Euro 2012

[Paul ™]

Surprised not a thread on this already (did have a quick search) with it starting today.

So who is everyone thinking will win it?

I reckon Spain will do it... England to go out at the group stage too I reckon.

[The Nal]

Ireland!!

Seriously though, Spain.

[eFestivals]

I reckon the final will be Spain vs Germany. I think Germany might win that one, on the basis that they'll probably feel more at home.

I really wouldn't be surprised if England go out in the groups either ... but if they do get thru the groups, who knows? It gets to be a bit of a lottery beyond the groups.

Edited June 8, 2012 by eFestivals

[The Nal]

Spain and Holland are favourites.

France a great bet though. Very good up front. Benzema, Ben Arfa, Nasri, Ribery.

[MrZigster]

Spain and Holland are favourites.

[thetime]

Betfair is saying Spain, Germany, Netherlands, France, England, Italy...

[G-Stud]

I reckon Germany might do it. Can't wait for it all to kick off

Just back from Krakow on Tuesday there and the atmosphere was great

[pink_triangle]

Spain and Holland are favourites.

France a great bet though. Very good up front. Benzema, Ben Arfa, Nasri, Ribery.

[thetime]

I take unbeaten records with a pinch of salt because they are only as good as the teams you have played but I also like France. Looking at their squad they seem to have quite a lot of players who are on form not there on reputation. Also looking at the teams they play for I suspect their team may be a bit fresher than some of the other main contenders.

[LondonTom]

I am going go with Holland, just cos I'd not like to see Spain or Germany get it

[Kowalski]

I think the Germans will win.

Spain will be there or there abouts but France look very good - they have a poor central defensive partnership but are great in midfield and up front.

If the semi finalists are any combination of Germany/Spain/Netherlands/France then it'll have been a great tournament IMHO.

Benzema for top scorer.

However, the tournament looks like a car crash waiting to happen.

[The Nal]

I just got Spain in the office sweep so Ill hang my hat on them!

[thesecretingredientiscrime]

I'm going to try not to sound cliched, and at least try and not do a Hansen and predict impossible things, or predict Messi to be top scorer, but....

I'd be concerned about Spain's lack of goalscorers. It's fairly obvious that they'll be great on creating chances, as they always have been, but who is going to convert?

I don't think you can rule any of the normals out (Italy, Germany, Holland, France etc.) Concerning thing about Italy is they weren't great at scoring during qualifying. However, they appear to be going for the most unusual tactical set up of the tournament, which could be of great benefit for them. Strootman of PSV will be interesting to watch for Holland. France obviously have a great record recently, and some places are offering 15's on them.

Going to counter what I said earlier, and suggest perhaps lack of goalscoring isn't the be all and end all. 1-0 and 2-1 wins may be the key, and the ability to frustrate opponents can work very well, which is why I wouldn't write England off. I think Roy knows how he wants to play, and how to counter some of the bigger teams, and although it won't be the most attractive way to play, the lump it in to the box, sit back and work them approach may pay dividens.

I wouldn't write Ireland off either, but that's more of a personal hope haha.

[The Nal]

So hows the buzz England-side then lads? Many flags, jerseys, general madness going on?

Starting to kick off over here now. Despite the weather.

[Ed209]

I think the Germans will win.

Spain will be there or there abouts but France look very good - they have a poor central defensive partnership but are great in midfield and up front.

If the semi finalists are any combination of Germany/Spain/Netherlands/France then it'll have been a great tournament IMHO.

Benzema for top scorer.

However, the tournament looks like a car crash waiting to happen.

[Ed209]

That greek lad is well unlucky. Terrible refereeing

[Jackmypie]

This ref is on the payroll by polish neo nazi's man

[pink_triangle]

I love the unpredictability of the euros for every holand 88 and spain 2008 theres a denmark 92 and a greece 2004. World cup 2002 was a bit of exception but generally only the top teams make the semis of the world cup.

Pity Poland drew today, I think tournaments (Apart from WC 2002) are better when the hosts advance.

[thesecretingredientiscrime]

I love the unpredictability of the euros for every holand 88 and spain 2008 theres a denmark 92 and a greece 2004. World cup 2002 was a bit of exception but generally only the top teams make the semis of the world cup.

Pity Poland drew today, I think tournaments (Apart from WC 2002) are better when the hosts advance.

[pink_triangle]

South Korea in '02?

[thesecretingredientiscrime]

I love the unpredictability of the euros for every holand 88 and spain 2008 theres a denmark 92 and a greece 2004. World cup 2002 was a bit of exception but generally only the top teams make the semis of the world cup.

[Ed209]

South Korea in the semi's was surely unpredictable?

[thesecretingredientiscrime]

One day I'll work out what I was on about. If that happens, i'll let you know.

With regards to the two (one and a half so far)....

The first Greek booking was very hard to defend, like to know what it was about, second is a difficult one. It's one of those ones you have to look at in the context of the game, after he's already been booked for the first one, it's very hard not to say the second one is a booking. He is going down, but there's the hands there anyway. In some circumstances, you'd give it as a foul, here it was a yellow, in others you could even justify it as a red. From a purely refereeing point of view, his consistency was awful, and his policy (as I mentioned earlier) arguably meant he had to book him again at least. I suspect he won't be getting a great review.

Russia had an awful start, don't know what's happened to Czech's since then...

Can't argue about the rest. Keepers not great, but Polish midfield did well in creating chances.

[When Jokers Attack]

Going with the Germans but wouldn't be surprised if someone unexpected wins it like Greece in 2004.

[Donkey]

Diddy teams in World Cup Semis: Poland Turkey Croatia South Korea.

Just off the top of my head.

Edited June 9, 2012 by Donkey