites, I don't think the Germans will win but Italy have a real big shot

Most clean sheets, interesting one, im going to say it'll be close with Buffon and Casillas

 

[protourOS]

Italy will miss Cannavaro - big loss for them

and in a tough group even if Holland & France are not at their best...

 

[Buuurnz]

Most interesting group? - Group C, hands down !!!!
Who advances from their respective group stages? Portugal, Switzerland, Germany, Croatia, France, ???really can't tell the other one, Spain, Greece
Who do you think will win and why? - Germany, just cuz they play great a big tourneys except last 2 European Cups! Plus they deserve it, plus the team is great!

Top goalscorer? - hard to name...Gomez, Klose, Ronaldo, Toni all could go for it!

Don't think that Italy will be that strong. After losing Cannavaro due to the injury they are scared and don't feel as confident! Germany has pretty good chances, so does Portugal. I think one of these 2 will make it!

 

[jaggy]

Going for Croatia but anyone but Italy really.

 

[my_forehand]

Matches - Order of play

Saturday 7 June 2008
1. Grp A Switzerland 18:00 Czech Republic
2. Grp A Portugal 20:45 Turkey

Sunday 8 June 2008
3. Grp B Austria 18:00 Croatia
4. Grp B Germany 20:45 Poland

Monday 9 June 2008
5. Grp C Romania 18:00 France
6. Grp C Netherlands 20:45 Italy

Tuesday 10 June 2008
7. Grp D Spain 18:00 Russia
8. Grp D Greece 20:45 Sweden

Wednesday 11 June 2008
9. Grp A Czech Republic 18:00 Portugal
10. Grp A Switzerland 20:45 Turkey

Thursday 12 June 2008
11. Grp B Croatia 18:00 Germany
12. Grp B Austria 20:45 Poland

Friday 13 June 2008
13. Grp C Italy 18:00 Romania
14. Grp C Netherlands 20:45 France

Saturday 14 June 2008
15. Grp D Sweden 18:00 Spain
16. Grp D Greece 20:45 Russia

Sunday 15 June 2008
17. Grp A Switzerland 20:45 Portugal
18. Grp A Turkey 20:45 Czech Republic

Monday 16 June 2008
19. Grp B Poland 20:45 Croatia
20. Grp B Austria 20:45 Germany

Tuesday 17 June 2008
21. Grp C Netherlands 20:45 Romania
22. Grp C France 20:45 Italy

Wednesday 18 June 2008
23. Grp D Greece 20:45 Spain
24. Grp D Russia 20:45 Sweden

Thursday 19 June 2008
25. QF Winner Grp A 20:45 Runner-up Grp B

Friday 20 June 2008
26. QF Winner Grp B 20:45 Runner-up Grp A

Saturday 21 June 2008
27. QF Winner Grp C 20:45 Runner-up Grp D

Sunday 22 June 2008
28. QF Winner Grp D 20:45 Runner-up Grp C

Wednesday 25 June 2008
29. SF Winner #25 20:45 Winner #26

Thursday 26 June 2008
30. SF Winner #27 20:45 Winner #28

Sunday 29 June 2008
31. F Winner #29 20:45 Winner #30

 

[Feña14]

Croatia for me too.

Wouldn't mind seeing Ballack lifting the trophy though so Germany would be ok by me.

Portugal's defence is made up of 3 Chelsea players so I hope they do well individually but I don't think I can stand seeing Ronaldo's smug face with yet another trophy!

 

[gflyer]

Ok, ok, lets get started, top goalscorer, I predict Luca Toni, people will say 'what about Fernando Torres?' - ok I agree with Gianluigi Buffon on this one, Spain have had him every year for about 5 years or so and what has he done? Nothing much.
Group A:
Portugal and Switzerland - did you see how bad czech republic were vs Scotland, if anything Turkey go through instead of the Swiss.
Group B: Germany and Croatia, ok
Group C:Italy and Romania, Holland haven't impressed me at all, they wont do anything and Romania could give France and the netherlands a shock, but Italy win every game.
Group D:Spain and Sweden, title holders go out.

Im predicting an Italia win, they are my second picks as personal favourites with Germany my favourites, I don't think the Germans will win but Italy have a real big shot

Most clean sheets, interesting one, im going to say it'll be close with Buffon and Casillas

Hey forzainter, even if I don't like your name I like your prediction.
I think Croatia could be a nice surprise.
Cheers.
G. forzajuve

 

[PimpMyGame]

Portugal for me. It's Ronaldo's year.

Failing that, Italy and France both know how to win tournaments.

You can never rule out Germany.

The Netherlands and Spain have to stop choking at some point.

Croatia and Poland are the dark horses.

There, that's half of the teams covered. Nice.

 

[Jonnyf]

My money is (perhaps stupidly) on Spain.
I just feel that they *will* do something, I mean, where is the weakness in their team! Strikers: Torres,Villa, Guiza. A Mid where Fabregas controls and a defence with Puyol and Ramos.


C'mon Spain!!!!!!

 

[greenfan]

Italy or Germany for the trophy...
I don't think Portugal can win it, they had all the chances in 2004 when they played at home, but they are totally loosers....


Portugal
Czech Republic
from group A

Germany
Poland
from Group B

Group C is a difficult one, but I think Italy and France will leave Netherlands behind

and Group C
Spain
and Greece or Russia

First scorer....
Luca Toni

 

[forzainter]

G. forzajuve

Juve!? Juve!!?? Cheats!!

 

[tzinc]

Germany is a scoring machine who can also play defense.

 

[malakas]

I don't think I can stand seeing Ronaldo's smug face with yet another trophy!

Second that!!!:evil:

My money is (perhaps stupidly) on Spain.
I just feel that they *will* do something, I mean, where is the weakness in their team! Strikers: Torres,Villa, Guiza. A Mid where Fabregas controls and a defence with Puyol and Ramos.


C'mon Spain!!!!!!

Their weakness is that they are arrogant multimillionaires who can't stand with each other and play as a real team.Did you see their match against USA? I mean..with such players and weapons..on paper!!!

Juve!? Juve!!?? Cheats!!

...and next year's serie A champions!It's about time!!!

 

[forzainter]

...and next year's serie A champions!It's about time!!!

Well you won 2 years ago didnt you? Oh wait, your title was stripped for cheating :twisted::twisted: I think Serie A will be good next year

 

[gflyer]

Juve!? Juve!!?? Cheats!!

Anyway, congrats for the scudetto 2008.
You deserved it.

And forza azzurri!!!

 

[malakas]

Well you won 2 years ago didnt you? Oh wait, your title was stripped for cheating I think Serie A will be good next year

ughh..it was only ...a huge misunderstanding! it will be the best next year,because the champion will be the proper one. and now back to euro news..ibraimovich is out for sweden!!!!good news for us!:twisted:

 

[Feña14]

Have to agree with Malakas about Spain.

Puyol and Marchena are a real weak link at the back.

Puyol seems to have his best games as an attacking right back, can you imagine him up against Toni, Benzema etc.. in the latter stages? I wouldn't fancy him.

 

[mrDamien]

Germany has a chance to win with Klose, Ballack, Lahm and etc all in great forms.

 

[forzainter]

Have to agree with Malakas about Spain.

Puyol and Marchena are a real weak link at the back.

Puyol seems to have his best games as an attacking right back, can you imagine him up against Toni, Benzema etc.. in the latter stages? I wouldn't fancy him.

Well, even though he may not be the best defensively, with raul not picked and Puyol most likely to be camptain I would have thought he'll probably give a big boost to his team, just like he does for Barcelona, just by being on the pitch, you know?

 

[forzainter]

Anyway, congrats for the scudetto 2008.
You deserved it.

And forza azzurri!!!

I think thats the thing about leagues, its usually over 38 games or so so if you can play that many matches and still come out on top you probably deserve it, athough after the christmas break I knew something was going on, they just played badly since.

 

[NickC]

Spain for me. They are quite weak in the back but with the attacking talent they have I just can't see them doing poorly.

Anyone here watching the first round match that's on right now? Switzerland - Cech Republic?

It's been a bit dour, no? Sad to see Frei go so early, I hope he's back for the rest of the games...

 

[malakas]

Spain for me. They are quite weak in the back but with the attacking talent they have I just can't see them doing poorly.

Anyone here watching the first round match that's on right now? Switzerland - Cech Republic?

It's been a bit dour, no? Sad to see Frei go so early, I hope he's back for the rest of the games...

watching/listening while studying. still 0-0 ..funny the commentator said the swiss are very quiet and will be more excited tomorrow cheering for Fed!:mrgreen: Always nice to hear a tennis reference during football prime time.

edit: got to say it got pretty exciting match!

 

[malakas]

first goal of the organisation is official!! 1-0 Chech - Austria with sverkos 71'

 

[lovecr717]

PORTUGAL

10 char

 

[h7hugo]

Of course that I'd like that POrtugal win... because I'm portuguese

 

[greenfan]

Portugal couldn't handle the pressure at home and lost the trophy in 2004! How do you expect them to win this year? For me favorites are Germany, Italy and I'd dare to say Spain, although they are big time loosers....

 

[malakas]

speaking about portugal their match against turkey is about to start! I predict a portugal win.

 

[forzainter]

2 - 0 win, solid start for Portugal, good game I thought, turkey were decent

 

[WillAlwaysLoveYouTennis]

I'm a Luca Toni fan, so glad I got to watch their match the other night. Not exactly rooting for them in the Cup though but I think they are the strongest overall and win take the whole thing.

Germany is my favorite to win, but Spain will be tough though they have a comparatively very young squad. Italy I think is the favorite. Hm hmm on France.

Germany definitely out of their group, but I think they'll end up just like at World Cup. 3rd.

 

[Feña14]

Portugal looked brilliant.

I think i'd like to see Ronaldo starting more central with Quaresma coming in on the opposite side to Simao, I feel that's making use of their talents a bit better.

Also how good were Pepe and Carvalho at the back? They really set the tone for the rest of the team with the way they attacked. Moutinho looked really good too, you can see why Man Utd and Chelsea have been after him, if he keeps playing like he did today there could be a real scramble for him after the tournament is over. Deco looked good too, some of the passes he was picking out showed signs he was back near the form he reached a few years back.

Good start from them.

 

[The_Dark_Knight]

Fernando Torres will win by himself.

 

[h7hugo]

Portugal looked brilliant.

I think i'd like to see Ronaldo starting more central with Quaresma coming in on the opposite side to Simao, I feel that's making use of their talents a bit better.

Also how good were Pepe and Carvalho at the back? They really set the tone for the rest of the team with the way they attacked. Moutinho looked really good too, you can see why Man Utd and Chelsea have been after him, if he keeps playing like he did today there could be a real scramble for him after the tournament is over. Deco looked good too, some of the passes he was picking out showed signs he was back near the form he reached a few years back.

Good start from them.

I'd like to see:

Ricardo

Bosingwa Pepe R. Carvalho P. Ferreira

Raul Meireles

J. Moutinho DEco

Simao Quaresma

C.Ronaldo

 

[forzainter]

Fernando Torres will win by himself.

No he won't, what has he ever done internationally?

 

[Feña14]

I'd like to see:

Ricardo

Bosingwa Pepe R. Carvalho P. Ferreira

Raul Meireles

J. Moutinho DEco

Simao Quaresma

C.Ronaldo

Yep, that's probably what i'd like to see aswell.

I remember Meireles scored a volley against Chelsea in the Champions League a few years ago, he seems to be pretty decent.

What about the youngster Veloso? He's a defensive midfielder that everyone seems to be talking about, do you think Veloso and Moutinho in the same 3 man midfield would just be too inexperienced?

 

[mdjenders]

I always support the dutch, but I will not be sad to see van basten gone after this one.

 

[nextfederer]

HRVATKA ZA POBJED Croatia for euro peoples

 

[forzainter]

My sympathy for austria, they played well and were unlucky to suffer the 1 - 0 loss to Croatia.

Germany, the team i want to win most, secure a solid 2 - 0 win over Poland, good game

 

[malakas]

England showed how terrible a team they are to lose to such a Croatia..Austria definitely the worst team of Euro 08 totally dominated them and it was to great luck that they managed to win.

Happy that Germany won,and too funny that the player who scored both goals was actually born in Poland.:mrgreen: I hope there aren't any more.."happenings" in the streets between germans and poles.

 

[forzainter]

Klose was also born in Poland, as well as Podolski

 

[malakas]

Klose was also born in Poland, as well as Podolski

indeed. Well tomorrow has some of the best matches of this tourny!! Romania-France and Netherlands-Italy!! Vive le bleus and the Dutch!

 

[Feña14]

Trochowski is Polish too! Funny.

As for Croatia being a bad team because they didn't play great against Austria.. so what? Austria are the home nation, home nations always raise their level.

 

[malakas]

Trochowski is Polish too! Funny.

As for Croatia being a bad team because they didn't play great against Austria.. so what? Austria are the home nation, home nations always raise their level.

I think it's more of a case Croatia being overrated here..but anyway..

 

[mdjenders]

croatia is much less of a threat after the mangling of eduardo's leg

 

[Feña14]

I think it's more of a case Croatia being overrated here..but anyway..

I dunno about that.

Modric is touted as a future superstar and Kranjcar can be just as creative when he wants to be, they have good talent there.

Bilic seems to be a great manager too and he knows how to get the players playing for him and the team, you know yourself as a Greece fan how important that can be in a tournament like this.

 

[malakas]

I dunno about that.

Modric is touted as a future superstar and Kranjcar can be just as creative when he wants to be, they have good talent there.

Bilic seems to be a great manager too and he knows how to get the players playing for him and the team, you know yourself as a Greece fan how important that can be in a tournament like this.

Yes,but no1 overrated us,in the contrast if it's possible they even underestimated us.

I was very suprised by what I saw tonight,and apart from the outcome was NOT the match I had expected.

 

[Feña14]

Yes,but no1 overrated us,in the contrast if it's possible they even underestimated us.

I was very suprised by what I saw tonight,and apart from the outcome was NOT the match I had expected.

It could be possible that you are underestimating Croatia, England certainly did and look what happened.

Bilic is very vocal in his opinion that Croatia are a side capable of going very far in this tournament and he knows more about his individual players and the capabilities of his team than anyone.

Sure, they didn't look good today but which side wants to be playing fantastic at this stage of the tournament? Look at Argentina in the World Cup, they looked unstoppable in the group stages yet they ultimately peaked too early.

 

[WillAlwaysLoveYouTennis]

Can't wait to see France-Romania match up!