Desigol Posted May 16, 2008 Share Posted May 16, 2008 Let me Start: Holland. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masster Posted May 16, 2008 Share Posted May 16, 2008 quote:Originally posted by Desigol Let me Start: Holland. They are up there for me. But I think the loss of Seedorf will hurt. A bit of experience in that midfield. If I had to bet right now, I'd put my money on Spain with Holland close behind. I don't think it will be one of the usual European heavyweights (Italy, Germany, France). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beachesl Posted May 16, 2008 Share Posted May 16, 2008 Spain will finally copme through after so many duds. Then, Italy, Germany, France. I think Holland has lost a lot of steel and team spirit over the past few years, though they have some talented individuals. As a darkhorse, Poland. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jeffery S. Posted May 17, 2008 Share Posted May 17, 2008 Funny ads on Spanish tv about "Cuartos", quarter-finals, the great Spanish obstacle. The advantage this year is that I don't think the team will be tired at all, and many players have had poor years, meaning desire to do something bigger in the Eurocup. I think Germany will take it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJB Posted May 18, 2008 Share Posted May 18, 2008 Italy. Pirlo and Gattuso are unstoppable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masster Posted May 18, 2008 Share Posted May 18, 2008 quote:Originally posted by RJB Italy. Pirlo and Gattuso are unstoppable. Then why is Milan in 5th place? (Not trying to be sassy) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snake Posted May 18, 2008 Share Posted May 18, 2008 croatia's midfield is something really special. croatia will win easily. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loyola Posted May 18, 2008 Share Posted May 18, 2008 Italy or Germany. Would like to see Spain at least in the semis... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ed Posted May 18, 2008 Share Posted May 18, 2008 Deutschland. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N-A Posted May 18, 2008 Share Posted May 18, 2008 Im going for the underdogs so for me its one of Switzerland, Romania, Turkey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canadiankick97 Posted May 18, 2008 Share Posted May 18, 2008 hellas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadianSwede Posted May 18, 2008 Share Posted May 18, 2008 Holland all the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJB Posted May 18, 2008 Share Posted May 18, 2008 quote:Originally posted by masster Then why is Milan in 5th place? (Not trying to be sassy) Good point. I still pick Italy. World Champions deserve the title of tournament favourites. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masster Posted May 19, 2008 Share Posted May 19, 2008 quote:Originally posted by RJB Good point. I still pick Italy. World Champions deserve the title of tournament favourites. I'm cheering for Italy so I would love to see them win, but objectively, I just don't see that happening. They don't seem to have that hunger that they did prior to World Cup 06. Two years ago they had that us against the world mentality. Everybody was talking about calciopoli and I think people are underestimating the effect that Gianluca Pessotto's suicide attempt had in bringing that team together. I know that Totti and Nesta didn't have a huge impact at the World Cup but having players of that calibre retire can only hurt your depth. I think Materazzi is a huge step down in central defense and having him start at that position for the duration of the tournament is asking for at least one penalty or red card against. Combine all of this with Italy being in the group of death and they realistically might not get out of the first round. Personally, I see this tournament as a changing of the guard for the Azzurri. If they can incorporate some of the young talent like Aquilani and Cassano with the "this is our last chance" oldtimers like Del Piero they might have enough urgency to get the team deep into the tournament. Plus, getting some of the younger players into the team now will set them up for 2010. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Spaulding Posted May 19, 2008 Share Posted May 19, 2008 Czech Republic: They have a relatively easy path through the quarter finals and they handled Germany pretty well in the qualifiers. But my heart is with Greece. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
River City Posted May 19, 2008 Share Posted May 19, 2008 Portugal.... Dark horse is Romania! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amacpher Posted May 19, 2008 Share Posted May 19, 2008 quote:Originally posted by Captain Spaulding Czech Republic: They have a relatively easy path through the quarter finals and they handled Germany pretty well in the qualifiers. IIRC, Germany fielded a second-string side for that match. In the match that counted between the two, Germany beat the Czechs 2-1 in Prague. I'm going to predict a Germany x Spain final. Before I was thinking Portugal, but Ronaldo seems to have run out of gas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manuel Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 Portugal - they have the best midfield in Europe - Ronaldo, Quaresma, Deco, Simao, Nani, Veloso. If not the Portugal, as much as it hurts to say it, Italy. If Italy play the way they played Portugal a few months back then they will be tough to beat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masster Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 quote:Originally posted by Manuel Portugal - they have the best midfield in Europe - Ronaldo, Quaresma, Deco, Simao, Nani, Veloso. If not the Portugal, as much as it hurts to say it, Italy. If Italy play the way they played Portugal a few months back then they will be tough to beat. Your midfield is scary good but you guys are still missing a keeper and a striker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ed Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 I don't think they are missing a striker. Think of this number. 41. Think again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manuel Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 The golden Boot winner of 2007-2008 can play at striker if need be. Now the keeper, who knows. In Germany he was the second best of the tournament Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amacpher Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 quote:Originally posted by Manuel The golden Boot winner of 2007-2008 can play at striker if need be. Now the keeper, who knows. In Germany he was the second best of the tournament True, but with Ronaldo at striker it's not the best midfield anymore (Spain). Can't have it both ways. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearcatSA Posted May 21, 2008 Share Posted May 21, 2008 Hard to predict who the hottest, luckiest team is going to be . . . but it's always hard to bet against the Germans, too, so I'll go with them at least to make the final. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jeffery S. Posted May 21, 2008 Share Posted May 21, 2008 quote:Originally posted by amacpher True, but with Ronaldo at striker it's not the best midfield anymore (Spain). Can't have it both ways. Xavi is better than the Portugal midfield combined. Not one vs five of course, but in pure value on the pitch. Add Iniesta and the Portugues midfield is a moot point. It is easier to hold C Ronaldo in what he does than hold back Xavi from doing what he does. Still think it will be Germany, they had a bad year in clubs so that means typically a reaction with the national team, they'll be rested, they don't have the pressure like at the WC, they will have a lot of fan support. And they have talent in every part of the field, though perhaps the keeping is a bit uncertain this year with Lehman not playing and Hildebrand shaky at times, my only real doubt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canuck Oranje Posted May 21, 2008 Share Posted May 21, 2008 Suspect the champion with be one of Spain, Italy, Germany and Portugal. I don't see the Dutch doing much in this tournament but I suppose they could surprise. They don't have the same elite talent of the past nor do they have the depth. I fear they may be about to go through a lean period. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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