I hereby declare this the official thread for all discussion of Euro 2004. Who are you rooting for? Who do you revile? How are you planning on following the tournament (PPV, at a pub, internet)?

My first prediction: I will spend far too much money in pubs and on PPV following this tournament over the course of the next month. And it will be worth it.

Allez Les Bleus!



[This message has been edited by friend of cheese (edited 6/7/2004 6:01p).]

I predicted the Netherlands a month ago in another thread...but since this is the OFFICIAL thread and the Netherlands have been eating it raw lately, I'll say Italy will win...

I'd pick France, but they've been SO good lately that they have to be due for some negative results.

Who do I not like? France--not the team, the country for political reasons.

I guess I'll be following on the internet. Why can't FOX SPORTS WORLD cover this?

[This message has been edited by 1 (edited 6/7/2004 6:29p).]

England has a squad that can do some damage. The clock is ticking on this bunch because some of the key players are getting up there in age. So, jump me if you wish, but I am going with England. Now that Seaman is gone they stand a better chance (I just had to pile on Safe Hands).

I'm for England in this one, too. I like England, plus my English co-worker will jump off a bridge if they don't do well.

I'll probably follow it on the Internet.

The Londoner in Addison is showing all the matches. While expensive, should be worth it. I wish this week would speed up...

Give me the Dutch, they are due. I also think Portugal will do some damage. Yes, they are long in the tooth, but also the hosts. And as usual, look for one of the Scandinavian teams to surprise.

England all the way. Only troubling thing about them is their opening matchup with the French. Henry has been downright unstoppable lately so hopefully his Arsenal teammates in the English backfield can shut him down.

My prediction. France will beat England.

I too will spend too much money on PPV on Euro 2004. Much to my chagrin, Cox isn't offering a whole package. Single games only.

Unbelievable.

Spain will finally win a quarterfinal and win the whole thing. They haven't won it in 40 years, and I think they have the talent to do it this time. Of course that's been said a lot in recent major tournaments.

I have not seen the latest Odds, but it would be hard to bet against the hosts. With FC Porto winning the Champions League and having enough bigtime stars, they are no longshots.

Spain also has some great star power, but 40 years of under-achieving is too convincing a reason not to bet on them.

England are too predictable. Owen won't be given space to run, which means Scholes, Becks, and Gerard will have to score spectacular goals to win.

France have too many Frenchmen on the roster. They and the Germans are the favorites that I love hating!

The more I think about it, the greater the event looks! Italia, Portugal, France, and Holland are the teams I'm most excited about.

The Ports were unbelievable as U21s, but their bones are aging. So, I'll pick Portugal in their last chance for this group of players to win.

quote:

---

France have too many Frenchmen on the roster.

---

Yes, too many Frenchmen that have been named Best Footballer in the World and Best Striker in the World!

+ = Domination.

France might still be pissed about their World Cup showing. They might kick some ass. They definitely have the best talent.

England's talent level is astounding as well -- that's what makes Sunday's game so exciting (and so important)!

I really like the English squad but I've been a France fan for too long... Frankly, though, I'm not as excited about watching France potentially make a run as I am watching 3 weeks of fantastic football.

[This message has been edited by friend of cheese (edited 6/10/2004 1:29p).]

Three weeks of fantastic football indeed. I couldn't agree more.

Yes, England does have great talent as well. But the wildcard with them has always been Owens. I know Beckham gets all the press because of his fame but the most dangerous man on that English squad is Owens. If he is on they are one of the elite teams. When he is hurt and not fit they are just a good team. France has more difference makers like Owens on their team.

Of course they are reporting that Owens is fit as a fiddle. Time will tell.

2 days! It'll be a good weekend: USA men v Grenada, France v England, and game 4 of the NBA Finals...

anyone know any place in CS that plays Euro2004 ???

so...how do the matches go after group play?

how many teams come out of each group, two?

quote:

---

anyone know any place in CS that plays Euro2004 ???

---

Probably nobody. My roommate called Fox and Hound(since p.o.s. Cox isn't offering the $180 package that we intended to buy) and they said that they looked into it but won't do it because it would cost them $500 per game.

1,

The top 2 teams come out of each group. The winner of Group A will play the runner-up of Group B, winner of B will play r-u of A... likewise for Group C and D.

I'm rooting for the English lads. They will have to overcome the frenchmen in the group, but I have faith in them.

I've found an English Social Club by me in Southern California. Cover is $20 for non-members and $10 for members. I don't know how many games I can afford to watch.

Another bar/pub tried to show it, but it would cost them $7,000.

my predictions and i'm hoping i read the quarterfinal and semifinal segment of the fixtures right.

after group play:
Group A
Portugal
Spain

Group B
England
France

Group C
Italy
Denmark

Group D
Germany
Netherlands

Quarterfinals
France beats Portugal
England beats Spain
Italy beats Netherlands
Germany beats Denmark

Semifinals
Italy beats France
England beats Germany

Final
Italy beats England

2nd half of the opener and an upset well into the making with Greece leading Portugal 2-0.

Poor Ronaldo. Greece wins 2-1.

Spain over Russia 1-0.

quote:

---

My prediction. France will beat England.

---

France 2 England 1

I thought this was gonna do it:



But it wasn't to be. At least I like Zidane. Good match by France and England.

Zidane with 2 goals in added time to win.

simply amazing. my lads will have some hard work ahead of them to bounce back from this.

Zidane played brilliantly yesterday, but Fabien Barthez won this game for the French. If Beckham's spot kick goes in, there's no way the French score 2 goals in the manner they did.

I'm happy the French won, but wouldn't have been crushed if they had lost as this was just a fabulously entertaining match. Worth the $20 PPV hands down.

Yesterday was a typical performance for England. For many years they have had great talent but they just don't have that extra ingredient that makes a team elite. Beckham should have put in the PK, Gerrard with the bad pass at the end, Owens not showing up.

I think they will advance out of their group but they are going to have to get their heads screwed on right if they expect to advance past the knock out stage.

Italy 0-0 Denmark. The Danes had the better of the argument.

Sweden destroys Bulgaria 5-0.

Henrik Larsson got 2 goals in a minute

Larsson is a god in Glasgow. Since this past season was his last with Celtic, the club had an exhibition/farewell game for him against Seville. It was stipulated in his contract that he would get to keep the gate proceeds. Conservatively, 60,000 showed up at 20 pounds a ticket. That's a lot of money for one game.

quote:

---

Henrik Larsson got 2 goals in a minute

---

There's a reason that 30 clubs are after him. THIRTY clubs. Larsson is a joy to watch and he's been the only intriguing thing (to me) about Scottish football. With him leaving the Scottish league it'll be interesting to see how he measures up with the best strikers in a top-flight league.

Damn Italy plays some boring soccer.