Euro 2008

[skitz3]

I think Germany or Italy.

Agreed.

[jmurphyc]

He's been playing really well from what I've heard. It's unfortunate, but Spain do have some other fantastic strikers though.

[bennocelt]

Raul has been left out of Spain's 31 man preliminary squad. A real blow for a great player. Aragones is obviously not sentimental.
I know this is old news but was still a bit shocked by it.


I actually think he is a very overrated player who (like Spain) never achieved anything at Euro/World cup level

[Closed Account 2]

I remember he had a real stinker in Euro 2004... no shots on target!

Torres and Villa are better and he's too old to make it to 2010, so I think Aragones is correct. Obviously the legions of pro Real Madrid fans in the Spanish sports press (like Marca etc) are clammoring for him to be in the squad, but if it was up to them Manuel Sanchis would be wheeled out of his nursing home and lead the back line for Spain this summer.

[holidaysong]

I seen the ads on TV for the tournament already. I can't believe it starts on June 7th, it seems quite early. I'm really looking forward to the France, Italy, Netherlands and Romania group. Spain won't win, they always bottle it. It will be Italy or France for me.

[lionelhutz]

Here's the best odds at the moment for each team;

Germany 4/1 Paddys
Spain 6/1 Paddys
Italy 7/1 Paddys
Portugal 8/1 Coral
France 9/1 Boylesports
Netherlands 14/1 Boylesports
Croatia 14/1 Totesports
Czech Rep. 16/1 Stanjames
Greece 25/1 Paddys
Switzerland 25/1 Sporting bet
Sweden 33/1 Boylesports
Russia 40/1 William Hill
Romania 50/1 Betfred
Turkey 50/1 Totesport
Poland 50/1 Totesport
Austria 125/1 Totesport

Anybody see value for money in the outsiders?

Holland look a decent price, as do Croatia

[lionelhutz]

Top goalscorer - here's the pick;

Klose, M 10/1 Bluesquare
Ronaldo, C 11/1 Paddys
Torres, 14/1 Bet 365
Toni, L 16/1 Bluesquare
van Nistelrooy, R 16/1 William Hill
Henry, T 20/1 Bluesquare
Villa, D 20/1 Betfred
Gómez, M 25/1
Podolski, L 25/1
Kuranyi, K 33/1
Trezeguet, D 33/1
van Persie, R 33/1
Anelka, N 40/1
Benzema, K 40/1
Ibrahimovic, Z 40/1
Petric, M 40/1
Almeida, H 50/1
Ballack, M 50/1
Baroš, M 50/1
Gilardino, A 50/1
Huntelaar, KJ 50/1
Inzaghi, F 50/1
Koller, J 50/1
Mutu, A 50/1
Nuno Gomes 50/1
Charisteas, A 80/1

[lionelhutz]

A lot of people I work with fancy Croatia. Can't see it myself. If they get out of tough group it's probably Portugal then France or Italy. Don't see them beating those teams.

I'd have to disagree with you there Ruben. I think their group is the weakest. Austria are the worst team in the tournament by far, I feel Germany are over rated (I know this has been said before but I just don't think they have the players to win it) and Poland are only an OK team. Croatia could easily top this group and play the Czechs/Turkey in the Q/F which would be winnable

[placid casual]

i think Poland are a dark horse for the tournament.
they play as a team,and work very hard for each other.
like greece you could almost say.

croatia tore the sassanach a new ar$e -hole at wembley and they have some wonderfully skilled players so you never know.
cannot see any of the so called big teams winning -Germany,france,spain,holland

Italy have a good a chance as in the last WC.

[lionelhutz]

Intresting point. I have a lot of time for Slavan Bilic and would like to see them do well. I think you are wrong on the German's though. The team of 06 is now two years more experienced and I really fancy them to win it out. So do the bookies by the looks of it!! And Poland under Beenhaker are going to be awful tough too. Austria are poor but you can never rule out host nations. Look at Korea Japan 02 for that.

You could look at that as being 2 years older too!! I think Germany were carried on the crest of a wave of optimism in 06 - which papered over alot of cracks in their team. I don't rate Mertezacker or the other centre half. Their centre midfield is strong with Ballack and Frings but theyve no class out wide and up front Podolski is a headless chicken and Kuranyi is like Heskey.

[Closed Account 2]

Of the outsiders I'd back the Russians... some very skillfull players in that team and all bar the big name European players (Saenko, Bulyakin, Izmailov) will have had a good few months rest as the Russian League is a summer league. Added to that the climate will suit them much more than the roasting heat of Portugal and the humidity of Japan / Korea (their last 2 big tournaments).

My major worry is the absence of Arshavin for the first few matches (due to a red card in the qualifiers) but Spain (1st match) is the toughest anyway, and then I'd still expect them to see off Greece (as they did in Euro 2004) setting them up for a final match against a weak Sweden side. They would go through in second place, and with the little magician back would beat Italy France or the Dutch, and then the tournament would be theirs.

[Armando]

Henry top scorer 20/1 is a great bet. He'll be going into the tournament fresh as a daisy and that french team is built around him scoring goals.

On a side note, I see a lot of long range goals in this tournament because I have seen the match ball being used in Germany/Portuguese and French leagues and the movement on the ball for shots from distance has to be seen to be believed:eek: There was one match in particular a few weeks back, Porto v Benfica, where there was a replay looking straight at goal directly behind the player shooting and the ball swerved left first then right before finally dipping left again!

Suppose with this in mind throwing a few bob on a player like Ballack, RVP, Ronaldo etc, who shoot from range, to be top scorer isn't a bad idea?


...I think France will win it and am convinced Switzerland will make at least the semis:o.



In other news Larsson has been called back into the Sweden squad:) ....LEGEND

[bennocelt]

Intresting point. I have a lot of time for Slavan Bilic and would like to see them do well. I think you are wrong on the German's though. The team of 06 is now two years more experienced and I really fancy them to win it out. So do the bookies by the looks of it!! And Poland under Beenhaker are going to be awful tough too. Austria are poor but you can never rule out host nations. Look at Korea Japan 02 for that.

hate him, can never get over the low dive he did to get Blanc sent off.

Torres looks a nice price for top scorer

[bennocelt]

You could look at that as being 2 years older too!! I think Germany were carried on the crest of a wave of optimism in 06 - which papered over alot of cracks in their team. I don't rate Mertezacker or the other centre half. Their centre midfield is strong with Ballack and Frings but theyve no class out wide and up front Podolski is a headless chicken and Kuranyi is like Heskey.

yeah def agree, is there a worse forward line then them two in international football?

(but they do have Klose and Odonker???)

[superfrank]

Got a free Euro 2008 sticker album with the RTE Guide.

I've never filled a Panini book. At least these years I have a bit more money.

I'm really looking forward to the Euros now. It's quite possible that I won't have a job this summer (again) and I'll get to watch all the matches. :)

[lionelhutz]

Metzelder is the other centre half. Can't get into Madrid team. Out wide they have Schweinsteiger and the pacey Odonkor. Not bad really and as for your thoughts on their atttack well I disagree with all of it to be honest. I tell you what. I'll bet you a dollar they win it!! The old Trading Places bet. What you reckon Attorney Hutz???

I accept your offer Ruben. I'll take Croatia to win it!! Now what will I do with my dollar..............

[lionelhutz]

I find this Podolski bashing very puzzling. I think he is a talented player capable of goals at this level and was impressed by him and Klose in 06. Kuranyi is weaker yes but Podolski is as good for me as say, Van Persie or Smolarek.

Sorry but Podolski reminds me alot of Baros, alot of pace and movement but no football intelligence whatsoever. If the game gets frantic and chances are abundant, Podolski could prosper, otherwise he doesn't have the brain to make the right runs.

I would rate Van Persie a few levels above Podolski, he's got unbelievable vision and technique. Van Persie could be a revelation at this world cup and I think Arsenal would have ended up with a trophy if he had been fit for the majority of the season.

[seanog2001]

I will be taking a bit of the Germans at 4/1 i fancy them to go on and win it its been a while since Ze Germans have won anything

[lionelhutz]

Meh...

I take it you don't agree??

Whats your take on Van Persie?

[lionelhutz]

Are most of the squads named by now or would some of them wait until after the Champs League final?

[abbeyvale]

Top goalscorer - here's the pick;

Klose, M 10/1 Bluesquare
Ronaldo, C 11/1 Paddys
Torres, 14/1 Bet 365
Toni, L 16/1 Bluesquare
van Nistelrooy, R 16/1 William Hill
Henry, T 20/1 Bluesquare
Villa, D 20/1 Betfred
Gómez, M 25/1
Podolski, L 25/1
Kuranyi, K 33/1
Trezeguet, D 33/1
van Persie, R 33/1
Anelka, N 40/1
Benzema, K 40/1
Ibrahimovic, Z 40/1
Petric, M 40/1
Almeida, H 50/1
Ballack, M 50/1
Baroš, M 50/1
Gilardino, A 50/1
Huntelaar, KJ 50/1
Inzaghi, F 50/1
Koller, J 50/1
Mutu, A 50/1
Nuno Gomes 50/1
Charisteas, A 80/1


Benzema at 40/1 looks a nice bet

[seanog2001]

Ballack at 50's could be a good outside bet but ill be backing villa at 20's

[TheBoss]

I really do think that Portugal will win it, they will go far in the tournament.

[Pike B]

Benzema at 40/1 looks a nice bet
It has to be Torres at 14's lads. Spain will stuff the three teams in their group and Torres will get 5 goals before the second round I reckon.

[bennocelt]

I take it you don't agree??

Whats your take on Van Persie?

Well i think he is a world class player, if he could sort out his head as he seems to lack the concentration for a whole 90 mins of a game

[stojkovic]

It has to be Torres at 14's lads. Spain will stuff the three teams in their group and Torres will get 5 goals before the second round I reckon.

Possible but Spain will meet the runners up from the Group of Death in the QFs. Think France and Italy will be too (physically) strong for them.

[gustavo]

Spain Squad

No Raul

ARSENAL: Cesc
BARCELONA: Puyol, Iniesta y Xavi
BETIS: Juanito
GETAFE: De la Red
LIVERPOOL: Arbeloa, Reina, Torres y Xabi Alonso
REAL MADRID: Casillas y Sergio Ramos
MALLORCA: Fernando Navarro y Güiza
SEVILLA: Palop
VALENCIA: Albiol, Marchena, Silva y Villa
VILLARREAL: Capdevila, Cazorla y Senna
ZARAGOZA: Sergio García.

[redtildead]

France Squad (30 man provisional)

Goalkeepers Gregory Coupet (Olympique Lyon), Sebastien Frey (Fiorentina), Mickael Landreau (Paris St Germain), Steve Mandanda (Olympique Marseille).

Defenders Eric Abidal (Barcelona), Jean-Alain Boumsong (Lyon), Francois Clerc (Lyon), Sebastien Squillaci (Lyon), William Gallas (Arsenal), Julien Escude (Sevilla), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Philippe Mexes (AS Roma), Willy Sagnol (Bayern Munich), Lilian Thuram (Barcelona).

Midfielders Alou Diarra (Girondins Bordeaux), Lassana Diarra (Portsmouth), Mathieu Flamini (Arsenal), Claude Makelele (Chelsea), Jeremy Toulalan (Lyon), Patrick Vieira (Inter Milan).

Forwards Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea), Hatem Ben Arfa (Lyon), Karim Benzema (Lyon), Sidney Govou (Lyon), Djibril Cisse (Marseille), Samir Nasri (Marseille), Bafetimbi Gomis (St Etienne), Thierry Henry (Barcelona), Florent Malouda (Chelsea), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich).

Its hard to pick 7 to drop but I would guess at the ones underlined

[Armando]

Wow, no Clichy, Sagna or Trezeguet!
I expected 'Trezegols' exclusion, but not the other 2 who are really excellent, young world class full-backs.

[superfrank]

Pretty sure Sagna is still out injured. Even if he's fit, he hasn't played any football in about two months.

I would keep Nasri, Ben Arfa and Alou Diarra in the squad. All very talented players. I'd drop Lassana Diarra, Govou (squad player at best) and Malouda.

[Rovers fan]

France Squad (30 man provisional)

Goalkeepers Gregory Coupet (Olympique Lyon), Sebastien Frey (Fiorentina), Mickael Landreau (Paris St Germain), Steve Mandanda (Olympique Marseille).

Defenders Eric Abidal (Barcelona), Jean-Alain Boumsong (Lyon), Francois Clerc (Lyon), Sebastien Squillaci (Lyon), William Gallas (Arsenal), Julien Escude (Sevilla), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Philippe Mexes (AS Roma), Willy Sagnol (Bayern Munich), Lilian Thuram (Barcelona).

Midfielders Alou Diarra (Girondins Bordeaux), Lassana Diarra (Portsmouth), Mathieu Flamini (Arsenal), Claude Makelele (Chelsea), Jeremy Toulalan (Lyon), Patrick Vieira (Inter Milan).

Forwards Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea), Hatem Ben Arfa (Lyon), Karim Benzema (Lyon), Sidney Govou (Lyon), Djibril Cisse (Marseille), Samir Nasri (Marseille), Bafetimbi Gomis (St Etienne), Thierry Henry (Barcelona), Florent Malouda (Chelsea), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich).

Its hard to pick 7 to drop but I would guess at the ones underlined

Trezeguet at 33/1 for top scorer looks like a great bet now!

[superfrank]

Pity he won't be playing.

[bennocelt]

Abidal for France and barca was the worst player i have seen all year. Christ how bad is the French def, as that fella is useless, falls over the ball, is awkward and cnat kick straight

[Rovers fan]

Pity he won't be playing.

I was joking

[jmurphyc]

Abidal for France and barca was the worst player i have seen all year. Christ how bad is the French def, as that fella is useless, falls over the ball, is awkward and cnat kick straight

I actually think he's one of the best left backs in Europe (possibly the best). I rate him above both Evra and Clichy, who are both admittedly among the best as well. I think Sagna's non-inclusion (down to injury?) is a blow as he's better than their other options there. At the moment, they're still my tip for the Euros, although this does change quite frequently!

[bennocelt]

I actually think he's one of the best left backs in Europe (possibly the best). I rate him above both Evra and Clichy, who are both admittedly among the best as well. I think Sagna's non-inclusion (down to injury?) is a blow as he's better than their other options there. At the moment, they're still my tip for the Euros, although this does change quite frequently!

Is this the same fella who had a shocker against Manure Utd. please take the goggles off:eek:
he was beaten every time a red jersey went near him

[stojkovic]

I actually think he's one of the best left backs in Europe (possibly the best). I rate him above both Evra and Clichy, who are both admittedly among the best as well. I think Sagna's non-inclusion (down to injury?) is a blow as he's better than their other options there. At the moment, they're still my tip for the Euros, although this does change quite frequently!

Defensively (incl keeper) and up front the French are very talented. But I think their midfield (Ribery aside) will let them down, Vieira, for one is past it.

But I think every team has a flaw (ie French midfield, Spanish defence, Portuguese strikers) so it will make for an open tournament.

I think only two teams have balance and thats Italy and Germany.

[jmurphyc]

Is this the same fella who had a shocker against Manure Utd. please take the goggles off:eek:
he was beaten every time a red jersey went near him

I thought he looked decent against Utd. He was by no means at his best, but I don't think he had a shocker. If he's so poor then why is he getting in the French team ahead of Evra and in the squad ahead of Clichy? You can't say a player is cr*p on the basis of 2 games in the space of a week.


Defensively (incl keeper) and up front the French are very talented. But I think their midfield (Ribery aside) will let them down, Vieira, for one is past it.

But I think every team has a flaw (ie French midfield, Spanish defence, Portuguese strikers) so it will make for an open tournament.

I think only two teams have balance and thats Italy and Germany.

Their midfield is a bit weak, but I really like Nasri and Ben Arfa. I think they'll go with Vieira as one of the central options which may be a mistake as he's had a very poor season with Inter from what I've heard. However, he may still go on to excel at the Euros. On the basis of this season Toulalan, Diarra and Flamini (who I've always really liked) are surer bets to have a stead tournament if picked.

[shakermaker1982]

you can only play one left back and he has Evra. Looking at how the groups are set up I've got Portugal to meet Germany in the Semi Finals. The other half of the draw looks a nightmare.

[joe_barry80]

Just got a ticket for the 1/4 Final in Vienna. Winner of Group D against 2nd In Group C. Over the moon :D

[DmanDmythDledge]

you can only play one left back and he has Evra.
Abidal starts for France...

[lionelhutz]

My prediction for the tournament

Group A: 1st Portugal 2nd Czech Rep
Group B: 1st Germany 2nd Croatia
Group C: 1st Italy 2nd France
Group D: 1st Spain 2nd Russia

QF: Portugal v Croatia
Czech Rep v Germany
Italy v Russia
France v Spain

SF: Croatia v Germany
Italy v Spain

Final: Croatia v Spain

Winners: Spain

[DmanDmythDledge]

Group A: 1st Portugal 2nd Turkey
Group B: 1st Germany 2nd Croatia
Group C: 1st Italy 2nd France
Group D: 1st Spain 2nd Russia

QF: Portugal v Croatia
Turkey v Germany
Italy v Russia
France v Spain

SF: Portugal v Germany
Italy v Spain

Final: Portugal v Spain

Winners: Spain

[jebus]

Group A: 1st Portugal 2nd Switzerland
Group B: 1st Germany 2nd Croatia
Group C: 1st France 2nd Italy
Group D: 1st Spain 2nd Sweden

QF: Portugal v Croatia W: Portugal
QF: Germany v Switzerland W: Germany
QF: France v Sweden W: France
QF: Spain v Italy W: Italy

SF: Portugal v Germany W: Germany
SF: France v Italy W: France

F: Germany v France W: France

[bennocelt]

I thought he looked decent against Utd. He was by no means at his best, but I don't think he had a shocker. If he's so poor then why is he getting in the French team ahead of Evra and in the squad ahead of Clichy? You can't say a player is cr*p on the basis of 2 games in the space of a week.


i guess we have differing opinions then
i have only to see him once. I mean he was all over the place for the man utd game. really poor. We will see then in the Euros:)

Evra is a class act

And the french manager. My god is he still in charge:eek:

[jmurphyc]

i guess we have differing opinions then
And the french manager. My god is he still in charge:eek:

That I will agree on. He's a dreadful manager IMO.

[superfrank]

Group A = Switzerland & Czech Republic
Group B = Croatia & Germany
Group C = Italy & France
Group D = Sweden & Spain

I won't give any predictions for the knockouts but I believe Italy or Germany will win, it could even be the final.

[joe_barry80]

I think Germany are going to win it. They are strong all over the field. They are a team that gets stronger as a Tournament progresses.

I'd love Spain to win it but they are the opposite to my assessment of Germany. They start great and then fade.

[Flawless]

Im gona plump for spain, think its their time, Depends On La Selección though and how Aragones mixes home and foreign based players. Watching Revista De La Liga the other week and listening to Guilleme Balague, he reckons Senna will start for spain, cant see that!!, all depends on the squad!

[shakermaker1982]

Abidal starts for France...

Sorry I was trying to imply that he has a LB (Abidal) plus he has Evra as cover. I'd have Evra as first choice every day of the week but Abidal seems to be number 1 at this moment in time.

Good result for Holland the other night - would like to see them reach a final.