The Official Euro 2004 Thread
Posted by: matthewr on 08 June 2004
This Summer's Festival of Football is nearly upon us so, after a few false starts, it's about time for a thread.
To kick us off lets have some predictions on winners, and so on.
Winner : France
Runners Up : England
How Well Will Ing-er-lund Do? : Runners Up
Dark Horses : The Netherlands (15/2)
Top Scorer : Van Nistelrooy
Emerging Superstar : Wesley Sneijder
The more committed can enter the Euro 2004 Predictions competition at http://en.predictor.euro2004.com/ I have created a private league called "The Padded Cell" which you can join with the code number 1199739@_193631
Matthew
To kick us off lets have some predictions on winners, and so on.
Winner : France
Runners Up : England
How Well Will Ing-er-lund Do? : Runners Up
Dark Horses : The Netherlands (15/2)
Top Scorer : Van Nistelrooy
Emerging Superstar : Wesley Sneijder
The more committed can enter the Euro 2004 Predictions competition at http://en.predictor.euro2004.com/ I have created a private league called "The Padded Cell" which you can join with the code number 1199739@_193631
Matthew
Posted on: 23 June 2004 by greeny
quote:
Do you lot actually watch football matches
Obviously not the same ones as you if you think the Italians have played well.
They were inept in the first half yesterday and only paniced into making an effort after going 1 down. They were average at best against the Danes and deserved no more than a draw, and despite playing well against the Swedes initailly they again deserved no more than a draw after their negative second half display.
Posted on: 23 June 2004 by Markus S
quote:
Originally posted by Bas V:if the Germans win I'll go mad!!!
Along with quite a lot of other Nederlanders, it seems to be a very widespread affliction ...
Seriously, if Holland does not make it through, they have only themselves to blame. If their game against Germany had been better, they wouldn't have to bite their nails today (and if the Germans had attackers instead of players like Klose and Bobic, they would have nailed Latvia).
I'm quite sure the Czech will deliver a very good game tonight. Almost all the so-called 'B' players played during the qualifications, so they can't be that bad, and they will run their arse off to make it into the 'A' team.
Posted on: 23 June 2004 by Two-Sheds
I'm sad to see Italy go home as they have some great players and are good to watch when they are drawing or losing. I would have thought after the world cup they would have learnt not to sit back on a one goal lead which is a great part of why they have gone out.
According to the bbc's trivia Italy have never scored more than 2 goals in a European Championship match. I hope they finally learn from this and start attacking more because I just don't think this Italy team is good enough to defend a one goal lead.
According to the bbc's trivia Italy have never scored more than 2 goals in a European Championship match. I hope they finally learn from this and start attacking more because I just don't think this Italy team is good enough to defend a one goal lead.
Posted on: 23 June 2004 by Alex S.
Greeny, saying "on almost all other Football related matters (West Ham excepted) I find myself agreeing with Matthew" is rather like saying "on almost all other Spiritual matters (Jesus Christ excepted) I find myself agreeing with the Pope".
Posted on: 23 June 2004 by Peter C
The Italians suggesting that Denmark and Sweden would play for a draw is ridiculous and laughable.
Denmark / Sweden games are just like England / Scotland games.
No way would either country settle for a draw with their old rivals.
Too much rivalry and both wanted to win.
I also thought that Italy were lucky to draw with Denmark. Against Sweden they failed to score the goals to win the game in the first half and Sweden in the end deserved their break, because they were better than Italy in the second half.
Both Vieri and Del Piero were a pale shadow of their former selves and cost Italy dear.
Denmark / Sweden games are just like England / Scotland games.
No way would either country settle for a draw with their old rivals.
Too much rivalry and both wanted to win.
I also thought that Italy were lucky to draw with Denmark. Against Sweden they failed to score the goals to win the game in the first half and Sweden in the end deserved their break, because they were better than Italy in the second half.
Both Vieri and Del Piero were a pale shadow of their former selves and cost Italy dear.
Posted on: 23 June 2004 by greeny
quote:
Greeny, saying "on almost all other Football related matters (West Ham excepted) I find myself agreeing with Matthew" is rather like saying "on almost all other Spiritual matters (Jesus Christ excepted) I find myself agreeing with the Pope".
I Know, But on the odd occation Matthew is talking about football matters in which West Ham have no interest....like the England team and Premiership, I find he talks less bobbins than normal.
Posted on: 23 June 2004 by greeny
quote:
Both Vieri and Del Piero were a pale shadow of their former selves and cost Italy dear.
Has Del Piero played well in the past 4 years. I certainly think this is not a recent thing he seems to have been very poor in the last few years. I've always liked Vieri however, but he has been very poor in this comp.
Posted on: 23 June 2004 by adamk
I am amazed at the mindset of some of these teams.
They seam to be stuck in 'we must not lose' mode, instead of 'we must win mode'.
Italy have fabulous players and I know it was in hindsight futile if they won by a rugby score, but I was just amazed that they did not come out all guns blazing going for the win from the start.
Both Spain and Italy are great teams but tactical errors cost them both.
I agree that Germany look a very average team, but instead of sniping about how they will overcome a weakened Czech team and therefore go through, the Dutch must take the blame for throwing away leads in both games (again Advocat's tactics were negative).
The Czechs look to be the best team - Nedved against Holland was sensational.
If we can get Lolipop Ronaldo under the kosh I fancy England. Figo looks over the hill. Shrek to score a hatrick.
They seam to be stuck in 'we must not lose' mode, instead of 'we must win mode'.
Italy have fabulous players and I know it was in hindsight futile if they won by a rugby score, but I was just amazed that they did not come out all guns blazing going for the win from the start.
Both Spain and Italy are great teams but tactical errors cost them both.
I agree that Germany look a very average team, but instead of sniping about how they will overcome a weakened Czech team and therefore go through, the Dutch must take the blame for throwing away leads in both games (again Advocat's tactics were negative).
The Czechs look to be the best team - Nedved against Holland was sensational.
If we can get Lolipop Ronaldo under the kosh I fancy England. Figo looks over the hill. Shrek to score a hatrick.
Posted on: 23 June 2004 by Bas V
Hahaha, the Czechs only have Galasek playing, the other 10 players are B-players. If Germany can't win, that's the joke of this EC. The Germans start with only one forward...
Okay, I start praying now. Voodoopower to the Czechs! Oh, and to the Dutch off course, they haven't won yet.
Okay, I start praying now. Voodoopower to the Czechs! Oh, and to the Dutch off course, they haven't won yet.
Posted on: 23 June 2004 by Paul Hutchings
Have to the last couple of minutes of the scandanavian game was a farce but how anyone who watched it could seriously think they played for that is beyond me..
To quote someone of uk.sport.football -
"...who was hoping the Italians would score a winner, once we knew the score in
the Sweden-Denmark game?
I was. And the look on Cassano's face as he jubilantly came over to the
sideline to celebrate with his...curiously sombre...teammates...well, for
everything else there's Mastercard."
incidentally, is it just me or does jesper gronkjaer look like the antichrist.. can't explain it he just looks bloody evil :-)
To quote someone of uk.sport.football -
"...who was hoping the Italians would score a winner, once we knew the score in
the Sweden-Denmark game?
I was. And the look on Cassano's face as he jubilantly came over to the
sideline to celebrate with his...curiously sombre...teammates...well, for
everything else there's Mastercard."
incidentally, is it just me or does jesper gronkjaer look like the antichrist.. can't explain it he just looks bloody evil :-)
Posted on: 23 June 2004 by Bas V
WE DID IT!!! Or must I say the Czechs did it. Thank you thank you thank you!!!
Don't mess with me, I know my voodoo...
Don't mess with me, I know my voodoo...
Posted on: 23 June 2004 by Steve G
Portugal 1:3 England
Should be a decent game this one. Ronaldo could get a fair bit of mileage out of Ashley Cole but overall I think England might be too strong -
France 2:0 Greece
I think Greece have shot their bolt now so I expect France to win comfortably.
Sweden 1:2 Holland
Holland will need to be wary of the Swedish strikers (and "simulation" in particular) however overall I think the Dutch should shade it.
Czech Republic 3:2 Denmark
The match of the round between perhaps the best two teams in the tournament so far, but I'll take the Czechs to win.
That gives England v Holland and France v Czech Republic as the semis and I'll take the Czechs to beat England 3:1 in the final.
Should be a decent game this one. Ronaldo could get a fair bit of mileage out of Ashley Cole but overall I think England might be too strong -
France 2:0 Greece
I think Greece have shot their bolt now so I expect France to win comfortably.
Sweden 1:2 Holland
Holland will need to be wary of the Swedish strikers (and "simulation" in particular) however overall I think the Dutch should shade it.
Czech Republic 3:2 Denmark
The match of the round between perhaps the best two teams in the tournament so far, but I'll take the Czechs to win.
That gives England v Holland and France v Czech Republic as the semis and I'll take the Czechs to beat England 3:1 in the final.
Posted on: 23 June 2004 by John C
Portugal 1:2 England
France 4:1 Greece
Sweden 0:2 Holland
Czech Republic 2:0 Denmark
John
France 4:1 Greece
Sweden 0:2 Holland
Czech Republic 2:0 Denmark
John
Posted on: 23 June 2004 by Berlin Fritz
I wish it was this quiet on the streets every night. Obviously not enough dosh was offered in the Prague developement scheme, innit ?
Fritz Von Lightsoutjohnboy
Fritz Von Lightsoutjohnboy
Posted on: 23 June 2004 by Bas V
Alex, thank you for your help. Is this prediction part of the strategy?!
Posted on: 23 June 2004 by matthewr
Currently Czech Republic B look the second best team in the tournament.
QF Predictions:
I don't predict England games for fear of "doing a Keegan" but I will say that Portugal's nominal 4-3-3 is really 4-5-1 and they will struggle to score unless they can get Deco in the game or Figo can timewarp himself back 4 years.
France will make hard work of the Greeks before easing to a 2-0 win.
Sweden will be hoping that the dodgy version of The Netherlands turn up but I have a feeling the Orangemen have their heads sorted and will have too much for a Sweden side that is quite workmanlike if you can control Ibrahmovic and Larsson.
I think Denmark have played above themselves and will come unstuck against a Czech Republic side full of enough quality to be the outstanding side of the tournament despite the presence of Jan Koller.
Matthew
QF Predictions:
I don't predict England games for fear of "doing a Keegan" but I will say that Portugal's nominal 4-3-3 is really 4-5-1 and they will struggle to score unless they can get Deco in the game or Figo can timewarp himself back 4 years.
France will make hard work of the Greeks before easing to a 2-0 win.
Sweden will be hoping that the dodgy version of The Netherlands turn up but I have a feeling the Orangemen have their heads sorted and will have too much for a Sweden side that is quite workmanlike if you can control Ibrahmovic and Larsson.
I think Denmark have played above themselves and will come unstuck against a Czech Republic side full of enough quality to be the outstanding side of the tournament despite the presence of Jan Koller.
Matthew
Posted on: 23 June 2004 by MichaelC
Prediction time:
Portugal 2 : 3 England
France 3 : 0 Greece
Sweden 1 : 2 Holland
Czech R 3 : 1 Denmark
Mike
Portugal 2 : 3 England
France 3 : 0 Greece
Sweden 1 : 2 Holland
Czech R 3 : 1 Denmark
Mike
Posted on: 23 June 2004 by Chris Dolan
Steve
Spookily similar to something I said at work a few weeks ago, and yet it could be complete rubbish by tomorrow!
Chris
quote:
That gives England v Holland and France v Czech Republic as the semis and I'll take the Czechs to beat England 3:1 in the final.
Spookily similar to something I said at work a few weeks ago, and yet it could be complete rubbish by tomorrow!
Chris
Posted on: 23 June 2004 by JonR
quote:
Originally posted by alexgerrard:
Maybe.
Excellent prediction, Alex.
I concur!
JonR
Posted on: 23 June 2004 by Bhoyo
I'd love to see England go through, if only because of (most of) you lot.
But operating under the "horses in midstream" rule, I have to stick with the four nations I picked at the start, no matter how ill-advised:
Portugal 2:1 England
France 5:1 Greece
Sweden 1:0 Holland
Denmark 2:1 Czech Republic
Davie
But operating under the "horses in midstream" rule, I have to stick with the four nations I picked at the start, no matter how ill-advised:
Portugal 2:1 England
France 5:1 Greece
Sweden 1:0 Holland
Denmark 2:1 Czech Republic
Davie
Posted on: 23 June 2004 by Two-Sheds
Am I alone in thinking Greece can do one over France then? France have been poor defensively so far and not very imaginitive up front and I can see Greece nicking it by a goal, I'll go for 3 - 2 to Greece.
Posted on: 24 June 2004 by Klva
Unfortunately, I agree with you. France has not shown imaginative and organized football so far...
Etienne
Etienne
Posted on: 24 June 2004 by Klva
Did you France play ???? To my mind, they won't make it against Greece...
Etienne
Etienne
Posted on: 24 June 2004 by Alex S.
Portugal 2 : 2 England (Portugal on pens)
France 3 : 0 Greece (Henry, 3 pens)
Sweden 1 : 1 Holland (Sweden on pens)
Czech R 2 : 1 Denmark (No pens)
France 3 : 0 Greece (Henry, 3 pens)
Sweden 1 : 1 Holland (Sweden on pens)
Czech R 2 : 1 Denmark (No pens)
Posted on: 24 June 2004 by Klva
quote:
Originally posted by Alex S.:
Portugal 2 : 2 England (Portugal on pens)
France 3 : 0 Greece (Henry, 3 pens)
Sweden 1 : 1 Holland (Sweden on pens)
Czech R 2 : 1 Denmark (No pens)
It's strange. I notice that english people are critisizing their national team a lot, as frenchmen do with their own team, and so on.
An interesting lighting on human nature, isn't it ?
Etienne