2016 Euros

[Angus Con]

With the first match close now, what are people thinking about the teams in the tournament? Who's your pick to win it all?

I'm sticking with my bias and picking Germany, but their form hasn't been great leading up. Injuries are wrecking some havoc in their line-up and the Lahm and Mertesacker's retirements from the WC hurt as well. No Reus, Schweinsteiger, or Hummels and all three are big question marks to be fit in time. Their backline is very suspect and that is where my biggest fear of failure lies for this team. They have world-class midfielders, but they are going to be asked to do so much on both sides of the ball to compensate for that defense. I think they can get the scoring needed upfront from Mueller and Podolski.

Outside of Germany, I believe Spain and France are the two most dangerous teams in the tournament. I think the Czechs are a dark horse. And I can't stand Portugal and hope they implode in the group stage.

[doksta]

My prediction is France.

[k13]

Poland easily...

[marlinsfan9108]

I like France especially with the home support. Worked for them in 98 WC

[Portlaw]

Ireland is the obvious choice for most football pundits, clearly the strongest team by far.......but in seriousness I can see them getting out of the group if they can keep their form from the qualifying and take into the Euro's. I'm also excited to see how England get on with Vardy and Kane up top, really hope they can impact on the big stage.

The French squad looks incredible, if you look at the starting 11 of players that missed out its a great 11 but the Germans are always a side that shows up in the major championships. Looking at an each/way bet, I like Belgium, got some quality players in there

[Angus Con]

Originally Posted by Portlaw

Ireland is the obvious choice for most football pundits, clearly the strongest team by far.......but in seriousness I can see them getting out of the group if they can keep their form from the qualifying and take into the Euro's. I'm also excited to see how England get on with Vardy and Kane up top, really hope they can impact on the big stage.

The French squad looks incredible, if you look at the starting 11 of players that missed out its a great 11 but the Germans are always a side that shows up in the major championships. Looking at an each/way bet, I like Belgium, got some quality players in there

I like the Irish better than the rest of that group, but they are in a tough group (Italy, Belgium, and Sweden). I would love to see them come out of it instead of Italy or Belgium, but I'm not sure how realistic that is. Best case scenario is the Irish play the French in the elimination rounds and win from a Robbie Keane hand-ball goal that goes uncalled.

I think both England and France have easier groups too.

[sluismcfc]

Belgium is my underdog team and the team I would like to see win, however if the French manage to play together they're unstoppable. Best 3 man midfield in the tournament by far in Pogba, Matuidi and Kante.

[Portlaw]

Originally Posted by Angus Con

I like the Irish better than the rest of that group, but they are in a tough group (Italy, Belgium, and Sweden). I would love to see them come out of it instead of Italy or Belgium, but I'm not sure how realistic that is. Best case scenario is the Irish play the French in the elimination rounds and win from a Robbie Keane hand-ball goal that goes uncalled.

I think both England and France have easier groups too.

I actually don't rate Italy or Sweden too much this year, I'm a big Ibra fan but he puts Sweden on his back when he plays, a lot like Bale with Wales. Over here everyone makes the joke of saying who are Bale and Ibra playing in the Euros instead of saying Sweden and Wales. The Ireland 11 is the weakest in the group but somehow we manage to grind out results so realistically we need to 4 points off of Sweden and Italy and hope the other results go our way but I think it's possible.

The justice and karma in that happening against France would be all too sweet, I'd still rather avoid them though cause they are far too strong

[terrymcginnis]

Thinking Croatia beats out one of the bigger teams, Italy or portugal Etc round of 16.. Srna, Rakitic, Modric, Mandzukic, Brozovic, Perisic, Kovacic, Haliovic, Mandzukic probably their best time in decades. Wouldn't rule out Spain making the top 4 either

[Portlaw]

Delph, Wilshere and Sturridge all made the final England squad for the Euro's that was announced today, a joke in my opinion, they may be better class player but their form and game time just isn't there over those who missed out. I can't see any of them getting much game time but if they do I hope they prove me wrong. The sooner Hodgson gets sacked the better

[Angus Con]

Originally Posted by Portlaw

I actually don't rate Italy or Sweden too much this year, I'm a big Ibra fan but he puts Sweden on his back when he plays, a lot like Bale with Wales. Over here everyone makes the joke of saying who are Bale and Ibra playing in the Euros instead of saying Sweden and Wales. The Ireland 11 is the weakest in the group but somehow we manage to grind out results so realistically we need to 4 points off of Sweden and Italy and hope the other results go our way but I think it's possible.

The justice and karma in that happening against France would be all too sweet, I'd still rather avoid them though cause they are far too strong

Agree on Sweden. I believe the Irish have a great chance at edging out the Swedes here. I really hate the Italian style of play at major tournaments, but that said, Italy usually provides dull 0-0 or 1-0 results, which means they are always in the tournament with their defense & goalkeeping unfortunately. I think we are both guilty of pushing Belgium through considering they have very little proven track record in tournaments.

[Angus Con]

Originally Posted by Portlaw

Delph, Wilshere and Sturridge all made the final England squad for the Euro's that was announced today, a joke in my opinion, they may be better class player but their form and game time just isn't there over those who missed out. I can't see any of them getting much game time but if they do I hope they prove me wrong. The sooner Hodgson gets sacked the better

It's England and a major tournament. Until they pull a Spain run out (if they ever do), I always chalk them up to getting out of the group stage, but will lose in the round of 16 or the quarters like always. haha

Germans left Reus off their roster; I'm a big BVB fan so it makes me a bit sad to see him unable to play again at a big tournament.

[Busstop]

Originally Posted by Angus Con

Germans left Reus off their roster; I'm a big BVB fan so it makes me a bit sad to see him unable to play again at a big tournament.

A little surprise but the Team doctor says that he will probably not be ready to play in the tournament.

[sluismcfc]

The Dutch team playing Poland today would have been a joy to watch this summer. Excited about this new generation of talent in Holland!!

[Angus Con]

The Belgians have looked quite pedestrian against the lowly Finns so far today. Dominating possession, but haven't really troubled the Finnish keeper much. And gave up a goal to Finland on the counterattack. If they play like this against Italy, they are going to have a poor start to their tournament because Italy is much better at defend and counter-attack than Finland.

[Angus Con]

Benteke reminds me of Kluivert. Needs 10-15 chances to score a goal. That's rough at this level of international football.

[sluismcfc]

Originally Posted by Angus Con

Benteke reminds me of Kluivert. Needs 10-15 chances to score a goal. That's rough at this level of international football.

Doubt we'll see much of Benteke in the tournament. Lukaku is the undisputed number one for me and origi will be used to offer a different type of attack. Benteke and Lukaku offer too much of the same things and Lukaku does them better in my opinion. Only knock on Lukaku this season is sometimes his first touch can be atrocious

[Angus Con]

Originally Posted by sluismcfc

Doubt we'll see much of Benteke in the tournament. Lukaku is the undisputed number one for me and origi will be used to offer a different type of attack. Benteke and Lukaku offer too much of the same things and Lukaku does them better in my opinion. Only knock on Lukaku this season is sometimes his first touch can be atrocious

Mark me down as skeptical at the Belgians' ability to finish. Their build-up is wonderful, but their final touches in the box left a lot to be desired. I know it's a friendly, but the Finns barely possessed the ball at all to attack today and the Belgians struggled to break down their defense. The Finns were unlucky because I do feel like there was a Belgian handball in the box late in the game that I would've preferred to see be called a penalty that could've easily made it 2-0.

[sluismcfc]

Originally Posted by Angus Con

Mark me down as skeptical at the Belgians' ability to finish. Their build-up is wonderful, but their final touches in the box left a lot to be desired. I know it's a friendly, but the Finns barely possessed the ball at all to attack today and the Belgians struggled to break down their defense. The Finns were unlucky because I do feel like there was a Belgian handball in the box late in the game that I would've preferred to see be called a penalty that could've easily made it 2-0.

I didn't see the game but I think on paper their weakest link is definitely their strikers. They have a top midfield and their defence is solid and dependable especially with Courtois at the back. I think we'll see more goals from Hazard/De Bruyne/Carrasco than the strikers

[Angus Con]

The Germans dominated Hungary today unsurprisingly. That said, I think they need Hummels to solidify the center of this defense if they are to be taken seriously. They attempted to use Rudiger there today and most every Hungarian attack of any danger went through his lane it seemed.

France/Scotland in a little over an hour...

[terrymcginnis]

They need an actual striker to. Wonder how Gomez will do. 26 goals for bestikas in the Turkish league this year!

[Angus Con]

For some reason, I think Goetze will have a strong tournament and Mueller will pot his. I have no faith in Gomez personally, but I hope I'm wrong. His 2008 Euros are hard to forget.

[verticalsmile]

The dark horse is Austria...
They come to the tournament undefeated and no one is giving them a chance.

The other team is Italy.
If they come to play they can win anything but normally with the Italy team they are so dodge they back themselves to draw....
Example 2010 world cup in South Africa 3 games 3 draws even one with New Zealand
go the Mafia

[sluismcfc]

Originally Posted by verticalsmile

The dark horse is Austria...
They come to the tournament undefeated and no one is giving them a chance.

The other team is Italy.
If they come to play they can win anything but normally with the Italy team they are so dodge they back themselves to draw....
Example 2010 world cup in South Africa 3 games 3 draws even one with New Zealand
go the Mafia

NED 2 - 0 AUS

[Angus Con]

Originally Posted by verticalsmile

The dark horse is Austria...
They come to the tournament undefeated and no one is giving them a chance.

The other team is Italy.
If they come to play they can win anything but normally with the Italy team they are so dodge they back themselves to draw....
Example 2010 world cup in South Africa 3 games 3 draws even one with New Zealand
go the Mafia

Austria's quality of opponent is lacking in my opinion. They are slightly above average and came out of a group with average or worse. Russia and Sweden were their only competition. They should come out of the group stage because Portugal is the only real team in their group. But I don't think Austria has the quality or experience to get very far beyond that.

I guess they could always pull a Greece from the 2004 Euros, but it's very unlikely.