OT: Euro 2012

[clyde_carbon]

It's almost here, fellas. Who ya got?

It's really, really, really hard for me not to take my Spaniards, but I gotta go with Germany here.

I also think France might surprise some people.

 

[mem49er]

I was torn, too. But with injuries to Villa and Puyol, I have to give the edge to Die Mannschaft as well. Germany does look to have a tougher group stage, though, so you never know. I hope the French don't make it out of the group but they would have to really suck it up.

 

[Slimpikins]

I'll take Spain.

 

[clyde_carbon]

I was torn, too. But with injuries to Villa and Puyol, I have to give the edge to Die Mannschaft as well. Germany does look to have a tougher group stage, though, so you never know. I hope the French don't make it out of the group but they would have to really suck it up.

Ozil for Germany is a beast. He's gonna tear it up. Don't sleep on Croatia in Spain's group as well. They're tough.

Group A: Czech Republic and Greece
Group B: Germany and Netherlands
Group C: Spain and Croatia
Group D: England and France

That's how I see it playing out. I think Croatia edges out Italy in C. I love me some Mario Balotelli (even though he's insane), but that's about it.

 

[mem49er]

Group A: Czech Republic and Greece
Group B: Germany and Netherlands
Group C: Spain and Croatia
Group D: England and France

That's how I see it playing out. I think Croatia edges out Italy in C. I love me some Mario Balotelli (even though he's insane), but that's about it.

I think group A is pretty much a crap shoot.

Group B: Germany and Netherlands
Group C: Spain and Italy (if Italy gets their shit together)
Group D: England and France

Ozil for Germany is a beast.

That whole midfield and Lahm are ridiculous. Schweinsteiger, Ozil, Goetze, Muller are sick. And Klose should have enough left to put a few into the net.

 

[SLY]

 

[CalamityX11]

Ozil for Germany is a beast. He's gonna tear it up. Don't sleep on Croatia in Spain's group as well. They're tough.

Group A: Czech Republic and Greece
Group B: Germany and Netherlands
Group C: Spain and Croatia
Group D: England and France

That's how I see it playing out. I think Croatia edges out Italy in C. I love me some Mario Balotelli (even though he's insane), but that's about it.

Ozil is a beast... a much valued player for my beloved Real....

Balotelli i've given up on. He's suppose to be more than he is now.... lots of growing up in my eyes.

 

[CalamityX11]

Calamity's picks:

Group A: 1.Czech 2. Russia(i really am pulling for Poland, IIRC they had some young guys there from the last WC that caught my eye but that could've been Switz(besides Russia is actually a good squad))

Group of Death: 1. Germany 2. Portugal(Holland is THEE popular pick here but i think age will slow them down and lose base on tie breakers rules(Portugal giving them too much love here, they really shouldn't move but i think they sneak in)

Group C: 1.Spain 2. Croatia(not taking Italy seriously for awhile and ireland is not enough)

Group D: 1. France(there's talent here) 2. England(boy did i wanted to say Ukraine, cause i dont believe England would've pulled out. they have some fortunate opponents in terms of style)

 

[mem49er]

Calamity's picks:

Group A: 1.Czech 2. Russia(i really am pulling for Poland, IIRC they had some young guys there from the last WC that caught my eye but that could've been Switz(besides Russia is actually a good squad))

Group of Death: 1. Germany 2. Portugal(Holland is THEE popular pick here but i think age will slow them down and lose base on tie breakers rules(Portugal giving them too much love here, they really shouldn't move but i think they sneak in)

Group C: 1.Spain 2. Croatia(not taking Italy seriously for awhile and ireland is not enough)

Group D: 1. France(there's talent here) 2. England(boy did i wanted to say Ukraine, cause i dont believe England would've pulled out. they have some fortunate opponents in terms of style)

I think everyone has good points and it should be a really interesting tourney, especially the group stage. Gonna DVR the matches today and tomorrow, work sucks!

 

[CalamityX11]

yeah work sucks!

 

[trancemeister]

Haven't been able to post much lately thanks to work (not that I ever was a volume poster ) but here are my picks. I can't see anyone being able to compete with the German squad. As mem pointed out, that is one solid midfield! I'll be cheering for Gli Azzurri! Though, I hope Balotelli keeps his cool through the tourney and don't go ape shit like he said he would if he heard any racist chants, which no matter what they try to do, are going to be there. He has so much talent and it has been such a waste with all his antics.

Group A: Czech, Croatia
Group B: Germany, Netherlands (though it will be a super close call with Portugal)
Group C: Spain, Italy
Group D: England, France

 

[clyde_carbon]

Wow, my prediction for Group A don't look too good right now, even though it was probably the most open group. Russia absolutely destroyed the Czechs 4-1. Greece did get screwed by the refs, though.

Viva Espania!

 

[clyde_carbon]

Haven't been able to post much lately thanks to work (not that I ever was a volume poster ) but here are my picks. I can't see anyone being able to compete with the German squad. As mem pointed out, that is one solid midfield! I'll be cheering for Gli Azzurri! Though, I hope Balotelli keeps his cool through the tourney and don't go ape shit like he said he would if he heard any racist chants, which no matter what they try to do, are going to be there. He has so much talent and it has been such a waste with all his antics.

Group A: Czech, Croatia
Group B: Germany, Netherlands (though it will be a super close call with Portugal)
Group C: Spain, Italy
Group D: England, France

It's time for Ronaldo to step up on the big stages. He's the LeBron (though after last night it might be bad to say that) of soccer. Arguably the most talented player in the world but hasn't delivered for Portugal.

 

[CalamityX11]

Maybe I should've bumped Russia for first? Czech isn't out of it. Niether Poland or Greece played well enough to overrule Czech just yet.

Ronaldo is definitely on the scope... his national team isn't that good IMHO but he needs to deliver and play big. It's similar to Messi but Messi has a great team in front and everyone plays Messi really hard

 

[spacedoodoopistol]

I'd agree that Spain and Germany are head and shoulders above everyone else, and its hard to pick one of them. No substantial holes on either team. France a quality dark horse, but if you look closely at their squad I think maybe only Ribery and possibly Evra could start for either of the top two teams. Next World Cup they'll have a lot of guys hitting their prime but not quite yet.

And in the case of Is Russia that Good vs. Is Czech that Bad......I'm going with Czech is that bad.

 

[spacedoodoopistol]

And as usual I recommend zonalmarking.net for some great previews and breakdowns of the various teams and matchups.

He has a good "general themes" piece here:

Euro 2012 previews: general themes | Zonal Marking

 

[FourBeeDen]

Side note but related... Topless Women Euro 2012 Protestors detain by police

 

[mem49er]

Side note but related... Topless Women Euro 2012 Protestors detain by police

Where can I learn how to give them my support?


:squeeze:

 

[mem49er]

It's time for Ronaldo to step up on the big stages. He's the LeBron (though after last night it might be bad to say that) of soccer. Arguably the most talented player in the world but hasn't delivered for Portugal.

That's been my biggest complaint about Ronaldo but I have to admit the rest of his squad is a notch below this year.

 

[mem49er]

And in the case of Is Russia that Good vs. Is Czech that Bad......I'm going with Czech is that bad.

Agree, that back line was a sieve.