The Euro 2008 Preview/Review thread

[arcticfox]

As most of you know, the Euro 2008 championships start today so I thought I'd create a thread for people to post their previews before games and reviews after the game.

I'm looking forward to the tourney, probably even more because I'm a neutral so can enjoy it more without the nerves. My head says that Italy will win it but I'd love to see Spain win

Am wondering just how long before we get the usual "unbiased" commentry stating words to the effect of "If England were here, they could have possibly won the tourney or made the final at the least".

Tonights games....I'm expecting Portugal to be too strong for the Turkish side but the other game (Switzerland V Czech Rep) could be a good game and I forecast a draw, mainly due to Switzerlands home advantage neutralising a superior Czech team.

Any opinions?

[bmh16]

Hoping the Czechs, Dutch or Spanish win it. And i think that's definitely possible that one of those will win

[wolf]

Im torn between wanting to see Holland win and wanting £40 lol

[ainsleee]

Im betting on france to win so i get 45quid if they win. However on the exceem euro predictions i want portugal to win.

[nim3]

i think spain or portugal could win it.

[Schism]

SWEDEN!

[Dim Tim]

I don't know why but I think that playing at home is actual a disadvantage, because teams are under a lot of pressure, and I don't think a team like Switzerland could cope with this type of pressure, especially not having played a competitive game for over 2 years. I think Czech Republic will beat them.

As for the other game, I remember Turkey being one of the better teams in both Euro and World Cup, so it's a bit unlucky that they're in such a hard group, where they're obviously third best to Czech and Portugal.

DimTim's prediction

Switzerland 0 - 2 Czech Republic
Portugal 3 - 1 Turkey

Spain to win the tournament

[Mac-d]

I've got £30 on the cech's to win tonight, the odds are quite good ( double your money ) plus it's a free bet promotion, so iv'e got invested interest tonight

[jakethepeg]

I also have vested interest with portugal - the trouble that lies with them is that if Ronaldo fails to deliver... I lose a fiver!

As to who I think will win, probably one of the big three - Germany, Italy or France - just got a feeling its gonna be a huge boring final...

Mind you, Italy's group should be interesting to see who goes through...

If only England were here... they could have possibly won the tourney or made the final at the least...

That was a joke arctic If we can't beat croatia, we can't make it through the tourney can we!

Peggy

P.S. Dunno if anyone watched Footie Focus at lunch, but it said that Holland haven't not gotten through the group stages since 1980!!

[arcticfox]

Originally Posted by jakethepeg

P.S. Dunno if anyone watched Footie Focus at lunch, but it said that Holland haven't not gotten through the group stages since 1980!!

You mean, apart from 1992 and 2000 when they topped their group? and 1988, 1996 and 2004 when they finished 2nd? lol

you sure he said Holland? lol

[jakethepeg]

Originally Posted by arcticfox20

You mean, apart from 1992 and 2000 when they topped their group? and 1988, 1996 and 2004 when they finished 2nd? lol

you sure he said Holland? lol

Sorry - it probably wasn't very clear:

1980 - 3rd
1984 - didn't take part - dont know why...
1988 - 2nd
1992 - 1st
1996 - 2nd
2000 - 1st
2004 - 2nd

This means, as Footie Focus said, that the Netherlands have always got through the group stages since 1980, or, as I put it with my double negative, they haven't not got through the group stages

Sorry - probably wasn't very clear...

This makes it very interesting in terms of who will go through from their group...

Peggy

[wolf]

Originally Posted by jakethepeg

Sorry - it probably wasn't very clear:

1980 - 3rd
1984 - didn't take part - dont know why...
1988 - 2nd
1992 - 1st
1996 - 2nd
2000 - 1st
2004 - 2nd

This means, as Footie Focus said, that the Netherlands have always got through the group stages since 1980, or, as I put it with my double negative, they haven't not got through the group stages

Sorry - probably wasn't very clear...

This makes it very interesting in terms of who will go through from their group...

Peggy

Well as long as its not Italy im happy

[jakethepeg]

Originally Posted by wolf359

Well as long as its not Italy im happy

Me too - more likely to win on the sweepstakes!

[wolf]

Originally Posted by jakethepeg

Me too - more likely to win on the sweepstakes!

:O no chance! Not against France

[Dim Tim]

Absolutely gutted for Frei. Definetely Switzerland's best player, had a few shots on goal even though he didn't have much of possession.

I don't understand Buckner's choice to play Jan Koller up front on his own, from what I've seen Switzerland's defence has been shocking and made a few mistakes, and if Czech's end ball was better they would have been winning. Milan Baros I think would have linked up well with Jan Koller with his speed, something that Jan Koller definetely lacks.

On the other hand I really like the look of Sionko, he's been one of the brightest players of the match so far.

[wolf]

2nd half seems to be all Switzerland so far.

[Dim Tim]

Originally Posted by wolf359

2nd half seems to be all Switzerland so far.

Yeah the Czechs can't even get a string of passes together

[alphawoo]

I dont like theese rubbish countries playing.
One of them just headed the ball up the other end over about three players shoulders and no one did anything ¬.¬ i wish we were in it.
My only comfort was whooping america

[arcticfox]

Originally Posted by alphawoo

I dont like theese rubbish countries playing.
One of them just headed the ball up the other end over about three players shoulders and no one did anything ¬.¬ i wish we were in it.
My only comfort was whooping america

I'd hardly say the Czech republic are a "rubbish country"

[alphawoo]

never won the world cup or the euros