Euro 2008

[De Town]

So who do people fancy to win it?

i think Portugal could do it this year, especially if Ronaldo keeps up his form.

Anyone know where there's odds for top goalscorer?

[superfrank]

I think Germany or Italy.

[Hibs4Ever]

Czech Rep or Spain


Martin Fenin for top goal scorer

[TheBoss]

Fenin will be a top striker one day, but for topscorer is a bit unlikely, he is not first choice for the Czechs.

[Hibs4Ever]

Fenin will be a top striker one day, but for topscorer is a bit unlikely, he is not first choice for the Czechs.


I reckon he'll get a run in the upcoming friendlies against Latvia and Belgium. If he does the stuff he'll EASILY get in ahead of Baros


Plus he'll be great outside odds for EURO2008, even for an each way bet

[De Town]

Fancy Benzema for top scorer myself.

[sligoman]

I think Croatia might surprise a few at this. Hope they win it.

[jmurphyc]

I think Croatia might surprise a few at this. Hope they win it.

I thought that too after seeing how good they were in beating England, but I'm not sure how much they will miss Eduardo. They can still go far though but it might scupper their chances of winning it. I could see them outplaying someone like Italy/Germany etc but still lose and get knocked out.

[De Town]

I think Croatia might surprise a few at this. Hope they win it.

As jmurphyc pointed out, I think Eduardo will be a massive loss for them.

[feo123]

i dont think they'll win it but i can see them getting to the semis at best! i think portugal will do well....i cant see the quality being anything special at this one, nothing blew me away in the qualifiers

[redtildead]

Czech Rep I reckon

Havent seen any top scorer odds but Id go for Ronaldo

[De Town]

i cant see the quality being anything special at this one, nothing blew me away in the qualifiers

i always find the euro's to be a lot more entertaining then the world cup and i think this will be the same.

[Soper]

I hope Poland do well

[gustavo]

France or Germany

[DmanDmythDledge]

I'd say Spain will win it. Villa for top goalscorer.

[Closed Account 2]

Russia are a good outside bet maybe

[gilberto_eire]

I hope Poland do well

First time i've heard something like that been said:D

[shakermaker1982]

I think Croatia had a very good chance of going far until Eduardo got injured. The Spanish team on paper looks frightening but can they get their game together at a major tournament?

[superfrank]

Croatia have Ivan Klasnic coming back though now. He's an amazing player. Different to Eduardo but still very good.

[Torn-Ado]

Germany

[GavinZac]

First time i've heard something like that been said:D

:confused:

[Soper]

I'm confused too Gavin...

[Closed Account 2]

I think Croatia had a very good chance of going far until Eduardo got injured. The Spanish team on paper looks frightening but can they get their game together at a major tournament?

Croatia still have very good attacking players. They could play Mladen Petric as the main striker and have Ivan Rakitic dropping off him. Petric (Dortmund) is a good player and will get a few goals, Rakitic (Schalke) is a very special player and has shone for his club in the last few months, he's got a lot of pace and a great eye for a pass, he's got a crisp shot too. Don't forget the likes of Modric (Dinamo Zg), Pranjic (Herenveen) and Ivica Olic are all great attacking options Croatia still have.

The Eduardo injury is a blow, but in attack the Croats have a lot of other options, if there was an injury to Dario Simic or one of the Kovac's then they would have worse problems.

[sligoman]

:confused:I'd also like to echo these sentiments.

[eirebhoy]

France

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

Defenders: Eric Abidal (Barcelona), Francois Clerc (Olympique Lyon), Sebastien Squillaci (Olympique Lyon), Gael Clichy (Arsenal), William Gallas (Arsenal), Bakary Sagna (Arsenal), Julien Escude (Sevilla), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Gael Givet (Olympique Marseille), Philippe Mexes (AS Roma), Lilian Thuram (Barcelona), Willy Sagnol (Bayern Munich).

Midfielders: Mathieu Flamini (Arsenal), Lassana Diarra (Portsmouth), Claude Makelele (Chelsea), Samir Nasri (Olympique Marseille), Jeremy Toulalan (Olympique Lyon), Patrick Vieira (Inter Milan), Rio Mavuba (Lille), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich), Florent Malouda (Chelsea).

Forwards: Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea),Hatem Ben Arfa (Olympique Lyon), Karim Benzema (Olympique Lyon), Sidney Govou (Olympique Lyon), David Trezeguet (Juventus), Thierry Henry (Barcelona), Louis Saha (Manchester United).

Who do you leave out to make that a 23 man squad? And then cut it down to 18 and 11.

[TheBoss]

The 8 players I would leave out:

Gael Clichy (Arsenal)
Julien Escude (Sevilla)
Gael Givet (Olympique Marseille)
Lilian Thuram (Barcelona)
Lassana Diarra (Portsmouth)
Claude Makelele (Chelsea)
Rio Mavuba (Lille)
Louis Saha (Manchester United)

[Metrostars]

England.

Oh wait...

[Pike B]

The 8 players I would leave out:

Gael Clichy (Arsenal)
Julien Escude (Sevilla)
Gael Givet (Olympique Marseille)
Lilian Thuram (Barcelona)
Lassana Diarra (Portsmouth)
Claude Makelele (Chelsea)
Rio Mavuba (Lille)
Louis Saha (Manchester United)
Thuram???? Get a grip man. 138 caps, one of the all time greats, and an intelligent and inspiring leader of men. He's worth having in the squad for what he brings to the dressing room alone. Never mind the fact that he is still one of the best defenders around. Last night case in point..

[DaveyCakes]

I'd drop Mexes like a hot stone...

[eirebhoy]

I'd drop Mexes like a hot stone...
Do you watch Roma much? He's been excellent for years now.

[Pike B]

My eleven to watch for the tournament are:

1:Casillas 2:Miguel 3:Lahm 4:Chivu 5:Cannavaro 6:Krancjar 7:Smolarek 8:Nasri 9:Torres 10:Podolski 11:Ronaldo.

I think Casillas, Miguel, Lahm, Ronaldo, Smolarek, Torres and Podolski, are players in great form who should make their reputations even bigger in this tournament. Chivu is a superb footballing centre half who is going to be busy in the group of death but I fancy he'll excell. Cannavaro is one to watch as he was player of the year after World cup but is now beginning to maybe get a bit of stick for club form. Intresting to see his reaction for the Azzuri.
Then there's Nasri. Heir to Zizous throne, and potentially the best young French player in a decade. If he starts he could be magic....
Krancjar I just like personally. He's a gifted technical footballer, two footed and can be way better than the player we are seeing at Pompey, so I would watch for him also..
Player of the tournament?? For me, Podolski.

[lionelhutz]

Czech Rep I reckon

Havent seen any top scorer odds but Id go for Ronaldo

I don't understand how people believe Czech Rep could possibly win it. They were shocking against us in the qualifiers - only the fact we had our worst campaign in 25 years meant we didn't finish ahead of them. They need to be completely rebuilt - Cech, Jankolovsky and Koller won't be able to carry the team against better sides.

I'd back Spain to win it - if their top players perform they should be an unbelievably exciting team to watch - ie Torres, Xavi, Iniesta, Fabregas, Villa, etc

[jmurphyc]

I don't understand how people believe Czech Rep could possibly win it. They were shocking against us in the qualifiers - only the fact we had our worst campaign in 25 years meant we didn't finish ahead of them. They need to be completely rebuilt - Cech, Jankolovsky and Koller won't be able to carry the team against better sides.

I'd back Spain to win it - if their top players perform they should be an unbelievably exciting team to watch - ie Torres, Xavi, Iniesta, Fabregas, Villa, etc

They topped the group though (albeit Germany gave up in the last few games). We were nowhere near finishing ahead of them. Also, France were pretty shambolic in qualifying from our group in the '06 qualifiers and they got to the World Cup Final. I'm not saying Czech Republic are going to win it, or even come close, but they aren't as bad as you are making out.

Also, Spain hardly set the world alight in qualifying, and whilst they have as good a squad as any (arguably better) they always fail and under Aragones I see no reason why they will buck that trend this time. I don't know why they always fail though. Could it have anything to do with a few of their players having no national identity with Spain?

[Pike B]

They topped the group though (albeit Germany gave up in the last few games). We were nowhere near finishing ahead of them. Also, France were pretty shambolic in qualifying from our group in the '06 qualifiers and they got to the World Cup Final. I'm not saying Czech Republic are going to win it, or even come close, but they aren't as bad as you are making out.

Also, Spain hardly set the world alight in qualifying, and whilst they have as good a squad as any (arguably better) they always fail and under Aragones I see no reason why they will buck that trend this time. I don't know why they always fail though. Could it have anything to do with a few of their players having no national identity with Spain?
Spain have the Arsenal syndrome. They are blessed with fantastic footballers who play an attractive, style of football which we all admire and respect. But..... They lack the vital Physical, Thug Bully aspect of the game which is needed sometimes when faced with superior players. Liverpool did it to Arsenal last night, and Germany to Argentina in 2006 World Cup. This is why for me, Spain will fail again....

[Hibs4Ever]

The 8 players I would leave out:

Gael Clichy (Arsenal)
Julien Escude (Sevilla)
Gael Givet (Olympique Marseille)
Lilian Thuram (Barcelona)
Lassana Diarra (Portsmouth)
Claude Makelele (Chelsea)
Rio Mavuba (Lille)
Louis Saha (Manchester United)


Clichy is EASILY one of the best full backs in the premiership. He's class

[Pike B]

Clichy is EASILY one of the best full backs in the premiership. He's class
I agree...

[gustavo]

I agree...

But they already have Abidal and Evra in that position

[Pike B]

But they already have Abidal and Evra in that position
He's better than Abidal.. Evra number one, Clichy two.. In my opinion..

[Lim till i die]

He's better than Abidal.. Evra number one, Clichy two.. In my opinion..

All boils down to whether you think your full backs should be able to defend properly I guess...

[Pike B]

All boils down to whether you think your full backs should be able to defend properly I guess...
Very true. But I rate Clichy very high. Ashley who at the emirates now.. Not an easy thing to do....

[jmurphyc]

I rate all 3 of them very highly. Abidal should definitely be in the squad IMO. I rate him as the best of the 3. It's just unfortunate for them that France have three of the best left backs in the world (arguably the 3 best). Lahm and Zambrotta are also excellent but they can play on both sides.

[Pike B]

I rate all 3 of them very highly. Abidal should definitely be in the squad IMO. I rate him as the best of the 3. It's just unfortunate for them that France have three of the best left backs in the world (arguably the 3 best). Lahm and Zambrotta are also excellent but they can play on both sides.
Maybe Abidal on the right, Clichy on the left?

[jmurphyc]

Maybe Abidal on the right, Clichy on the left?

As far as I'm aware Abidal can't play on the right. He can play in the centre. I haven't seen him play there but I'd say he's nowhere near as effective in that position as he is playing at left back.

[Pike B]

As far as I'm aware Abidal can't play on the right. He can play in the centre. I haven't seen him play there but I'd say he's nowhere near as effective in that position as he is playing at left back.
I always find that strange. He is a powerful athlete, and a very good footballer, and has played the game all his life, but he can't play anywhere but left back!!!! Can't shouldn't be a word in a footballers vocab. We have a 45 year old legend playing with us, and this season alone, he's played in goals, centre half, centre midfield, left mid, right mid and up front. We call him the Golden Nugget.... :D

[lionelhutz]

I rate all 3 of them very highly. Abidal should definitely be in the squad IMO. I rate him as the best of the 3. It's just unfortunate for them that France have three of the best left backs in the world (arguably the 3 best). Lahm and Zambrotta are also excellent but they can play on both sides.

Yeah thats just lowsy on them - I'd hate for Ireland to have that problem - thank God we have Kevin Kilbane

[jmurphyc]

Yeah thats just lowsy on them - I'd hate for Ireland to have that problem - thank God we have Kevin Kilbane

I actually meant it's unfortunate for the three players because only one of them is likely to start. My apologies if it was poorly worded.

[lionelhutz]

I actually meant it's unfortunate for the three players because only one of them is likely to start. My apologies if it was poorly worded.

Oh right. Apologies for the misunderstanding

[gustavo]

They certainly have the best squad ,I think Aragones will probably relent and have Raul in the squad in the end , He'd be mad not to really , With the exception of Torres and Villa there's no Spanish striker that comes close to matching his class

[Closed Account 2]

The exiles at Valencia might be back now, Koeman has left and they could get a run in the squad.

[Pike B]

From uefa.com
http://www.euro2008.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Photo/competitions/EURO/66/52/97/665297_w2.jpg
Luka Modrić has earned comparisons with Johan Cruyff



The reasons why Tottenham Hotspur FC were in such a hurry to spend €21m on Croatia midfielder Luka Modrić will become clear at UEFA EURO 2008™. That is the message from Modrić's national-team coach Slaven Bilić who has no doubts about the quality of the 22-year-old from NK Dinamo Zagreb.
Cruyff comparison
Modrić and company also helped to eliminate England from the EURO, so Tottenham Hotspur fans will not be completely incredulous of the comparisons their recruit has earned with both Lionel Messi and Johan Cruyff. Increasingly, he has been likened to Cruyff, whom he resembles both in frame – being of slim build – and in speed, agility and creativity, as master of the pinpoint pass. And if Modrić could become NK Zrinjski's star player in the Bosnia-Herzegovnian top flight as an 18-year-old loanee in 2003/04, Bilić will be expecting a similar impact from his protégé in north London and beyond.

High praise for new Spurs recruit.