Nice little write up shag The Dutch and Spanish always flatter to decieve, but this year both are playing well. And for once the Dutch are not fighting amongst each other--yet. In fact they look united for once. I think with Russia improving as the competition goes on, this will be the tie of the round. I went for Italy in the World Cup and was right then, but unless Toni gets his shooting boots on they may get beat by the Spaniards. You can never write the Krauts out, and Croatia have been the dark horse to win the final. I am sticking with Spain for now, but you can bet your bottom dollar that Turkey will win, it as they are the only team I didn't give a chance
Tough one between Germany and Portugal bro, but I'd say: Portugal v Germany Croatia v Turkey Netherlands v Russia Spain v Italy FORZA RAGAZZI Mi fido di Voi !!
I think you can write us out this time. Portugal is tough to beat as it is - without a coach (a big thanks to UEFA for a completely brainless decision) I don't see how we're going to get past them. I was really looking forward to this match and thought it would be a close one - with a slight edge to Portugal - but that ban was a low blow. Don't see us recovering from that one - not against a Scolari coached team.
How bout we just do a bracket through the finals with picks from the last 8. That we are more likely to have a more clear cut winner. Also can adds from group stage picks and quarterfinal-final picks and declare a grand winner.
Okay think like the Final Four Brackets. People pick there winners from round 1 to finals. If you didn't pick well in the first couple rounds you may have matches up that aren't there . Your picks for winners out of the quaterfinals would be your picks for semifinals and finals. So if you didn't pick well in quarter finals you could end up with a matchup in the finals that can't happen since your picks didn't pan out.
So here is an example Quaterfinal Picks Portugal v Germany Croatia v Turkey Netherlands v Russia Spain v Italy Now your semifinal picks have to be the winners from your above picks. Portugal v Croatia Netherlands v Spain And now your final pick would be Portugal v Netherlands Something like that.
Nah we can just do it for the final 8. Then add the points from the group stages to the points from the knockout stages and declare a winner.
Yeah I understand. That would be very helpful if someone can't make it on here to make their next round pick. The only problem is that we already have a few members who have made their selections for the knockout round.
Yeah that works then. So people just stick to their picks that they have made for the final eight and see how it goes through. Is that ok with everyone or would you guys rather have the format we are currently using?
Well, not too bad considering...I mean , I am after all a white male born and raised in the South. I totally didn't see the crapfest that was Italy and the French team. Shows how much I know... Well, having watched the teams actually play some, hopefully these picks will be better. Quarterfinal Picks *(denotes using above bracket) Portugal v Germany Croatia v Turkey *(Poland v Turkey) Netherlands v Russia *(Italy v Russia) Spain v Italy *(Spain v France) Semifinal Picks Croatia v Germany *(Poland V Germany) Netherlands v Spain *(Italy v Spain) Finals Pick Netherlands v Croatia *(Germany v Spain) If the Dutch can keep up their recent habit of kickin' a$$ and takin' names, I don't see anyone, save maybe Portugal, being able to hang. And Portugal being the penultimate hot/cold team, I think Germany may be able take them out of their game (similar to their last game against Aus). Although Germany is going to have to step up their game to do that, regardless of whether or not Portugal goes cold. Yes alen, you were right, the Croats really are that good. Good enough to go all the way??? Not sure yet. And there is no way, save a miracle from the Vatican and the Pope himself, that Italy makes it past Spain. Not with the way they're playing/being coached.
Why I suck at this... I mean i think I try to be creative and voila the end result is I suck at this. Anyways for quaterfinals: Portugalvs Germany Netherlandsvs Russia (though I expect this to be an awesome game) Turkey vs Croatia Italy vs Spain My thinking is basically that Italy knows how to win these games, Russia we are all loving right now because of their destruction of sweden, but the Netherlands seem a little too well oiled right now (they have an edge at players, Hiddink has an edge on Van Basten though). I haven't believed in this generation of German players for a while, as a matter of fact the only three i like are Frings, Lahm and Schwensteigger everyone else seems underwhelming to me. Turkey I just feel have a huge heart, they defend themselves well, and have a huge heart and won't stop going at it... and I have to pick one underdog and I felt they work as that.
Same here bro. Nice picks. I have one question. Is Ballack really that good? A lot of people say hes a very good player but when I watch him, I have never been really impressed.
You didn't do it that bad compadre and you were right about Russia and Hiddink, they're playing very well but now they have to face the best team on the tournament IMO Not bad at all.
you are just being nice... i was awful. the way Switzerland and Poland play, I am embarassed I even picked them (I was showing some Leo Benhakker love... I am betrayed by my love of dutch coaches.)
He's a superb player. Absolutely runs games for Germany and the last 3 months of the season at Chelsea he was by far their best player.
Portugal vs Germany Netherlands vs Russia Turkey vs Croatia Italy vs Spain CHnaged my mind on the Turkey game lol.
Barzagli out for tourny after suffering a knee injury during practice. Another blow to the Italian defense. http://www.euro2008.uefa.com/news/kind=1/newsid=722876.html
Damn! Unfortunately I missed the game because of work. But I'll sure be watchin Sunday. Will he get the start?
Unless Chiellini or Pannucci got hurt or suspended, Barzagli probably wouldn't have seen the field anyway. However, I think both have a yellow card to their name
Is Ronaldo crying? Didn't Brazil have a guy named Ronaldo or is this the same guy? I am not up on my soccer.
He's probably crying.....again. Two different Ronaldo's. Brazil's Ronaldo is now fat and out of shape. This one they say he's the best player in the world.
That is the problem. Potentially 3 more games, a lot can happen. Oh well, guess we'll have to lean on Buffon more than usuall, and we've been leaning on him a lot lately.
LOL. Did the second best player in the world (I'm serious) look like this today? I didn't get a chance to see the game.
nice find Tone. All I saw was him walk off the field looking around. I didn't see him cry. Maybe he did Btw, they say Ronaldo is best player in the world. I say Kaka. The decision may be biased because I'm not a fan of Ronaldo but I say Kaka.
Can I say Germany 3-2 I'll go Portugal since I'm late Turkey Italy Russia (need an upset to et back in)
My God, Portugal's going to be thinking about this one for a LONG time. Two sure goals missed, and some absolutely TERRIBLE work on set pieces. This game was theirs for the taking, but the Germans pulled it out. That's why the German fans roll out a big-*** flag celebrating three Euro championships, and the Portuguese fans have pictures of Cristiano Ronaldo and his crappy haircut crying like a 10 year old girl.