Film Forum and Reviews

And all because England were too crap to qualify, but why?

ON paper we have a strong team, when are we going to finally perform like we should? It's about time we won something again! Discuss!

I was of your mentality last week Paul, but I thought about it and decided that even though England haven't qualified for the Euros, it still goes on and should be a great festival of football. I'm looking forward to watching a tournament without overhyped England going into it and just enjoying the football on display. I'm obviously gutted we aren't there, but it may benefit us in the long run. Let's hope this deflates some egos and our top players start performing for their country as they do for their clubs week in week out (Rooney and Lampard maninly).

I'm hoping Spain can win it, but in all reality it'll be Germany, France or Italy.

tort wrote:Let's hope this deflates some egos and our top players start performing for their country as they do for their clubs week in week out (Rooney and Lampard maninly).

Agree with you...

I think Portugal will win the euros this year - their team looks pretty strong.

paul wrote:

tort wrote:Let's hope this deflates some egos and our top players start performing for their country as they do for their clubs week in week out (Rooney and Lampard maninly).

Agree with you...

I think Portugal will win the euros this year - their team looks pretty strong.

Hmmm, Portugal are like Spain and Holland for me, they never come good in the end. Strong in most positions, but something is missing. Just like with England, there's a superiority complex with these teams. They come a cropper and bottle it in the big games. I mean come on Portugal, you had Greece in the final last time. That was their tournament to be won and they bottled it.

Lets have Tort's look at the 6 favourites:

Germany

Difficult to find many faults with these guys. The main issue is Lehmann I think, he's not played much all season and let two soft goals in against Belarus the other day. Defence is solid, midfield is well balanced and Klose and Podolski could probably be the strike pairing of the tournament. My pick to win the thing, with Ballack running the show.

Italy

I feel the Italians will fall just short and lose to Germany in the final (draw permitting obviously). Theres some puzzling selections for me with Iaquinta and Gilardino missing out with Cassano in?! There seems to be a very defensive squad with De Rossi, Gattuso, Pirlo, Camoranesi and Perrotta liked to feature heavily. Goals may be an issue, Toni has got the skills, but can Del Piero still cut it? If not, the other 4 strikers have a combined total of just 40 caps and 13 goals.

France

You should never right France off, but I'm going to this time. In Germany two years ago, the team was in disarray but made it to the final. If not for Zizzou's madness, they may have won the thing. I do feel though that Domenech has gone for reputation over form with this squad. Seven Lyon players have been picked, but for some reason Gallas is the only Arsenal player in the squad. How on earth has he left out Clichy, Sagna and Flamini? And surely Malouda doesn't merit a place in the squad based on his Chelski exploits this year.

Portugal

Portugal's main problem will be scoring goals, the 'star' striker Pauleta (over-rated shite), Joao Pinto and Rui Costa have all retired and they're still relying on Nuno Gomes and Helder Postiga (remember him!). Deco has had a shocking season, and their centre back pairing has been broken with Andrade out for the tournament. Unfortunately they're going to be overhyping Ronnie and I can see it turning into Ronaldo for Brazil back in '98

Holland

Ahhh the lovely Oranje! No major surprises with the squad, although they may miss Seedorf's experience and Babel's exuberance. They seem to have constistant solidity at the back with Heitinga, Bouma, Van Bronckhorst, Ooijer, Mathijsen, Melchiot and Khalid The Cannibal. In the middle they have flair with Robben, Sneijder and Van Der Vaart and a wealth of attacking options with Van Nistelrooy and Huntelaar expected to start, with Van Persie, Vennegoor of Hesselink and Kuyt fighting for the bench slots. Not a bad headache for Van Basten to have.

Spain

Finally the perennial underacheivers, Spain. They won't win it, but will be the best team to watch. Any team that can boast a spine of Casillas, Puyol, Fabregas and Torres should be in with a shout, but their issue will be experience. Five of the 23 players had zero caps when the squads were announced and it would have been six had Bojan not requested to not play. The ommision of Raul is a surprise. He would have been an excellent impact sub to bring on in the 70th minute with a game deadlocked. Same goes for Guti as well.

That's quite an in depth synopsis you have given there! you really know ur shit when it comes to football it seems!

I am starting to agree with you point of view now, Germany do look solid and you can bet your last dime that they will be very well organised and on the day can turn anyone over.

I will be watching Ronaldo's performances closely - he excited me this year, he has undoubtedly had an excellent season, I think he may come up short in this championship though.

Damn it I wish England were there!!!!

Agree with the above - Germany will win - I have put 50 quid on them.

The previous couch of England was... a fool. That's all.

Congratulations to Spain on winning Euro 2008:)