Euro 2008

[domer1961]

Group C will be won by the Dutch and I believe todays 4-1 win over France clinched it. Wesley Sneijder of Real Madrid is an offensive minded midfielder who I think has greatly benefitted Holland.

Van Nistelrooy showed some amazing skill today (note the dribbling skills and the ability to hold the ball up with his back turned to goal to wait for support). Van Nistelrooy is a completely different player then what I saw at the 2006 World Cup. He may not be scoring goals left and right (1 in this tourney) but he's definietly helping the Dutch side, which next to Spain, have the most depth.

With Arjen Robben and Robben Van Persie both coming in as subs (!) and Van Der Sar in goal (one of the worlds best might I add), I think Holland and Spain will make one of the best semi final matches in the last 3 Euro tournaments. England v Portugal in 2004 was pretty good, but once Rooney broke his metatarsal there it was over for England.

Now for their paths there. Holland, the winners of the group of death i.e Group C, will most likely play Sweden who will probably beat Russia to finish second in Group D. Greece never had a shot, and Russia may be good, but not as good as Ibrahimovich and the Swede's side.

Holland and Sweden will be a fantastic game, with the Dutch winning. Therefore, Spain will play winner of Italy France game, and either way, I see Spain winning. Oh yeah, I forgot to add that Spain are the most talented team in the tournament; not the best playing together or however you want to put it, but definitely the most talented.

Any team who starts out with Cesc Fabregas (one of the best midfielders in the Premier League and the guy who runs the show at Arsenal) on the bench means you must have a ton of depth. Xavi and Alonso in midfield will be great. Carlos Puyol of Barcelona at the back is in my mind one of the best defenders in the world - he's like a bull. Sagna of Arsenal rivals him for best defender in the world, but Puyol's pretty darn good.

Anyways, Iker Casillas, Spain's goalie has played lights out in the last two games where Real Madrid have won La Liga. He saved a crucial penalty also in the game before Madrid's winning game, to keep them far ahead in the race with a couple games to go. He and Van Der Sar are the two best in the world at their positions (Van Der Sar arguably better after the Chelsea v Man UTD game).

Then you have Torres and Villa up front. Credit Torres completely with Villa's first goal last game, because Torres got around the defender and did a very sweet move to push the ball into the middle for a wide open net shot for Villa. Spain's offense is looking great, and them and Holland should be the game, and a great one.

I don't think anyone can argue, as of now those are the two best teams in the tournament (Spain GF: 4 GA: 1 and Holland in 2 games GF: 7 GA: 1). Plus with their depth, it's sad to see one of them will have to lose. The Group C/D side will win the tournament.

I think Portugal will probably make it to the finals if they can get past Croatia and the Germans which they probably can without too much of a struggle, but they don't have the depth or talent of the teams like Spain and Holland.

Just my two cents.

 

[IHateMarkMay]

The only problem with spain is that they have too many of the same player... all of their midfielders are amazing and they all do the same thing. It sounds like a good problem, but at times, you wish you could change it up against some teams. I do agree with you though that Spain is one of the best in the EuroCup, they just dont get the job done in the end of big competitions.

 

[domer1961]

That's been their problem as of late - same with Holland as well (referring to not getting job done late in the tournaments). I think that's going to end though - I mean it has to eventually. This is a different Spain team I think then in the World Cup - just the flow of the team seems smoother (not as smooth as Holland) but still, I say they get as far as semis + finals probably.

 

[Clausen2Kamara]

I still question Spain not starting Fabregas...maybe I am a Premier league homer but he is one of the top 3 midfielders in the game...behind Deco, Essien...He can score from anywhere and pass with the best of them...Portugal and the Netherlands have been playing the most attractive styles and they've been blowing out their competition...These are the two top squads in my opinion...while Croatia and Sweden could suprise cuz of their good team play and exeptional talent...I think Germany is out next round...they look lazy on the pitch! Their stars are just too old!

 

[domer1961]

I think the Portugal side is great - Deco is definitely one of the best midfielders in the world hands down. Holland have been attractive, yes, but you don't think Spain have? I'm excited for the game tomorrow at 12 on (ESPN2?) Sweden v Spain. That should tell everyone how good Spain really are, whether they're ready to take it to the next step, and if Sweden can knock off top talent.

I agree wholeheartedly with the Fabregas statement - I watch a lot of the EPL and he's one of the best easily in midfield; I just found it intruiging that they don't even start him. That tells me something about a teams depth, and he possibly doesn't flow with the other players as well as Alonso and Xavi? Not sure what the Spain manager's reason is.

 

[IHateMarkMay]

Yeah, Fabregas is pretty dang good, him, Deco, and Scholes in my opinion are all pretty dominant in the midfield. I like scholes not only cause hes ManU, but he plays hard nosed and tough, it gets in the other teams heads, and he's got one heck of a shot.

 

[domer1961]

Fabregas, Deco, and Scholes are very good center midfielders. Scholes is very consistent as opposed to the other two who are more talented than Paul Scholes, although he has won quite a few trophies in his long time at Man UTD. I think in the top three center midfielders in the world you'd have to include Steven Gerrard and (if you play him here like Barcelona can) Lionel Messi, who is a midfielding maestro. Messi naturally switches from left to right to center, and is just in the right place and is always moving without the ball which is key.

I think Messi is the most talented center midfielder in the world if you put him there, but then again, it's Euro 2008 and he's Argentine. Gerrard didn't make it either.

 

[Sureal]

I think the Portugal side is great - Deco is definitely one of the best midfielders in the world hands down. Holland have been attractive, yes, but you don't think Spain have? I'm excited for the game tomorrow at 12 on (ESPN2?) Sweden v Spain. That should tell everyone how good Spain really are, whether they're ready to take it to the next step, and if Sweden can knock off top talent.

I agree wholeheartedly with the Fabregas statement - I watch a lot of the EPL and he's one of the best easily in midfield; I just found it intruiging that they don't even start him. That tells me something about a teams depth, and he possibly doesn't flow with the other players as well as Alonso and Xavi? Not sure what the Spain manager's reason is.

Spain and Sweden was a good game. Spain started pissing me off by them playing with the ball and not getting the ball in the box. But what dramatics at the end....

I was out most of the day yesterday and couldn't see any games. Portugal got shut out??? Who seen the game and what happened? Did they sit their regulars?

 

[IHateMarkMay]

Spain and Sweden was a good game. Spain started pissing me off by them playing with the ball and not getting the ball in the box. But what dramatics at the end....

I was out most of the day yesterday and couldn't see any games. Portugal got shut out??? Who seen the game and what happened? Did they sit their regulars?

Spain is a good team, but they would rather play beautiful futbol over effective futbol. It is more fun to watch but they dont always get the job done. Portugal sat a lot of their starters and gave their bench a chance. Switzerland scored both goals later in the game and they had their pride to play for, the game didnt matter to the portuguese. Turkey and Czech Republic gave us a game for the ages. It seemed like the Czech's were dominating and were up 2-0 and then with 15 minutes left, turkey scored. then in the 87th minute, Petr Cech dropped the ball and one of their guys tapped it in, then in the 90th minute, same guy puts a beautiful ball over Cech's head and nicks the crossbar and in... beautiful shot. Great games.

 

[Sureal]

Yeah Spain is a very good team. They just frustrates me sometime.

Well I figured that they needed the rest. This tournament is better than what I expected. IHateMarkMay who are you going for again?

 

[Clausen2Kamara]

I think Croatia could really make a run especially with Turkey's goalkeeper suspended for the match! It should be interesting but I'm stickin with Portugal to win it. They got to rest most of their starters last match and that should play big dividens for the remainder of the tourney...I'm kinda rooting for Austria to upset the Germans...I doubt it will happen though!

 

[IHateMarkMay]

Personally i've always like the Netherlands and England, and since England isnt there, i have to go for the Netherlands. I've always liked Ruud Van Nistelrooy, and they have such great players. I wouldnt mind seeing sweden do some damage, but i would rather see the Netherlands win.

 

[domer1961]

I completely agree with whoever said that Spain would rather play slowly with passing around then attacking the box. The game obviously showed their talent, but I regret saying I think Spain will win it all. Especially if Carles Puyol is out (i dont know the scoop on him). They just don't have the experience, but in the WC 2010 they will be good.

I agree with IHateMarkMay...Holland have looked great at every aspect. Sweden should beat Russia, but they wont go any further then the final 8 because they'll play Holland and they've looked flawless.

One thing I noticed today is what Andy Gray was commentating about on ESPN...Germany are effecient. But they're not looking great. If Austria hadn't been so frustrating to watch, and maybe had some better talent they could've won that game with the number of passes they completely fell apart with.

I worded that badly about Austria - if anyone watched the game, you know what I mean. They had the counter attack, but the crosses and final touches weren't there. A Holland team would absolutely destroy the Germans right now,..the Germans are sub par.

So yea, I completely agree with IHateMarkMAy in that Holland definitely look the most likely to go the distance.

But what a quarterfinals match that'll be, Portugal v Germany! Too bad for the Germans they'll get squashed - I say 2-0, or 2-1

 

[Clausen2Kamara]

Agreed, I think Portugal will make the Germans look BAD...I say 3-1.