Euro 2012 qualifiers

[WireMan]

Can't see past Spain to win it, with the Dutch and Germans behind.
If it all goes well, England and Italy have a chance as they are good team. But it would have to go very well.

I'd be putting France in that category with England and Italy. They've improved dramatically under Blanc and are performing more consistently but they're still a level down from Spain/Germany/Holland.

Nice also to see Sweden back at a major tournament after missing the WC. A fun team to watch and their fans are great too.

You know, i completely forgot about France!! :lol:

I agree. The French are definately at the same level as England and Italy. Maybe Portugal also if they make it.


Sorry Langpark, i'll just ignore him.

 

[langpark]

FRANCE!?!?!?!??!?!?!?

Any of you two interested in losing 10 bucks to me!? Cos I'm willing to be right now, before even seeing the groups, that France have no chance in hell of passing the group stage! What makes you guys think they're not the same shitt we saw in South Africa!? Which one of their three draws (Romania, Bosnia, Belarus) was it that impressed you so much into thinking this bunch of idiots are a chance of winning the tournament!?

 

[Big Sam]

For a start they've gotten rid of that imbecile Domenech and replaced him with Blanc who's won major trophies as player and coach and seems to have galvanised the team. They've got world class players in their ranks that can score goals from anywhere like Nasri and Benzema, a solid and experienced keeper and a great playmaker in Gourcuff. I'd be very happy to put a tenner on them making it out of the group.

 

[Tonearm Terrorwrist]

France defeated Bosnia in Bosnia. They lost to Belarus not long after the world cup, two of their draws came away from home and the Bosnia draw came when they only needed a point. They defeated Brazil early in the year, England might even snatch a draw against them, and thrashed Ukraine in Ukraine.

They won't win it but unless they draw another group of death they should be fine.

 

[Bulldog Force]

Somethings I'm just not understanding about my beloved Spain at the moment.

(1) Why is Victor Valdes the first choice goal keeper ahead of Casillas? I mean, I know it's only Scotland but DAMN... they put a goal past us too!
(2) Again referring to the first post, Casillas is the team captain yes? So why was Xavi given the captaincy ahead of Puyol? And again, why was the captain dropped?
(3) Having Torres on the bench = phail. In fact, I did not like the Spanish formation/team itself. Again, I know it was only Scotland, but these things should be taken seriously right from the get-go IMO.

If things stay this way come Poland-Ukraine 2012, we'll get the arse!

 

[WireMan]

Somethings I'm just not understanding about my beloved Spain at the moment.

(1) Why is Victor Valdes the first choice goal keeper ahead of Casillas? I mean, I know it's only Scotland but DAMN... they put a goal past us too!
(2) Again referring to the first post, Casillas is the team captain yes? So why was Xavi given the captaincy ahead of Puyol? And again, why was the captain dropped?
(3) Having Torres on the bench = phail. In fact, I did not like the Spanish formation/team itself. Again, I know it was only Scotland, but these things should be taken seriously right from the get-go IMO.

If things stay this way come Poland-Ukraine 2012, we'll get the arse!

1) If you have the chance its better to give reserve players a game in games that don't matter. If Casillas gets injured in the Euros it isn't an untried (by untried i mean at international level) goalie. Valdes has got some recent game time and Bosque knows a little more about him. I know he has played plenty before but its always good for a manager to have a last look before competition time.

2) No idea. It could of been a special cap perhaps. Or he may be thinking of international retirement after the game and its his last home proper international. I'm sure Puyol wasn't all that cut up about it though. Honestly no idea though. Sorry.

3) I think this is a formation your going to have to get used to. Basically sub Messi for Silva and you have a very Barca style team there. Llorente is highly regarded so i can see why they brought him on.
Again though, you have to try different things. Torres form is a fickle thing at the moment and you need a plan B in case he is on a down come competition time.

I wouldn't worry to much if i were you.

 

[CC_Eagle]

CC - Didn't Spain win all there games? I'm sure Holland has done it before also. Maybe wrong though. Or do you mean win 10 different qualifying groups?

There was a 10 involved somewhere.

My German tutor at Uni was boasting about it yesterday morning. Suddenly Australia's 3-0 win against Oman is truly put into perspective.

 

[CC_Eagle]

F They've got world class players in their ranks that can score goals from anywhere like Nasri

:lol:

Did you watch their most recent game?

Nasri was on the right of midfield and the petulant twat was truly woeful. His best play of the night was winning a penalty.

I do agree about France though. I'd be surprised if they didn't make it past their group. No more Anelka and Evra, hooray.

 

[langpark]

France defeated Bosnia in Bosnia. They lost to Belarus not long after the world cup, two of their draws came away from home and the Bosnia draw came when they only needed a point. They defeated Brazil early in the year, England might even snatch a draw against them, and thrashed Ukraine in Ukraine.

They won't win it but unless they draw another group of death they should be fine.

I didn't mention the loss against Belarus, since it was the match where Blanc suspended all 22 WC players...

But any other top team would have absolutely romped that group, France limped over the finish line with a penalty in the last 10 minutes. If that hadn't happened, we'd be talking about them being in the playoffs right now...

All that has changed in a year is the coach, still the same crap in the playing ranks though....

 

[langpark]

hot off the press...

Croatia vs Turkey
Ireland vs Estonia
Czech vs Montenegro
Portugal vs Bosnia

 

[WireMan]

hot off the press...

Croatia vs Turkey
Ireland vs Estonia
Czech vs Montenegro
Portugal vs Bosnia

In bold are my picks.

4 close games though. Either could go anyway.

Hope Ireland and the Czechs don't make it. They both cheated there way into the playoffs.

 

[langpark]

Estonia are in with a real chance you know... They stood up to Italy, Slovenia and Serbia and got good results throughout (except that loss to Faroe Islands :shock: )

I heard what you said about the Irish cheating, but what did the Czechs do?

 

[Tonearm Terrorwrist]

Rooney handed a 3 match ban, no big loss he hasn't scored a goal at a tournament since the early part of Euro 2004.

 

[Tonearm Terrorwrist]

There was a 10 involved somewhere.

My German tutor at Uni was boasting about it yesterday morning. Suddenly Australia's 3-0 win against Oman is truly put into perspective.

Impress your tutor by reminding him that in their entire history as West Germany and unified Germany they have only ever lost 2 world cup qualifying matches.

 

[hybrid_tiger]

I'd say the favorites are Spain, Germany and Holland.

Good for Italy as Germany are our bitches ;-)

 

[Tonearm Terrorwrist]

This current Italy team is f**king dire

 

[WireMan]

Estonia are in with a real chance you know... They stood up to Italy, Slovenia and Serbia and got good results throughout (except that loss to Faroe Islands :shock: )

I heard what you said about the Irish cheating, but what did the Czechs do?

Check the end of the Czech vs Scotland match at Hampden. It is the one of the closest times i have ever come to thinking the ref is bent in a game of football. A pen to Czech which was a dive, then a min later he books a Scotish player for diving when he is clearly fouled! Shocking. Funny, but shocking.



As for Rooney. The FA crying over a three match ban for Rooney. Awww didums, when they were banning him for 3 matches for being sent of (wrongly) in a pre season tournament the other year there wasn't a problem.

He'll be back after the group stages all fresh and ready to roll.

 

[Big Sam]

Check the end of the Czech vs Scotland match at Hampden. It is the one of the closest times i have ever come to thinking the ref is bent in a game of football. A pen to Czech which was a dive, then a min later he books a Scotish player for diving when he is clearly fouled! Shocking. Funny, but shocking.

Yeah I remember watching that live at the time. Tough break for the Scots but anyway...

Interesting play-off matchups. I can see B&H and Montenegro causing upsets.

 

[hybrid_tiger]

This current Italy team is f**king dire

Much better than it was two years ago TT. Prandelli has worked wonders.

 

[Tom Shines]

Yeah I remember watching that live at the time. Tough break for the Scots but anyway...

Interesting play-off matchups. I can see B&H and Montenegro causing upsets.

I don't think any of the "seeded" teams are locks by any stretch of the imagination.

I fancy Estonia to qualify at the expense of ROI and I guarantee Bosnia (with the help of 'the Diamond' Edin Dzeko) will overturn Portugal.