View Full Version : Euro 2004
jdl22
04-09-2004, 08:44 PM
Thought I would get a thread started about the coming European Cup tournament which begins in June. Two months early doesn't feel like too long to me to begin talking about the biggest sporting event this summer except maybe the olympics (my vote is still for Euro 2004).
For those of you unaware, Euro 2004 is a tournament consisting of the best teams from accross Europe. They went through a qualifying stage and the finals of the tournament has the 16 teams that qualified.
Here are the groups:
Group A
Portugal, Spain, Greece, Russia
Group B
France, England, Switzerland, Croatia
Group C
Sweden, Denmark, Bulgaria, Italy
Group D
Czech Republic, Latvia, Germany, Netherlands
Top two in each group advance to the second round.
Here are my picks:
Group A: Portugal, Spain
Group B: France, England
Group C: Sweden, Italy
Group D: Germany, Netherlands
I think those will be the rankings also with the first team finishing top and second in second.
I have given pretty much straight up vanilla picks so I'll give some likely upsets. I think Greece will give Spain a big fight for the second spot in the group (home ground advantage and the shame of the last world cup will have Portugal top) and maybe win it. Greece finished above Spain in qualifying for this tournament. England have looked shaky as of late, I wouldn't be surprised to see them crash out with the Croats going through.
I would dearly love to watch some of the matches here. What channels (if any) will they be broadcast on in the States?
dogsballs
04-12-2004, 06:06 PM
don't you mean European Championship? The european cup is what the champions league (teh club tourney) used to be called.
If only scotland had made it...sigh...
England should pull their usual get-to-teh-late-stages-then-lose-to-a-more-talented-team maneouvre.
..now you've made me go look up the tourney and team details on teh web.
Ed Miller
04-12-2004, 06:15 PM
I think Portugal will win. Can't bet against the home team. /images/graemlins/smile.gif
jdl22
04-12-2004, 06:50 PM
I've heard both referred to as the European Cup. You still will hear the champions league and the competition under discussion as such.
In any case I think we agree on what England will do.
blackaces13
04-12-2004, 07:15 PM
You didn't once in your entire post even mention what sport these teams play. I'll assume its soccer, soccer really sucks.
Thank the maker, a thread on this forum that won't generate deep hatred (or actually, it might! /images/graemlins/grin.gif). Nonetheless, this is right up my alley.
My group winners are:
Group I
(Spain, Russia). Portugal has been playing terribly lately, and I don't think the home field advantage will help. Figo isn't playing anywhere near what he can. The Russians are a solid bunch, they always have been. I think they can pull the upset. Spain is extremely strong.
Group II
(England, France). England is scarry. It really depends on which English team shows up. I'm sure the Beckham distractions won't help either. France is getting older, and a team like Croatia could sneak in here. I'm sure Mr Zidane will have something to say about that. This could be the "Group of Death".
Group III
(Italy, Sweden) I think Italy takes this group easy, but I'm partial to the Azzuri. Sweden is ok, none of the other teams stand a chance.
Group IV
(Germany, Netherlands). This could also be Group of Death 1A. The Czechs will finish in a close 3rd, and possibly 2nd depending on the Dutch. They always have a highly talented, underachieving side (see England). If they're heads are screwed on right, they could easily beat the Germans, who also have a very solid side.
My sentimental champion is Italy. Whats nice about that is that they could easily win this. They are very strong in goal, solid on defense (both typical Italian traits), and strong in the midfield. The question will be wether or not they can score enough goals to win.
My suprise champion is the Netherlands. Like I said before, if they wake up, watch out.
My realistic champions are between either the Germans or Spain. Both are very solid throughout. The slight edge goes to Oliver Kahn and the Germans.
Great topic jdl! I would love to see other analysis, and not just your typical "soccer sucks" response.
Joe
jdl22
04-12-2004, 08:51 PM
If you didn't know the sport the post wasn't meant for you.
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I'll assume its soccer, soccer really sucks.
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Maybe you should know what you are talking about before you make such a broad statement. If it is your opinion, then you are entitled to it, but keep it to yourself. You know what they say about opinions.....
Joe
blackaces13
04-12-2004, 10:23 PM
Yeah, I wasn't really serious. I don't even know why I responded in the first place. Guess I didn't like reading a whole thing and not even know what it was about and before I knew it I was saying soccer sucks. Oh well, no big deal.
superleeds
04-13-2004, 08:21 AM
I like all your picks for the groups altho as JoeU has said Portugal are not as good as they were and I think Russia may give them a run for their money. Home advantage should see them thru tho.
France and the Netherlands are my favorites but I think Spain, Portugal, Italy and even England this time have a great chance. Should be a great tournament.
dogsballs
04-13-2004, 05:22 PM
[ QUOTE ]
My group winners are:
Group I
(Spain, Russia). Portugal has been playing terribly lately, and I don't think the home field advantage will help. Figo isn't playing anywhere near what he can. The Russians are a solid bunch, they always have been. I think they can pull the upset. Spain is extremely strong.
Group II
(England, France). England is scarry. It really depends on which English team shows up. I'm sure the Beckham distractions won't help either. France is getting older, and a team like Croatia could sneak in here. I'm sure Mr Zidane will have something to say about that. This could be the "Group of Death".
Group III
(Italy, Sweden) I think Italy takes this group easy, but I'm partial to the Azzuri. Sweden is ok, none of the other teams stand a chance.
Group IV
(Germany, Netherlands). This could also be Group of Death 1A. The Czechs will finish in a close 3rd, and possibly 2nd depending on the Dutch. They always have a highly talented, underachieving side (see England). If they're heads are screwed on right, they could easily beat the Germans, who also have a very solid side.
My sentimental champion is Italy. Whats nice about that is that they could easily win this. They are very strong in goal, solid on defense (both typical Italian traits), and strong in the midfield. The question will be wether or not they can score enough goals to win.
My suprise champion is the Netherlands. Like I said before, if they wake up, watch out.
[/ QUOTE ]
Russia and Holland doing well wouldn't be that much of a surprise. They're both strong. Holland put 6 past Scotland in the 2nd playoff game, when the game really counted.
France have got to be the favourites; just look at Zidane and Thierry Henry on the same team, never even mind the rest of the squad! Oh man!
I'm surprised you put Germany and Spain as your realistic winners. Holland and France have at least as much chance there (tho' teh dutch have a history of shooting themselves in the foot occasionally by squabbling amongst themselves).
My Favourites: France, Germany, Netherlands.
Possibles: Spain, England, Italy
My outsider underdog pick is Sweden, but only if Henrick Larsson plays (which is currently off but he's hinted he's not definitely out). If not, I go with the Czechs who are a lot better than many seem to think.
jmho
dogs
jdl22
04-13-2004, 06:53 PM
I agree with you on Spain. The problem with Spain is that they are Spain. They seem to always have one of the most talented teams in the World Cup or EuroCup (as the Spanish call it) but they always seem to get unlucky (see screwed as in the last WC) or just play terribly.
They are my favorite team in the competition having lived in Sevilla for 5 months and they could win but I wouldn't bet on them just yet.
On a side note, the national team coach appears to be flirting with the idea of leaving Joaquin off the squad. While I don't like him (he plays for Betis and I'm a Sevillista), he is clearly a huge talent and was Spain's best player in the last World Cup. Some even thought he was the best overall player in that competition.
jdl22
04-13-2004, 06:56 PM
It's interesting that there is a lot of talk about Russia.
To be honest I haven't been following them at all and know very little about them. I thought the third best team in the group was Greece based on their good play in the qualifying stage (I haven't seen anything about them in their friendlies either). As I said they qualified in Spain's group ahead of them and forced Spain into a playoff with Norway to make the finals.
As I said I know next to nothing about Russia. What should I know?
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Russia and Holland doing well wouldn't be that much of a surprise. They're both strong. Holland put 6 past Scotland in the 2nd playoff game, when the game really counted.
[/ QUOTE ]
I agree they wouldn't be much of a suprise. But Russia is in a very tough group with Portugal in the same group. The Dutch would only be a mild suprise if they win it because they usually find a way to lose it.
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I'm surprised you put Germany and Spain as your realistic winners.
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Spain is incredibly strong on both offense and defense. Germany is the WC runner up.
I wouldn't count France out. But they had essentially the same team in the WC and stunk up the joint.
All this talk is getting me excited about the tourney. I have a friend going to Portugal to see the tourney. Wish I was him! /images/graemlins/frown.gif
Joe
jdl22
04-14-2004, 01:33 AM
[ QUOTE ]
All this talk is getting me excited about the tourney. I have a friend going to Portugal to see the tourney. Wish I was him!
[/ QUOTE ]
I hear you!
I would go, but I live on the opposite coast from my fiance and so I will be going home for the summer. That will be good too, but I would love to be there. I was in Spain in 2000 but had to come home early so I missed Euro2000.
Hopefully I can go to Germany 2006. You too.
On the subject of Spain. It is a surprising pick because they are Spain. There have been several tournaments, both WC and EC where they have had what most consider one of the best teams but somehow they are out. Look at the last World Cup. They were one of the best teams in group stage. Then they fell victim to the worst officiating (it was actually the AR) that I have seen at any level above High School. Euro2004 they go out to France on penalties. On both these occasions I think they were playing as well as anyone in the tournament and had the best team.
Don't forget about Casillas. He's the best keeper in the world.
I agree. It seems that they have been the victim of some "bad BEats" lately. /images/graemlins/grin.gif
I guess statistically, it migh be their turn to put a bad beat on someone else.
Debating whether Casillias is the best keeper in the world should be saved for an entirely different thread. /images/graemlins/grin.gif I actually think that as a unit, The United States has the best goalkeeping in the world right now (I can't believe I said that! /images/graemlins/confused.gif). They can go 3 deep, maybe 4 deep in the depth charts. And we know that 3 are world class keepers.
Maybe we'll debate that during the tourney! /images/graemlins/grin.gif
Joe
PS: If I could only afford to go to Germany for 2006 /images/graemlins/frown.gif
TylerD
04-14-2004, 06:32 PM
Those damn cheating Ruskies we should be there instead of them druggies. /images/graemlins/mad.gif
Ulysses
04-14-2004, 06:55 PM
[ QUOTE ]
I would dearly love to watch some of the matches here. What channels (if any) will they be broadcast on in the States?
[/ QUOTE ]
Cool Official Euro 2004 Website unfortunately w/ no info re: TV coverage (http://www.euro2004.com)
Ugh. I expected Fox Sports World (the greatest channel for soccer coverage in the US) would carry some games, but can't find any info.
SoccerTV.com and a couple of soccer boards say: "Setanta Sport will offer Euro 2004 via pay-per-view and closed-circuit TV in the US. The residential rate is $179 for all matches. Individual first-round matches will cost $19.95 and each match from the quarterfinal through the final will cost $24.95. DirecTV, DISH Network, and iNDemand have signed to carry residential pay-per-view."
Univision or Telemundo might be carrying some games, but this might be a case where these guys have locked up all US broadcast rights and you have to either head to a bar or shell out for PPV.
Ulysses
04-14-2004, 07:00 PM
My pick is Spain, though as others have said, they never seem to get it done.
My team is England, and I think they actually, seriously, could do it. Really! My prediction: Michael Owen scores 80 goals in Euro 2004!
jdl22
04-14-2004, 07:43 PM
I'll take the under.
jdl22
04-14-2004, 07:53 PM
I read that it will only be available on PPV. That sucks because they will charge astronomically high prices. For some England friendlies they charged $20 per match. Can't wait to see how much this will be.
[ QUOTE ]
I read that it will only be available on PPV.
[/ QUOTE ]
This is one of my biggest issues with soccer in the US. This is argueably (sp?) the 2nd most important soccer tournament in the world (ok, maybe the UEFA Cup is bigger) and we have to PAY-PER-VIEW???? Then we wonder why soccer doesn't take off in this country. These are going to be, for the most part, the best players in the world; and we can't see the games unless we shell out $180! It is a disgrace. The USSF should wake up, take some of the money MLS paid Freddie Adu, and put the games where people can see them.
Thankfully, my father belongs to one of the many Italian clubs here in CT (as do I indirectly), and those folks will spare no expense at getting those games. Furthermore, because we are members, I don't have to pay at all to see the games. /images/graemlins/grin.gif
Just another case of the man keeping us down! /images/graemlins/mad.gif
Joe
dogsballs
04-14-2004, 10:11 PM
[ QUOTE ]
This is argueably (sp?) the 2nd most important soccer tournament in the world (ok, maybe the UEFA Cup is bigger)
[/ QUOTE ]
i think your nomenclature is a little bit confused still - not trying to be nitpicky here, but I presume you meant the Champions League (used to be called the European Cup). It's huge. The UEFA cup is like the second tier tourney, where the league runner ups go and the early exits from the champions league end up.
jdl22
04-14-2004, 11:19 PM
I assume as well that he meant the Champions' League.
Ulysses
04-15-2004, 04:11 AM
Cool thing about SF is that it's a pretty big soccer city (well, California in general) full of all kinds of foreigners. So, not only can you find the games at multiple places, you can actually go someplace with fans for the side you support (or don't, if you prefer).
jdl22
04-15-2004, 05:10 AM
Freddie Adu, who's that?
His name sounds familiar but I'm not sure if I remember it from the ESPN sportscenter segment, the CNN headline news 5 minute focus, the dateline NBC show about him, the leading sports story (coming on as a sub) on every local news, his appearance on Dave, an article about him on soccernet, every interview this season of anybody from the MLS no matter their team, position, or even if they know him, constant commentary about him in every match shown in the US whether it involves his team or even his league, or numerous places I don't precisely remember.
I think the big story of the year for American soccer is the success of many of our players in foreign leagues. Unfortunately this gets no mention in the wake of a teenager that is apparently Pele, Diego Maradona, Tiger Woods, and Lebron James all wrapped up in one.
Guess I got a little off track there. I do agree that the USSF or somebody should put some money up so that we can see major competitions like Euro2004 or the Champions league. Paying a trillion dollars for the former and seeing one match per match day in the latter just doesn't cut it. It is getting better with FSW and GolTV which because I prefer Spanish matches is in my opinion the best channel on television. If only we could convince to show teams that aren't Real Madrid and Barca...
Was that a rant or what?
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i think your nomenclature is a little bit confused still - not trying to be nitpicky here, but I presume you meant the Champions League (used to be called the European Cup).
[/ QUOTE ]
Sorry, you're right. /images/graemlins/frown.gif And as I was typing it I thought to myself "this doesn't look right for some reason".
My bad.
Joe
Man oh man did you nail it!
I'll do you one better.
About 15 years ago, an Italian entrepeneur brought Italian television (RAI) to CT. It was GREAT! Every Sunday, there was Serie A on my tv. Well worth skipping church for! /images/graemlins/grin.gif Then, about 4 years ago, he sold the rights to the station to Univision and retired to Florida. Univision turned it into another Spanish station. The only problem with Univision is that it is Central American (Mexican I believe) and they only show Mexican programming, including their crappy brand of soccer. Basically, this guy sold out! To make matters worse, I have digital cable and for me to get RAI now, it costs an additional $11/month in addition to the $90+ I already pay for digital! I refuse to have a $100 cable bill. RAI is only available to people who have digital as well, so most basic subscribers don't even have the option.
We could both go on all day. I just want to see some GOOD soccer without having to sacrifice my daughters future college tuition to pay for it!
Joe
Simon Diamond
04-16-2004, 04:00 PM
My outsider underdog pick is Sweden, but only if Henrick Larsson plays
Henrik Larsson is god. Really going to miss him when he leaves Celtic at the end of the season. /images/graemlins/frown.gif
As far as England are concerned, I'm sure it is going to be same old same old in the tournament. We always have the credentials to do well, but contrive to stuff it up.
It's great fun being on the England bandwagon though, we are hardened to failure over here. /images/graemlins/smile.gif
Simon
dogsballs
05-02-2004, 02:29 AM
In a surprise dedcision, the favourite son of half of Glasgow, Henrik Larsson, has changed his mind and will play for Sweden this summer in Euro '04....the streets of stockholm are flowing with celebratory beer as we speak...! /images/graemlins/laugh.gif
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