EURO 2008 PREDICTIONS

 

 

Well, I originally made preductions for the qualifiers for this tournament. I didn't do that badly, got 13 out of 16 qualifiers correct, slight problem, two of those I got wrong involved prediicting that England and Republic of Ireland would make the finals in Austria and Switzerland. So, England aren't in the finals of a major tournament for the first time since the 1994 World Cup and even more amazingly it's the first time no British Isles side has made it since Euro 84 - not only can I not remember that far back but there were only eight teams involved in that tournament!

16 teams still remain though, so from a completely neutral perspective(ugh) how is it going to play out?

Group A: Switzerland, Czech Republic, Portugal and Turkey. Well the Czechs made the finals at the expense of ROI so I have learned not to underestimate them. Portugal are by far the strongest team in the group though, they'll go through to the quarter finals as group winners. Out of the three remaining sides, Switzerland are probably the weakest of the bunch so it's Czech Republic vs Turkey for a place in the quarters. Czechs may well have the edge if their best players are fit.

Group B: Austria, Croatia, Germany, Poland. Well the easiest side to eliminate from here is Austria - any country whose fans try to pull out of a tournament that they've automatically qualified for as hosts most me on a hiding to nothing. I can't see Poland being able to get any higher than third either - both Germany and Croatia should be able to beat them. Question then becomes which of those two tops the group - it may well be Croatia actually.

Group C: Netherlands, Italy, Romania, France: Why oh why did UEFA base the seedings for this tournament on qualifying records? We were always liable to get a group like this! There are definately worse teams in the tournament than Romania but their chances have to be written off automatically! Netherlands, Italy, France. Three into two don't go. France vs Italy is a qualifying and 2006 World Cup final rematch. Make it a virtual playy and France would win it 3-1 so if I'm going to be harsh it's Averdici Azzuri. Who tops the group between France and Netherlands? France are the better tournament team at the moment.

Group D: Greece, Sweden, Spain, Russia: From the insane to the tame including two teams(Greece and Russia) that I didn't expect to qualify. It also includes a qualifying rematch in Spain vs Sweden. No I can't help replacing Russia with England here and saying "we'd have been lucky to have this group". Now Russia may have been more consistant against qualifying minnows than Steve McLaren's crew but I can't see them doing much a level up. Spain are the strongest side of the bunch here which means Sweden vs Greece has a quarter final spot up for grabs. Sweden has the edge here, there's no way lightening will strike twice for Greece.

How would things go after that?

QUARTER FINALS

Portugal vs Germany: "He plays on the left, he plays on the riiiiight! That boy Ronaldo..." would give the Germans nightmares! Portugal win

Croatia vs Czech Republic: Wouldn't be surprised if this one went to penalties. Croatia to edge it.

France vs Sweden: France would win this one no worries.

Spain vs Netherlands: Spain would give the Oranje a match but the Dutch would make the semis.

SEMI FINALS

Portugal vs Croatia: This would be an interesting match but Portugal would probably win it.

France vs Netherlands: Ugh! This would be a rematch of a group game 'before' the final! I called France to top the group, might as well call them to reach the final here.

FINAL

Portugal vs France: Both sides ooze class but I'd expect the Portuguese to have more fuel left in the tank.

Portugal to win Euro 2008

Let's see how dumb I look in six months time.

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