Who to cheer on....
Who to cheer on....
Unlike El G, I have the problem of deciding who I want to win - as England are absent. Whilst there is no pressure in watching as a neutral, there are some teams for whom neutrality is not an option.
Teams I really do not want to see win:
- Portugal (though with us absent, they might not get past the quarters!)
- Italy
- Germany
- France
- Netherlands
- Greece
- Turkey
On the other hand, there are three teams I don't mind winning:
- Spain
- Sweden
- Croatia
And probably also:
- Czech Republic
I can't see Austria, Switzerland, Russia, Poland or Romania winning and have not formed opinions on them.
What are other neutrals deciding?
By the way, the usual sheet is at http://www.michaelwray.co.nz/Euro2008Finals.zip if anyone is interested.
Portugal. Always liked the place.
I've always fancied the Croats and the Czech's - would be happy if wither of them did well.
good point SiNZ, i obviously have the same problem
must admit though if the Tigers lose at Wembley i may still be sulking until august
- but if not I might finally get over my sulk about england not being there (yes, i know -it's not a completely new experience) and then who to support? ...
probably give Germany a miss, same for Portugal - depends if ronaldo is absent for any reason (wishful thinking probably!) but "no" that won't work - Scolari will still be as poxy as ever
of the rest - whoever starts the tournament playing attractive football or looks like producing an upset or two will get my interest
what have you got against the Dutch?
You.
Hard News2008-05-20 15:28:39
The Dutch? I thought they were lovely in Euro 96... The only reason for not wanting the Dutch to win is that I don't want to put up with the gloating.
You.
That cuts deep...
Deutschland has always been my third team (after NZ and England - in that order) so it looks like I'm supporting them.
Probably have to go with Holland.
OK, I know this is supposed to be for the neutrals, so I'm not gonna troll, but simply make a suggestion for those struggling to pick a team to follow.
Romania - very talented, with a mix of old, experienced heads (Mutu, Chivu, Contra) and some exciting young talent from the Romanian league, which is actually quite highly rated by UEFA (the Romanian Champions Cluj will advance directly to the group-stages of the next season's Champions League, and runners-up Steaua will start their CL campaign in the third qualifying round).
Add in the fact that they're widely (but I think undeservedly) seen as underdogs in Group C (which also has Netherlands, Italy and France), and there you go...
Romania - very talented, with a mix of old, experienced heads (Mutu, Chivu, Contra) and some exciting young talent from the Romanian league, which is actually quite highly rated by UEFA (the Romanian Champions Cluj will advance directly to the group-stages of the next season's Champions League, and runners-up Steaua will start their CL campaign in the third qualifying round).
Add in the fact that they're widely (but I think undeservedly) seen as underdogs in Group C (which also has Netherlands, Italy and France), and there you go...
I always have a soft spot for the Dutchies, as it is amusing when they invariably self destruct after a massive inter-squad arguement that ends with no players or staff talking to any others.
I actually think this could be the year that the Spanish do something, so will be chucking a couple of quid on them to win the whole she-bang. As soon as that happens, they will be the team I support.
The Cros will sh*t this one in, easy.
France or Holland - whichever one is closest to Scotland.
France or Holland - whichever one is closest to Scotland.
So on that logic, you'd have cheered on England....
Teams I wouldn't mind winning Euro (some of whom sadly failed to qualify):
Turkey
Czech Republic
Israel
Germany
Denmark
The Netherlands (not 100% sure over this though as if they won a dutch mate of mine would never shut up)
France
Ireland
Scotland
Teams I couldn't stand to see win it (some of whom fortunately did not qualify):
ENGLAND
Italy
Portugal
Spain
Sweden
Turkey
Czech Republic
Israel
Germany
Denmark
The Netherlands (not 100% sure over this though as if they won a dutch mate of mine would never shut up)
France
Ireland
Scotland
Teams I couldn't stand to see win it (some of whom fortunately did not qualify):
ENGLAND
Italy
Portugal
Spain
Sweden
im scottish so scotland are out which is a shame, so i was over for Euro 2004 in portugal and because of when i was there i got caught up in football fever and supported portugal and ever since i have not stopped supporting portugal, so portugal for me.
(plus they are good at beating england which is always a nice bonus!)
I like Scolari's style and play of footy, its a shame he is ending his contract at the end of this tournament, we have ronaldo, but we have what i think is an amazing keeper : Ricardo - the saves he pulls off are amazing! and of course theres maniche, deco, carvalho to name but a few!
My heart and money is on portugal.....GO PORTUGAL!
Austria becaue it starts with the same letter as ambivalence.
With England not there (if I think about that too much it hurts me inside - ooh!
) I'll have to turn to my wife's "other" nationality, Holland, but as they normally flatter to deceive (England would always tend to skip over the flattering part!) it'll all end in heartbreak as usual (just please not on penalties to the dreaded Jerries!!)
Always have a soft spot for Spain too, as they have good players but always fall flat on their faces at the Euros (like dear old Blighty!), but also tend to play stylish football (unlike dear old .....)
Paul2008-05-23 22:12:59
) I'll have to turn to my wife's "other" nationality, Holland, but as they normally flatter to deceive (England would always tend to skip over the flattering part!) it'll all end in heartbreak as usual (just please not on penalties to the dreaded Jerries!!) Always have a soft spot for Spain too, as they have good players but always fall flat on their faces at the Euros (like dear old Blighty!), but also tend to play stylish football (unlike dear old .....)
Paul2008-05-23 22:12:59
I actually think this could be the year that the Spanish do something, so will be chucking a couple of quid on them to win the whole she-bang. As soon as that happens, they will be the team I support.
Frankie i've learnt from past experiences to never back Spain to win anything. Unwise move if you ask me.
Holland, because I hate the rest
i probably started following football when in noumea for world cup 98 so that pushed me towards the frogs and the dutchies. also because they had a few arsenal players back then. i also have always like the portugese but i may go off them cos of ronaldo.
spain id like to see do well cos id love to see the fabregas torres combination flourish.maybe the czechs, maybe the croats. actually, who knows who i will support. just not the italians or the dirty krauts.bopman2008-05-31 15:24:22
spain id like to see do well cos id love to see the fabregas torres combination flourish.maybe the czechs, maybe the croats. actually, who knows who i will support. just not the italians or the dirty krauts.bopman2008-05-31 15:24:22
Portugal, simply so I can recover dosh I lost last time from the Portugal Greece games.
I'm backing Spain and Croatia this time around......with half an eye on the Portuguese (my interest in them lightens with every Ronaldo stepover and dive!)
france. they're amazing to watch and with benzema/henry/ribery up front i can see massive potential if they fire.
could also see massive choking again if they dont fire, but...
italy and netherlands will be fighting for second in group c if ribery and benzema especially can keep up their recent form.
francsernal2008-06-02 17:20:13
Not Italy/France/Spain/Portugal/Greece/Croatia
I'm going for Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Russia, Romania
I'm bound to have at least one of those teams do well! :)
france. they're amazing to watch and with benzema/henry/ribery up front i can see massive potential if they fire.
could also see massive choking again if they dont fire, but...
�
italy and netherlands will be fighting for second in group c if ribery and benzema especially can�keep up�their recent form.
I can't believe how easily people are dismissing Romania...I mean, the Dutch couldn't score a goal against them in the qualifying (1-0 to Romania in Romania, 0-0 in Holland), yet now they're favoured to finish ahead of them in the group. On what basis exactly?
1. Holland
2. Germany
3. Italy
I would say Germany first but my family will disown me.
Well after reading this thread, it has caught my attention as to now whos playing, and im going to plaump for Romania. My old flatmate Dragos gave me a education about his beloved Steau side, and he even made 2 appearnces for them in the late 80s. Plus they had Hagi, and if they could find a player half as good as him, they could be a surprise. And they have Mutu, who is one of Europes best. Im not sure about the rest of there current side, but they will be entertaining.
Don't forget Ganea, a personal hero of mine eight years ago.
Hard News2008-06-03 13:55:15
Hard News2008-06-03 13:55:15
And Marius Lacatus...
I would say Germany first but my family will disown me.
Same situation for me... family threatened to disown me when I joked about supporting France over Italy last world cup
Also partial to Croatia after their win over England. Bwahaha.
Well all England had to do was draw, and they couldnt even do that, and after Golden Balls had put them into a decent position. The English team that day should of been exiled to the Faroe Isle ( no disrect to any Faroe Isle that we may have in Wellington). They should of brought back a night in the Tower of London as punishment. Why do you decide to give a keeper, his competitive debut, especially when the other guy was fit. It wasnt like James had a broken arm.
McLaren, should never be allowed to manage a subbetuo team, let alone a real one.
But the team that wins it should be a team that plays with flare, and not with defnsive prowess. The worst thing that could happen that the final is 0-0 after 120mins, and it goes to a shoot out.
Europe has the chance to show the South Amercians, that we have do not only world class players who know the game inside out, but we can couple that with a bit of South Amercian "Ginga".
And as England or Israel didnt get there, may football be the winner,
Oh and please no serious injuries to any of the Arsenal boy's
always had a soft spot for ........... and he is born the same year as me... shame he won't be playing
Is that Vitor Baia?
My eyesight's really gone to hell now, just spent 5 minutes squirming at the screen to figure it out...
My eyesight's really gone to hell now, just spent 5 minutes squirming at the screen to figure it out...
Is that Vitor Baia?
My eyesight's really gone to hell now, just spent 5 minutes squirming at the screen to figure it out...
'My eyesight's really gone to hell now, just spent 5 minutes squirming at the screen to figure it out...
yes
I really don't know who to go for
no Scotland
no Ireland
nobody playing England
A toss up between France and Holland as to who's closer to Scotland
I might just have to go with Sweden (closely followed by the Czech Republic), as they have the fittest birds, and will be most likely for the Top Totty TV crowd shots (it ain't going to happen with Romania and Turkey !)
Apologies for the double post.
ginger_eejit2008-06-04 14:01:10
no Scotland
no Ireland
nobody playing England
A toss up between France and Holland as to who's closer to Scotland
I might just have to go with Sweden (closely followed by the Czech Republic), as they have the fittest birds, and will be most likely for the Top Totty TV crowd shots (it ain't going to happen with Romania and Turkey !)
Apologies for the double post.
ginger_eejit2008-06-04 14:01:10
II might just have to go with Sweden (closely followed by the Czech Republic), as they have the fittest birds,
In my experience Swedish birds are overrated. The Czech ones are top quality though.
Allez les bleus!
Wouldn't mind seeing Spain do well for Cesc's sake.
Couldn't stand it if Italy won. Or England, but thankfully that won't (ever?) happen.
Wouldn't mind seeing Spain do well for Cesc's sake.
Couldn't stand it if Italy won. Or England, but thankfully that won't (ever?) happen.