Euro 2008 Thread

[the_big_E]

The action begins in June 7th and will be here sooner than you think, that being said, we need an official thread!

Group A
Czech Republic
Portugal
Switzerland
Turkey

Group B
Austria
Croatia
Germany
Poland

Group C
France
Netherlands
Italy
Romania

Group D
Greece
Russia
Spain
Sweden

Games will be broadcast by TSN & Sportnset, which unfortunately means Craig Forrest analysis.

You can find the complete schedule here:

http://en.euro2008.uefa.com/tournament/matches/index.html

And to make it fun...predictions.

Portugal, Turkey, Croatia, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, & Russia will advance....and for no reason whatsoever I am picking Spain to win it. Before you jump all over me, I know they are the underachievers of underachievers and could not even make it out of the group stage for all I know!

 

[topcat]

where,s England?

 

[David Beckham 23]

where,s England?

Bastard!!

Group C is fucked. Any team could come out. And Spain is waaaaaaay overdue to win something. I like them to. I could see Germany getting there too.

But if I go with my head, teams to advance....

Czech Republic-Portugal ..Croatia-Germany..Italy-France..,Spain-Greece.

 

[Mr. Black]

Go Germany!

 

[Esco!]

Holy shit, I just watched the Holland-Ukraine match!!

Err, maybe I'll change my pick
(is it too late for that????)

Holy fucking shit on a stick!!!
I didnt know Holland were that good!!!!

Fucking hell, can I change my pick?????

 

[nht]

Dark Horse is definitely Holland but that is the Group of Death in this tournament. But with Thierry Henri and co getting older, I think they may not get out. Italian has to get a nod as a fave being the defending World Cup Champ. Germany is also going to have a good tourney, but are they taking the old fart goalkeepers?

Way I see it: Czech Republic and Portugal should emerge from Group A, Germany and Poland from B now that Croatia is fucked with Eduardo gone until the fall, Netherlands and Italy from C and Sweden and Spain from D

 

[pdson2]

Netherlands to win it all

 

[nht]

Netherlands can win it all. They have a good keeper, good defence, good midfield and good strikers. It's been a while since the Dutch were good and I would like to see them rise again. 1990 they were tipped as one of the favourites at World Cup but began a downward spiral instead.

 

[spino1123]

I posted this on the UEFA thread, but it makes more sense here

http://euro.predictor.yahoo.eurosport.co.uk/

I pick Portugal, Switzerland, Germany, Croatia, Netherlands, Italy, Spain and Russia to advance and from there I think the knockout will probably end up with Germany vs Italy in the final.

I agree with Becks comments about Spain being way talented. I dare say that along with Netherlands and Portugal they have the most individual talent, but these teams just don't have the overall team game and mental toughness of the Germans and Italians that it takes to reach the finals.

 

[ricepower88]

Netherlands all the way, I think Switzerland will suprise some people. Remenmber the Koreans in the 2002 world cup.

 

[Esco!]

Is it The Netherlands or is it Holland????


Or is it the Dutch??????

 

[scouser1]

Is it The Netherlands or is it Holland????


Or is it the Dutch??????

Holland is a region in the Netherlands, and superb team yes but they manage to screw it up always, I love this tournament outside of the Champions League possibly the best soccer tournament in the world, (and yes that includes the WC but I dont need to see the likes of Saudi Arabia and China embarrasing themselves and the sport)

an awesome team seems to be the Spanish just check out the forwards Torres, Villa and Sergio Garcia

 

[Esco!]

Holland is a region in the Netherlands

I made a (poor) attempt at humor.
Holland is the same as the Netherlands, just a different name
Its the same as United Kingdom & Great Britain, same thing

an awesome team seems to be the Spanish just check out the forwards Torres, Villa and Sergio Garcia

Spain always seem to do well at the group stages, then they choke in the 2nd round or quarterfinals.
But they have the star players to go all the way

 

[Esco!]

Group A
Portugal
Switzerland
-----------
Czech Republic
Turkey

Group B
Croatia
Germany
-----------
Austria
Poland

Group C
Italy
Netherlands
-----------
France
Romania

Group D
Russia
Spain
-----------
Greece
Sweden

My picks in red

 

[scouser1]

not to sidetrack the thread but Holland is a region of the Netherlands, more like England is part of the UK

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holland

you picked the Swiss to finish second in that group!!! they will be lucky to win a game against the Portuguese, Czechs and even the Turks are tough.

 

[the_big_E]

I like Holland's attack...but dont have too much faith in their D.

I think they can get out of the group stage, and that's that.

 

[herames]

I like Holland's attack...but dont have too much faith in their D.

I think they can get out of the group stage, and that's that.

whats the take on Seedorf refusing to be capped!? he doesn't seem to want to be coached be Van Basten
> Goal.com
Seedorf Blames Van Basten For Exit

Seedorf shocked the footballing community yesterday when it was announced that he had pulled out of the Holland squad for Euro 2008.

The Milan star, who was left in the international wilderness by Van Basten from 2004 to 2006, has now expanded on his reasons for withdrawing.

"I am 32-years-old and perhaps this would have been the last European Championships for me,” Seedorf told the Gazzetta dello Sport.

“It was a dream to be with the Netherlands, and already I had a dream taken away from me at the World Cup in Germany. I couldn’t have done anything else – otherwise I would have gone against my integrity."

Seedorf has left everyone in no doubt as to who he believes pushed him into this decision.

"Why did Van Basten have preconceptions about me that influenced the way he valued me as a player?,” he roared. “Once he called me a ‘Hollywood star’.

“It is too late [to change my mind now]. I wish Holland all the best, but it is better that Van Basten takes to Switzerland players who he trusts.

“I am ready to give my contribution if the new coach wants me for the World Cup qualifiers.

“I think only about Milan now, I must concentrate on this last match. I hope that we can still arrive in the Champions League.”

C. Ronaldo lured to Madrid with an Audi!?
Real Madrid Offer Ronaldo €9.5m Per Year
http://goal.com/en/articolo.aspx?contenutoid=709900

 

[Esco!]

I dont think Holland needs Seedorf, they got Sneijder, vd Vaart and that new kid Affelay as
offensive midfielders.
What Holland dont have is a good defensive mid, someone like Edgar Davids

 

[herames]

I dont think Holland needs Seedorf, they got Sneijder, vd Vaart and that new kid Affelay as
offensive midfielders.
What Holland dont have is a good defensive mid, someone like Edgar Davids

i enjoy watching Rud Van Nistelroy...AC Milan please buy him ...we need more dutchmen like Van Basten years

 

[robycapone]

the Group of death is way to hard to call....dont underestimate the Romanians as they have immense talent...Mutu & Co have nothing to lose...

France is france...they can be either really really good or average from one game to the next...but the players dont like their asshole of a coach in Domenach....not taking the 2nd leading scorer in the italian league (trezeguet) will prove costly...especially since Anelka had mental issues and Henry the ego.

I cant wait for Ronaldo to faulter again with Portugal....classic HYPE team. Ronaldo missed his penalty shot in the Champions League Final...and doesnt transform his Club class into Country class... he was constantly shut down by the Italian defenders in their last friendly with Italy.

Germany always play great team ball and the dutch..well...they're cursed.