Euro 2004

[Barcik]

Three days to go. When the Portugal-Greece match will kick-off the whole sports world will avert its eyes to the poorest member of the EU. So, isn't that a good reason to gather the few of you who are not wusses football aficionados in this lovely little thread.
Personally, I think France are the clear favourites, despite the World Cup 2002 fiasco. Not only do they have the best team, their squad also has the most depth. Spain will finally rise up to the expectations, and I belive they will only stop in the final. They have a surprisingly even squad now, with the Baraja-Albelda double pivot in midfield guaranteeing contol of the midfield area. They also have endless possibilites on the bench. Italy are as strong as always, and as long as they can keep their minds off conspiracy theories they will prove a serious contender for the title they almost won the last time. England are going to quite naturally fuck-up. Their attack is quite ridiculous. That, plus the fact that the primitive English have never seen a player using short passes and technique, should send them home early. Not before getting easily beaten by France on the opening game, that is. Out of group D, I think all the 'top' teams will flop. The Dutch need a shrink very quickly. Germany seems rather pathetic, but if Ballack raises his level then the whole team would do so as well. The Czech have discipline and a few star players, but their squad is lacking at some points. I can't see any of them go beyond the quarter-final. The pleasent surprise of the tournament will be either Denmark or Sweden, both are exceptional hard-working sides which work well as a team.
What do you think?

[Nacho]

I tend to put my bet in the oldies, no matter if they're playing good or not... So, France, Italy, Germany and England.

My second group of favourites are the teams which play good, but seem to have a cronical back luck in the worst moments, Portugal, Holland, Spain (Let me express that Spain plays good sometimes, if not the match is awful and boring, no half-termÃ,  )

And allways there is room for "the surprise!!11!" Maybe Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Romania...

And please, if I mentioned into the group of favourites a team which hasn't qualified, don't be cruel with me, I'm more into Tour of France.


My favourites... the Matildas in underwear!!11

[Barcik]

Oh, I forgot Portugal. Well, they are just not good enough. They will lose to France in the quarter.

[Vel]

Bulgaria will kick all those smelly Italians, Danish and Swedes! YArrrrr!!!1111

[jaz]

Well, with recent enlargement of EU Portugal is not the poorest member state any more... As for favourites of EURO, my tip is France, as much as I don't sympathise with this team at all. I would like to see Czechs in the advanced stage of tournament.

[Vel]

You saw the czechs beat bulgaria, I think that enough for you.

[Las Naranjas]

Well Greece sure isn't in Group B.

* Las Naranjas just got back from pub trivia

And I hope you got their nude calendar a few years back Farlander.

[Privateer Puddin']

Well ofcourse backing England, but also France.. Henry wore a pompey shirt



he's a pompey fan, don't ya know

[SSH]

On the 13th I'm supporting France. On the 17th I'm supporting Switzerland and on the 21st Croatia.

COME ON YOU NON-ENGLISH!

[Privateer Puddin']

I'd say the same with the scots, but sadly, they couldn't get this far

[Nacho]

And I hope you got their nude calendar a few years back Farlander.

I'm more into hardcore pr0n...  :o

[SSH]

Now, you see, I don't mind that. Fair's fair and we did play rubbish during qualifying. But its when both are qualified for any sporting event the commentators and sports presenters always forget that Scotland exist... thats what really riles you...

by the way, which was the only unbeaten team in the 1974 World Cup? 

[Privateer Puddin']

Dunno obviously not as old as you

[Lazy Z]

I'd like to see Greece doing well, but I don't think it's really possible given the group we're in. Still, as long as we avoid getting ridiculed like in the '94 World Cup, I'll be satisfied.

Generally, I think the French will win it if they play as well as they've been playing lately. Other teams which I think that will probably do well are the Czechs (if Nedved is in a good form), the Portugese (they are hosting the tournament, those teams usually do well, plus they also have the talent necessary to do so) and the Italians and Germans, simply because they usually do well in such tournaments, even when things aren't looking good for them.

[Andail]

Bulgaria will kick all those smelly Italians, Danish and Swedes! YArrrrr!!!1111

It's a tough group, but Sweden looks pretty promising...we had a very good qualification round, and after Henke Larsson decided to play after all I think we can offer even Italy some resistance

[Czar]

As we are pretty much a football (soccer ) nation (as is the most of the Europe), all i can say is Croatia all the way.
Untill we loose.
We were like 3rd on the 98 World cup 
But that was like, BEFORE.

[Nacho]

It's amazing no one mentioned Brazil as the favourite!

[Matt Brown]

does Khan still play for Germany?

[Vel]

Czar, remember the match in Sofia?

And, Andail, don't cross us out. Or it may be a fatal mistake.

[Barcik]

does Khan still play for Germany?

Yeah. After all, Lehman, the second choice, is an even bigger clown.