Euro 2004 predictions - first round

[TheArsenal]

They (Czechs) are sitting on quite a few writer's lists for the “surprise” team. But they are also in a group with Germany and the Netherlands. I know the over all performances of European teams in WC 2002 are considered an aberration, meaning the better competition was eliminated early, but people seem to have forgotten exactly how well Germany did. They always seem to find a way to slog through.

And this is the Netherlands year to quit choking. As much as I hate the diving cheat Van Nistelroy (he actually tried to hand ball in a goal during Holland’s friendly against the “much lesser” competition of Team USA) he is an outstanding goal poacher. I just feel the Netherlands are going to live up to all that potential they regularly squander.

[Zopperoni]

I would find it highly amusing if Advocaat managed to keep a straight face about lining up RvN and then filled in Makaay on the game form to surprise ze Germans.

He's too boring to do that though

[germanos]

Dispite my optimism for this game, I would be surprised if Holland really would make it champion: we have a lousy defense which will seriously trouble the 'feed' to our forwards.

Goalgetters we have plenty, and the midfield should be sound as well with Davids and Cocu at the heart of it.

Stam is the only good defender we have, as de Boer is too old to be of any good use. Bouma sucks royal, and getting Bosvelt to replace the mediocre van Bommel just really shows the lack of good defenders (or the incompetence of Advocaat). Reiziger will do, but just that. I'm not convinced of Heitinga, but he'll play on the same position as Reiziger, so we still have the left side vacant. Van Bronckhorst would be my man, but we're doomed if he can't play for whatever reason.

Makaay should definitely play: he has done well in Germany this year.
I do have good hopes on van Nistelrooy, but for some reason he doesn't play very well in the national team.

For the rest of the positions, I think Advocaat should put a lot of energy in the young players, as it is really up to them to make the difference: Overmars and Zenden have had their best, and they should be kept in reserve if van der Vaart, van der Meyde or Sneijder fall through in a game.

Seedorf is hurt, and he might as well. It really sucks how he always falls through in the national team.
Robben is promising, but hurt as well.

Kluivert must be dropped in favor of Makaay, and if it were up to me (which it is not, thank god ), he won't play a minute. But that has more to do with the brilliance of van Hooijdonk, who should be the first pick if Makaay or van Nistelrooy will have to be substituded.

Van der Sar will obviously defend the goal, and he will do so very well. I hope his injury is alittle one

[TheArsenal]

Originally posted by germanos
Van Bronckhorst would be my man, but we're doomed if he can't play for whatever reason.

You may still have problems. Van Bronkhorst has played a great deal of left back at club level, but is really a midfielder. His positioning is still suspect.

[Kropotkin]

They (Czechs) are sitting on quite a few writer's lists for the “surprise” team. But they are also in a group with Germany and the Netherlands.

A lot like back in 2000 when they got in the same group as Netherlands and the champions to be (and ruling world champions), France. The czechs had completely dominated their qualification group, winning all the matches (10) and ending up 12 points(!!!) ahead of runner ups Scotland. They aslo had a 26-5 goaldifference. I think it'll be the same story again. To bad, as I really like their kind of football. Furthermore, Nedved is my favorite active midfielder. Sure, the guy falls as a ton of bricks when he sees an opportunity but the tears when they go out after three games will be real.

I know the over all performances of European teams in WC 2002 are considered an aberration, meaning the better competition was eliminated early, but people seem to have forgotten exactly how well Germany did. They always seem to find a way to slog through.

Didn't you know? The germans are evil. They've had a pact with the devil since the final of '54.

[germanos]

Originally posted by TheArsenal


You may still have problems. Van Bronkhorst has played a great deal of left back at club level, but is really a midfielder. His positioning is still suspect.

I fully agree.
I stated our defense is in bad shape

[Robert]

If things look bad in the 70th minute, Advocaat should really bring van Hooijdonk in as soon as a free kick is given to the Dutch.

That's a good change for a goal.
In fact I even believe that if van Hooijdonk would get the change to prove himself, he would make more goals than van Nistelrooy and Kluivert would.....

[RGBVideo]

Is it too late to start predicting yet?

[Solver]

Still a few hours till the opening, so I think you can.

[Pekka]

My predictions:

Group A:

Spain
Portugal

Group B:

France
England

Group C:

Italy
Sweden

Group D:

Germany
Czech Republic

[alva]

Kluivert must be dropped in favor of Makaay, and if it were up to me (which it is not, thank god ), he won't play a minute. But that has more to do with the brilliance of van Hooijdonk, who should be the first pick if Makaay or van Nistelrooy will have to be substituded.

Neither would I select; Davids, Seedorf, De Boer, and Van De Sar....
The latter one because he's much overrated, the rest because of the atmosphere/attitude they bring with them.

[RGBVideo]

EURO 2004 winner: Italy
EURO 2004 top-scorer:   Koller (Czech Rep.)

12-06-2004, Group A:
Portugal - Greece    1 - 0
Spain - Russia       4 - 1
Group A winner:      Portugal
Group A runner-up:   Spain

Much will depend from Morientes' and Raul's first game... If they screw up and the game ends up 0-0, Spain has little chance proceed to the playoffs.

[Monk]

New and (hopefully) improved predictions are as follows:

European champion: The Germans
Top scorer: Van Nistelrooy

Finally a reason to root for the Germans

I have scarce time, so I hope it's allright if I only predict the first set of matches at this time:

12-06-2004, Group A:
Portugal - Greece 1-1
Spain - Russia 2-2

13-06-2004, Group B:
Switzerland - Croatia 0-3
France - England 1-2

14-06-2004, Group C:
Denmark - Italy 1-1
Sweden - Bulgaria 2-1

15-06-2004, Group D:
Germany - Netherlands 1-2
Czech Republic - Latvia 3-0

Group A: Portugal, Russia
Group B: England, Croatia
Group C: Italy, Denmark
Group D: Netherlands, Germany

[Solver]

European champion: The Germans

[Monk]

Originally posted by Solver

European champion: The Germans

What's so funny? The Germans usually have the skills and luck needed in the major tournaments, and they did reach the final two years ago.

It's too bad I won't win any points predicting that Germany and England will meet up in a semi-final which Germany will eventually win following a penalty shootout.