Group A

Switzerland
Turkey
Portugal
Czech Rep

Group B

Austria
Poland
Germany
Croatia

Group C

Holland
France
Romania
Italy

Group D

Greece
Russia
Spain
Sweden

wow, group c will be so great to watch. looking forward to that one!

wow, group c will be so great to watch. looking forward to that one!

Well, I'm Dutch and I don't really know if I'm looking forward to it that much.....

yeah, looking forward, especially France again...

This seeding was ridiculous

And Germany got the easiest group :mad:

You are right! C will be the hell group!!!
Group D is almost equal to the last European! (Sweden would be instead of Portugal)
Germany have maybe the group easier, of all!
Group A, it will be interesting to see it, too!

Group C looks very hard indeed, Romania is not to be underestimated, too.

Good draw for Austria. There is at least the illusion that we have a chance to advance; Croatia + Germany games in Vienna will have a hell of an atmosphere with a big number of them living here. Too bad I am in Tirol now. Innsbruck and Salzburg are reachable for me which is group D. Hmm... Swedish, Greek Spanish and Russian chicks, not too bad. :mischief:

Ha ha! Awesome Groups!

Domenech's face was priceless when they got Netherlands :lol: I love it, since I don't like the coaches of Netherlands and France anyway

Germany surely got a group where everyone expects them to win, but our Polish supporters here would not agree maybe

hehe, i am also looking forward to see who is wetting his pants the most on this forum....the dutch, the french or the italians ;)

but seriously, for a football gourmet this could be a 3 star michelin event. i wouldnt bet on any of the teams to advance, while the german group - as always- looks easiest on paper. bring on the ösis...
group a is equally open in its outcome like group c, while spain looks like the clear favourite in group d.

Eh Portugal!
POR-TUR 7-June-2008 (Geneva)
CZE-POR 11-June-2008 (Geneva)
SUI-POR 15-June-2008 (Basel)

i can´t stop laughing :D these groups are so great

heh

Italy and France seem inseperable. get a room or something guys ;)

i can´t stop laughing :D these groups are so great

Yeah. :D

Last group match against Austria. The new Cordoba? :mischief:

heh

Italy and France seem inseperable. get a room or something guys ;)
I was sure we would meet Italy again. :mischief: Sure the seeding is ridiculous, but now we have a pretty interesting group, so bring 'em on !!

Yeah. :D

Last group match against Austria. The new Cordoba? :mischief:

...or the new Gijon (hopefully) :mischief:

:lol:

With whom as Algeria? Poland?

It's looking good for Germany, especially since we'd avoid Group C in the quarter-finals, should we qualify. If the team screws up, they certainly won't be able to blame it on bad luck.

Group C

Holland
France
Romania
Italy

NOOOOOOO! That's a nightmare that came true.

I do love Group C :lol:

Hah group C is a nightmare.

Well... Croatia and Germany...

hmm... How will we get through that?

well till then,

POLSKA GOLA, POLSKA GOLA, POLSKA GOLA

(how'd you like my unintentional rhymes?)

It's unbelievable how Germany managed to get such an easy group considering the 16 qualified teams. It's almost as if the ranking was already known even before playing:

1- Germany
2- Croatia
3- Poland
4- Austria

About group C, well, it's a mess, a more predictable one considering seedings though. I can already tell you that none of Italy, France, the Netherlands and Romania will win this euro. They will all kill each others while teams like Germany will play friendlies against Austria. I predict no team of Group C to survive the quarter finals.

I don't think Group B is significantly less tough than A or D. C is a totally different matter, of course, but the other three are quite well distributed.

Take Group D as an example. Sweden is no better than Poland, Spain is no better than Germany, and Greece no better than Croatia (more likely the other way round in that case...). That leaves Austria with the home advantage against Russia who outside of their fake lawn in Moscow got such great results as 0-2 in Israel and a magnificent 1-0 win in Andorra.

I think it's all too common here to underestimate certain Eastern European teams. And to overestimate others. The Czech Republic for example is certainly not better than Croatia or Poland, nevertheless most people in this forum would likely say so. Romania is also underestimated, too bad for them they got the group of death.

As a spontaneous prediction with the status quo of early December 2007 (but figuring in the home advantage) I would say:

Group A:

Switzerland
Portugal
Czech Republic
Turkey

(with the first two and the last two most likely to switch)

Group B:

Germany
Croatia
Poland
Austria

(with Poland unlikely to make it and Austria also only with a true home miracle, but neither is impossible. Croatia is also pretty much as good as Germany)

Group C:

France
Netherlands
Italy
Romania

(but it could really go any way, though Romania winning it is unlikely albeit not even impossible)

Group D:

Spain (to me the clearest favourite for a group win of all)
Sweden
Russia
Greece

(quite a gamble on the last one, of course, in fact I'd say all three have about the same chances to make it behind Spain, but only behind them)

(with Poland unlikely to make it and Austria also only with a true home miracle, but neither is impossible. Croatia is also pretty much as good as Germany)

Underestimating us.... honestly poland hasn't been this strong since maybe '86.

Now to recall poland's world cup moments, '74 when we knocked out Italy :lol: and came 3rd place in a 1-0 win over Brazil. '78 when we knocked out Mexico in a 3-2 win, and in '82 when we came first in group a knocking out both Cameroon and Peru, and came 3rd place in a 3-2 win over France.

Of course we have had a curse over euro cups, which is finally broken, so let's see how we do in our first ever euro :D

What a lovely group...
One swiss,one portuguese,one czech and one turkish.Nihahaha!!!

So happy we meet Italy again! It'll be intense.
Great to play Holland and Romania as well as they guarantee quality football games. Surely it'll be more interesting than playing Switzerland, S Korea or Togo as we did last world cup. Anyway only one team will win the competition so it doesn't matter how hard the group stage are. Any team from that group can qualify.
I've got only one hope: That Domenech shuts his mouth until the games...

About group C, well, it's a mess, a more predictable one considering seedings though. I can already tell you that none of Italy, France, the Netherlands and Romania will win this euro. They will all kill each others while teams like Germany will play friendlies against Austria. I predict no team of Group C to survive the quarter finals.
I predict it exactly otherwise. Both France and Italy suffered in their respective groups in 2006, while Germany, Spain and Brazil cruised without any problem. I think that teams having a good chance to win are Germany, Italy, France and the Netherlands. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

We are doomed. :(

Switzerland
Portugal
Czech Republic
Turkey

(with the first two and the last two most likely to switch)



I'd say Czech republic is better than Switzerland, but I haven't seen them play in a while.

Group B:

Germany
Croatia
Poland
Austria

(with Poland unlikely to make it and Austria also only with a true home miracle, but neither is impossible. Croatia is also pretty much as good as Germany)



Makes sense.

Group C:

France
Netherlands
Italy
Romania

(but it could really go any way, though Romania winning it is unlikely albeit not even impossible)

Italy doesn't make it? Interesting. As a Dutchman I support you conclusion that we'll make it though. ;) Seriously though, this group is too close to call.
Group D:

Spain (to me the clearest favourite for a group win of all)
Sweden
Russia
Greece

(quite a gamble on the last one, of course, in fact I'd say all three have about the same chances to make it behind Spain, but only behind them)

Spain has one of the strongest teams in Europe these days, so yeah they'll make it. Sweden and Russia could be close.

Underestimating us....
Certainly not, read my post again. ;)

And I said it's not impossible that Poland can make it, I just consider it not too likely. That is not due to underestimating Poland but due to thinking alot of the current squads of Germany and Croatia. I don't think Poland has comparable quality.

The defense with Bak, Zewlakov and Baczszysnki is decent, but not great.

Most of the creative players in midfield and offense either do play in Germany now or have done so recently so I am quite familiar with most of them and think that - given the direct comparison with most German and some Croatian players - they are good but not as good. Examples are Krzynowek and Smolarek, who are both decent but very inconsistent. Kuba Błaszczykowski, probably the biggest current Polish talent, has been mostly a disappointment at Dortmund so far.
The one new guy who really managed to shine there this season so far is Mladen Petric - who is a Croat...

And so far of course means it might look different next June, but my prediction was explicitly a current form one. ;)

Also a joint team effort might do alot, but that's not exactly been a strength of Poland recently, just think of the last World Cup.

Well, not the worst possible group. Apart from Spain it is probably ok, and Greece has a chance of going through :)

very interesting are also the possibilities in the knockout stage:

Quarter finals:
QF1: Winner Group A vs. Runner-up Group B
QF2: Winner Group B vs. Runner-up Group A
QF3: Winner Group C vs. Runner-up Group D
QF4: Winner Group D vs. Runner-up Group C

Semi finals:
Winner QF1 vs. Winner QF2
Winner QF3 vs. Winner QF4

Italy and France will play twice against each other before loosing the final versus Germany :D

yeah, looking forward, especially France again...

This seeding was ridiculous

And Germany got the easiest group :mad:

Group D is the easiest, IMO.

Spain has one of the strongest teams in Europe these days, so yeah they'll make it. Sweden and Russia could be close.

They have a horrible international record though, especially in big competitions.

nobody in germany will underestimate poland. at least i hope so. we have seen how they topped their group in the qualifiers, and didnt forget the great fight between our teams at wc 06. but like hitro - and i am hoping i dont sound too arrogant - i also dont see the same individual class compared to our team, except boruc of course, who is in my opinion one of the best keepers in the world. but lets wait and see..

i just remebered having a beer with a pole after that wc 06 game, who said with tears in his eyes, that he now needs to wait for another 4 years to reach anything. i told him its probably only 2 years until we see again at euro and they can take vengeance. crap, shouldnt have said that. bad omen...

Also a joint team effort might do alot, but that's not exactly been a strength of Poland recently, just think of the last World Cup.

Just think of this euro cup qualification...

I agree, our defense is the best, Krynowek and Smolarek are incosistent, Krynowek is a midfielder though.

And so far of course means it might look different next June, but my prediction was explicitly a current form one.

No, your thinking bout last world cup ;) I say let this Euro decide...


They have a horrible international record though, especially in big competitions.
Agreed. They always qualify, but they never go through...

nobody in germany will underestimate poland. at least i hope so. we have seen how they topped their group in the qualifiers, and didnt forget the great fight between our teams at wc 06. but like hitro - and i am hoping i dont sound too arrogant - i also dont see the same individual class compared to our team, except boruc of course, who is in my opinion one of the best keepers in the world. but lets wait and see..

Lately we had great goalkeepers! Dudek, Boruc, and Kuszczak. Fabianski plays for Arsenal, so you know he's good.


i just remebered having a beer with a pole after that wc 06 game, who said with tears in his eyes, that he now needs to wait for another 4 years to reach anything. i told him its probably only 2 years until we see again at euro and they can take vengeance. crap, shouldnt have said that. bad omen...

:lol:

Just think of this euro cup qualification...

Yeah, but then I have to think of the last qualification, too. The one for the World Cup. Poland went through without any hassle. I actually thought they might get decently far. And then they were a massive disappointment. Hence my comment with regards to team effort. Recently Poland has not impressed in that regard, i.e. with regards to getting all that is possible out of the team. Unlike for example Greece during the last EURO or Portugal during the World Cup.

I just think that for a team that has decent but not World Class players overall (just like Greece in 2004) that kind of thing is essential. I doubt Poland will be able to pull it off, but it's not impossible.

Actually, I just realized that this is not a usual euro with 4 groups, but actually a euro with 2 groups (AB in one side, CD in the other). Indeed, the playoffs are in such a way that the "winner" of groups A and B will meet the "winner" of groups C and D in final.

Germany is guaranteed to not meet any of Italy, France, Netherlands and Spain before the final ! Quite frankly, Germany couldn't have an easier draw than that... even if it had paid for it ! If Germany fails to reach the final, it would be a major failure.

Is that setting for real? That would mean they excluded the possibility of both hosts reaching the final.

Is that setting for real? That would mean they excluded the possibility of both hosts reaching the final.Judge by yourself:
http://www.uefa.com/multimediafiles/download/competitions/euro/360461_download.pdf

Actually, I just realized that this is not a usual euro with 4 groups, but actually a euro with 2 groups (AB in one side, CD in the other). Indeed, the playoffs are in such a way that the "winner" of groups A and B will meet the "winner" of groups C and D in final.

Germany is guaranteed to not meet any of Italy, France, Netherlands and Spain before the final ! Quite frankly, Germany couldn't have an easier draw than that... even if it had paid for it ! If Germany fails to reach the final, it would be a major failure.

this system is indeed strange and hasnt been used anytime for aslong as i remember.

but marla, are you already starting some kind of psycho-warfare here?
whats next, accusing platini was being cheated by franz for adapting this system? ;)

why is everybody talking us into being favorites for this tournament? i see the czechs, portuguese and turks as also capable of going to the final. and not just because they are on the "easier" side of the table. oh well, people are already looking for alibis for the case that germany eventually will reach a title...same procedure as always.

now I know that UEFA is just as dumb as FIFA. Why did they decide to have such strange settings for the Euro. This means that the semis are potentially the same matches as during the group stages. Why wasn't there some mixing between a/b and c/d?

Imagine, Germany would have been pulled out 1 turn later and ended in group C as well and we would have all favourites in c/d. What utter crap :confused:

What I would like to see in future is a real draw of each knock out stage. This way, the playing for certain places in the group would stop. And this should be done for all major tournaments. More fun really

What I would like to see in future is a real draw of each knock out stage. This way, the playing for certain places in the group would stop. And this should be done for all major tournaments. More fun really

oh come on...have another one of those boring drawing shows? admit, you liked the wiener boys' choir :)

oh come on...have another one of those boring drawing shows? admit, you liked the wiener boys' choir:lol: yeah right...indeed the show was awful. Well, I should have known better than to expect something with style from our southern neighbours. Their English was also quite atrocious :rolleyes:

I am not talking about a show, but a draw. That can be done in 10 minutes time once all 8 teams have qualified. Directly on the pitch of the last match if needed.

I wouldn't be so sure about Romania "failure"...

Remember Euro 2000, group A: Germany, England, Portugal and Romania.

It was the Hell group on the paper and Romania beats England 3-2 and Germany 3-0.
I really think Romania will be a hell of an opponent.

Are you really sure about the AB - CD thing? it would be very strange!!!

:lol: yeah right...indeed the show was awful. Well, I should have known better than to expect something with style from our southern neighbours. Their English was also quite atrocious :rolleyes:
yeah, we can't do stuff with style, unlike our northern neighbours. just remember that classy WC opening ceremony :lol:

Weird, weird, weird. If both the group survivors win their uqarter finals, they'll meet each other in the semis.... This once more proves that one has to be an imbecile, before one can have a function at the UEFA......

About the group C: LEt's not get too excited. At the last 2 ECs, us Dutchies were always in these so called death groups, but nevertheless survived anyway. And last time, Italy didn't survive a group with a couple of Vikings.

Romania, though a strong team, will not become champions. So basically, Italy, France and Holland will fight for 2 spots. No big deal, still a 2/3 chance. Italy is a slow starter, so I guess we are lucky to meet them first.

I'm dissappointed Germany isn't in group C. But it's already a pretty awsome group without them.

Are you really sure about the AB - CD thing? it would be very strange!!!
yup

http://www.uefa.com/competitions/euro/index.html

Take a look at the bottom of the page.

yeah, we can't do stuff with style, unlike our northern neighbours. just remember that classy WC opening ceremonyLuckily I didn't see that one, but I could imagine that it was just as awful...I wonder who needs that crap anyway...I mean 40 minutes of . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . before they start to draw. Platini's idea of getting all the past winners...really exciting :sleep:


edit: Now I remember you are talking about the Lederhosen opening...my goodness, that was real Bavarian culture

edit: Now I remember you are talking about the Lederhosen opening...my goodness, that was real Bavarian culture

indeed I was. You can't get much classier than that :ack: the Kaiser really outdid himself with that one :mischief:

indeed I was. You can't get much classier than that :ack: the Kaiser really outdid himself with that one :mischief:
What about the Wiener boys choir with lederhosen dancers as background... That would be a show to watch!!! :mischief:

About the group C: LEt's not get too excited. At the last 2 ECs, us Dutchies were always in these so called death groups, but nevertheless survived anyway. And last time, Italy didn't survive a group with a couple of Vikings.
And some of those Vikings won the WC 2002 "Group of Death".:D

Getting posted in the "Group of Death" can work against the on paper stronger teams and for the weaker ones, on paper. The latter carry no burden of expectations, have nothing to lose and everything to gain, and they know from the start they're going to hunker down and go to war.

The bigger teams at times seem to assume they just have to put their shoes out on the pitch.

Though I think it's also true most teams with a really rough time in the groups even if they go through have a tendency of being spent, of having been forced to peak too early to make it all the way.

I'm quite surprised they prevent the possibility of a Swiss-Austria in Final.

However, i wouldn't be surprised if they wanted it to happend in quarter final, hoping that Switzerland finish first of its group and Austria second...

For everyone saying "this particular team can't win", remember Greece in 2004!!! Everyone was seeing France, Czecs and Portugal winning the tournament, Greece beat them all.

Switzerland could do a Greece, Austria can't.

it's typical of a championship organised in two countries.
It already happened in Japan/Korea. But at least, at that time there were 8 groups.
And don't tell me Austria and Switzerland are so distant to prevent moving to each other!

yeah, we can't do stuff with style, unlike our northern neighbours. just remember that classy WC opening ceremony :lol:

rofl...and damn, i had already supressed this from my memory. that show had such a high cringe factor, really embarassing. i mean they were not only lederhosen guys, who run around in millions on the street of germany day in day out, but they also had those cow-bells in front of their sack and did these strange moves... :lol:

ok, wiener boys choir all the way :goodjob:

but those shows in general are hardcore

Germany is guaranteed to not meet any of Italy, France, Netherlands and Spain before the final ! Quite frankly, Germany couldn't have an easier draw than that... even if it had paid for it ! If Germany fails to reach the final, it would be a major failure.

If Germany is guarenteed to not meet Italy, France, netherlands or Spain, then that means Poland and Croatia can as well? But still, The AB, CD thing is really strange to me.

If Germany is guarenteed to not meet Italy, France, netherlands or Spain, then that means Poland and Croatia can as well? But still, The AB, CD thing is really strange to me.

There's a handy PDF-match schedule on the UEFA website, that makes the whole thing a bit more clear. Though I'm quite sure that people have made some interactive Excel ones as well.

Group C is a peach! :lol: I might just enjoyed this Euro Cup afterall!

It's actually quite fun being a neutral, no nerves about the draw, only laughter when the big teams get drawn together!

It's actually quite fun being a neutral...

Yeah right.... I'm sure you cheered when Croatia beat you? ;)

^^^ I am not saying it's ideal, just making the most of a bad situation! :)

^^^ I am not saying it's ideal, just making the most of a bad situation! :)

Just don't go to Croatia on a holiday during the tournament. I made the mistake of visiting Ireland during the 2002 World Cup, and the Irish did not have a problem with reminding me who it was who kicked us (i.e. The Netherlands) out of the World Cup (or rather, who prevented us from participating in it).

Yeah, i have already crossed Russia and Croatia off my list for places to visit for the summer. :lol:

yeah, looking forward, especially France again...(..)The good part of being in group C is that when Italy doesn't make it to the next round they have no right to bring out the ridiculous "we were robbed" - mantra's. The teams not advancing in group C are the weaker ones.

And you're sure to make it, I assume?

Just don't go to Croatia on a holiday during the tournament. I made the mistake of visiting Ireland during the 2002 World Cup, and the Irish did not have a problem with reminding me who it was who kicked us (i.e. The Netherlands) out of the World Cup (or rather, who prevented us from participating in it).

I was in Italy during the finals of the World Cup 2006. I know what you mean!! :( I thought the bus driver was going to kill us.

Erm, Mirc... correct me if I'm wrong, but Italy and Romania didn't face in the tournament or qualification. :confused:

And certainly were not in the finals. Since there was no Romania in the World Cup 2006 at all. I was talking about a slightly different situation. :)

I was with lots of friends from lots of countries (including France), and most of them were pretty interested in football.

We left the concert earlier because we didn't want to catch the final, but we didn't make it. The finals began and we were stuck in the middle of the traffic. The bus driver had the volume of the radio at maximum. And since it took us a really long time... I really can't explain how the driver was acting at the end of the match, I have to show you with my hands and face ;) We really were scared.

And you're sure to make it, I assume?I hope we'll make it. I am not very optimistic though - the Netherlands have played poorly in recent years. I wouldn't even be very surprised if the Netherlands would be 4th in the group... :(

@Mirc: heh, I witnessed two WC victories, and of course the finalists always took lots of jeering in the end. In 1982 I was 7, and me and my parents were dining with a couple. The waiter actually said to the guy (a blond, blue-eyed Frenchman of Italian descent) that he would not serve him that night, because... Italy had won. Yep, he thought he was German :lol: It ended in a laugh for everyone.
I'm sorry you were scared; I can't understand for what would that driver be angry. Wouldn't congratulating (however insincerely) work?

@Rik: group C is called the group of death for a reason. Each team could well come out on top, any outcome would be logically plausible. The Oranges historically flourish at the Euro, and while this time Van Basten is on the wrong side of the pitch it's still a quality side. And France and Italy will be obsessed with each other (dang dang dang Klinsmann... how could you?).

The good part of being in group C is that when Italy doesn't make it to the next round they have no right to bring out the ridiculous "we were robbed" - mantra's. The teams not advancing in group C are the weaker ones.

Shall we start again? :rolleyes:

Who moderates the trolling moderator?

Its hardly (serious) trolling. And he's posting as a poster, not as a moderator.

@Mirc: heh, I witnessed two WC victories, and of course the finalists always took lots of jeering in the end. In 1982 I was 7, and me and my parents were dining with a couple. The waiter actually said to the guy (a blond, blue-eyed Frenchman of Italian descent) that he would not serve him that night, because... Italy had won. Yep, he thought he was German :lol: It ended in a laugh for everyone.
I'm sorry you were scared; I can't understand for what would that driver be angry. Wouldn't congratulating (however insincerely) work?

He wasn't angry at all, he looked like he was going to kill someone in his euphoria. He was not looking at the road, he was strongly cringing and looking straight ahead, while his head was pointed somewhere near the speed indicator (so he wasn't seeing the road at all). And he was whispering "champions of the world, champions of the world" continuously, the whole time! :faint:

:D

Hey, I can even guess the tone he used (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmFYGw7tF1c). Along with Tardelli's jubilation, a seminal moment for entire generations here, rerun time and time again for some 25 years.
And you were on a bus. You would have steamrolled anyone on your path :splat:

:rotfl:

My God, that's exactly his tone!!

Just that he had a slightly lower-pitched voice. :D

Hey, I can even guess the tone he used (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmFYGw7tF1c). Along with Tardelli's jubilation, a seminal moment for entire generations here, rerun time and time again for some 25 years.
And you were on a bus. You would have steamrolled anyone on your path :splat:

Since 1998 we have this moment (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDT4jCEjqbw). Not quite world champion, but what a beauty of a goal to put us in the semi-finals. And the commentary... the guy's going crazy, but just before the goal he actually says that he has the feeling that we'll make it to the semi-final. Classic!

Hey, that goal is a gem, and the occasion was right to make it immortal.
The commentator is wild... is he still on TV? The closest we had was a time when Altafini comented for a commercial network and regularly showed us how a South American style "goooooooooooooooooooooooooool" is announced.

He is still around, usually presenting though, not commentating.

The really nice part is that, after Van der Sar throws the ball to Frank de Boer, he says:

"We are going to get to the semi-finals. I have a feeling we are going to the semi-finals. Frank de Boer in posession."

Then the pass comes.. Bergkamp controls it, passes the defender and scores.

Honestly ... and I've been wrong about this kind of thing before ... I'm rather doubtful that the Netherlands are up there with the best these days. Their players just aren't as good compared with other top European countries as they were only a few years ago. Romania are a lower ranking top team thought of as a middle ranking team, so should benefit from being underestimated. But they do indeed have it tough. On Holland's good side, they have experience of Romania now (i.e. won't underestimate them) and themselves will benefit from being underdogs.

Spain have a lot of good players coming through atm, many of whom benefit from playing abroad. I think they may have more of a chance than their qualifying campaign may suggest. Austria are unlikely to be as bad as they look atm, but I don't think they have any chance whatsoever of winning the tournament. Switzerland have a chance, but I don't see them doing it. The other home team, Germany :p, have despite what Hitro says gotten it easy, so will only need to perform in the later stages. Poland are a strong and competent team, but none of their players stand out as really world class.

Anyways, after Greece last time, anything's possible. So I'm unwilling to predict a winner yet.