Euro 2008...as at 13 June '08

So the Euro 2008 competition in Switzerland & Austria is off the ground .....

Who's in the "pecking" order to win and who's "packing" to go home?

Here a short take on the teams.... so far....

Austria
Lots of "huff & puff" in the team but at the end of the day no real quality within the squad. They have had lots of home support but will not progress to the latter stages.

Croatia
Excellent result against the pre tournament favourites Germany. Could go far and they play attractive football. Must keep the impetuous up.

Czech Rep
Need to up their recent performances to progress into the later stages. Will be fighting for second place with Turkey behind Portugal who should top their group.

France
Which team will turn up? Same old same old France, they can be brilliant or very bad. Need to up their work ethic to survive in the "Group of Death"! Must beat Italy to progress.

Germany
Seemingly cruising until their recent defeat to Croatia. Will progress. Never write off the Germans. I predict that they could be very close at the end.

Greece
Too negative for my liking. If they attempt to continue to win games just on set pieces they will be going home soon. I don't think they will retain their Euro trophy this time...

Italy
Current World Champions struggling with an aging squad. Difficult to beat but are they hungry enough to win the Euro 2008. Big match against the French. Winner could join Holland in the knock-out stages.

Netherlands
They must be careful not to become over confident. Done really well so far. Play very attractive football. Dangerous side. Few sides can boast that they have beaten the Current World Cup Champions and Runners up, scoring seven goals in the process.

Poland
Not strong enough to win again like Austria lots of effort but no match winner for me. Apparently they have the loudest supporters, but will that help?

Portugal
Looking good at this stage. No-one will want to be drawn against them in the knock out stages. Strong squad and mentally tough as well. Can Ronaldo and co add to their trophy collection this year?

Romania
They will struggle. Did well to qualify but don't expect them to do well. Need to beat Holland to qualify. Difficult!

Russia
Talented team but lack a cutting edge. Skillful but again like many other sides in this competition they lack real quality & belief.

Spain
Always the "bridesmaid". How many times do Spain fold in a major competition. Perhaps this is their year. They have quality and should do really well.... !!?

Sweden
Hard working side and very organised, difficult to play against but that's about it.

Switzerland
Gone home already. Well at least the live there! (Not too far to go!)

Turkey
Too negative. Like Greece attempt to steal a game rather than dominate.

What do you think?

2 comments:

eunice said...

Wow! I has just started to follow Euro2008 these two days and your views on each team are really interesting! (While commenting, Spain just sealed the 90-min game with a winning goal.)

I always support Italy but it seems to be not at it's "top form". Guess if Italy can qualify to the second round, it must be really lucky!

Enjoy Euro2008!

~eunice~
TravelerFolio.com

Anonymous said...

Eunice.... thanks for you views on the Euro 2008's. It's about time Spain did well in a major competition, they have class players... They will one day!
Italy however, for me need to change a few older players for a new generation as Holland have done. After all you are only as good as your next game..!