VeeshanVault

A little late, but...

All groups are relatively open it seems - some have strong favorites for 1st place with the runner-up being a complete crapshoot to predict.

GROUP A
Greece
Portugal
Russia
Spain

Spain is almost always a given qualifier from any group stage and they are natural favorites in this group. Whether they will proceed past the knock-out stages to the finals is anybodys guess. The players are as hungry as the fans, and they will have a ton of backing from travelling spectators. Prediction: Will win group A, finish in the top 4.

Portugal have the home advantage as well as a team that has a nice mix of veteran players (like Luis Figo) who have their last chance at winning an international tournament on a national level and young talent, eager to prove themselves. They will most likely grab second place, but could be upset by Russia and Greece, two teams that are hard to play. No real easy matches in this group.

My prediction: Spain will win, Portugal will grab second.

GROUP B
France
England
Switzerland
Croatia

Probably the easiest group to predict. France and England will fly through, the only question being which team will take first place. France are generally slower starters (think WorldCup1998, Euro2000) so Beckham and the other superstars might sneak in a small upset by taking the lead. All will be decided in the groups opening match, a true Derby!

My prediction: France will win the group with England a close second.

GROUP C
Sweden
Bulgaria
Italy
Denmark

Italy is a strong side, but they've almost always been slow starters and in a group this close that could prove to be deadly. They've also shown weaknesses against strongly organized defensive teams who play on the break, and there's no doubt that Denmark and Sweden will try and capitalize on this.

My prediction: My heart says Denmark and Sweden, my mind says that Denmark will (barely) grab runner-up in one of the closest groups, losing first place by a point or by goal difference to those grease-haired primadonnas from Italy (f Francesco Totti with a cactus).

GROUP D
Czech Republic
Latvia
Germany
Netherlands

A group of three favorites and a whipping dog. Latvia was quite impressive in beating Turkey in the playoffs, however, and they might not be the walkover the other teams think they are. Germany is strong but nowhere near former glory, and the Czechs with an on-form Nedved and the Dutch with superstars Van Der Waart and Van Nistelrooy will most likely sneak past them to grab the qualifying spots.

My prediction: Czech Republic first, Netherlands second.

If my shady predictions hold true, this will give us the following
QUARTER FINALS

SPAIN - ENGLAND
FRANCE - PORTUGAL
ITALY - CZECH REPUBLIC
DENMARK - NETHERLANDS

Knockout stages are extremely hard to guess at, so much depends on day form (who would have expected Denmark to beat Netherlands and Germany in 1992, for instance, or expect South Korea to do as well as they did in '98?). I'll take a guess anyway...

SPAIN 3 - 1 ENGLAND
FRANCE 2 - 1 PORTUGAL
ITALY 0 - 1CZECH REPUBLIC
DENMARK 1 - 3 NETHERLANDS

giving us these semifinals:

Spain - Czech Republic
France - Netherlands

Spain will choke on the Czech in the semis as they usually do (what *is* it with them?) and France will struggle past the Dutch.

In the final, France will most likely beat the Czech in a close match depending on the form of two specific players - Zidane (who is looking a lot better this season than he was two years ago when the French choked in the group stage) and Pavel Nedved. If either of the teams manages to keep these guys down, they'll have a huge advantage.

I can't believe you're picking those warty green whiny frogs to win, Master... redo it and pick someone else... even the greasy haired prima donnas from Italy... just not the frogs

Sorry man, they're looking strong Only upset I can see is if they start real slow and don't get their goalscoring running.

Yeah! Pick those redneck Americans instead!

Kelshara wrote:Yeah! Pick those redneck Americans instead!

Who field a finer football team than whatever nation you are originally from (one from scandinavia, correct?)

As an aside, the US lost to Argentina this morning in the FIFA U-20 quarterfinals thanks to the largesse of the officials. Count 1: extending the match by almost 5 minutes when Argentina finally equalized in the 95th minute (there werent that many stopages). Count the second: gift penalty in the extra frame sealing the Americans fate.

At any rate, our strong showing in Korea and the strong showing of our youth teams, suggest strongly that the US will continue to improve upon their final 8 appearance of a year ago. It was a moment the Europeans knew would eventually happen, and that is when the United States truly became a competitive team in the world of international football.

Our goaltender in 2006 and beyond has displaced Barthez at Man U and there is no looking back. The UK has done its part to stem the tide by not granting work permits to Bobby Convey (20 yr old MF) and a couple others that premiership sides were courting. But it will happen soon enough.

So whatever backwater you are from, waive your flags wildly for now, and more importantly since the US can't compete in EURO 2004 like all the other non-European nations, you'll have to wait for 2006 to get the boot prints on your back!!

So no input from you on Euro2004 Voro?

i think that there won't be many upsets as you do.

i think Portugal will flop and another generation will not fulfill their potential. Or they may be very strong, and win the tournament. THey have some real studs.

I agree Zidane still looks great, but i'm not sure France has anybody for him to setup (but i havent seen France play since the World Cup.)

Yeah Norway pretty much suck when it comes to soccer for men. That is, we got some damn good individual players (who play on some of the best teams world wide), a very good team that has represented us well in Champions League, but the national team sucks ass. Of course, we are also the arch rival of the US women's soccer team

Oh and yes, I do believe France will win. Why?
- Zidane.
- Henry.
- Trezeguet.
- Wiltord.
- Vieira.
- Pires.
- Desailly.
- Silvestre.

Those are just those that come to mind, all of them capable of being match winners. Zidane and Henry are two of the best players in the world, if not THE two best. When the French team plays well it makes soccer entertaining to watch, and that says a lot.

Nice to see someone talking about soccer, Spain should win with their talent, but they won't. England could sneak it out and I hope that France does not win because they are France.

Vörönwë wrote:At any rate, our strong showing in Korea and the strong showing of our youth teams, suggest strongly that the US will continue to improve upon their final 8 appearance of a year ago. It was a moment the Europeans knew would eventually happen, and that is when the United States truly became a competitive team in the world of international football.

A competitive team with no real league to test their mettle on, no consistency and dependant solely on players traveling abroad. That might be fine for a small country like Denmark, Norway, Senegal or Sweden, but it can hardly be satisfactory for the US. The lack of a strong home league is what will limit the US from progressing past the (lucky) top 8 position of 2002.

The screwy part is that the players in the US leagues just look to move on to the European leagues. Getting a better international league in the Americas might help that, but I don't see it going on anytime soon. Seeing an American Cup would be cool too (meaning North and South America).


Besides, Drolgin, where were you during "the" game in the 92 EC?

Another problem with the league in the US is that you keep paying huge amount of people to bring over the hill European stars over here. Pretty much like Japan.

/bump

We're starting soon! MAKE YOUR BETS, GENTLE MEN AND WOMEN!

Germany over Denmark no matter how or where they meet.


(Just to hear Drolgin cry again)

Holland all the way

and the MLS doesnt pay for overpriced washed up Euros. I'd say the MLS is as good as a few South American leagues. To have a world cup champion you do not need a top tier domestic league. The greatest soccer nation ever has their players populating the leagues of Euro, whose teams come and sink buckets of cash into 12 and 13 year old Brasilians annually. most of the highest paid players in MLS are Americans.

but back to Euro 2004, lots of great first round games. I'm looking forward to Germany v. Holland the most. Spain v. Portugal will be huge.

I'd like to htink Portugal will have a strong tournament, but they won't. Figo, et al. are douchebags.

and the MLS doesnt pay for overpriced washed up Euros.

They did Voro. It was a standing joke back in Europe that when you got too old to play in England, France, Germany or Italy you would sign a big contract with a US or Japanese club.

ZLAAAAATAAAAAAAAAAN!

The Italians can't be in the 2004 Euro Cup, they are busy making shampo commercials for L'Oreal. TT

Sweden with on-form Ibrahimovic and HENKE LARSSON back on the squad will take Denmark's place in the quarters, I fear.

Denmark's weakness - relying far too much on one player, Everton's Thomas Gravesen - was obvious in the 1-2 home defeat against Croatia. First half without Gravesen was horrid...

Gravesen is out in the crucial first match against Italy, wingers Grøkjær (still in Denmark because of serious illness in the family) and Jørgensen (injured thigh) are both doubtful...

It's gonna be a slaughter, and we won't be able to rise after that. A shame - things were looking pretty good for a while there.

Yay finaly a post on a civilized sport !

My predictions on which teams going to pass the first round:

Group A

1. Portugal
2. Spain

For the first round i m putting portugla first..they are playing at home and have some really nice players. With Deco joinign them (naturalized portugese not so long ago) they will have a nice team. Deco played really well this season so i m waiting a lot from Portugal.

Spain are the strongest team on the paper i think, so i see them 2nd of the group. (might want to watch for greece...never saw them play but they did well during qualifs.)

Group B

Argh...what can i say...i ll make the prediction i would like (heart prediction, not head one)

1. France
2. Switzerland

Altough i dont like France very much, most of french player had a good season with their club (Henry at arsenal for example), and all their player are good..no really weak point (goalkepper not the best though)

Switzerland !!! I support my team Dont know if they can beat the england (last match between the 2 was not too bad for switzerland) but switzerland has prolly the strongest team our country have seen. (again it is not meaning too much..). GO SWISS !

Group C

1. Italy
2. Danemark/sweden

Hard to tell who could be second..i think Italy will be first..they got good players and a strong experience of international competition...

As for the 2nd..i wouldnt mind seeing danemark and sweden pass, but as i said Italy will probably be the first. So...i ld say Sweden for 2nd and danemark 3rd. But it ll be close between the two.

Group D

Mhh this one is really hard. I love netherlands so i ll make them pass, now the call between germany and czech republic...
Germany will pass. Sad but in this case, the german solidity and efficency will make the difference.

Now to class them...:

1. Netherland
2. Germany

I wont guess further, because im sure all my predictions will be messed after the first round. I cant wait for the euro to start, and i hope for lot of surprise, even if that must make my guess false. Having challenger is always a pleasure...more suspense.

In "Soccer" (football, the only one !) the match can really depends on little thing...an unsure foot in front of the goal, a weak hands by a goalkeeper....

Let's hope for tons of fun. Btw Drolgin im not seeing france at the first place this year !

Will re-make guess after the first round is done !

Portugal got 45 min to score at least two..if not..even my first predic will be wrong

LOL @ Portugal....AGAIN!!!!

FUUUUUUUUUUCK

Fucking fucking fuck fuck fuckers

Fuck who the most, Tanc? Zinedine Zidane and his bald fucking head or David nancy boy Beckham?

Fuck Emile fucking Heskey for being a useless clogger who should never wear the three lions again!
Fuck Steven Gerrard for his idiotic backpass!
Fuck Owen Hargreaves for not sticking his girly hair-do out another couple of inches against the free kick!
Oh and fuck the UK TV commentators for jinxing us with their premature gloating. From the 82nd minute they were crowing about the "victory" while I was shouting "fucking shut up you fuckers!" at the TV.

Can't really fault Beckham for Barthez's save, although they're saying they studied his penalties and it seems he's pretty predictable. Why the fuck Heskey is ever allowed on the pitch I'll never know. He makes Gary Neville look like Gazza. Our defense was incredible (wu wu Ledley King of the *ahem* mighty Spurs) and I thought we played very well against a superior team. Managed to keep Henry quiet anyway and that's no mean feat. Loved the way Rooney clobbered Zidane. He obviously doesn't give a shit for the reputations of those he plays against. Also ROFL at Vassell smacking the ball into Bathez's face

But FUUUUUUUUUUCK IT!!! FUCK!
*cry*

at least it looks like we're capable of completely marmalizing Switzerland and Croatia.

2 hours remain to bet against Drolgin!

I don't normally comment on soccer, but that was quite a hairball the Brit team coughed up! Remember the only thing a prevent defense prevents is championships. Keep practising those backpasses!

Fuck off!
Fuuuuck!!!!
^£"£)%^(^%£(&^%_!£(*^+%*^(&$£^_!"£^$

Oh and it was the ENGLAND team. Don't mistake it for any British effort. The other British teams (Scotland, Wales, Norn Iron) all sucked too fucking hard to qualify.
The scots were cheering louder than the french when we lost. Of course your average Englishman would never support foreigners against any British team but I'm afraid that's just another example of our moral superiority to the filthy ungrateful throwbacks that live in the northern and western hills of these isles.
Fuckers.
Fuck. FUCK!
. . .fuck
fuck it

Danes are holding their own against the Italians!

not to sound like a chick, but:
by the way does anybody on average have worse haircuts than Italians?

Totti seriously needs to see a different hairdresser than his wife's. He looks like an exceedingly ugly girl with big calves.

fucking prancing wanking little italian male model dickwads

and fuck that ref, Totti should've been sent off for that foul.

Oh well, we won the moral victory - would just've been nice to bring home 3 points instead of 1.

Danes made quiete a good game !

They played nice football imho...love the number of short pass they doing.

Swiss-croatia was awfull

i have always wondered how the swedes managed to throw the name Larsson on the back of a black dude and pass him off to the rest of the world as a Swede. 2 pretty nice goals today

OIH!
5-0 SWE-BULG! Poor Stoitjkov.

Totti's last move was one of the ugliest I've seen. Straight on the knee.
And what's up with their hair. It seems they have the whole production of olive oil in it!

Denmark played good, and Sweden was like beheaded chickens in the first 15 min of the match.

oih oih oih

EDIT: Larsson's mother is Swedish

So is England going to get the ol' heave ho like was stated back in 2000 if the fans rioted during the next tournament?

11 arrests and one deportation in Portugal so far. The actual rioting took place back here in the UK. 83 arrests. I doubt FIFA will eject the team for that.
And after the "behave or get sent home" message for the last 2-3 years, a FIFA official said two days ago that it wouldn't happen anyway. /shrug.
It's probably too hot for serious aggro over there. Our thugs prefer a more temperate environment. Also, Portugal aren't a nation with a high profile for football violence so there's not much of a sense of occasion for our violent fans. If it was Germany or Turkey or somewhere like that I think there would be a lot more people "up for it".
The twats.

hehe yeah Wonko, i'm just goofin off about Larsson =)

All of Norway supports Sweden.. and all of Denmark is whining about it! Bwahahaha!

I feel dirty for cheering on the Swedes though

i feel dirty for paying $20 to order that shitfest of a Germany v. Holland game.

Oh my Voro! But I liked SCHWEINSTEIGEEEEEER!
And where was Kleuivert(sp)?

agree on both

Van Nistelrooy > Kluivert

Henri > Both.

Yes

yes Ruud is better. i think what Wonko and I are commenting on is we are surprised he didnt get the call as a substitute considering HOL was losing until the 91st minute.

Van Nilstelroy's goal was pretty sweet.

Probably punishment for bitching about his teammates. They put Van Hooijdonk on didn't they? I was reading a book and half watching the match so I'm a little sketchy

yes Tanc, and he played well

Hmm so Eriksson is going with the diamond formation and risking Scholes for our match tonight against the Swiss.
So that probably means James, Neville, Campbell, Terry, Cole, Lampard, Beckham, Gerrard, Scholes, Owen, Rooney.
Scholes' form has been depressed for a little while now and if he's carrying an ankle injury I'm concerned he won't make much impact. We'll have to wait and see on the formation change but it's no secret our natural arrangement is 4-4-2. Hopefully it won't cause a lack of fluidity in midfield that Switzerland might capitalize on.
If I'd known this beforehand I would probably have revised my 3-0 prediction though

And our boss has allowed all the English in the office to work through lunch and leave early to catch the kick-off I'm lobbying for him to make the piss-taking Welsh bastards work normal hours

bye bye Totti!

3 game ban was no less than he deserved. Now here's hoping that the wanker won't get a chance to play anymore in this tournament at all.

totti the SCUM of Europe!