Who will win the Euros

Just wanted to see now that we're at the QF stage if people's views on who will win the competition have altered since it began (obviously they will have done if you had Holland or Russua down to win!)

I still can't see past Germany, they were very comfortable in their group facing some of the best sides. Arguably the only side who can stop them would be Spain, and they won't meet until the final, if ever, and I think Germany are hitting their peak and are capable of beating Spain now.

Whoever wins England Italy as I a. am English and b. have money on Italy

I voted England because you never know. I don't think we have hit our best form yet and we are still unbeaten. Plus you gotta have a little blind optimism as well

Spain will win.
They're just far too good. They haven't gone beyond a stroll yet

Do Spain ever go beyond a stroll?

going with england now.. i have backed england and germany pre tourny- england just for the crack really and 15/1 looks very decent at the mo

good odds on an italy win v england mind.. 2/1 - same as england as well..

Graeme Swann's Cat wrote:Do Spain ever go beyond a stroll?

They are the "Dimitar Berbatov" of international football.

I dont think many want spain to win this- personally i woulnt have any probelm as long as its deserved. But domination tends to get boring - to a degree that many english want germany to win!!!

It's sexy domination though
Nobody has any issues with sexy domination.
(except Max Mosely)

sometimes sexy- alot of the times very boring for the viewer- 100 passes and a through ball that goes to the feet of a defender

Germany all day long. Look too organised have play so well thus far.

Electric Demon wrote:It's sexy domination though
Nobody has any issues with sexy domination.

That's if you think it's sexy. I don't. I find Spain excruciatingly boring to watch.

Xavi's sexy (in footballing terms).

Ronaldinhio is sexy in footballing terms.

would you blow him?

Electric Demon wrote:Xavi's sexy (in footballing terms).

I prefer Iniesta who actually drives the team forward, and I prefer Alonso (possibly because he played for Liverpool) but because his passing is so much more impressive.

Crimey wrote:

Electric Demon wrote:Xavi's sexy (in footballing terms).

I prefer Iniesta who actually drives the team forward, and I prefer Alonso (possibly because he played for Liverpool) but because his passing is so much more impressive.

Than Xavi's?

Not for me. Alonso hits great long distance passes, but a lot of them end up slightly off target.
Xavi hardly ever gives the ball away. He drops back into acres of space, always looking around for the best pass and releasing it at the perfect moment. He's like a metronome.
And that little chip over the top.... how many did Messi score from that little chip?

Xavi is the best passer in football

xavi is spain and is barca

probally only h alf as good as scholes mind

I've said it for years. Xavi is the best footballer in the world.
I know Messi and Ronaldo score sack fulls - but Xavi is perfection

Spain are easier to watch than Barcelona IMO. They tend to get forward more. Wish they'd play Llorente though.

messi is the only player i really wanna see in fairness

Crimey wrote:

Electric Demon wrote:Xavi's sexy (in footballing terms).

I prefer Iniesta who actually drives the team forward, and I prefer Alonso (possibly because he played for Liverpool) but because his passing is so much more impressive.

Sorry crimey but Xavi's passing is miles better than Alonsos

England, I've said it from the start and no one believed. Now we're at the Quarters, some are starting to believe.

duty keep it up pal

If I have to pick at this stage, it's Germany.

It's a tough choice at this stage. Spain has not played at its full potential so far. Their midfield is packed with stars. In the absence of Villa, their striking ability has not been great. Normally good defence has not looked at its best.

France is the dark horse. The problem with them is either they play wonderfully or they don't even show up. You never know what to expect. Winning 3 matches to lift the cup may be asking for too much, but they have a good midfield and front-line.

England is perfectly capable, but that heavy loss to Germany in the last WC, has lowered my expectations for England on the big stage.

I do not like Italy's style of football. I never pick them and they keep surprising me with their resilience. It's a habit for me not to pick them and I am sticking to my habit. My wife also dislikes Italy and this is only thing we agree in our football discussions. I have been feeling some tension at home since Holland got eliminated as my wife is Dutch. Maybe Italy's loss to England will cheer up both.

Duty281 wrote:England, I've said it from the start and no one believed. Now we're at the Quarters, some are starting to believe.

/became as delusional

Gregers wrote:

Crimey wrote:

Electric Demon wrote:Xavi's sexy (in footballing terms).

I prefer Iniesta who actually drives the team forward, and I prefer Alonso (possibly because he played for Liverpool) but because his passing is so much more impressive.

Sorry crimey but Xavi's passing is miles better than Alonsos

I didn't mean better, I mean it makes me sit up and go 'wow'.

Small Time wrote:

Duty281 wrote:England, I've said it from the start and no one believed. Now we're at the Quarters, some are starting to believe.

/became as delusional

small time in name hey.. think bigger, we all need to believe

The fact of the matter is Mysty that England qualified from a group with two bang average teams......surely everyone was at least expecting that? If you get anything out of the Italians I'll be impressed, but that still means you'll have to beat the Jerry's and the Spaniards........are we saying that England fans have seen enough in the first 3 games to truly believe they can win it? Or is it more a case of just getting behind your team?

gotta get behind your team and concentrate on the positives. this is the cup time- the times inbetween them is when we need to analys and work stuff out..

Can't fault you...good luck lads.

Two average teams? Ukraine are the hosts and therefore a good team and Sweden beat a team on a 24 match unbeaten run. Average? Far from it.

It only takes one poor game and you can be knocked out as well, just ask Russia who looked certain to win their group and ended coming up third.

The Czechs are the first team in the poll to go out. It's just as well nobody had voted for them.....

Small Time wrote:The fact of the matter is Mysty that England qualified from a group with two bang average teams......surely everyone was at least expecting that? If you get anything out of the Italians I'll be impressed, but that still means you'll have to beat the Jerry's and the Spaniards........are we saying that England fans have seen enough in the first 3 games to truly believe they can win it? Or is it more a case of just getting behind your team?

Undoubtedly the latter, Smalley. We're daft like that when it comes to football. England's deficiencies are glaringly obvious for all to see, but we just don't quit. All the time we're in the hat, we can win the cup.

We let ourselves get carried along on a wave of silly euphoria until it all goes bonkywink and then we descend into the pit of despair...... until the World Cup Qualifiers start and we can begin to dream again.

It's such a regular cycle now that it's starting to become perversely comforting.


.

I would disagree with that Jennifer.I think the majority of England fans are a bit more savvy and realistic these days.

I don't know anyone who seriously expects we can go all the way, most people are fairly pragmatic and don't let the media hype affect our opinions like they maybe used to .

We're not good enough to win the Euros, we've done better than most people expected and even "if" we can overcome Italy, that will be as far as this team can go.

I still think it will be a Germany v Spain final, with Germany winning.

Jennifer1984 wrote:
We let ourselves get carried along on a wave of silly euphoria until it all goes bonkywink and then we descend into the pit of despair...... until the World Cup Qualifiers start and we can begin to dream again.
It's such a regular cycle now that it's starting to become perversely comforting.
.

For a few years, it was all about climbing up the Henman Hill for 11 months ..... only to come rolling down quickly, and start the process all over again.

Duty281 wrote:Two average teams? Ukraine are the hosts and therefore a good team and Sweden beat a team on a 24 match unbeaten run. Average? Far from it.

I'm not sure why being hosts qualifies you as being a "good team"......South Africa anyone? And yes, france having a very poor day at the office doesn't make Sweden a good team.

ukraine as i think most will know are levels above SA. and the home advantage obviously helps teams in a massive way.as for sweden - Being able to beat a team that in truth needed a draw to secure qual(france)y means yes they are a decent outfit and a team with pride(As there weer knocked out by england). you cant just put the defeat down to another team not turning up. teams get beat, sweden were much better on the day.

dont get me wrong there are clearly not great sides.. but lets be honest there is only two of them at this euros

I think England were happy to get the group they did, could have obviously been allot worse:

Croatia
Spain

Germany
Portugal

Obviously looking at the the seeding and tier stuff on how they rate the teams, England, apart from group A had the easiest group on paper. They done more than what was expected of them and have a genuine chance to beat Italy. If they do then its anyone's game but I would fancy the Germans on current form to beat England.

what is all this easiest group on paper business- there was a tougher group an easier group and another very similar.

there are only 4 groups!!!! its not lucky its par

Would love to say England, Portugal or even Germany but just cant see past Spain. Even when they play bad they look better than the opposition.