Euro 2008 Predictions

[Akuma]

Daaaamn Spain played fabolous ! Theyr passes and harmony were great.
The only good player of Russia was Pavelyuchenko...but he cant do any shit alone !

[Syfer Van Hyden]

I'm hesitant between France, Germany and Italy. Though i must say Buffon is not AS GOOD as he used to be, he's had better days after that match with Holland. I dont think Italy will make it to finals. I place my bets on either France or Germany.

[Haohmaru]

Spain is definitely one of the best teams in Europe, maybe even the world with letting the ball go round. One of the best Midfield in the world and A class strikers as well. Defence is really good as well. Spain is a well balanced team, that everyone could lose against IMO.

[waqo]

Originally Posted by Haohmaru

Spain is definitely one of the best teams in Europe, maybe even the world with letting the ball go round. One of the best Midfield in the world and A class strikers as well. Defence is really good as well. Spain is a well balanced team, that everyone could lose against IMO.

Technically and talent-wise Spain is a benchmark side and has produced many talented teams. The question mark over the team remains the same, can they produce the level at the key games against the other best teams. This has often let them down. This team shall be asked those same questions and we'll see how they shall be answered.

[reKoil]

;__;

Greece..

Anyway, I'm barrackin' for the Dutch now lol

Go oranjes :R

[waqo]

Today's scores Portugal 2 Czechs 0
Turkey 2 Switzerland 1 (hosts out)

[Haohmaru]

Portugal 1 Czechs 0
Turkey 1 Switzerland 0

[waqo]

Woot my margins and victors were right and I got my first 100% correct prediction with the Turkey game who on the night were just about worthy winners. Switzerland did well when the pitch was waterlogged and soggy but in the second half and beginning of the first Turkey played well.

Ronaldo scored a quality goal and created another Portugal were put under pressure though from the Czechs who played so well without much reward! Baros looked like the player who was topscorer 4 years ago with so much energy and positive play but Portugal held on and took their chances when they came.

[Haohmaru]

I'm glad Turkey won, cause it looked like they were going to draw. Czech really isn't the team it was a couple of years ago. They're really missing Rosicky in the midfield. Portugal played poorly today, especially Ronaldo. But to be able to score when you play poorly is even harder to do. I'm really not getting why Nani doesn't get any minutes. I favor him over Quaresma any day.

[waqo]

Originally Posted by Haohmaru

I'm glad Turkey won, cause it looked like they were going to draw. Czech really isn't the team it was a couple of years ago. They're really missing Rosicky in the midfield. Portugal played poorly today, especially Ronaldo. But to be able to score when you play poorly is even harder to do. I'm really not getting why Nani doesn't get any minutes. I favor him over Quaresma any day.

I agree Nani should have got a call perhaps he shall start now that Portugal are assured a place maybe Simao or Ronaldo shall sit out. This is what Portugal do they just get to the next round like the bigger teams (unlike Spain =[ and the Dutch) and then they turn the real game on. I hope this year is different!

[San Goku]

Portugal looked really good today, lol, I can't believe Turkey won that game....sucks ass for the swiss.

[waqo]

Okay time for today's Group B action to begin. After a pretty action-packed couple of days at the Euro we can expect it to continue in the same vein.

Germany vs Croatia:

Croatia didn't look as good as they had in qualifying failing to leave a lasting impression in their first game against the Croats. The Germans whilst not turning the world upside down looked good enough to sail through to the knockout phase and are at least semifinal bound if not ultimate winners.

I predict a much more open game and a remarkable improvement from the Croatians. Their best play shall come through Kranjcar and the boy I mentioned before their first game Luca Modric. They are missing the killer instinct of an incisive finisher like Eduardo and that shall probably limit them in this tournament. However, they shall manage to expose the German's defensive frailties and manage a fortunate point on the back of some dogged defending themselves and a mistake or two from the German defence.

Score: Germany 2 Croatia 2

Austria v Poland:

Both teams suffered setbacks in their first game making this a win or risk being eliminated type of affair. The Austrians showed enough industry and spirit in their first game to warrant some confidence in their ability the only problem being I can't see where they would get their goals from.

Poland are missing their explosive right-wing threat Jakub Blaszczykowski (sp?) and are a lesser team without him. They will hope that Ebi Smolarek (who impressed against Germany) shall continue his scoring touch and keep them in the tournament.

Score: Austria 0 Poland 1

[Enishi]

Germany 1 - Croatia 2

My side looked weak in the defense...too many opportunities for Croatia to open up the goal gap.

Lol @ Bastian getting a red card...he should've knocked that Croat the fuck out if he was getting a red card.

[Haohmaru]

Germany played really poorly today. Defense was awful. Bastian getting a red card for pushing a player is bullshit (happened to me this season two). But that's the rules. I'm not even gonna watch Austria - Poland. That's how much it's gonna suck.

[ahme]

Originally Posted by Haohmaru

Germany played really poorly today. Defense was awful. Bastian getting a red card for pushing a player is bullshit (happened to me this season two). But that's the rules. I'm not even gonna watch Austria - Poland. That's how much it's gonna suck.

Indeed, I held my hopes up for the Germany game and did not expect this poor performance. There was no real opportunities for Germany and I was hoping for more from the team as a whole and Ballack in particular.
As for Austria vs. Poland, which ended in a tie 1-1, Austria did not really have that much to show us in this game. Poland was about to pull a deserved win in this match but couldn't hold their win till the end. Not much to be said about this game.

Even though I'm disappointed with the results in those two games, Germany vs. Austria game should be a good one.

Looking forward for tomorrow's games. I say Italy wins Romania 2-0 and Holland wins France 2-1 (or the game ends in a 2-2 tie). Italy better not screw their game tomorrow like they did with Holland.

Anyone else missing England aside from me?

[superbob]

That was one of the worst performaces that i've seen from this german side. Defense was shitty at best and until bastian came in, there was almost no attack from the german side. Both the croatian goals could have been avoided by some defense.

Anyone else a bit dissappointed by the german corner kicks? I mean, all the players in the box were about a head taller then their croatian counterparts, yet their wasn't a single goal from one of them. The german side really needs to step up on defense and they also need to send in some crosses that actually work

and that red card was complete bullshit, the croatian player played it perfectly holding his face like he just took a shot from tyson yet he was barely pushed.

[waqo]

Well the Germans got the wake-up call early which is good. They still look spot on to go through but will now likely face Portugal in the quarters not the semis, the Croats should do enough to win the group.

The red card was justified according to the rules. As a professional Schweinsteiger shouldn't have reacted this way.

The Poland-Austria game was actually quite entertaining and I came within minutes of getting the right prediction. As I said, the Austrians struggled to score and wouldn't have done had the referee not given a rather soft penalty. On the whole in terms of quality of play it was a fair result but did neither team any huge favours with Germany and Croatia as good as through now.

Today's games in the Group of death are a fascinating prospect. The Mighty Dutch (my little nickname for em since they beat the Azzuri) take on a France side that is on the verge of elimination if they lose. The French shall have their hands full and shall have to measure carefully how much more energy they invest in attack. Henry's return should help as the attack should be a lot more dynamic and help the midfielders and wingers get into more one-on-ones than they managed against Romania. The delivery from crosses needs to improve as well but I can see the French taking something from this game with Ribery and Malouda stepping up.

For the Dutch its a bit of a dilemma when you play nearly the perfect game the one right after it can be a tad tricky. Van Basten will have enough selection problems to face with the team more or less at full strength and if they play well they should win. I expect Robben to make an appearance and more solid performances from Sneijder, Engelaar, De Jong and van Bronckhorst with van Nistelrooy remaining a scoring threat.

Score prediction: 1-1

Italy and Romania both have contrasting moods in their camps with the Italians looking to bounce back from their worst margin of defeat at a major tournament and Donadoni should ring in the changes. Cassano might get a start as he showed flashes of good touch and linking up with the strike force.

The Romanians were rock solid at the back against France and the Italians shall have trouble sucking them into their usual trap as they seem well organised at the back this game might turn out a rather drab affair with the Romanians probably preferring to go into the last game with their destiny in their own hands and playing for a draw after taking a surprise lead.

Score prediction: 1-1

[S.O.C]

from the first few games that i have seen of the euro,i would say netherlands,spain,germany and portugal are the best teams so far....so i would say one of those teams are is gonna win it

[jegso345]

Like all, I agree that Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Germany sides are all good but I think euro will be won by either netherlands or spain based on their performances so far. Germany has failed to identify that it has a defence problem. The back four are not stable enough to withstand major attacking styles. If La Furia (Spain) were pitted against Germany, I am pretty sure they would rip the German defence apart with their 'tika taka' (pass and move) style of play unless they are to become more solid.
Netherlands are a good counterattacking team as was seen against italy and they have a strong midfield and defence. i am not so sure about ruud. He has managed to score loads of goals for his clubs (manu and then real) but i do not think he is quite the versatile striker. Anyhow, the whole team is well rounded and van Basten can help them lift it this year. Portugal are also good but I dont think they will will...just a hunch!

My predictions for the Netherlands - France match is 2-1 to netherlands.