A few days remain prior to kick off so I will preview the groups and post some futures just like my Copa thread. All my Euro plays will be here to keep things neat and tidy.
GROUP A Predicted Finish
1. France 2. Switzerland 3. Romania 4. Albania
The hosts come into the tournament with plenty of pressure. Is Pogba good enough or mature enough to carry this team?. Does the exclusion of Valbuena & Benzema over some black mail fiasco hurt the team?. Varane is injured. The aging Sagna & Evra at the back do they have the legs?. IMO France will not win the Euro but will win the group.
Switzerland will just edge out Romania for second place. The Swiss have quality with Shaqiri ,Lichsteiner, Rodriquez and Xhaka. Basels young forward Embolo will be nice to watch. Round of 16 is where the party ends for the Swiss.
Everyone talks about Romanias defense allowing the fewest GA in qualification. They were also one of the few undefeated teams in qualifying. Napolis CB Chiriches & Fiorentinas GK Tatarusanu will be solid at the back. Romania have that Greece 2004 look. I expect them to qualify.
Albania have Captain Lorik Cana a true leader. Albania did get the 3 points from a forfeit versus Serbia but they did beat Portugal & did finish ahead of Denmark.Having a solid defense, I expect 3 close losses and them to finish bottom.
A few days remain prior to kick off so I will preview the groups and post some futures just like my Copa thread. All my Euro plays will be here to keep things neat and tidy.
GROUP A Predicted Finish
1. France 2. Switzerland 3. Romania 4. Albania
The hosts come into the tournament with plenty of pressure. Is Pogba good enough or mature enough to carry this team?. Does the exclusion of Valbuena & Benzema over some black mail fiasco hurt the team?. Varane is injured. The aging Sagna & Evra at the back do they have the legs?. IMO France will not win the Euro but will win the group.
Switzerland will just edge out Romania for second place. The Swiss have quality with Shaqiri ,Lichsteiner, Rodriquez and Xhaka. Basels young forward Embolo will be nice to watch. Round of 16 is where the party ends for the Swiss.
Everyone talks about Romanias defense allowing the fewest GA in qualification. They were also one of the few undefeated teams in qualifying. Napolis CB Chiriches & Fiorentinas GK Tatarusanu will be solid at the back. Romania have that Greece 2004 look. I expect them to qualify.
Albania have Captain Lorik Cana a true leader. Albania did get the 3 points from a forfeit versus Serbia but they did beat Portugal & did finish ahead of Denmark.Having a solid defense, I expect 3 close losses and them to finish bottom.
The English from Vardy & Kane on top to Hart in Goal have the depth to go far this tournament and with no real expectations I believe they might. I hope Rooney does not start the old guard is gone they youth seems refreshing even under Hodgsons boring style. The results for England were there in qualifying as well as other friendly games. I just think they lack that man on set pieces which could be crucial.
Slovakia are my dark horse of the tournament Hamsik in the middle backed by Kucka & Pecovsky. Skrtel in the back Mak & Weiss on the wings have real pace. Slovakia did beat Spain in qualifiers and took down Germany in a friendly. This team plays the counter well. My only worry is up front with Vittek injured the only real striker option is Duris who plays for Plzen.
Russia have an old squad but it does come with experience. Dzyba is the star too bad Dzagoev is injured to provide service for the target man. 90% of the team either plays in Moscow or St Petersburg I do not see this as a negative. Russia does have an eye on the World Cup and could crash out early.
Yes I'm picking Wales to fight for bottom. I'm not sold on a team that is one man Bale, the so often injured Ramsey, the already injured Ledley & the I don't want to leave Swansea Williams. Maybe they get 1 win but they do not qualify.
The English from Vardy & Kane on top to Hart in Goal have the depth to go far this tournament and with no real expectations I believe they might. I hope Rooney does not start the old guard is gone they youth seems refreshing even under Hodgsons boring style. The results for England were there in qualifying as well as other friendly games. I just think they lack that man on set pieces which could be crucial.
Slovakia are my dark horse of the tournament Hamsik in the middle backed by Kucka & Pecovsky. Skrtel in the back Mak & Weiss on the wings have real pace. Slovakia did beat Spain in qualifiers and took down Germany in a friendly. This team plays the counter well. My only worry is up front with Vittek injured the only real striker option is Duris who plays for Plzen.
Russia have an old squad but it does come with experience. Dzyba is the star too bad Dzagoev is injured to provide service for the target man. 90% of the team either plays in Moscow or St Petersburg I do not see this as a negative. Russia does have an eye on the World Cup and could crash out early.
Yes I'm picking Wales to fight for bottom. I'm not sold on a team that is one man Bale, the so often injured Ramsey, the already injured Ledley & the I don't want to leave Swansea Williams. Maybe they get 1 win but they do not qualify.
I really like your write up on Slovakia. I also think they have some real value in this tournament. I'm sure England will the group but at +800, I think they have really good value. But +110 on them to qualify is more than enough as well
I really like your write up on Slovakia. I also think they have some real value in this tournament. I'm sure England will the group but at +800, I think they have really good value. But +110 on them to qualify is more than enough as well
Not since 2004 did Germany fizzle out at the group stages reaching at least the semis in the WC & EC in the past dozen years. People forget that sometimes even the giants can fall. Germanys record since winning the WC is not that impressive 10W 7L 2 D. Losses to Slovakia Poland Ireland & The USA prove that the Champs are not invincible. I believe that they will miss the leadership of Lahm & Metersacker. Reus is injured again as is Hummels, Gotze & Schweinsteiger had poor seasons. Facing teams with speed on the wings will prove to be a challenge.
If Poland can play to their potential they can be a real threat to the top sides. Enough has been said of Lewandowski who outside of Ronaldo is the 2nd best player at the Euros. He will partner with Milik from Ajax who scored 31 goals this season. Krychowiak being fit is HUGE as he is the lynch pin in the middle. Blaczszykowski Piszczek Zielinski Glik Kapusta. This is as close to a golden generation that Poland has reached since the early 80's.
Ukraine have a great winger Konoplyanka, who along with Yarmolenko & the veteran Tymoshchuk will be key if Ukraine are going to progress out of the group. They have great pace out wide and are solid at the back. I'm already waiting for the AH+1 versus Germany.
Northern Ireland has had the pleasure qualifying from one of the easiest groups assembled in History where the big teams were Romania, Hungary Greece & Finland. Lafferty has only 2 goals scored for both clubs Norwich where he warmed the bench and Birmingham. Davis will be key at set pieces shut him down and Ni is done. I'm not fooled by their record of late as many were versus minnows. The biggest side the Irish played was Romania since 2014.
Not since 2004 did Germany fizzle out at the group stages reaching at least the semis in the WC & EC in the past dozen years. People forget that sometimes even the giants can fall. Germanys record since winning the WC is not that impressive 10W 7L 2 D. Losses to Slovakia Poland Ireland & The USA prove that the Champs are not invincible. I believe that they will miss the leadership of Lahm & Metersacker. Reus is injured again as is Hummels, Gotze & Schweinsteiger had poor seasons. Facing teams with speed on the wings will prove to be a challenge.
If Poland can play to their potential they can be a real threat to the top sides. Enough has been said of Lewandowski who outside of Ronaldo is the 2nd best player at the Euros. He will partner with Milik from Ajax who scored 31 goals this season. Krychowiak being fit is HUGE as he is the lynch pin in the middle. Blaczszykowski Piszczek Zielinski Glik Kapusta. This is as close to a golden generation that Poland has reached since the early 80's.
Ukraine have a great winger Konoplyanka, who along with Yarmolenko & the veteran Tymoshchuk will be key if Ukraine are going to progress out of the group. They have great pace out wide and are solid at the back. I'm already waiting for the AH+1 versus Germany.
Northern Ireland has had the pleasure qualifying from one of the easiest groups assembled in History where the big teams were Romania, Hungary Greece & Finland. Lafferty has only 2 goals scored for both clubs Norwich where he warmed the bench and Birmingham. Davis will be key at set pieces shut him down and Ni is done. I'm not fooled by their record of late as many were versus minnows. The biggest side the Irish played was Romania since 2014.
This is my so called group of death. Spain has been written off by many people since the WC however this is still a team loaded with talent. Yes there will be no Xavi, no Alonso, Diego Costa was not picked. Spain will pass teams to death and hope to win 1-0. The question remains who scores for Spain? the often injured David Silva, the non existent Fabregas or Morata?. Spain advances but does not win the whole show
Croatia is a solid team so often called the dark horse with stars like Rakitic.Modric.Perisic & Mandzukic even without Lovren at the back this team can beat anyone. My question is with the manager Ante Cacic who replaced Kovac with only a couple games to spare in qualifying, since than The Croats have played multiple formations perhaps confusing the teams that they will face or confusing themselves.
Turkey is a team that is getting in form at the right time. There is a new GK Babacan. Turan one of the best midfielders in Europe. With Sahin & the set piece specialist Calhanoglu they have the quality to progress in 3rd place.
The Czechs qualified with the worse defensive record of all the qualified teams in France. The only genuine world class player Petr Cech failed to keep a single clean sheet. The fading star Rosicky spent the season on the sidelines.I expect them to crash out very early
This is my so called group of death. Spain has been written off by many people since the WC however this is still a team loaded with talent. Yes there will be no Xavi, no Alonso, Diego Costa was not picked. Spain will pass teams to death and hope to win 1-0. The question remains who scores for Spain? the often injured David Silva, the non existent Fabregas or Morata?. Spain advances but does not win the whole show
Croatia is a solid team so often called the dark horse with stars like Rakitic.Modric.Perisic & Mandzukic even without Lovren at the back this team can beat anyone. My question is with the manager Ante Cacic who replaced Kovac with only a couple games to spare in qualifying, since than The Croats have played multiple formations perhaps confusing the teams that they will face or confusing themselves.
Turkey is a team that is getting in form at the right time. There is a new GK Babacan. Turan one of the best midfielders in Europe. With Sahin & the set piece specialist Calhanoglu they have the quality to progress in 3rd place.
The Czechs qualified with the worse defensive record of all the qualified teams in France. The only genuine world class player Petr Cech failed to keep a single clean sheet. The fading star Rosicky spent the season on the sidelines.I expect them to crash out very early
Wilmonts will miss Kompany and Lombaerts but this Belgian team is brimming with quality. DeBruyne, Vermaelen, Lukaku, Mertens, Curtois, Vermaelen, Vetronghen Benteke Origi etc. It is unfortunate they were drawn into this group where they will potentialy have to go through Croatia, France,Germany just to get to the finals. I would have picked them to win the whole show. I still think they can as they have the best team at these Euros.
Italy has a solid but old backline who including Buffon is 133 years old. Berzagli, Chiellini and Bonucci will be hard to score against. I think Conte is stubborn with his 3-5-2 system that his players are not used to playing, but what does he care he gets to go to Chelsea and leave the poorest Italian side in decades to Ventura. Having no Pirlo who was not selected or Verratti and Marchisio who are injured will end the Italian journey prior to the Semis.
Ireland has heart they did beat Germany in qualifying and took out Bosnia in the playoffs. Whelan, McCarty, Walters & Long just don't give up. Coleman & Hoolahan will be key to snatch a goal or two. I would have picked Ireland to qualify at 2.25/+125 if they were not Playing Sweden first which I suspect might be a draw and both them & Sweden end up with a point each.
If there was ever a definition of a one man team it is Sweden & Ibra. Sweden only beat Moldova, Liechtenstein and Montenegro in qualifying. If Sweden are to do anything they will have to play like they did versus Denmark in the playoffs. Sweden just do not have the players to supply Ibra so its an early exit for the Scandinavians.
Wilmonts will miss Kompany and Lombaerts but this Belgian team is brimming with quality. DeBruyne, Vermaelen, Lukaku, Mertens, Curtois, Vermaelen, Vetronghen Benteke Origi etc. It is unfortunate they were drawn into this group where they will potentialy have to go through Croatia, France,Germany just to get to the finals. I would have picked them to win the whole show. I still think they can as they have the best team at these Euros.
Italy has a solid but old backline who including Buffon is 133 years old. Berzagli, Chiellini and Bonucci will be hard to score against. I think Conte is stubborn with his 3-5-2 system that his players are not used to playing, but what does he care he gets to go to Chelsea and leave the poorest Italian side in decades to Ventura. Having no Pirlo who was not selected or Verratti and Marchisio who are injured will end the Italian journey prior to the Semis.
Ireland has heart they did beat Germany in qualifying and took out Bosnia in the playoffs. Whelan, McCarty, Walters & Long just don't give up. Coleman & Hoolahan will be key to snatch a goal or two. I would have picked Ireland to qualify at 2.25/+125 if they were not Playing Sweden first which I suspect might be a draw and both them & Sweden end up with a point each.
If there was ever a definition of a one man team it is Sweden & Ibra. Sweden only beat Moldova, Liechtenstein and Montenegro in qualifying. If Sweden are to do anything they will have to play like they did versus Denmark in the playoffs. Sweden just do not have the players to supply Ibra so its an early exit for the Scandinavians.
I am backing Slovakia to advance as well. You made some good points. Sadly, i tend to agree with your views on present day Germany. I had Czech and Albania as bottom feeders as well. Nice looking card IMO
Sit back, open your Stella Keg and enjoy. I think Poland will make some noise. This team may be as good as that 82 team with Boniek and Lato etc. ( No idea about spelling )
I am backing Slovakia to advance as well. You made some good points. Sadly, i tend to agree with your views on present day Germany. I had Czech and Albania as bottom feeders as well. Nice looking card IMO
Sit back, open your Stella Keg and enjoy. I think Poland will make some noise. This team may be as good as that 82 team with Boniek and Lato etc. ( No idea about spelling )
Aside from Ronaldo, Portugal have a great midfield with Moutinho as well as Joao Mario Silva Sanches & Carvalho. Lets also not forget Quresma & Nani are still around. The problem I see is in Cetral defense with Alves pepe Carvalho & Fonte all on the wrong side of 32. Portugal tops the group but gets bounced by England in the Quarters.
Plenty of people are liking Austria with a nice group of players in Alaba, Janko, Dragovic and Arnautovic highlighting the squad. I'm just not sold on a team that had an easy qualification group with Russia & Sweden being top dogs. They should easily qualify but the journey ends in the round of 16.
Hungary is pretty weak in the back but are decent at set pieces and can knick a goal or 2. The best player is Dzsudzsak & up and coming potential start Adam Nagy. They will challenge Iceland for 3rd place and should have enough to advance.
Iceland had shown great results in defeating Turkey and Holland in qualification however they also drew with the likes of Kazakhstan & Latvia. Sigursson from Swansea is the key man here as well as defensive midfielder Gunnarsson. The depth is just not here and the form of Iceland the past year has been worse than any other team at the Euros.
Aside from Ronaldo, Portugal have a great midfield with Moutinho as well as Joao Mario Silva Sanches & Carvalho. Lets also not forget Quresma & Nani are still around. The problem I see is in Cetral defense with Alves pepe Carvalho & Fonte all on the wrong side of 32. Portugal tops the group but gets bounced by England in the Quarters.
Plenty of people are liking Austria with a nice group of players in Alaba, Janko, Dragovic and Arnautovic highlighting the squad. I'm just not sold on a team that had an easy qualification group with Russia & Sweden being top dogs. They should easily qualify but the journey ends in the round of 16.
Hungary is pretty weak in the back but are decent at set pieces and can knick a goal or 2. The best player is Dzsudzsak & up and coming potential start Adam Nagy. They will challenge Iceland for 3rd place and should have enough to advance.
Iceland had shown great results in defeating Turkey and Holland in qualification however they also drew with the likes of Kazakhstan & Latvia. Sigursson from Swansea is the key man here as well as defensive midfielder Gunnarsson. The depth is just not here and the form of Iceland the past year has been worse than any other team at the Euros.
There is no value in betting France, Germany or Spain to win the tournament at the current odds. I really like the odds on England and I think they can make it to the Semis so at these prices its worth a shot. I also like Belgiums chances even though they will face tougher opposition. So my final future is;
There is no value in betting France, Germany or Spain to win the tournament at the current odds. I really like the odds on England and I think they can make it to the Semis so at these prices its worth a shot. I also like Belgiums chances even though they will face tougher opposition. So my final future is;
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