OK it's time to start. i will keep this as my thread throughout the euro 2004.
My plays will be as usual if not stated differnetly for 1 unit, big plays for 2 unit.
First i'll post my general idea and outlook for the teams, so you know in which direction i think. it's just the summary of what i have capped. beware these prediction are mainly for group stage as i see this a wide open tournament once we are reaching the elimination rounds.
I'll post my props and futures later today or tomorrow and first matches approx. thursday.
so good luck to all and may germany win (which i dont believe, but you never know)
Group A:
Spain / Portugal:
Both team should go through easily. not sure which team is the better. they both have some kind of home advantage, but to go deep into the tournament they have not a good history..we all know that spain is the secret fav in every WC or EURO but then struggels to produce.
Portugal has IMO only home advantage...they are not porto (which is probably the most disciplined team in europe right now). if it goes down the wire i see them struggeling as always.
Very slight edge to spain and easy group stage for both.
Russia: not as dangerous as we know them from the past, but still the only reasonable longshot for an upset in this group.
Greece: unexperience with an experience german coach. they played a great qualifying, but that'S it..they are happy to be here and will have fun, but not because of winning.
(3rd or 4th place)
Group B:
Frankreich: best team in group technically and with best defense. still believe they are overvalued and dont see them as the super-team, but they will definitely show up and not produce an upset like in WC.
England:
England is england...on the big stage they will NOT produce..they have a great league, but not a great national team. not difference this time.they should go through but it's not a surprice if they would be upset by croatia.
Croatia:
Dangerous..almost the only team which played good and solid friendlies in last two week. there is a TEAM which is always dangerous whith these teams from the balkan.
They have the biggest chance for an upset in group stage IMO in this tournament.
SWISS: Plain awful. enough said.
Group C:
Italy: played solid as always. they are a tournament team as germany. nobody speaks about them at the moment, but they are one of the top 3 teams IMO. Strong in every aspect.
Sweden: Clearly number 2 in this group. Solid on defense, dangerous in offense. they have the body and experience to play with everybody on any day.
Denmark: Simply NOT good..not even dangerous as in the past.
Bulgaria: Even worse
Group D:
Holland: They have a problem. big hype around this team but i think only outside of holland. they have great names, but are struggeling to produce on the big stage in recent years (if they reach the big stage..see worls cup). terrible friendly result and and awful group for them.
Germany is always dangerous to play gor the dutch and against the czech they always loose. they got picked in every qualifier every tournament and always holland comes up short. czech is the reason holland did not travel to WC and had to qualify for this EURO.
Czech: solid team
Germany: Unpredictable: They can beat everybody and can loose to almost everybody..all depend on the first game. if they win beware of what is coming if not sudden end.
DOnt overvalue the loss on sunday to hungria.
Latvia: They had a convincing result in their last qualifier : 2-2 home draw to Azerbaidschan..enough said.
See you all for props and futures
My plays will be as usual if not stated differnetly for 1 unit, big plays for 2 unit.
First i'll post my general idea and outlook for the teams, so you know in which direction i think. it's just the summary of what i have capped. beware these prediction are mainly for group stage as i see this a wide open tournament once we are reaching the elimination rounds.
I'll post my props and futures later today or tomorrow and first matches approx. thursday.
so good luck to all and may germany win (which i dont believe, but you never know)
Group A:
Spain / Portugal:
Both team should go through easily. not sure which team is the better. they both have some kind of home advantage, but to go deep into the tournament they have not a good history..we all know that spain is the secret fav in every WC or EURO but then struggels to produce.
Portugal has IMO only home advantage...they are not porto (which is probably the most disciplined team in europe right now). if it goes down the wire i see them struggeling as always.
Very slight edge to spain and easy group stage for both.
Russia: not as dangerous as we know them from the past, but still the only reasonable longshot for an upset in this group.
Greece: unexperience with an experience german coach. they played a great qualifying, but that'S it..they are happy to be here and will have fun, but not because of winning.
(3rd or 4th place)
Group B:
Frankreich: best team in group technically and with best defense. still believe they are overvalued and dont see them as the super-team, but they will definitely show up and not produce an upset like in WC.
England:
England is england...on the big stage they will NOT produce..they have a great league, but not a great national team. not difference this time.they should go through but it's not a surprice if they would be upset by croatia.
Croatia:
Dangerous..almost the only team which played good and solid friendlies in last two week. there is a TEAM which is always dangerous whith these teams from the balkan.
They have the biggest chance for an upset in group stage IMO in this tournament.
SWISS: Plain awful. enough said.
Group C:
Italy: played solid as always. they are a tournament team as germany. nobody speaks about them at the moment, but they are one of the top 3 teams IMO. Strong in every aspect.
Sweden: Clearly number 2 in this group. Solid on defense, dangerous in offense. they have the body and experience to play with everybody on any day.
Denmark: Simply NOT good..not even dangerous as in the past.
Bulgaria: Even worse
Group D:
Holland: They have a problem. big hype around this team but i think only outside of holland. they have great names, but are struggeling to produce on the big stage in recent years (if they reach the big stage..see worls cup). terrible friendly result and and awful group for them.
Germany is always dangerous to play gor the dutch and against the czech they always loose. they got picked in every qualifier every tournament and always holland comes up short. czech is the reason holland did not travel to WC and had to qualify for this EURO.
Czech: solid team
Germany: Unpredictable: They can beat everybody and can loose to almost everybody..all depend on the first game. if they win beware of what is coming if not sudden end.
DOnt overvalue the loss on sunday to hungria.
Latvia: They had a convincing result in their last qualifier : 2-2 home draw to Azerbaidschan..enough said.
See you all for props and futures
