Topic: Poll: Who do you think will win Euro 2008?

Thought i'd pop your cherry as it were. Italian's or Germans for me, defensive efficiency will be enough to see off the perennial bottle-jobs and a France team I don't really rate

It will probably be italy again, though i hope spain put in a decent run; such potential, but never the consistency. At insideleft we're going to be following Greece because someone has to. i

Thanks weld-class... you'll always have a special place in our heart for that... ;-)

Yes, Germany or Italy are undoubtedly front-runners for me too. Why don't you rate France, out of interest?

I always want to see Spain put in a decent run, mate, but do they have the cahones to go all the way in a big tournament like this? I wonder...

Funny you mention Greece. I wouldn't mind a pound or two on Greece as a long shot to win. I think it's entirely possible, myself - they can't be written off so quickly.

I've voted Italy as they always seem to gel at the right time in big tournaments. The Germans remain a threat as always, but I'm not up on their current crop of players and I think that like us they haven't enough talent.

I'd like to see someone like Croatia come good, but I think they don't have enough depth to the squad to cover injuries and suspensions, whereas the Germans won't suffer so many losses in that way.

Portugal might do well again, but I still can't see the Spanish lasting the course.

To be honest i've never been a fan of domenech, I think his France team plays well in spite of his presence. They will always be tough to beat but I just think some of their magic has gone this time around, a mis-firing Henry, a poor Malouda and an odd decision to not even take Trezeguet....I actually think the Dutch may dump them out at the group stage. Who's your pick chris?

For me, it's the Dutch, even with Babel now out. Robben and Sneijder have been impressive in their warmups. The only question mark is their back four. I think if they can make it out of their group, they'll be well positioned to take it all.

D'you know what - I'm not altogether sure!

Everytime I settle on my top tip to win, I hear something about them that suggests they're weaker than I thought. I suppose if I had to plump for someone, it'd be Italy, with Germany a close second. Without looking at the schedules to see who could end up playing who in the knock-out stages, I'd say France and Spain should be good enough to reach the semis.

I'd go along with all that Kedge (welcome to the forum, by the way!)

Without Eduardo, Croatia may struggle to find such a rich vein of goals and Germany have the pedigree to go all the way now with a number of decent players in all areas.

Portugal are in transition really so it's possible they may underachieve a bit. As for the Netherlands, I'd like to see them do well and they look like a well-organised outfit to me.

...but what a group!!!

What's slightly troubling for me - and this is a small point really - is that the Netherlands played Romania in qualifying and couldn't beat them. They drew the first match and lost the second. Is it

that

clear cut a two horse race in Group C?

Has to be the Germans for me. Its virtually a home tournament for them. key men will be Gomez and Klose up front plus that shaky defense.

Judging from the potential opponents, the Germans do look tasty, think Portugal is the only "top team" on their route to the final. Is a shame that the co-hosts are automatically placed as first seeds given their poor standard this time around. I know it is better for the home crowds to have something to cheer but still....saying that we wouldn't have ended up with the tantalising group D without them though

I'd go along with this, think their greatest enemy could be themselves though. Noone expected the run they ended up with in last WC (despite hosting the tournament) but starting out as favourites is a whole different ball game

For me, I'd love to see the Netherlands win it. Van Basten can become the first person to win it as a coach and a player. They have some very good width players (Sneijder, Robben, Kuyt) but they also have great goal poacher in Van Nistelrooy and Huntelaar. I think if they can hold their bottle for a change they could really win it.

Also the Germans i hope will get destroyed today against the Poles.

I keep seeing the name Huntelaar cropping up here and there. Who is he and what's he like?

Why the anti-German sentiment, P? The war was a long time ago, my friend... ;-)

Young Ajax striker, scored a hatful for them and think he top-scored in the under-21s a couple of years back. Do like the Dutch and would like to see them do well just their forwards do seem very selfish so not sure if they'll gel in the same way as some of the other nations. We'll see though.

Portuguese looked good last night

Just a bit of fun to spice up the tournament. You must have heard about Polish newspapers fun about the Germans. Well if you haven't, here it is.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/jun/07/euro2008.euro2008groupb

No one (including me) thinks Russia. Hmm how times change. When I voted they had to beat Greece to stay in the tournament. Now well I'd vote for them.