Who do you think is going to win EURO 2008?

Impossible to tell. At this point I'd consider the biggest favourites to be Germany, France, Holland and Italy.

Austria would be sensational and even though Greece made it last time so would be a win for Turkey, Russia, Romania, Sweden or Poland.

I'd rate Turkey Russia Romania and Sweden higher than Greece in 2004.
Very difficult to predict who's going to win indeed.
My favorites are Portugal, France, Germany and Croatia
Poland and Austria are probably the weakest teams of the competition

My money is on Germany.

I agree as well that there doesn't seem to be a clear favourite especially considering that the groups are likely to quite screwed up.

I reckon that Croatia will be the dark horses in this tournment, judging by the job they did on England.

Obviously it's Portugal.

Bookmakers (http://www.oddschecker.com/football/internationals/euro-2008/win-market) seem to think Germany's favorite, followed by Italy, France, Spain and Holland.

My money is on Italy of course, but I agree with the above posters who said that given the hazardous group system may well create lots of surprises.

and then there is the group of death!

Netherlands, Italy, France and either Germany, Spain or Portugal.

Poland will win it all though!!!

I'm tempted by the odds being offered on Spain, Czechia and Croatia. Germany as favourites ? I don't really see it, myself.

My heart says Germany, but I'm afraid those Italians are gonna get lucky again...:mischief:

My favorites are Portugal, France, Germany and Croatia
Poland and Austria are probably the weakest teams of the competition

Poland was the only team to beat Portugal in qualifying.

Surely we're stronger than Switzerland ;)

Croatia, since the Australian team has links to Croatia.

Surely we're stronger than Switzerland ;)

half a year ago I would have disagreed. Now, after the horrible friendlies against Japan, the US and Nigeria I'm tempted to agree with you :sad:

Ok, all our decent strikers were injured at the last game, but still.....

as almost any year, I'm gonna pick the Spanish (and most likely will be sorely disappointed)

Anybody could win.

This isn't the age of 4 favourites and crap teams anymore.

There is far more parity here.. All the teams that qualified are strong. Anyone can win.

It really depends on the form of the players at the time. Russia (imo the weakest team, excluding the hosts) could win it, if their players are in form at the time.

Russia (imo the weakest team, excluding the hosts)Beware. I agree Austria hasn't proven anything recently but this is far to be the case of Swizerland. I'm very scared of those Swiss... remember they have conceded zero goal during last world cup! It is the the first team ever to achieve such a thing!

Anyway, I hope France will avoid Switzerland. Actually, I would like better to be in the group of the Netherlands than in the group of Switzerland.

My heart is for France, and therefore so my money is, like for each tourney.

I'm very scared of those Swiss... remember they have conceded zero goal during last world cup! It is the the first team ever to achieve such a thing!
Thanks to a bad ref decision. France (Henry) was about to score against the Swiss in the 1st match, but a defender made a very obvious hand that wasn't whistled.

Anyway, I hope France will avoid Switzerland. Actually, I would like better to be in the group of the Netherlands than in the group of Switzerland.
I don't mind the Swiss and I'm not scared. Bring 'em on !!

Italy or Germany!!!
Is in the Alpes! So ITA or GER!!!

for the top 4 GER, ITA, Czech Republic, and Croatia!

(I'm Portuguese, so I should said: PORTUGAL! But they didn't have yet a great game, soo...)

Maybe in a few months I will change me opinion!

Italy or Germany!!!
Is in the Alpes! So ITA or GER!!!

for the top 4 GER, ITA, Czech Republic, and Croatia!

(I'm Portuguese, so I should said: PORTUGAL! But they didn't have yet a great game, soo...)

Maybe in a few months I will change me opinion!

My friend, you are a discgrace to all Portuguese - shame on you for not supporting our team. :p

My friend, you are a discgrace to all Portuguese - shame on you for not supporting our team. :p

Shame on you for letting that Krzynówek goal to happen ;)

Oh and that Poland 3 - Italy 1 match was funny. I saw the reply of it. How could italy allow it? :P

I seriously can't understand why Germany is leading in this poll.

Their team isn't really that great.. It's good! But great?

I guess if they do make it far and Poland go out, I'll cheer for Germany.. I mean.. They do have 4 (yes, FOUR) Polish players playing for their senior national side.

I seriously can't understand why Germany is leading in this poll.

Their team isn't really that great.. It's good! But great?


Well, they seem to be very strong ... if not exactly inspiring (when was a German team inspiring though?).

More importantly, they are practically playing at home, in Germany Junior and Hilly-Billy Germany. :D If Germany get to host effectively two successive tournaments and don't win one of them, that would be very disappointing for them.

Beware. I agree Austria hasn't proven anything recently but this is far to be the case of Swizerland. I'm very scared of those Swiss... remember they have conceded zero goal during last world cup! It is the the first team ever to achieve such a thing!

Anyway, I hope France will avoid Switzerland. Actually, I would like better to be in the group of the Netherlands than in the group of Switzerland.

I ll second that. I really don t want to play Switzerland. A pain in the ass and a boring game on top of that. I d love to play Poland.

I d love to play Poland.

and lose... :mischief:

I guess if they do make it far and Poland go out, I'll cheer for Germany.. I mean.. They do have 4 (yes, FOUR) Polish players playing for their senior national side.

who's that? i mean, i know that poles somehow consider klose and prinz poldi as polish and ppl in general try to wind us up with that crude thesis... the third one is trochowski i guess, but who's number four?

top favourites for the title are france, holland and italy. seriously contending for the semis are germany, turkey and spain. out of the rest i think the swiss and poles could deliver a surprise.

If Germany get to host effectively two successive tournaments and don't win one of them, that would be very disappointing for them.

hehe, those guys down south just managed to speak the same language as we do. playing in austria is as much an away game as an england match in glasgow.

i wouldnt be disappointed, the team is still young, not at the top of its peak and 2 years ago no one would have ever considered the team to win anything in the next decade.

Portuguese European Championship Record:

Euro 1996:
Finished First in their group, lost in Quarter Finals to eventual runners-up, Czech Republic.

Euro 2000:
Finished First in their group, lost in Semi-Finals to France in a controversial "golden goal" over time win.

Euro 2004:
Portugal was the host nation, first in their group, and made it all the way to the finals where they lost to Greece in a fluky goal.. :p

Euro 2008:
hmmm.... I wonder?

hehe, portugal, now you spoiled the whole ec for me...
so you will be beating us in the finals then. because everytime, a german squad has played wales in the qualifiers, it advanced to the final in the later tournament. :P

Remember Portugal. Your team might've never qualified in the first place. I'm kinda dissapointed to. I wanted to see a finnish team knocking out Greece or the Czechs or something =P

My friend, you are a discgrace to all Portuguese - shame on you for not supporting our team. :p

NAH!!! Only pain is real!!!!
The 'team' need to know what is the concept of team, 1st! Then They will get my full support!!!

And you are forgetting: WCup2002 and WCup2006!!!

Scotland! UI! That wasn't very nice!!!

Remember Portugal. Your team might've never qualified in the first place. I'm kinda dissapointed to. I wanted to see a finnish team knocking out Greece or the Czechs or something =P

Careful with the words that you say!
May back-fire you!!!:lol: :lol: :lol:

Beware. I agree Austria hasn't proven anything recently but this is far to be the case of Swizerland. I'm very scared of those Swiss... remember they have conceded zero goal during last world cup! It is the the first team ever to achieve such a thing!
but eventually we actually have to win a game against a larger team if we want to go anywhere, not just tie. And scoring goals would be kinda helpful too :sad:

Anyway, I hope France will avoid Switzerland. Actually, I would like better to be in the group of the Netherlands than in the group of Switzerland.
I share that feeling. We just got put in the same group too many times in the past (I was surprised we didn't get you in the WC qualification :ack:)

Thanks to a bad ref decision. France (Henry) was about to score against the Swiss in the 1st match, but a defender made a very obvious hand that wasn't whistled.
:lol: you're still not past that? Anyway, you might call it a questionable call, but calling it obvious really is ridiculous :)

Apart from France I don't really care who we get in the group. It doesn't really matter, it'll be hard in any case. So I'd rather lose to attractive opponents than die against fellow 'nobodies'

Impossible to tell. At this point I'd consider the biggest favourites to be Germany, France, Holland and Italy.
I would add Portugal to that list. They have reached the European top 4, pretty steadily now.

And remember qualifications usually are very differents from the finals. There's just so many stories of great qualifying campains that ended at the first round of the finals (Euro 1992 for France, or Spain for virtually every finals in the last 10 years stick in mind)

:lol: you're still not past that? Anyway, you might call it a questionable call, but calling it obvious really is ridiculous :)
I don't really care about it, since we then did quite an interesting tournament. But how long will you question such an issue ? It is a fault or it is not a fault. To me it is a fault, since the defender moves his hand towards where the ball goes. In the penalty area, hence a penalty.

funny how most of you (kryszcztov, mitsho, marla, sofista, Adler17 etc) have voted for their own team

Where's the option "if I knew it wouldn't be any fun" ? :D

I voted Austria, meaning I don't have a clue about who's going to win. There are no clear favourites for me...

I voted Austria, meaning I don't have a clue about who's going to win. There are no clear favourites for me...

Finally a Belgian that acknowledges that Belgians have, these days, not a clue about football ;) !

funny how most of you (kryszcztov, mitsho, marla, sofista, Adler17 etc) have voted for their own team

What's wrong with waving your own flag? It's called supporting, man. :)

I voted Austria

First, I support my team (despite their recent performance)

Second, I´d like to see the media arrogance in Germany and Poland punished

And third, of all the teams Austria has for sure the most upward potential. Think about it! :D

I´d bet my money on Italy, though ;)

Second, I´d like to see the media arrogance in Germany and Poland punished
you mean stuff like the 'Freilos ins EM-Finale'? :lol:

well, for what it's worth, I wouldn't mind Austria showing them either :)

i refuse to vote on the grounds that i would bet on the team i picked, and they would inevitably lose. you don't want me to pick your country! :)

lol I don't mind if you pick Italy then!

Now, about group C, some have declared that none of the group C teams will do well after the group stage, for they'll be exhausted. Others thinks they'll be full of confidence and in great spirit. Is being in group C an advantage or a disadvantage regarding the later stages of the competition? What do you think?

i refuse to vote on the grounds that i would bet on the team i picked, and they would inevitably lose. you don't want me to pick your country!

Have you, by any chance, voted for England in similar polls for previous competitions! ;)

Now, about group C, some have declared that none of the group C teams will do well after the group stage, for they'll be exhausted. Others thinks they'll be full of confidence and in great spirit. Is being in group C an advantage or a disadvantage regarding the later stages of the competition? What do you think?
A terrific advantage ! Of course you first get through difficult matches. But your question is about the 2 teams that will get out of Group C : those teams should be in great confidence to advance far. Too bad they will meet again in their semi-final if both win their quarters.

Have you, by any chance, voted for England in similar polls for previous competitions! ;)

no :lol: i'm the sort of person who only gambles once in a blue moon on teams that get absolutely humped (eg hearts to beat rangers in the scottish cup many years ago: result hearts 0 rangers 5). i'm thinking of betting on italy per the advice of dionysos2048 :devil: but i'm open to bribes...

no :lol: i'm the sort of person who only gambles once in a blue moon on teams that get absolutely humped (eg hearts to beat rangers in the scottish cup many years ago: result hearts 0 rangers 5). i'm thinking of betting on italy per the advice of dionysos2048 :devil: but i'm open to bribes...

Germany or Croatia. I think we can handle Austria... ;)

i'm thinking of betting on italy per the advice of dionysos2048 :devil: but i'm open to bribes...

Do you accept checks? I can't bear the idea of loosing to Italy again!...[pissed]

lol I don't mind if you pick Italy then!

Now, about group C, some have declared that none of the group C teams will do well after the group stage, for they'll be exhausted. Others thinks they'll be full of confidence and in great spirit. Is being in group C an advantage or a disadvantage regarding the later stages of the competition? What do you think?

I don't know, but I think being in group C is a huge disadvantage if you happen to be any team that's not Italy, France or the Netherlands... ;)

Finally a Belgian that acknowledges that Belgians have, these days, not a clue about football ;) !
Oi, you're so witty, Fiat-man. I will bide my time and wait until the "oranje" craziness and the hopes of the legion in winning big tournaments transforms, yet again, in a big "oranje" disillusionment... :p

:lol: -> me after that happens

What's wrong with waving your own flag? It's called supporting, man. :)

because this poll is for predictions

Who do you think is going to win EURO 2008?

My prediction is that poland is gonna kick germany and croatia's butts! :D

@Rhye: I know, but in the hands of supporters that translates to "wishful thinking", especially for supporters of powerhouse teams. Especially as football is far from predictable, most so in its knockout format. Plus, I don't really expect us to win, I just would feel bad 1) not to declare my public support, and 2) not to open myself to possible heckling from the winners should we fail.

But I'll play along, and will mention that that the German team is young and confident, and may well add one more trophy to its case. France also has good players, but no new Zidane, and I'm frankly curious about their performance.

I don't know, but I think being in group C is a huge disadvantage if you happen to be any team that's not Italy, France or the Netherlands... ;)

You have Mutu and other good men. Romania of 2008 could be on par, or even better than Hagi's army; wouldn't it be nice to meet again in the semis? :goodjob:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f3/Flag_of_Switzerland.svg/300px-Flag_of_Switzerland.svg.png

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/ba/Flag_of_Germany.svg/800px-Flag_of_Germany.svg.png

Oh please! :pray:

I don't know much about European Soccer, but why isn't England involved in the tournament? Failed to qualify?

I don't know much about European Soccer, but why isn't England involved in the tournament? Failed to qualify?

Correct :) (waits happily for angry Englishmen to see your post)

Godwynn: exactly as you said (http://www.england2008.co.uk/euro_2008_qualifying_group_e.htm).

I'm going for Italy, but I think France could win.

in group C i'm cheering for Romania and the Dutch. Italy and France are overrated :p :lol: :D

I like Spain, Fabregas, Torres and all those other excellent players :drool:

We will win.If not our manager has to resign.I will be happy both way.

Btw. I picked my country at the poll:p

I'd love Spain to win it because i'm friendly with some Spaniards I worked with but they tell me it'll almost never happen. I was sure they'd win Germany 06 but they just laughed at me.

Maybe the Netherlands will win to get the idea of winning out of their system and let Scotland beat them in the 2010 WC Qualifiers ;)

But in all seriousness, I'd say Germany

Most Spaniards really are indeed terribly pessimistic with their national squad, unless they play 2 good games in a row and many (especially in central Spain) will convert into we're-the-best-and-will-win-no-doubt fans. Why is that?

1. They're serial under achievers and haven't won anything since 1964.

2. They've had a couple of very good players but let's face it, no Zidane, Baggio, Van Basten, Beckenbauer, Platini, Cruiff, Best... In fact, the only Spanish player who won the ballon d'or was Luis Suarez in....1960...

3. Despite #2 they're always among favorites, and the mediocre national media usually set their expectations ridiculously high, which makes the difference with, say Greece or Denmark that were no more talented than Spain but had no pressure whatsoever.

4. Many Spaniards (especially from Catalonia and the Basque country) don't feel Spanish and love nothing better than seeing "la furia roja" being humiliated. During last world cup I could hear fireworks and people cheering outside my flat when France defeated Spain. And believe me, they aren't particularly keen on "les bleus". Now that applies to fans, does it also apply to Catalan and Basque players to a smaller extent?

But I agree with you steviejay, that it would be nice to see them winning something one day, especially here in Catalonia to see people's reactions.

I like Spain, Fabregas, Torres and all those other excellent players :drool:

They generally do not do well as a nation in these tournaments, so I doubt that it will change.

Torres is BTW one of the most overrated players since Beckham. Fabregas has the potential to become world class, and there's a bunch of very good players like Puyol, Sergio Ramos, Xavi or Iniesta. The only world class player IMO is Casillas.
All in all Spain lacks firepower up front.

Fabregas is one hell of a player.

Fabregas is one hell of a player.

One player doesn't make a team. think of George Best...

All in all Spain lacks firepower up front.

Seriously...

What about 4-3-3 with Vicente-Villa-Joaquin?

I think it's quite poor compared to:
Ribéry-Henry-Malouda (or Anelka-Trezeguet-Benzema)
Van Persie-Van Nistelrooy-Robben
Ronaldo-Nuno Gomes-Quaresma
Ljungberg-Ibrahimovic-Elmander
Pirlo-Toni-De Rossi

Villa is good, but Vicente and Joaquin.... I have my doubts.

Well, Spain does make a chance. But then again, I think a lot of teams do, so I couldn't really vote on the poll, so I went with the Netherlands, out of national pride.

I think it's quite poor compared to:
Ribéry-Henry-Malouda
Van Persie-Van Nistelrooy-Robben
Ronaldo-Nuno Gomes-Quaresma


Villa is good, but Vicente and Joaquin.... I have my doubts.

I dont find other examples realistic and deleted them.IMHO Malouda-Henry-Ribery is equal to VVJ.
Maybe Van Persie-Van Nistelrooy- Robben trio is a little stronger than VVJ but not too much.(IMHO Robben-Van Nistelrooy-Sneijder would be really stronger,but Van Persie... Now I have my doubts.)

Ronaldo- Nuno Gomes-Quaresma.Well of course Ronaldo is better than Vicente.But Quaresma is weaker than Joaquin.And I would never compare Villa with Nuno Gomes.Big difference.IMHO;)

Yes, Villa is much better than Nuno Gomes. However I think you should revise your opinion on these two players:

Van Persie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-NgsG13uH4
Quaresma: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mD8H55jkZeQ

And I've watched quite a lot of Joaquin in the last two seasons, he hasn't done anything special, neither for Valencia nor for Spain. He was promising when younger, but he's been definitely overrated IMO.

As for Vicente, injuries have unfortunately prevented him from being more than a good player.

Let's see what Raul does in the second part of the season, though, as it looks like he's coming back to a decent level.

Well I will look out videos:)
Good Luck for Spain:D

I dont find other examples realistic and deleted them.IMHO Malouda-Henry-Ribery is equal to VVJ.
Maybe Van Persie-Van Nistelrooy- Robben trio is a little stronger than VVJ but not too much.(IMHO Robben-Van Nistelrooy-Sneijder would be really stronger,but Van Persie... Now I have my doubts.)

Ronaldo- Nuno Gomes-Quaresma.Well of course Ronaldo is better than Vicente.But Quaresma is weaker than Joaquin.And I would never compare Villa with Nuno Gomes.Big difference.IMHO;)

I find Van Persie way better than Robben. Less diving, less cool tricks, more goals.

Robben would not even be in my first 20...

Robben would not even be in my first 20...

Probably not on his current form, but what about his early days in Chelsea? I think he was fantastic then, and I believe he'll get back to that level.

slightly OT but where is Robben now? I don't think he's still at Chelsea.

Real Madrid, but he's got injured

I find Van Persie way better than Robben. Less diving, less cool tricks, more goals.

I didnt saw this season any Arsenal match.Maybe he has improved his game,but I am still for Sneijder:)

Germany gets an awful lot of votes in this poll. :(

Who do you think is going to win EURO 2008?

Pfft, obviously Poland :mischief:

I'm going with a new winner. Sweden is one of my favourites to make it to the semi-finals at least, but Croatia just might win the whole thing. Other than that I think Germany will be a semi-finalist at least. Beyond these three teams I do not really dare to make predictions. Holland will be eliminated in the group stage, France and Portugal might not get as far as they'd hope to..

I'm going with a new winner. Sweden is one of my favourites to make it to the semi-finals at least, but Croatia just might win the whole thing. Other than that I think Germany will be a semi-finalist at least. Beyond these three teams I do not really dare to make predictions. Holland will be eliminated in the group stage, France and Portugal might not get as far as they'd hope to..

Poland may beat Germany and Czech and eliminate one :mischief:

I'll gladly remind you of that very exaggerated optimism when Poland gets eliminated in the stage groups.

lol, that's fighting talk :p

lol, that's fighting talk :p
Yes, people are too nice in here. Where's the trash talk? :(



:D

Yes, people are too nice in here. Where's the trash talk? :(
:D

Dunno, but still, Poland is Gonna WIN!!!