I'm not baseing this off of friendlies. With Spain, I see their core getting older and I don't envision them playing as strong as they have in 2008 and 2010. Also with Villa having been injured just about all season and Torres being Torres I could see scoring becoming an issue. With Holland, I just never know what to expect. They have been real good internationally of late, but that could change. Historically they are not so strong devensively and that could cost them a deep run. But I will conceed that no team has more up fromt then Holland. And Germany is the team I fear less for. I fully expect them to make a deep run, but as it is with Eurpoean football things can change quickly and that's the only thing I can honestly point out as a reason why they could falture. But again, I would conceed that they may possess the most well rounded team entering the Euro Cup.
no i agree, im just saying what people were saying pre tournament by looking at the betting odds the month before the tournament. in 06 france had slightly worse odds than italy going into that tournament. in 08 that spain team exploded into the team we know today, before that every1 questioned them bcuz historically spain always has a talented team, they just never seem to find the way to win - like the netherlands. Also you always have to include italy, germany, brazil, and argentina as favorites going to any tournament just because of their history
I agree with the overall point that your making. There usually isn’t an actual clear favorite on the pitch. However there are media created clear favorites on paper every tournament. That’s what those betting odds-makers do for a living – whether they are right or wrong. That’s what I was trying to show in my little summary up there – that they are usually wrong. There are usually always a group of 2-3 countries that are labeled by the media as clear favorites - the team with the most likely chance to win the tournament. For example in 2006, Brazil (defending champion and really team with best team on paper) and Germany (host nation and history) were labeled as the clear odds on favorites for the tournament. Then there are of course your teams that are labeled favorites because of history and pedigree of their leagues and players - Italy, Argentina, Brazil, Germany, England, France, and Spain. These countries are always among the list of "favorites" by default, which is why there are a great number of teams listed as 'favorites' that win the tournament. There is always a clear favorite created by the media (usually deserved) whether that gap in quality between them and the rest of the ‘favorites’ is actually there or not. 9 times out of 10 there is a winner from the group of ‘favorites’. Hell only 8 teams have won world cups (italy, uruguay, brazil, argentina, england, germany, france, spain). The point i was trying to make was that the clear favorites rarely win the tournaments. it’s usually the team that people least expect that wins the tournament.( and By that i mean teams still among the 'favorites' not your minnows like Poland). For example, Italy in 06 was not expected to win the world cup mainly due to the distraction of the calciopoli scandal and because their two previous tournaments were unsuccessful in 02 and 04. Everyone was saying either Brazil or Germany were most likely the clear favorite. People also included Argentina and England as teams also likely, but not as likely to win the title. They only mentioned Italy of course because of history and the quality of players, you have to. But no one really thought they would do it- they were a bit of a surprise that year. So were France and Portugal. The only year Id argue that I can remember a clear cut favorite winning the title was World Cup 2010. No one was surprised Spain won. They were the most talented team in the tournament and there was a gap that separated them from the rest of the pack (really only germany and Netherlands). Everyone expected that they would win it. It was almost as if it were their title to lose. It was inevitable that Spain won. They were that dominate in euro 08 and with the successes of Barca it was no real surprise they won in 2010.
DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT waste your time supporting England. If I were you and looking for a team to support that isn't a major fav, but still a big nation, I'd go with France. And I think most of the Italian players usually come from Juve in most major tourneys. I haven't checked their squad list yet but with Juve winning Serie A this season, I can't imagine them not having a fairly great amount of players on the Azzuri for next month.
Ace already mentioned what I was going to say- Affellay. Injured most of the year, and def. not coming in stronger. I don't even think Elia made the squad. He barely got on the Juve team sheet this season. I think Van Marwijk left him out of the Dutch squad.
The problem with that French squad is definitely not depth or scoring. The defense will be a problem. Especially the left side. I have confidence in Rami and Debuchy but I think Blanc may still be undecided on Koscielny or Mexes(should be no question-Koscielny has been the better defender recently for Les Bleus than Mexes has). If Mexes plays, then the opposing strikers in the group should be raring to go. Evra inspires no confidence in me(I say this as a United fan as well). I like Blanc and I like what he's done with this French team so I'd definitely love to see them go far.
The problem you mentioned is France playing with the right mindset. That is the biggest challenge and that's why I'd be more willing to bet on Italy than I would on France. Even with less big names than France, that might still work to Italy's favour. Those big names might play with more humility and cohesiveness than a France squad with personalities like Benzema, Ribery, Malouda, Gourcuff, Ben Arfa and M'Vila. But I'm still rooting for France.
Juve represent 7 of the 23 players coming to euro 2012 for italy. Our entire core is built by juve players. our ideal starting 11 (4-3-2-1): among the starting 11, 5 are juventus players. -------------Buffon------------------ Maggio - Barzagli - Chiellini - Balzaretti ------De Rossi - Pirlo - Marchisio------ -------------Montolivio--------------- ---------Cassano - Balotelli-----------
I know what I'm getting myself into. I know all about England's failures on the national level and that the last major competition they won was in the 60's. I have just gotten into EPL football so much that I have also started to take a liking to their national team. Brazil is still my favorite national team, but England is two and since its the Euro Cup there my squad. I could never root for France. I still remember the heartache they caused me in 98 and 06. But being a City fan I hope Nasri has a good tournament.
Lol. Heartache because they beat Brazil?? The heartache you felt supporting Brazil is still miles better than any you'll feel as an England supporter. Don't do it man. You're crazy. If you're not English then it's not worth the harm it'll do to you as an England supporter. Don't be crazy man!
It's weird how optimistic some English supporters are. I went to some other forums and a few were saying something like, "we have a chance! yeah!" smh. Their group isn't too difficult, probably would have no problem getting past Ukraine and Sweden. I will say this though, everyone is hoping they'd get a team from Group A in the knockout stage. Question: Any group stage surprises this year? I think there will be a surprise from Group C.
I agree that the netherlands does not seem to have the momentum we had 2 years ago. but I have faith they will do well. And hopefully finally beat Portugal (payback for 6 and 8 years ago). Elia didn't make the squad. Narsingh made it instead. It is interesting that Huntelaar got number 9 and Van Persie 17. I wonder if that means that Van Marwijk will give Huntelaar the starting position. Also Bouma got number 5, maybe van Marwijk will play him as left back.
No way Van Persie comes off the bench. Dude just finished the best season in his career, he's on a high right now. I think Van Marwijk will try to keep that energy going. Don't know about Huntelaar, I don't follow games outside of the EPL much.
