Euro 2008 !!!!

TheBillster · #1 (**permalink**) 06-06-2008

After some very stressful time with lots of to do for work in the last couple of days I am able to be here again and see that with just one day away from the competition there is still no thread opened for the European Soccer Championships. That needs to be changed.

I think this will be a great competition or tournament like I always say with 5-6 teams able of winning it all. European Championships are much cooler and much more enjoyable than World Championships because the whole crappy teams making the World Championships are really making me sick as a Soccer fan and are missing.
Italy, France and Germany should be very successful again. Italy and Germany are classical competition teams which excel in competitions but I think France is the nation to win the tournament cause the individual class of its players and the mix including a couple of players who won big titles already.
Greece will be a factor too. Despite having no flashy names to offer these guys simply understand that football is a team sports. Turkey is the big Unknown but could be the big surprise this time with having a very strong team. The other two teams to watch in my opinion are the Netherlands and the Czech Republic.
All other teams may look good on paper too, but won’t be big in the game cause they are usually teams full of great players with huge individual skills but lack to develop a team spirit in competitions. Even the Netherlands could be count to this group. Teams like Spain and Portugal will never ever win something big. They simply don’t understand the importance of team spirit in Soccer despite of having extremely talented players. They have one golden generation after the other, but no titles…
Anyhow, the Winners of Euro 2008 will be Italy, Germany, France, Greece, Turkey, the Czech Republic or the Netherlands.
Input is welcome

titansrule · #2 (**permalink**) 06-07-2008

The Czech Republic could sneak up on it. But Im not sure if they have Rosicky, or the status of Nedved. I dont like their attacking force either. But I think they have a shot.

Spain have a very very real chance. They never win anything, but their team is made up of stars. Torres and Villa up front...Wow! Thats seriously good. Two of the best strikers in the world there. Though like England, they are underperformers.

Portugal are a team that should be mentioned as potential winners. The most in form player in the world, and probably best. Quaresma is good on his day. Good defense. Dont know if they will play Velsoso and Moutinho, but they are up and coming players. Decent team.

I agree with your selection of who may win. Except take out Greece and Turkey for Portugal and Spain. They are far better teams, imo. I understand your point of them not playing well together, that is true. But ultimately, with talent like they have, you have to give them respect. And I know I want to see them play, Spain particularly, and couldnt give two ****s about Turkey or Greece. Full of averageness.

TheBillster · #3 (**permalink**) 06-07-2008

After the first day with the matches Switzerland- Czech Republic and Portugal-Turkey I think I have changed my mind for both winning teams. The Czech really played bad today and I dont think they have what it takes to be successful in this competition. They really lack dominating players. I am missing guys like Poborsky, Nevded, Rosicky in their lineup. Even towering striker Jan Koller looks just like a bad copy of himself now.
And secondly, Portugal was impressive today against a Turkish team that I still rate very solid in Europe. But we will have to see if they can keep their level of play this high for the upcoming matches too.

titansrule · #4 (**permalink**) 06-08-2008

Id be feeling quite silly right now if I had picked Turkey to win over Portugal

Portugal looked great, and whats more, they have strength in depth. The fact they are playing Moutinho, and he played so well, is going to make a difference.

I think they should start Ronaldo up front over Nuno Gomez, and put Nani and Quaresma on the wings. Cos Gomez looked pretty crap.

In my first look at Bosingwa since he signed for Chelsea, I liked what I saw.

Their one area of weakness really is Ricardo, he is not a good keeper. But of course, he is amazing at saving penalties, so even he has an upside.

Cant wait to see Spain..

As far as the Czechs, without Rosicky and Nedved, they dont look good. And it highlighted my fears about their poor attacking force. Koller sucks. Immobile.