Football: The 2008 UEFA Euro Cup!

[HpPygmyPuff]

We didn't make it this year either I am norwegian btw.

So I don't know which team I will cheer for this year.

[HPsoccer1216]

Sorry if this has been asked, but who's everyone supporting if their nation isn't in it?

For me it's Netherlands.

[Tenshi]

Essential question: Will they show the Euro in Canada?

[Hardcore_Raver]

Originally Posted by HPsoccer1216

Sorry if this has been asked, but who's everyone supporting if their nation isn't in it?

Well as England didn't make it (thanks a lot Steve McClaren) I will be surprising most of my fellow countrymen and supporting France. I would also like to see the Netherlands and Poland do well too.

[Alicks]

I hope Croatia win it.

[gertiekeddle]

By request (all hail Tenshi! ) I added the first shiny EURO 2008 Poll to this thread. Let us know what you think:


Which eight teams will qualify for the quarter final? Choose two teams of each group!

[Tenshi]

Group A

Czech Republic + Portugal: I just find that the others are too weak. Turkey could make it too but Switzerland would be really a surprise.

Group B

Croatia + Germany: I'm German so that's self explanatory and then do I like Croatia.

Group C

Netherlands + Romania: Romania = homeland and Netherlands have cool colors. ... OK that's not the reason. Did I mention already that I am German, so is supporting Italy worse than a treason!!! And then should be France out as well, so that Germany has a greater chance to win it.

Group D

Greece + Spain: I don't care for Spain and Sweden was close, but I'd like to see Greece doing well again.

[gertiekeddle]

In group A I thought Switzerland might do it due to having the Euro in their own land. Plus they played quite better over the last years.

Also I think Turkey became better, while Portugal and Czech Republic (which I actually would consider as stronger than the two I chose) didn't impress me so much the last time. Then I like all four teams of group A.


I'd like to see Greece doing well again, too, but I don't think they will. Maybe they surprise us again, though!

[Tenshi]

duh, now I wanted to check how Switzerland did in the quali. *facepalm*

I still don't think that they have a chance to enter the QF. They could manage it to place 3, but that's it. To play in your land isn't a big advantage.

I don't look at how they played so far and in earlier competitions. Who would think that the semifinalist of the WC 2000 would fail so badly during the Euro 2004? During tournaments there are usually some surprises and I'm sure we will see some.

[Jetty]

Group A

Czech Republic + Portugal: Agree with Tenshi

Group B

Poland + Germany: In my opinion, Croatia is an unstable team, in spite of beating England two times. And Poland has an excellent coach - Leo Beenhakker

Group C

Netherlands + France: France probably is the best national team in Europe today as well as Netherlands are one of the best. I supported France in WC Final, so I hope, Italians will be unlucky on Euro And they've done qualifying less confidently than France.

Group D

Sweden + Spain: Spain is an obvious favorite in this group. And I doubt if Greece would be so successful that time. Sweden seems more organized team to me. And as Russian I absolutely don't believe we will reach the play-off Probably, we are the weakest team there, may be except for Austria. And our recent didn't rejoice me very much.

[Hes]

Since we (the Netherlands) are located in the group of death, I imagine we are going to be out in round one. Naturally I hope that Italy goes out instead but that would be wishful thinking.

[guad]

Originally Posted by Tenshi

I still don't think that they have a chance to enter the QF. They could manage it to place 3, but that's it. To play in your land isn't a big advantage.

I'm not convinced by that. Look at the statistics (brought to my attention by my brother btw ): Always when a Worldcup took place in Europe, a European team won. And when it was in America, an american team won.

Home advantage is important. It might not make a difference to a really lousy team *coughaustriacough* but Switzerland do not suck totally, but can actually play at times. So it's all open IMO.

Originally Posted by Jetty

so I hope, Italians will be unlucky on Euro

I like you

[Vig]

Spain has always underperformed in major tournaments for me...Maybe they well come together this time around...

Key Personnel:

Fabregas has been brilliant for Arsenal and I expect him to be the focal point of Spain's attack...

Torres also has been in good goal scoring form and if he keeps up his good form it will be great...

Casillas has had a good season with Real and he should boss the setplays as the spanish defense is not that tall...

Puyol has had an on and off season with Barca and he will hope to forget his catalan blues and be a backbone of spain's defense...

Formation: Spain will propably play a 4-5-1, with Torres at the top with the midfield players joining him whenever possible...They will change to a 4-4-2 if they have to chase the game...They might bargain by playing young Bojan who was impressive with Barca this season... He maybe the super-sub...

Weakness: Setpieces!

Prediction: Will stroll through the group face...

France:

France are in the group of death with Italy, Romania and Netherlands...They have always risen to the occasion in major competition and will hope to continue the good work...They will be without their talisman of yester years, Zinedene Zidane...

Key Players:

Thierry Henry: Ever since he left Arsenal he has looked a shadow of himself...It's his chance to prove himself on the big stage...He hasn't played that much for Barca so he should be relatively fresh...

Nicolas Anelka: He hasn't fired since he joined Chelsea but he can be handful to any defense...He is also relatively fresh...

Ribery:He has had a tough season with Bayern but he will be the engine that the French team will rely on with Zidane out...He will be the attacking midfield player who will join the strikers at every opportuinity...

William Gallas: He has had an on and off season with the Gunners and will hope to be solid in defense...

Watch out for the attacking full-backs that the French have in plenty and the solid Patrick Veira...

Formation: A 4-5-1, if Anelka or Trezeguet are on the bench or a 4-4-2 with one of them partnering Henry.

Weakness:Are in a very tough group and can't allow any slip-ups...

Prediction: Will go through the group face...

[gertiekeddle]

Originally Posted by guad

Home advantage is important. It might not make a difference to a really lousy team *coughaustriacough* but Switzerland do not suck totally, but can actually play at times. So it's all open IMO.

I agree here - plus Switzerland really has some members in their team playing in good European leagues. Sure Austrian keeper does too, but judging from the groups I think Switzerland has quite good chances, while Austria probably hasn't even with home advantage.

Why does nobody believe in Turkey? It's already a year ago, though, but I liked their appearance against Brazil (0:0) as also how the team improved over the last decade (being 16th in the world, 3rd in WC 2002). Sure, they weren't constantly even qualified, but always when they actually were in a bigger tournament they did well. I think they can make it to the quarter finals at least.

[Jetty]

Originally Posted by Tenshi

duh, now I wanted to check how Switzerland did in the quali. *facepalm*

I still don't think that they have a chance to enter the QF. They could manage it to place 3, but that's it. To play in your land isn't a big advantage.

I don't look at how they played so far and in earlier competitions. Who would think that the semifinalist of the WC 2000 would fail so badly during the Euro 2004? During tournaments there are usually some surprises and I'm sure we will see some.

I don't consider chances of Switzerland will be so poor. They managed to enter the last 16 on WC 2006, passing ahead of South Korea and Togo. And only penalties in a game with Ukraine stopped them. And the factor of their land must help them. Bit chances of Czech Republic are still better.

And as for France, I don't understand, why Domenech refuses to take Trezeguet. He looks better than Anelka and Henry at the moment.

[Tenshi]

Originally Posted by guad

I'm not convinced by that. Look at the statistics (brought to my attention by my brother btw ): Always when a Worldcup took place in Europe, a European team won. And when it was in America, an american team won.

When we talk about statistics then is Switzerland still a poor candidate. They only reached the end rounds twice and never got past the 1. round. They have only 2 points in the "general statistics" table, only Latvia is worse.

[gertiekeddle]

I still believe too they've good chances to reach the quarter-finals... but we'll know more very soon.

[Hes]

The Czech Republic isn't what it used to be so yes Switzerland does indeed have a chance to go through. I wouldn't put my money on it though.

[gertiekeddle]

That's my thoughts too. They had a negative series just now, but in tournaments I actually see an improvement. The really hardly made some better rounds sometimes, and maybe the home advantage will do some more to get them.

Then they also could keep their series, so I agree it's not the bet to put money on.

[Tenshi]

Actually I don't see how teams played in the mean time, I just choose the "winners" ... lack of word here ... ehmm ... visceral.

Who would have thought that the vice-WC winner of 2000 would fail so badly in the Euro 2004? Or that an outsider like Greece would win it? Like said before there probably will be big surprises ... or it will be a lame tournament with none. ... Oh please not.