Our EURO 2012 Group Predictions

[BonnieShels]

To be honest, I think if we avoid Germany it would be a success. They are going to win the tournament and they've way too much for us.

[BonnieShels]

And I mean that in the sense that I reckon we could frustrate most other teams.

[BonnieShels]

Incidentally the draw itself is on at 537 and scheduled to finish at 548.

[mypost]

I think if we avoid Germany it would be a success. They are going to win the tournament and they've way too much for us.

Germany beat us the last time we played them in a major tournament, did they?

In our Pot, nobody wants France and nobody wants us. That's a good thing for a change.

[osarusan]

Germany beat us the last time we played them in a major tournament, did they?

It staggers me that you think this is in any way relevant to the next Euros.

[BonnieShels]

It staggers me that you think this is in any way relevant to the next Euros.

Just going to say the very same thing. This German team gave the potential to be the best ever. I actually fear what they could do to us.
Spain we could contain as they get frustrated, but the Germans are so patient and exacting in how they play it's rather breathtaking.

In other words, they'd gut us!

[SwanVsDalton]

Germany beat us the last time we played them in a major tournament, did they?

In our Pot, nobody wants France and nobody wants us. That's a good thing for a change.

Germany wern't one of the most exciting attacking young teams in the world eight years ago.

I'd say everybody wants us in fairness (England excepted) - we'll be tough to play, but nearly everyone would fancy their chances.

[Stuttgart88]

My mate is at the draw covering it for Reuters (he's setting up the newsdesk, he's an IT guy) and is sending me lots of cool pics of the stadium, dressing rooms etc in Kiev. Building up the sense of excitement now.

[Polster]

This is where it all begins now.....

My head is saying.....Poland, Russia, Greece
My heart is saying......England (the build would be mighty craic, and England would have it all to lose)

[Straightstory]

Holland, England, Greece, Ireland. I'm convinced we're getting England, just feels due.
I really, really hope not. It will bring out the very worst in the 'Joxer Goes To Stuttgart'/'Ole Ole'/'Fields of Athenry' super-eejits brigade.

[shakermaker1982]

Group of death a cert? Or can the Trap fluke Poland, England and Greece?

I cannot wait for the draw. :cool:

[mypost]

It staggers me that you think this is in any way relevant to the next Euros.

Germany got to the final that year, and the only team they didn't beat on the way was us.

We'll be playing Germany next year anyway. We rarely concede a goal, let alone lose a game.

[Jaysus]

It staggers me that you think this is in any way relevant to the next Euros.

Indeed. Some people also want to draw England over a less talented Italy on the assumption they will 'bottle it'.

[Deckydee]

I dont know what to think!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :sarcastic:

The difference between the irish and english papers from newsnow


1811

[Sullivinho]

I dont know what to think!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :sarcastic:

The difference between the irish and english papers from newsnow


1811

Fabio Capello keen that England avoid Republic of Ireland at Euro 2012. (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/dec/01/fabio-capello-england-euro-2012)

Only 5 hours until the inevitable 'Capello's joy at drawing Irish' headline.

[French Toasht]

Germany got to the final that year, and the only team they didn't beat on the way was us.

We'll be playing Germany next year anyway. We rarely concede a goal, let alone lose a game.

The Germany team of 2002 does not have a patch on the current squad. In the build up to WC 2002, that team was being touted as the weakest German side in a generation. Remember the draw was made? The Irish media were delighted with Germany, as opposed to drawing France, Brazil, Argentina, Portugal etc. It was an ageing side with little attacking flair. They started with that donkey Jancker up front for crying out loud.

They had a reletively easy path to the final, but don't let that fool you into thinking they were anywhere near as good as the current 11. If Ireland don't win Euro 2012, ironically it'll be our two group opponents for the WC, Germany and Sweden that will have my support.

[ArdeeBhoy]

We're going out in the first round, narrowly, so who we draw is almost irrelevant.

Think would rather draw the shower though in a tournament and get our game/defeat due v.them out of the way.

Reckon we'll get 2 points overall, 2 draws and lose by 1-2 goals to them, Germany/Spain/Holland.

[French Toasht]

I dont know what to think!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :sarcastic:

The difference between the irish and english papers from newsnow


1811

Trap doesn't want England. The other Irish media sources have been saying that since we qualified. I don't want them either. Imagine the difficulty in securing tickets? That said, we would be able to deal with England's style of play, a lot easier than the technically gifted sides like Russia.

[ArdeeBhoy]

The only game where it'd be difficult to get tickets is if it's Polska in the first game.

[French Toasht]

We're going out in the first round, narrowly, so who we draw is almost irrelevant.

Speak for yourself. Lets see who we get first before making sweeping, uninformed statements like that.

[4tothefloor]

The real issue for those who plan to travel is not really who we draw, it's what group and thus what country we are going to be based in. Have ye looked at the logistics of being based in the Ukraine? It's an absolute fcuking nightmare. Just pray that we're in Group A or C and Poland based

[DannyInvincible]

I really, really hope not. It will bring out the very worst in the 'Joxer Goes To Stuttgart'/'Ole Ole'/'Fields of Athenry' super-eejits brigade.

We'll eventually play them again at some point and if it's not in the finals it'll be in a friendly before then apparently.

[Real ale Madrid]

I really, really hope not. It will bring out the very worst in the 'Joxer Goes To Stuttgart'/'Ole Ole'/'Fields of Athenry' super-eejits brigade.

# Ahhhhhh it was in the year of 2012 in the lovely month of June
When straightstory was swarming and mypost’s howling at the moon
With Rosary beads and sandwiches for Warsaw we began,
Strutts packed his Polish phrasebook and Jump leads for the (camper) Van

Oh some of the lads had never been away from home before
Twas the first time SwanVsDalton set his foot outside of Bogside road
So before we left for Europe we knew we’d need a plan,
So we all agreed that that osarusan was the man to drive the Van…..#


Best get back to work now........

[ArdeeBhoy]

Speak for yourself. Lets see who we get first before making sweeping, uninformed statements like that.

Even if we get the weakest possible draw, 4 points will be a miracle...

Have you not being watching us in competitive games recently??

[French Toasht]

Even if we get the weakest possible draw, 4 points will be a miracle...

Have you not being watching us in competitive games recently??

Yes. And I've only seen us beaten twice in 24 games. Your point is?

[DannyInvincible]

BBC profile of our team: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15843058.stm


No-one will relish an early meeting with the Irish, although tired, ageing legs may count against them as the tournament goes on - and a lack of pace at the back could be a worry at this level.

Never really heard that one before. Richard Dunne is quicker than he looks. Besides, we're not the type of side to be caught for pace at the back as space is so limited with 7 or 8 men behind the ball.


FAMOUS FACE
Sir Terry Wogan

Wogan?!

[Stuttgart88]

Regardless of who we're drawn against I'd probably take 4 points right now.

We haven't beaten a higher seeded team under Trap. We'd need to do that once here. Both our defeats have been in Dublin though - so that's at least one disadvantage we won't be bringing!

[Jaysus]

Trap doesn't want England. The other Irish media sources have been saying that since we qualified. I don't want them either. Imagine the difficulty in securing tickets? That said, we would be able to deal with England's style of play, a lot easier than the technically gifted sides like Russia.

It hurts to say this but let's face it - we wouldn't be able to deal with England man, anyone who thinks they wouldn't beat us 9 times out of 10 is being blindly patriotic. If the England squad was a club team they would be in the Champions League spots and we would be around 15th. A heavy defeat to them would be harder to take than anyone else so it's a big no no for me.

[elroy]

They are starting with Pot 4, after Spain and Holland have been drawn. Wait a sec will you?

My only gripe with the draw procedure, is the UEFA Secretary doesn't announce the teams or numbers himself. Instead the attendants do it now, some of them don't speak English, or know what they're doing.

Surely if they draw Spain and Holland then the draw has started. Ergo they are not starting with Pot 4. God Im being pedantic.

Probably want to be drawn in Poland, more fans will travel which will probably mean less accomodation but their transportation network is vastly superior.

[elroy]

It hurts to say this but let's face it - we wouldn't be able to deal with England man, anyone who thinks they wouldn't beat us 9 times out of 10 is being blindly patriotic. If the England squad was a club team they would be in the Champions League spots and we would be around 15th. A heavy defeat to them would be harder to take than anyone else so it's a big no no for me.

Without Rooney they may not be the same force. Wales did a fine job against them in Wembley.

[French Toasht]

Nothing in their recent matches against Montenegro, Spain or Sweden particularly worried me. They would be favourites no doubt but we are better off getting them than Germany or Russia. Would prefer Italy in that pot, but failing that, England are the next best option.

[Polster]

I really, really hope not. It will bring out the very worst in the 'Joxer Goes To Stuttgart'/'Ole Ole'/'Fields of Athenry' super-eejits brigade.

lol, so there is a problem with the fans who sing the above songs? What would you prefer, a bit of 'Who are ya' or maybe just peaceful silence????

[Polster]

[QUOTE=Jaysus;1557223]It hurts to say this but let's face it - we wouldn't be able to deal with England man, anyone who thinks they wouldn't beat us 9 times out of 10 is being blindly patriotic. If the England squad was a club team they would be in the Champions League spots and we would be around 15th. A heavy defeat to them would be harder to take than anyone else so it's a big no no for me.[/QUOTE

disagree, how many times to England under perform in tournaments?
EC2000 - Lost to an average Protugal team and Romania
WC2002 - Draws with Sweden and Nigeria
EC2004 - Lost to France, out on Peno's to Portugal (not their worst tournament)
WC2006 - Struggled to beat Paraguay and T&T (T&T had chances in that game to get something), out to Portugal on peno's again
EC2008 - DNQ
WC2010 - Draws with USA and Algeria, 1-0 win against Slovenia and hammered by Germany

So where have they ever whacked a team? We have proven ourselves very good defensively under Trap, we have been getting better and better. We have a very good record against England, all the pressure would be on them again, they don't do pressure good. Bring it on.....

[Predator]

I dont know what to think!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :sarcastic:

The difference between the irish and english papers from newsnow


1811Mind games. To think some people underestimate the man.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Yes. And I've only seen us beaten twice in 24 games. Your point is?

We're not very good, otherwise.
Very poor creativity and virtually no wins v.higher-ranked teams.

Otherwise, nothing.

[Hibs4Ever]

WC2006 - Struggled to beat Paraguay and T&T.....

IIRC the win over T&T was also thanks to a goal that should have been disallowed when Crouch climbed all over the defender



WC2010 - Draws with USA and Algeria, 1-0 win against Slovenia and hammered by Germany



Algeria played them off the park in that game too

[Polster]

IIRC the win over T&T was also thanks to a goal that should have been disallowed when Crouch climbed all over the defender

Algeria played them off the park in that game too

Aye, I don't think I needed to expand, the regard some people seem to hold the english team in is strange to me, maybe its from a general obsession with the premiership, which is now a days dominated by foreign players anyway.

[Jaysus]

[QUOTE=Jaysus;1557223]It hurts to say this but let's face it - we wouldn't be able to deal with England man, anyone who thinks they wouldn't beat us 9 times out of 10 is being blindly patriotic. If the England squad was a club team they would be in the Champions League spots and we would be around 15th. A heavy defeat to them would be harder to take than anyone else so it's a big no no for me.[/QUOTE

disagree, how many times to England under perform in tournaments?
EC2000 - Lost to an average Protugal team and Romania
WC2002 - Draws with Sweden and Nigeria
EC2004 - Lost to France, out on Peno's to Portugal (not their worst tournament)
WC2006 - Struggled to beat Paraguay and T&T (T&T had chances in that game to get something), out to Portugal on peno's again
EC2008 - DNQ
WC2010 - Draws with USA and Algeria, 1-0 win against Slovenia and hammered by Germany

So where have they ever whacked a team? We have proven ourselves very good defensively under Trap, we have been getting better and better. We have a very good record against England, all the pressure would be on them again, they don't do pressure good. Bring it on.....

Our record against England 20 years ago means absolutely nothing, unless you've got a time machine out back and can bring Townsend, Lawrenson, Whelan, Aldridge etc back from their pomp. ;)

Many of these English players have proven to be some of the best players in Europe in the Champions League - if they actually click as a team for once they will get very far. And they have extremely talented young players.

A probable English starting XI:

Hart
Richards
Terry
Ferdinand
Cole
Lennon
Wilshere
Parker
Young
Lampard
Bent

That team would wipe the floor with us, sadly. I would love to say we realistically have a good chance of a positive result against England, but l can't.

[Polster]

[QUOTE=Polster;1557239]

Our record against England 20 years ago means absolutely nothing, unless you've got a time machine out back and can bring Townsend, Lawrenson, Whelan, Aldridge etc back from their pomp. ;)

Many of these English players have proven to be some of the best players in Europe in the Champions League - if they actually click as a team for once they will get very far. And they have extremely talented young players.

A probable English starting XI:

Hart
Richards
Terry
Ferdinand
Cole
Lennon
Wilshere
Parker
Young
Lampard
Bent

That team would wipe the floor with us, sadly. I would love to say we realistically have a good chance of a positive result against England, but l can't.

Your missing the point, England have always been one of the favourites in these tournaments, but nearly always bottle it. They did have one of the best sides in 1990 and we outplayed them.

How would you rate the Algerian and USA teams man for man that England could not beat in the last WC?

[SwanVsDalton]

We got Poland, Germany and Greece in the draw dress rehearsal. Would take that all day.

[Jaysus]

[QUOTE=Jaysus;1557253]

Your missing the point, England have always been one of the favourites in these tournaments, but nearly always bottle it. They did have one of the best sides in 1990 and we outplayed them.

How would you rate the Algerian and USA teams man for man that England could not beat in the last WC?

Fair enough there, plus the Algerian and even maybe the USA team is weaker than ours now.

But I don't go along with wanting to draw England on the assumption they will choke again...that's just silly. Capello is a very good coach, who knows, he might get it right this time around and instill the confidence in them to play to their potential. This English team could easily reach a semi final, possibly a final if the draw falls kindly for them. Spain or Germany would eventually do them though.

[Polster]

You say the best in Champions league....and give these as your example...


Hart - Top keeper yes, city going out though, and still prefer Shay
Richards - Don't play champions league, Zabalete does
Terry - Well past his best
Ferdinand - Even further past his best
Cole - past his best
Lennon - Hit and miss
Wilshere - Injured
Parker - Don't play champions league, best English player at moment
Young - Good player
Lampard - well past best
Bent - Never a champions league player

City probably out of CL, Chelsea maybe to, Utd under pressure, Arsenal ok but full of non english...

Games are not won on paper, its out on the pitch, who wants it most, 11 against 11, and when it comes to major tournaments that has been proven. If top team don't perform you get a Greece or Denmark becoming champions.

[Polster]

[QUOTE=Polster;1557259]

Fair enough there, plus the Algerian and even maybe the USA team is weaker than ours now.

But I don't go along with wanting to draw England on the assumption they will choke again...that's just silly. Capello is a very good coach, who knows, he might get it right this time around and instill the confidence in them to play to their potential. This English team could easily reach a semi final, possibly a final if the draw falls kindly for them. Spain or Germany would eventually do them though.

Man, we should be living for days like that..we probably wont be winning these tournaments, not at the moment anyway, so lets have a shot at glory, play the old enemy and if we lose, so what, but if we win, we have another legendary day to celebrate.

We could the ideal group, struggle to 4 points and still go out.

I'm all for romance, in football terms of course.

Keep the faith.

[French Toasht]

God I cant wait for the Euros. This Euro 2012, will be the most competitive and highest standard Euros since it became 16 teams. To think if we are perceived as the weakest team at the tournament, then we are the best, weakest team ever to play in any international tournament. When the seedings for the Euros were made the top 12 teams in Europe took 12 of the 14 spots on offer. Denmark who sat immediately outside the top 14 took the 13th spot and we effectively replaced Serbia as the 14th team. This is definately the most competive Euros in ages, all the big guns are there, and of course the boys in green. Wish I could just fast foward 6 months.

[Metrostars]

Jeez, I just turned on the box there and they showed a group
Spain
Germany
Portugal
Rep Of Ireland

Then they said oh that would be the worst possible scenario. Nearly had a mini heart attack....

[DannyInvincible]

You say the best in Champions league....and give these as your example...


Hart - Top keeper yes, city going out though, and still prefer Shay
Richards - Don't play champions league, Zabalete does
Terry - Well past his best
Ferdinand - Even further past his best
Cole - past his best
Lennon - Hit and miss
Wilshere - Injured
Parker - Don't play champions league, best English player at moment
Young - Good player
Lampard - well past best
Bent - Never a champions league player

City probably out of CL, Chelsea maybe to, Utd under pressure, Arsenal ok but full of non english...

Games are not won on paper, its out on the pitch, who wants it most, 11 against 11, and when it comes to major tournaments that has been proven. If top team don't perform you get a Greece or Denmark becoming champions.

England are definitely weak at the back. Terry and Cole are part of a crumbling Chelsea defence. Terry has looked well past it both this season and last. Would it be surprising if either or both Terry and Ferdinand were dropped by the time the finals come round?

[BonnieShels]

Just left work... the nerves are kicking In.

[Polster]

England are definitely weak at the back. Terry and Cole are part of a crumbling Chelsea defence. Terry has looked well past it both this season and last. Would it be surprising if either or both Terry and Ferdinand were dropped by the time the finals come round?

I don't think they will be dropped, defo not Terry unless the racisim stuff is proven. Capello won't make many changes from here on in, be cole, terry, ferdinand/cahill, and probably johnson.

As you said, far from the strongest back 4.

[Stuttgart88]

Although I was thinking a while back that Holland are untouchable, I'm actually beginning to think a well set out side could do a job on them. I'd relish the challenge - and occasion - of playing the Dutch.

Spain would be too painful to watch. 90% Spanish possession.

[Metrostars]

[QUOTE=Jaysus;1557253]

Your missing the point, England have always been one of the favourites in these tournaments, but nearly always bottle it. They did have one of the best sides in 1990 and we outplayed them.

How would you rate the Algerian and USA teams man for man that England could not beat in the last WC?

Ah yes the 2010 World Cup

http://a323.yahoofs.com/ymg/ept_sports_sow_experts__7/ept_sports_sow_experts-327133326-1276357126.jpg?ymG4TSDDmObwB30r

Now who topped that group again?