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| Euro 2008 Championships; The Draw | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Dec 2 2007, 04:05 AM (1,502 Views) | |
| vince stravino | Dec 2 2007, 04:05 AM Post #1 |
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Group A: Switzerland, Czech Republic, Portugal, Turkey Group B: Austria, Croatia, Germany, Poland Group C: Romania, France, Netherlands, Italy Group D: Greece, Sweden, Spain, Russia |
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| vince stravino | Dec 2 2007, 04:07 AM Post #2 |
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Ooops...maybe someone can change the heading to Euro 2008 Championships. |
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| siralfred | Dec 2 2007, 06:00 AM Post #3 |
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Forza Zlatan!
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Well, it's really the same thing, isn't it? Anyway, my desired draw for Sweden (Austria, Romania, Poland) didn't happen, but Greece, Spain and Russia, though no easy opponents, are not the worst that could happen. And the group of death that almost was. Despite topping their qualifying group, I don't think Romania are ready to step into Germany's shoes, though on the present form of the other three, I can't count them out or call a favorite. I still think Portugal or Croatia will win. |
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| Hector | Dec 2 2007, 07:24 AM Post #4 |
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Well siralfred, we meet again, another Spain-Sweden matchup. Spain's tie 4 years ago with Greece is what kept us out of the 2nd round and send Greece on to their eventual title and next year we'll get another rematch. Russia may have snuck in at the end whent he English stumbled but nobody will look forward to playing a Guus Hiddink coached team in a tournament. It isn't the group of death but t also isn't an easy group. I suppose it is the ebst who could hope for ina Euro draw. The group of detah obviously is Italy, France, Netherlands and Romania. Poor Romania finally gets back in a Euro and then gets this group. The Dutch will also need to pick up their play but Italy and France are developing quite a rivalry now so their matchup should be full of sparks. Vince, your Group B iincorrectly lists Portugal when it should be Poland. Portugal is in Group A. Group A is for me the easiest of the draw although if home team Switzerland can play well they could complicate matters for the Czechs and Portuguese. Poland and Croatia played well in qualifying, if they keep that up next summer they could give Germany a challenge but Overall I think Germany is pretty happy with their luck in this draw. Austria may be at home but they are currently a mess. I'm getting excited for next summer already, this draw raises the interest that's for sure. siralfred, my pick for the title is Germany. |
| iPuerta amigo, Sevilla esta contigo! | |
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| Manzanares | Dec 2 2007, 08:23 AM Post #5 |
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Hector I think has summed up Spain's perspective in their group. Could have been better, could have been worse is my assessment. So under that standard it is an acceptable group. I do know that if Spain can reproduce it's play from these last two games against Denmark and Sweden then they should do fine in this group. Well what can you say about the group of death? It is exactly that. France-Italy games are getting fun to watch and we'll be treated to another one. Holland and Romania know one another well from qualifying and both will give troubles to the French and Italians. Not much room for slip ups in this group. Is it me or does it seem Germany has more trouble with eastern European countries than those from the west or south of Europe? If so then both Croatia and Poland could be difficult opponents for them. But this is a growing German team and like Hector I'd rate them the favorites going into the tournament. Plus they'll practically be playing at home. If Portugal can get a consistent goalscorer they'll be hard to beat and they also have to like their draw. Maybe Cristiano Ronaldo is the guy who will provide Portugal with it's goals? |
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| vince stravino | Dec 2 2007, 01:34 PM Post #6 |
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Thanks Hector. I fixed it
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| Winslow | Dec 2 2007, 02:19 PM Post #7 |
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I woke up ridiculously early this morning and stumbled upon the live draw. You can't beat the Europeans for cheesy TV spectaculars like that. This draw has some matchups that will be really fun to watch. Along with France-Italy (echoes of 2006) and Spain-Greece (echoes of 2004), there's Switzerland-Turkey, whose WC qualifying playoff two years ago ended in violence, and traditional foes Germany-Austria and Germany-Poland. I think Romania's good enough to cause a little mischief in the Group of Death. And I'm very pleased that none of the groups is obviously weak--a real risk going into the draw. |
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| Merengue | Dec 2 2007, 05:34 PM Post #8 |
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Spain did get a lot of familiar faces, Greece and Russia were in it's Euro 2004 group and of course Spain and Sweden faced one another in qualifying for this tournament. The bad news for anybody in this group is the winner and 2nd place team will have to face the corrresponding teams from the Group of Death. If there is any relief in that idea it is the thought that the group play may be so intense in the "Group of Death" that they'll wear each other out by the time the quarterfinals come around. I'll just be hoping Spain won't have to play France again as they are Spain's bogey team. As Winslow says there are a lot of good first round matchups from this draw. Can't wait for this all to begin. Is it June yet? |
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| valenciano | Dec 3 2007, 01:07 PM Post #9 |
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You make an interesting point Merengue, Spain has an accessible group, as discussed, it could have been better, could have been worse but if the team plays up to it's potential it should get through but then whomever comes out of the Group of Death would await them. That won't be a fun match but I suppose at that stage you can't expect an easy one! Don't overlook Greece though, after their post Euro 2004 let down they look like they've rebuilt their team well and we know they have a stingy defense. Sweden always is a tricky opponent and if Ibrahimovic can ever reproduce his club form with his national team, watch out while Russia are not easy opponents either and have a coach known for working miracles. About the Group of Death I feel sorry for Romania, they finally get back in an international tournament and in any other group I think you'd say they'd have a legitimate chance to get past the first round but I don't think you can say that with the group they received. All of France, Holland and Italy have had let downs in nternational tournaments in this decade so it isn't out of the question that could happen again but there won't be room for Italy to have it's typical slow start in this sector. |
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| Yogi | May 9 2008, 09:25 PM Post #10 |
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It has been hard to focus on Euro 2008 with the league seasons finishing up throughout Europe but now that the legaue campaigns are coming to an end it is time to start thinking about this summer's fun in the Alps. I read of bad news today for Czech Republic, Tomas Rosicky will miss the tournament because of an operation to repair a hamstring problem he has had since the start of 2008. Some stories are saying Pavel Nedved may come out of international retirement to replace him but hasn't Nedved already done that for World Cup 2006? I loved how the Czechs played at Euro 2004 but they had an aging team two years ago in Germany and with Rosicky out they should look for younger alternatives than Nedved to fill his place in the team. |
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| gaviota | May 11 2008, 06:10 AM Post #11 |
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Look forward not backwards. I too think Czech Republic should look for players other than Nedved to fill in for the injured Rosicky. Too bad he'll be out as he's an excellent player. The Czechs played well collectively four years ago and they'll need to do that again to have any success this summer. I always enjoyed watching Jan Koller a player with surprisingly good technique for someone of his size. But this Euro 2008 could be his last moment in the sun as his career is winding down too. |
| CHAMP13NS | |
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| Simon | May 12 2008, 04:29 AM Post #12 |
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It's hard to imagine how the Czechs could do well this summer when they have fundamentally the same squad that flopped due to old age two years ago. Koller is now 35 years old and couldn't even get a game with Monaco who are in the bottom half of Ligue 1. Baros has always been hit-and-miss and hasn't done anything at Portsmouth after being surplus to requirements at Lyon, yet these two are still the starting strikers. I know they've played Marek Matejovsky instead of Rosicky in the past but he's just been relegated with Reading and isn't in Rosicky's class. Maybe they should look to Nedved, after all at 35 he's no older than a couple of other starters for the Czechs such as Koller and Galasek. It's hard to see where their goals could come from, so maybe they feel they need to turn back to Nedved? On an optimistic note, they have arguably the best goalkeeper in the world in Petr Cech and I don't see too much to worry them in their group. Portugal are a good side but not a great one, while the other two teams in the group are Switzerland and Turkey and neither look imposing. I agree with gaviota that the Czechs will need real team cohesion and defensive solidity to cover for the lack of individual class that they've had in the past. |
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| Merengue | May 12 2008, 10:48 PM Post #13 |
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It is true the Czechs have an aging team but in their defense I'll say that their hopes in Germany went up in smoke 2 years ago when Jan Koller got injured and missed their final group games. If Koller is healthy, I think they still have a solid chance to classify out of their group. To me Koller is one of those players who looks better for his national team than he does wth his clubs. Portugal have already started their training camp and Scolari named their 23 man team for the tournament! The biggest name omitted I think was Maniche the Inter Milan midfielder who had previously been a mainstay for the team. Interestingly his brother defender Jorge Ribeiro did make the squad. Here is Portugal's squad: Goalkeepers: Ricardo Pereira (Real Betis), Quim Silva (Benfica), Rui Patricio (Sporting) Defenders: Miguel Monteiro (Valencia), Jose Bosingwa (Porto), Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea), Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea), Fernando Meira (VfB Stuttgart), Bruno Alves (Porto), Pepe (Real Madrid), Jorge Ribeiro (Boavista) Midfielders: Raul Meireles (Porto), Joao Moutinho (Sporting), Deco (Barcelona), Armando Petit (Benfica), Miguel Veloso (Sporting) Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Simao Sabrosa (Atletico Madrid), Ricardo Quaresma (Porto), Nuno Gomes (Benfica), Hugo Almeida (Werder Bremen), Nani (Manchester United), Helder Postiga (Panathinaikos) It is a good looking squad and while a consistent goalscorer has previously been their weakness they have some guy in their squad who scored a couple of goals this year for Manchester United! ![]() Why not ditch a pure center forward and play Cristiano Ronaldo, Simao and Quaresma together on the front line? Now that would be a difficult group to try and defend. |
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| Nkono | May 13 2008, 05:55 AM Post #14 |
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That is a talented team Portugal is taking to Euro 2008. They may not be the favorites but at the same time I don't think that is a team too many nations will look forward to playing. But I'll be curious if after a long season whether Cristiano Ronaldo will be able to duplicate his Manchester United success with his national team? Merengue you raise a pretty good point about Portugal using all three of their wingers at once. Why not do that when they don't have a reliable international level center forward? Ronaldo has already shown with Manchester United that he can play centrally. Clarence Seedorf has told Holland he won't play for them this summer. It isn't that he wants to retire from the national team but like Mark van Bommel, he doe snot wnat to play for Marco van Basten! So it seems the Dutch are abck to their old tricks of feuding amongts themselves. |
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| Don Balon | May 13 2008, 06:17 AM Post #15 |
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With Ricardo in goal, Carvalho and Pepe as centerbacks, Deco in midfield and Simao, Quaresma and Ronaldo in attack, Portugal have some of the most talented players in Europe in their starting team. And on the bench they have one of the most successful coaches anywhere. I think they have to be considered one of the real contenders for this European championship. |
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