Since the likes of Greece and Denmark have one it in recent times, is it that open - Poland? Switerland? Romania? or will the big boys come out to play?

* Group A

* Czech Republic
* Portugal
* Switzerland
* Turkey



* Group B

* Austria
* Croatia
* Germany
* Poland



* Group C

* France
* Italy
* Netherlands
* Romania



* Group D

* Greece
* Russia
* Spain
* Sweden

Spain definately

As far as I am concerned this competition is going to be pretty open.

Let me try and give my predictions for each group

Group A

Portugal and the Czech Republic to go through. However Turkey are a dark horse.

The Czech may miss Pavel Nedved


Group B

Croatia and Germany to qualify


Group C

BLATANT GROUP OF DEATH.


I can't call this one.

France have a good squad, but aren't exactly playing good football.

Holland have a reputation for messing up. Clarence Seedorf apparently to Van Basten that he does not want to be picked for the squad, plus I am aware that Van Basten does not see eye to eye with Van Nistelrooy.

Italy are very good, however I have not seen them play in a long time (same with Romania)

This one is really hard to call.



Group D


Even this group is quite close. However I expect Spain and Sweden to qualify. Then again you cannot ever rule out the eastern europeans, and lets not forget about what Greece did a few years ago.

Spain will definatly qualify, however I do not expect them to win it

Spain? can't see them doing it, good individuals, so so team.

Favourites have gotta be Portugal. I mean look at their record for the last 2 championships, Semi-Final - Final. I've got a feeling this year could be their year.

Dark Horses - Im gonna go with Russia, i like the look of them. They've got Hiddink in charge, so without doubt they'll be organised.

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Group A has to be :

1. Portugal
2. Turkey

Why no Czech pick? Their midfield has completely changed. No Nedved, no Rosicky, no Podobsky(sp?) baros and the big forward Koeller (sp?) are average at best so they can't carry this team, I look for an early exit

Group B

1. Germany
2. Croatia

Germany is a big stage player and Croatia will only get out of the group because the other two teams are worse than they are as Eduardo is injured and this team's inspiration is GONE.

Group C

1. Italy
2. France

When Romania has equally a chance to progress as well as Holland, I chose these two because they have better overall defenses.

Italy while they may not win a game on offensive flair they do know how to play Chelsea ball and bore you to death and then sneak in a goal and run off the pitch.

France? Look at their backline on the wings, Evra has pushed our Gunner left back to be left off the squad who is waaay better than Melchiot who is starting for Holland. The current dutch players do not know how to play in their country's beloved 4-3-3 system and have shown this since they were attempting to qualify for Euro 2004 and with this weak backline I don't think they can last unless every game is a virtual shoot out.

Romania? They can sneak up and beat any one of these teams, but I just don't see them beating two of them in this tourney

Group D

1. Spain
2. Russia

Spain because they have too much talent against these two teams in that they can cruise through here

Russia because Ibrahamovic (sp?) has not been hitting on jack and Sweden will be ousted on this.

After all this has settled:

Quarters:

Portugal will take out Croatia

Germany will take out Turkey amid controversy

Italy will bore us to sleep while beating Russia 1-0

France will take out Spain after a Puyol mistake gifts France an opening

Portugal and Germany will have the best game of the tourney with Portugal coming out on top

Italy and France will again take it to the wire with France bowing out on the big stage again, but not before they put on a show in the second best game of the tourney.

Portugal and Italy will arrive as Portugal gets red carded for something stupid like swinging at the ref and will lose to the Italians who will take the strangle the life out of this game and win 2-0 on two forgettable goals.

I hope I am wrong with this prediction because I would hate to see Italy kill the tourney off Mourinho style.......

I can guarantee one thing, it isn't going to be England Come on now, let's all be honest, for all our talk about England and the negativity towards Africans, who feels a part of them is missing from the tournament by the fact England isn't representing lol.

who cares..Engerland are rubbish!!! lol

I think maybe Portugal or France to win Euro 2008.

Whatever happened to all the black Dutch players? They only have Ryan Babel and Mario Melchiot these days. Where are this generation's Guillits and Seedorfs? Are Suriname making a world cup bid or something or is it a result of the Kalou case (the Dutch refused to grant him Dutch citizenship), has this had a knock on effect?

I'm going for Spain or Italy.

Is it me or does Scolari need to remove Simao and allow Ronaldo to be the roamer? Simao seems to be refusing to work around the better player LOL

Simao to me is like a cultured Alan Smith.......

And now Pepe scores....

Germany or France, can't stand italy. Don't like spain either, and they seem to choke despite being hyped up.

I cant wait for diving portugirl to get stuffed in this competition. They are so overrated. Im still vexed at how england got cheated against portugal in 2004 when a ligitimate goal campbell scored was disallowed. Im so glad greece put them in their place in the final. if portugal had 'won' that competition it would have been a farce.

I expect them to crash out the moment they come across a solid team. Anyone of germany, france or italy will wipe the floor with them imo.

Being a liverpool fan, i guess im supposed to have a soft spot for spain, but i cant bring myself to support them while that racist manager is still in charge.

I feel the same way. I look at Cesc and Torres and I actually like to see these guys play, but I want them to crash out as well because of their manager.