Ok I don't usually like to single out a team as a potential champion, but after today I'm pretty sure the Dutch will win this year.

What do you people think?

I've been very close to making one of these threads myself over the last few days, but I've spent so much time actually watching the matches I haven't found the time.

As for the Dutch, they look very good, however.... They're set up purely to counter attack. If they go a goal behind, and have to chase the game, I'm not sure they'll look quite as effective. Croatia looked very good the other day when they beat Germany as well. They were by far the better side, which I was surprised by.

I still think Spain look the best so far though - but we'll see more of them tomorrow. One of Spain, Holland, Germany or Portugal to win would be my guess. Obviously I'm supporting Germany or Holland though, in honour of our illustrious forum leaders

Afaik we (the Dutch) haven't won any such contest since like 1683 orso, and I don't imagine we'll win it again this year. Though honesty compels me to say I've never been much of a sports fan, so I'll definitely not lose sleep over it

You're wrong. You Dutchies won no WC and only one EC, but that wasn't so long ago: 1988!

And BSD, I assure you, the Spanish will finish the group phase with 9 points and then fail instantly in the quarter final. It's how they operate.

hehe, so I was only off by 305 years eh? I was expecting it to be more

Nah, the Dutch will likely do what they always do, become too full of themselves and thus be defeated.

I don't know about that. The last couple of times you had real divas on the field that rarely would play together - this time it didn't look like that at all.

I'm not sure.. Go Sweden?

I'm not into sports so much, plus I'm an American. So good luck to everyone! I'm just being fair and unbiased since I don't know squat about the teams or competition.

I thought that France/Azebaijan/Turkey will win. But it seemed that the voting was all about the countries that is nearby each other.. It wasn't like the best wins. As Russia is pretty big and has alots of countries nearby, so it won. I didn't like them at all:(. Even the ones that done the dubbing (or whatever that's called) were guessing which country will vote for the others. and about 95% their guesses were right. Well that's what I thought

Nice analysis, the Eurovision songcontest always seems to revolve around that doesn't it?


:whisper: Though perhaps it might be worth mentioning this thread is about the European Soccer championship

OOPS! Sorry, didn't noticed xDD

Haha! Don't worry about it, that made me smile

I have to admit, after todays games my feelings have changed a little bit. Spain struggled to break down Sweden (as do every team, it's usually England who face them and head to a bore draw), and they weren't entirely convincing. I'm amazed they left their best right winger at home - Jouquin (sp?) plays for Valencia - as they seemed to be crying out for a little pace and width. With the strikers they've got though, I still think they'll cause any side they face problems.

As for the side I put a bet on, Russia, I'm feeling slightly more confident for their chances now (not hard after the drubbing they got in the first match) and I think they may have enough to beat Sweden. May have. They'll need their main striker to be far less selfish though, I was screaming at the t.v. as he squandered chance after chance...

It's getting interesting now

I will root for Poland. Are they in it??

For the moment... but so far they only managed to get one point, which is far too little.

Russia won't qualify! If it will be a tie between Russia and Sweden Sweden will qualify. Russia have to win. And I think that the reason why Spain won was because Zlatan (the absolutely best player that Spain is afraid of) didn't play the second half of the match.

I'm not sure, for several reasons.

One: Sweden are very much like England. They're strong, big, solid and have a tendency to look for long balls - bypassing the midfield. The problem with that is that it gives possession back to the opposition, and Russia are one of those sides that like to play a quick, short passing game.

Two: Wilhellmson (sp?) is out injured, and Elmander looked totally out of his depth on the right wing. He's a good striker, but clearly not a winger. All Sweden's attacks against Spain came down the left, with Freddie L. Talented guy, but he doesn't have the pace he used to. Russia will identify that (Huddink knows his stuff) and just double up on him. With Kallstrom not starting in central midfield (and I have NO IDEA why he isn't) Sweden don't look like they can unlock sides through the centre.

Three: Ibrahimovich is a very talented player, very true. I've been watching him for years now, back when he was at Ajax. Problem is he was injured towards the end of last season. He came on for Inter Milan's last game of the season against Parma, and turned the game. But he's not fully fit, and they're worried about him - hence not risking him for the second half against Spain. If he doesn't play or has to go off, the guy who came on to replace him against Spain looked...well, not great. In fact he looked again totally out of his depth.

Sweden are obviously the favourites to go through, but I just have a feeling that Russia might just monopolise possession, and sneak the win. We'll see though. I wouldn't complain if Sweden went through, it was only a small bet I put on Russia

I'm happy I don't either like or watch football, but for the sake of it I'd say I hope Sweden will qualify......

there!

Well I just watched the Germany game, and they won, which I'm please about - for Starge mainly

They weren't totally convincing though, Gomez who's started every game so far hasn't impressed me at all. They have a few outstanding players though. Lahm is the best fullback I've seen in the competition, Ballack is a class act, as is Frings. What a free kick by Ballack to win it though, stunning effort.

Germany vs Portugal then in the qf's. Tough one to call. Portugal will be favourites I guess, though I'd imagine it will be a very tight game. Should be good!

I doubt it.


I am less than convinced. Today's showing imho was catastrophic. It might sound harsh but I've seen much better from the Romanians in their game against Italy. At least not half of their passes ended nowhere, and they seemed to have an overall plan of what they wanted to accomplish - not so the German team. Not today, and not in the game against Croatia. And this time we can't excuse their poor performance by a strong opponent side. What the Austrians have shown today was third rate at best, they just happened to play a team in compassionate constitution and so over some time looked like equals. But what they did when they got close to the German goal was just pittyful in most cases.

So yeah, "we" won, but it won't mean a thing when it's quarter final time. Right now, I have no doubt the Portugese will wipe their boots with our team.

And Poland? Good god. I wanted them to get at least one goal against Croatia, which played with their B-team (10 new players!) but noooo... not even against that could they find a way, in fact most of the time the game was dominated by the Croatians who ended up getting their well deserved goal. Poland came close once, but all in all it was a very weak showing.

I found out that if Sweden will qualify tomorrow they will meet the Dutches in the qf's. Just like 2004. And once again we will lose.

This was a sad day. I had really hoped Romania could pull it off. They certainly had it all in their hands. If they'd won against the Dutch B-team, they would have reached the next round no matter how high Italy would have won against France. It was their chance and they wasted it. This game was nowhere near as good as what we've seen in the two other matches, that's for sure.

I wonder how much it will hurt Italy to not have Pirlo and Gatusso ("Shorty Massacre") against Spain, but I guess they'll somehow manage to win it anyway, and Spain is legendary for playing a perfect first round only to be tossed out in the quarter finale.

Sad sad sad.

I'm not a soccer fan by any means, but even I can appreciate what Turkey did by scoring 3 goals in 18 minutes.

Looks like Sweden is going to lose. 50 minutes and Russia's leading with 2-0.

Hm, my bet is safe for another match, though Holland will be a very different test. I have a feeling Russia may come just a bit short there. They played well tonight though, so they'll be full of confidence, and they are getting better every match.

Pity for Sweden, they have no lack of commitment, but just seem to lack a bit of creativity in the centre. Solid defence, good attack, but there was virtually no service from the midfield to their front men. I still can't understand some of the decisions the Swedish coach makes. He seems to trust too many of the older players, wheras it was quite obvious that the Russians had the pace and energy to overrun then. Some new blood needed there now.

As for tomorrow's quater final between Germany and Portugal, things haven't gotten off to the best start for Germany, with UEFA banning the manager from the touchline and the dressing room. I'd love to see Germany do well here, but if they stick with the same team that started the last three games (ie Gomes in the starting line up) they're going to be in trouble. No way can they play three strikers up front in this one, Portugal will pick them apart. Must be time to go back to a four man midfield, and with some width in the team. Portugal's major weakness defensively is dealing with crosses into the box... surely they must try to exploit that. They haven't doen so far though, they've just relied on the full backs to get forward. It'll be interesting, and if Germany are organised and solid, they'll get chances from the Portugese defence. Here's hoping they don't fall to Gomes. How on earth did he score almost 30 goals in the German league this season? He's looked hopeless...

Maybe he's just exhausted?

Yayyyy Germany???? Hmmm yeah...YAYYYYYYYYY Germany....

and Germany were superb. Pace, width, commitment - really impressive. Both sides played well, but Portugal just couldn't cope with those crosses and set pieces.

Well done Germany!

I can honestly say I'm surprised. Pleasantly surprised. I didn't see this coming at all. It was as if a different team was playing. I guess they're just really scared when playing teams that losing against would mean a huge disgrace, but when it comes to good opponents they just.... play?

They seemed to lose grip of the game in the last 10-15 minutes but luckily they still made it

I'm a bit German myself so I hope that they win.

Holy Cinderella in a racing car!

119 minutes of pure boredom and then this. Despite the first 119 minutes I do not regret watching this, just for the finish.

I had a feeling about Russia as dark horses... Before the tournament started I put a £20 bet on Russia to win the competition at odds of 16-1. I'm still not sure they WILL actually win it, but I'm a lot more confident now, than after their 4-1 drubbing in the first game. They've been superb the last few matches, and seem to be getting better and better. Holland had been the best team up till now, and Russia not only won, but were the better team.

My condolences to Holland though, who had played really well in the group stages. They just seemed a little off the pace tonight.

Should've listened to you.


Those Russians sure played excellent today.

I must say. I was not satisfied with this game at all, Turkey was the better team . I got so happy in the 79th minute when Klose scores. Although it was problems with (I don't no how to put it) uhm.. pictures and sound. And it wasn't just in Sweden. It was problems all over Europe. And I got furious when Turkey scores 2-2. And I almost peed my pants when Lahm scores 3-2 to Germany. Yes! I really hope that Germany wins this thingy. Go Germany

So how did it end? I've been on a renaissance-feast tonight so I know nothing! Watch those pants of yours sonny!

I thought I explained. Germany won by 3-2

Spain deserved it.

Hrrrrmmmppffff.....darn germans! They should have won!!

I was sort of hoping the germans would win. Oh well its not like I care really, I find professional football is ruined by all the diving.