The official Euro 2008 prediction thread...

[choda]

Okay, now that the dust is settling a little bit what are your predictions for a winner, finalists etc.

I predict that portugal will win the tournament, pipping a young and vibrant Dutch team in the final due to some in fighting in the Holland ranks. I predict Spain will look the best side in the tournament and then implode on themselves as usual. I think Germany are overated and will fall to teams that are better technically and have more guile in the final third. I think Croatia are a fine side with a super manager and a boy called Modric, but I feel they have very little up top and will struggle to win the tournament as a result.

That's what I think, what's the cut of your jib?

[Lilywhite Lad]

I don't really know tbh. I've already said on other threads that it could be Croatia, but considering the form other teams are playing on, it's gonna be a tightly contested tourno. I voted Holland in the end, purely because they have a fine coach who can get them the silverware and players and tactics that can rip teams apart. I would like Croatia to win, but now comparing them to the other hot contenders, they don't exactly have enough firepower in attack to take them out. At the end of the day, we'll see though, we'll see.

[Keanoldinho]

If I was putting money on it then it would be pretty much like you said but I'm not putting money on it so Croatia all the way.

On second though I have my doubts about Portugal when I watch them it's like they're missing something defensively at time the Dutch too. It's hard to call really

[choda]

If I was putting money on it then it would be pretty much like you said but I'm not putting money on it so Croatia all the way.

On second though I have my doubts about Portugal when I watch them it's like they're missing something defensively at time the Dutch too. It's hard to call really

Actually all the favourites look dodgy at the back. It is going to be great to watch!

Very hard to call. I fancy Portugal and Spain the most as a result of having the best ball retention, but Spain always **** up so I am going with Portugal and the best player in the tournament, Ronaldo.

[deadleyledley]

holland i think.
their forward play is just too good.
looks like total football has come back to the dutch.

[hastingsyid]

still sticking with portugal

[gazzaG8]

Going with Croatia, i think it's going to be one of them years like 4 years ago, when one of the outsiders win it.

[olly27]

Holland without doubt. They are strongest the side all the over park. Spain to fragile at the back, Croatia not enough up front, Portugal look extremely vulnerable at set-pieces. The Germans seems a little ordinary, Holland look the strongest for me.

On a side note, I think Russia might go a little further than some might expect. If they had decent strikers they would be some team, they are technically excellent (even though they got trounced in their first group game)

[choda]

Holland without doubt. They are strongest the side all the over park. Spain to fragile at the back, Croatia not enough up front, Portugal look extremely vulnerable at set-pieces. The Germans seems a little ordinary, Holland look the strongest for me.

On a side note, I think Russia might go a little further than some might expect. If they had decent strikers they would be some team, they are technically excellent (even though they got trounced in their first group game)

I don't think Holland have been properly tested at the back yet and hit the old french and italian teams on the break. They do look good but I would make them second favourites to Portugal. I just have a feeling younger and better sides will be a different proposition to them and Portugal have Ronaldo.

[Keanoldinho]

Holland without doubt. They are strongest the side all the over park. Spain to fragile at the back, Croatia not enough up front, Portugal look extremely vulnerable at set-pieces. The Germans seems a little ordinary, Holland look the strongest for me.

On a side note, I think Russia might go a little further than some might expect. If they had decent strikers they would be some team, they are technically excellent (even though they got trounced in their first group game)



They're weakest at CB and Englaar can be a weak link too. Italy were to old and France didn't play the right team but going forward Holland were unreal and some of their passing was a joy to watch. Romania will be an interesting game for them because they're not full of big heads like Italy and France and also Holland will be the favorites for once Holland will most likely rest most of their first 11 though like Portugal. Croatia all the way for me they're solid front to back and nowe that Arshavin is back I can't wait for the winner takes all Russia vs Sweden match.

[Keanoldinho]

You just know it's going to be a Germany vs Italy final those jammy ****s always pull through ******s

[choda]

I think Russia are going to win this tournament and I think the Turks could do the Germans. The portuguese were miles better than the Germans in general play but it would be an insult to schoolkids to say they 'defended the set pieces like schoolboys'.

Both the Russians and the Turks seem to be fairly solid at least in all departments and both are technically as good as anyone on the ball. The russians being the best technically and going forward in the tournament in my opinion.

They have very good players, technical, and they have a load of pace. I fancied them before the tourno along with Portugal and Croatia and I should have put money on it.

[TURKISH]

I fancy italy to make the finals and i think they will bully there way past russia. I also think germany will grind out a result against the turks to make a grudge match final after italy beat germany to go to the world cup finals and win.

Spain players don't seem to get on, russia are fragile defensively and turkey haven't lead a match for more than 2minutes so can't see past an itie and zee germans finally.

Great tournament to be honest!:)

[Keanoldinho]

Arshavin is bloody unreal I just hope the rumors about him going to the scum aren't true he's to classy for them. He's the player of the tournament for me so far, the guy can do everything. We need to buy him stick on the RW and let him and Gio swap back and forth all game fullbacks would be having nightmares about playing us.

It looks good for Spain tomorrow with Gattuso and Pirlo suspended and Matterazi, Barzagli and Cannavaro injured but De Rossi and Aquilani are more than capable of replacing the Milan guys and like zee Germans the Italianos are some jammy bastards.

Now that Croatia are out I'm rooting for the young Russians led by Arshavin the genius but It really is shaping up to be a fecking Germany vs Italy finale. The tournament has been very entertaining thus far but the only down point is the piss poor officiating from game to game so truely terrible calls have been made.

[deadleyledley]

russia stand a big chance now.
hiddink has proved himself before so i think they will be very good with arshavin and pavlyunchenko

[berbzy 'G']

I don't think Turkey stand a soul chance against Germany...

[choda]

I don't think Turkey stand a soul chance against Germany...

I backed them at 13.5 to 1 to win the tournament. I think they could outplay and beat ze Germans even with the missing players. It is possible asthey have some class young players and more technique than the germans. If they win that I will back against them in the final at much shorter odds and win a good amount no matter what happens then.

I have a feeling this is Russia's tourno, the Spanish are all down the middle and easy to defend, even when they are by far the better the team, like they were tonight.

[TURKISH]

I fancy italy to make the finals and i think they will bully there way past russia. I also think germany will grind out a result against the turks to make a grudge match final after italy beat germany to go to the world cup finals and win.

Spain players don't seem to get on, russia are fragile defensively and turkey haven't lead a match for more than 2minutes so can't see past an itie and zee germans finally.

Great tournament to be honest!:)

I know **** all!:cool:

[spursmadnick06]

Can sense this going to the Germans, as ever they will win by efficiency.

The Turks are far too depleted to stand a chance, there's talk that they may have to use their sub goalkeeper as an outfield player!

[singapore spur]

i stupidly cut out my russian position before the dutch game , doh , they look strong as a unit now .

[gazzaG8]

I think the Germans will play Spain in the final & beat them

[spursmadnick06]

Typical Germans, completely outplayed, completely sh*t, yet still somehow they win.

[peterc]

I think that the final will be between Germany and Russia, and Russia will win 3-1.

[choda]

How painful that Germany have made the final. The turks were miles better but just lacked a bit of a winning mentality, possibly because they lacked confidence without many key players. The portuguese tonked them as well but they couldn't get basic set piece defending right. There is a lesson here: the basics and mental strength are equally important as technical ability and talent. But you have to feel sorry for the Turks. I am very sure had they all the players, including the goalkeeper who wouldn't have made such a blunder, that they would now be in the final after beating a very ordinary but efficient German side.

Backing against the Germans in the final is probably a good bet. They can't keep getting by on dry efficiency and lucky draws.

The one side they have met that had technical ability, decent organisation and wasn't depleted beat them very comfortably.

[olly27]

Not blowing my own trumpet, well maybe i am a bit! (lol), but I said to watch out for Russia and I wouldn't be surprised if they made the latter stages of the tournament. They will beat Spain tonight if they play anything like they did against Greece, and particularly Sweeden and Holland. I expect a lot of goals tonight. Hiddink changed tactics after the 4-1 thumping and furthermore they were without Arshavin and their best centre half. My money is definitely on Russia.

[TURKISH]

Not blowing my own trumpet, well maybe i am a bit! (lol), but I said to watch out for Russia and I wouldn't be surprised if they made the latter stages of the tournament. They will beat Spain tonight if they play anything like they did against Greece, and particularly Sweeden and Holland. I expect a lot of goals tonight. Hiddink changed tactics after the 4-1 thumping and furthermore they were without Arshavin and their best centre half. My money is definitely on Russia.

Russia will get exposed as they are vunerable through the middle of defence. Torres will send spain through as russia are poor defensive against pace in behind.

Spain all day for me pal but should be a cracker!

[spursmadnick06]

How painful that Germany have made the final. The turks were miles better but just lacked a bit of a winning mentality, possibly because they lacked confidence without many key players. The portuguese tonked them as well but they couldn't get basic set piece defending right. There is a lesson here: the basics and mental strength are equally important as technical ability and talent. But you have to feel sorry for the Turks. I am very sure had they all the players, including the goalkeeper who wouldn't have made such a blunder, that they would now be in the final after beating a very ordinary but efficient German side.

Backing against the Germans in the final is probably a good bet. They can't keep getting by on dry efficiency and lucky draws.

The one side they have met that had technical ability, decent organisation and wasn't depleted beat them very comfortably.

Backing against the Germans is never a good idea. They have never been the best side technically yet somehow always manage to find themselves in finals of competitions. They just know how to win.

Felt so sorry for Turkey last night, a very good peformance from a half strength squad. They were equally unlucky in the World Cup Semi of 2002. How far they have come as a footballing nation in the past 10 years!

[choda]

Backing against the Germans is never a good idea. They have never been the best side technically yet somehow always manage to find themselves in finals of competitions. They just know how to win.

Felt so sorry for Turkey last night, a very good peformance from a half strength squad. They were equally unlucky in the World Cup Semi of 2002. How far they have come as a footballing nation in the past 10 years!

But the great sides of the past did have technical ability. They had real quality throughout. The same can't be said of this side. They are pretty ordinary throughout if you ask me, but they will be organised, fit, mentally strong and they have a few decent players, which will get you by most teams.

However, if you get an organised, fit, mentally strong and technical team without half the frickin squad missing the Germans will be beaten. It already happened against Croatia.

It's there for Spain, it really is. The manager will be telling them, 'listen these Nazi's (his words, not mine) are no great shakes, just stay organised, work as hard as them and play your football and you will win.'

[singapore spur]

well ive backed spain and sold germany so u know what will happen :(

[peterc]

Well done Spain, better team finally won it.

[gazzaG8]

Well done Spain, better team finally won it.


Yeah, they've played the better football throughout the entire championships.

[Spaniard]

UNBELIAVABLE!!

I'm delighted!It's incredible!

There are not words to say how we feel...

We are the champions! And playing the best footie, sticking to our passing game through and through!

[singapore spur]

congrats to the spanish , and hope you enjoyed the night spaniard , best team won and you have finally got that monkey off your back of not winning nish .

[choda]

UNBELIAVABLE!!

I'm delighted!It's incredible!

There are not words to say how we feel...

We are the champions! And playing the best footie, sticking to our passing game through and through!

Well done mate I think everyone is delighted. Spain have won the tournament of tournaments with a very talented group of players playing football the right way. Brilliant!