I can't wait until Sunday to watch Poland and Germany. There has to be justice in this world, please, just this once, let Poland stomp Germany into the ground.

With the way Poland showed against the US a few months ago chances are Germany wins as usual.

I have no idea what you guys are talking about, but:

GO GERMANY!!!

quote:

Originally posted by futronic:
Disappointing the Cannavaro is out for the Euros, but hopefully the other defenders can step in and contribute. I wouldn't expect Cannavaro's "replacement" Gamberini to see much, if any playing time. More likely to see a back line of Panucci, Barzagli, Zambrotta, and Grosso now, maybe with Chiellini in there somewhere.

Based on Materazzi's form and temper, I don't know if Donadoni will start him much if at all, and he may only come on as a sub (depending on others' form).

Let me rethink that, as that back line doesn't make any sense. More likely to see Panucci at his natural right back, Barzagli and Chiellini in the middle, and Grosso or Zambrotta on the left. Zambrotta could also switch to right back, but I would expect Panucci to be there.

quote:

Originally posted by Sticky2:
I can't wait until Sunday to watch Poland and Germany. There has to be justice in this world, please, just this once, let Poland stomp Germany into the ground.

Die you pig dog.

quote:

Originally posted by Chilepepper:
I have no idea what you guys are talking about, but:

GO GERMANY!!!

You bet!

quote:

Originally posted by futronic:

quote:

Originally posted by Mezzo Litro:
Group B: Austria

You're kidding, right?

They're going to finish dead last, lucky to get a point, just like the other host nation.

Here are my picks:

Group A: Turkey, Portugal
Group B: Germany, Poland
Group C: Italy, France
Group D: Spain, Greece

Disappointing the Cannavaro is out for the Euros, but hopefully the other defenders can step in and contribute. I wouldn't expect Cannavaro's "replacement" Gamberini to see much, if any playing time. More likely to see a back line of Panucci, Barzagli, Zambrotta, and Grosso now, maybe with Chiellini in there somewhere.

Based on Materazzi's form and temper, I don't know if Donadoni will start him much if at all, and he may only come on as a sub (depending on others' form).

Futronic, I'm a big believer in 'fixes'. If you read any of my sports thread comments, I always preach that nothing is random when big money is involved. I think one of the two host countries will advance, by hook or by crook. I picked Austria over Switzerland. We'll see.

quote:

Originally posted by MoselleLuxemburg:
I'd say
Group A: Portugal & Switzerland
Group B: Germany & Croatia
Group C: Netherlands & Romania (don't laugh, Group C is a lottery)
Group D: Spain & Russia

A man after my own heart. Nice to see someone else go out on a limb, instead of just picking favourites.

quote:

Originally posted by Mezzo Litro:

quote:

Originally posted by MoselleLuxemburg:
I'd say
Group A: Portugal & Switzerland
Group B: Germany & Croatia
Group C: Netherlands & Romania (don't laugh, Group C is a lottery)
Group D: Spain & Russia

A man after my own heart. Nice to see someone else go out on a limb, instead of just picking favourites.

Well if you wanted to be correct why would you pick anything but the favorites?

quote:

Originally posted by wineismylife:
Well if you wanted to be correct why would you pick anything but the favorites?

The host team has finished in the top 4 since this tournament started in 1960. Conicidence? And don't even get me started about the World Cup.

Soccer players do not control the outcome of a game. The referees do. And FIFA controls the refs.

quote:

Originally posted by wineismylife:

quote:

Originally posted by Sticky2:
I can't wait until Sunday to watch Poland and Germany. There has to be justice in this world, please, just this once, let Poland stomp Germany into the ground.

Die you pig dog.

A fan of Germany huh? Might as well cheer for Satan.

quote:

Originally posted by Sticky2:

quote:

Originally posted by wineismylife:

quote:

Originally posted by Sticky2:
I can't wait until Sunday to watch Poland and Germany. There has to be justice in this world, please, just this once, let Poland stomp Germany into the ground.

Die you pig dog.

A fan of Germany huh? Might as well cheer for Satan.

Go Satan!

quote:

Originally posted by wineismylife:

quote:

Originally posted by Sticky2:
I can't wait until Sunday to watch Poland and Germany. There has to be justice in this world, please, just this once, let Poland stomp Germany into the ground.

Die you pig dog.

That should read die you schwienhund.

quote:

Originally posted by Mezzo Litro:

quote:

Originally posted by wineismylife:
Well if you wanted to be correct why would you pick anything but the favorites?

The host team has finished in the top 4 since this tournament started in 1960. Conicidence? And don't even get me started about the World Cup.

Soccer players do not control the outcome of a game. The referees do. And FIFA controls the refs.

That is all very true, who can forget how Italy was robbed versus South Korea in 2002. However the refs can be in the bag bigger then they normally are for Juve (right Fut) and Austria will still have no chance. They just stink, if the didn't get an automatic spot and 32 teams quilified they wouldn't be there. The Swiss on the other hand have a very good shot of advancing as they are not just the home team, but a half decent team.

Group A: Portugal & Switzerland
Group B: Germany & Croatia
Group C: Italy & France
Group D: Spain & Russia

quote:

Originally posted by VT2IT:
...Austria will still have no chance. They just stink, if the didn't get an automatic spot and 32 teams quilified they wouldn't be there. The Swiss on the other hand have a very good shot of advancing as they are not just the home team, but a half decent team.

VT2IT...I just flipped a coin between Austria and Switzerland. One of them will be there (top 8, not necessarily top 4) for sure.

Take a look at who hosted those tournaments, the position they finished, and their World Ranking at that time if available (Fifa Rankings started in 1993):

1960 - France (4)
1964 - Spain (1)
1968 - Italy (1)
1972 - Belgium (3)
1976 - Yugoslavia (4)
1980 - Italy (4)
1984 - France (1)
1988 - West Germany (Lost in semi-finals)
1992 - Sweden (Lost in semi-finals, 9th - so this is post hosting)
1996 - England (Lost in semi-finals, 24th before, 13th after)
2000 - Belgium/Netherlands (Netherlands lost in semi-finals, Belgium ranking - 30th raised to 28th after, Netherlands 21, raised to 8th after)
2004 - Portugal (2, 22nd before, 12th after)
2008 - Austria/Switzerland (Austria - 92nd now, Switzerland - 44th now)

Note that the final tournament was only 4 teams from 1960 to 1976, inclusive, moving to 8 teams in 1980, and finally 16 teams in 1996. From 1960 to 1976, the host nation was decided after the final 4 qualified for the tournament, so of course the host nation made it to the final four as per your argument. Starting in 1980, the hosts automatically qualified for the final tournament.

The two teams hosting this year are significantly lower in the rankings than previous hosts, so your expectations that they can elevate their game to the point where they advance to the knockout stage is a long-shot, if you ask me.

Fut, thanx for the the stats. Geez...you are thorough.

I stand by what I say. Austria or Swiss will advance. The only reason I took Austria (Group B), is because I think Turkey may surprise some people and Portugal is a lock (both in Group A).

Just a theory

quote:

Originally posted by futronic:

quote:

Originally posted by futronic:
Disappointing the Cannavaro is out for the Euros, but hopefully the other defenders can step in and contribute. I wouldn't expect Cannavaro's "replacement" Gamberini to see much, if any playing time. More likely to see a back line of Panucci, Barzagli, Zambrotta, and Grosso now, maybe with Chiellini in there somewhere.

Based on Materazzi's form and temper, I don't know if Donadoni will start him much if at all, and he may only come on as a sub (depending on others' form).

Let me rethink that, as that back line doesn't make any sense. More likely to see Panucci at his natural right back, Barzagli and Chiellini in the middle, and Grosso or Zambrotta on the left. Zambrotta could also switch to right back, but I would expect Panucci to be there.

I'm not all that upset by Cannavaro being out, he is nowhere near the player he was two years ago. Also remember at the World Cup Italy only had Nesta for a few minutes and that worked out alright. If there is any position that the Italians have plenty of talent at it's on defence. But why are they carring six strikers?

quote:

Originally posted by Ampuis:
I predict England

I was waiting for someone to pour salt into a wound!!

Portugal

quote:

Originally posted by flwino:
Portugal

They will get to the finals but be beaten by Greece, again, as it has happened for the past 4 years.

quote:

Originally posted by Jcocktosten:
No predictions but my preference is for an all-Iberian final -

Spain is going to have to play much better than they did against the US yesterday if they are going to get to the finals. I know, it was only a friendly, but they're going to be playing much better teams than the US.

That game was ludicrous. bad passing, bad shots on goal.