UEFA EURO 2012

[jlb1705]

I figured this was as good a place to put this as any, since it was a tuneup...

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England are hopeless.

 

[Smudger]

I'm not putting much credence into today's friendlies. Almost every team was missing, or didn't play a lot of the key players that will be there come this summer. These games will just be filler until the club season ends as most players are focused on not getting injured and aren't playing to there maximum effort which is completely understandable.

 

[Smudger]

@SkySports Arsenal's Bacary Sagna, stretchered off against Norwich, has suffered a broken leg and will miss the Euros. More on site shortly.

As if anyone had France doing anything at the Euros anyways.

 

[TooTall]

As if anyone had France doing anything at the Euros anyways.

As long as Clichy or Debuchy can go, I'd say they'll be fine. France has a strong squad capable of going on a nice run. They have one of the worlds best GK's in Hugo Lloris. I don't think this is as bad as it initially looks. France definitely has some depth.

 

[Smudger]

As long as Clichy or Debuchy can go, I'd say they'll be fine. France has a strong squad capable of going on a nice run. They have one of the worlds best GK's in Hugo Lloris. I don't think this is as bad as it initially looks. France definitely has some depth.

It's France. On paper, great squad as always. In reality, they've been downright putrid since the '06 World Cup when all of the old guard retired from international play. At least Raymond Domenech is no longer the manager & Laurent Blanc has done a remarkable job since taking over since the 2010 World Cup fiasco. Still, I don't expect much from this team this summer especially being in a tricky group with England, Sweden & co-hosts Ukraine.

 

[TooTall]

It's France. On paper, great squad as always. In reality, they've been downright putrid since the '06 World Cup when all of the old guard retired from international play. At least Raymond Domenech is no longer the manager & Laurent Blanc has done a remarkable job since taking over since the 2010 World Cup fiasco. Still, I don't expect much from this team this summer especially being in a tricky group with England, Sweden & co-hosts Ukraine.

I think they'll make it out of the group with Sweden, but not much further than that. There's just too many World Class clubs that are THAT much better than France on paper, and on the field.

My personal favorites: Germany and Holland

Holland has a weaker defensive back line, but they make up for it with an amazing attack.

And Germany, well.... They are Germany.

 

[Smudger]

I think they'll make it out of the group with Sweden, but not much further than that. There's just too many World Class clubs that are THAT much better than France on paper, and on the field.

My personal favorites: Germany and Holland

Holland has a weaker defensive back line, but they make up for it with an amazing attack.

And Germany, well.... They are Germany.

I've got Germany winning it. I don't need to list the reasons why (too many), we all know how good Germany is at every major tournament and this is no exception.

The Dutch are always pleasing on the eye. There passing and movement is always top notch & they proved two years ago that they can hang with the big guns in the knockout stage.

Still can't count out Spain seeing as how they're the defending European & World champions. It will be interesting to see with La Furia Roja whether or not David Villa will be available. Del Bosque has said he is willing to wait & I see no reason not too. Torres will certainly be called back and I think it's Fernando Llorente's time to shine up top.

 

[TooTall]

I try and find any reason to not pick them as a favorite, but they'll be there in the late phases as always. It'll be interesting to see whether David Villa will be ready for the Euro's. May still be a little too early for him to be coming back.

 

[Smudger]

I try and find any reason to not pick them as a favorite, but they'll be there in the late phases as always. It'll be interesting to see whether David Villa will be ready for the Euro's. May still be a little too early for him to be coming back.

I'm thinking the same thing. Last I checked, his rehab was ahead of schedule, but he's been out since mid-December. It's a pretty big blow considering how crucial he was in both Euro '08 and the '10 World Cup. Torres has definitely played his way back into the team but I really like the opportunity Llorente has to play up top. Roberto Soldado will be hard to drop from the team as well if it comes down to it.

 

[TooTall]

I'm thinking the same thing. Last I checked, his rehab was ahead of schedule, but he's been out since mid-December. It's a pretty big blow considering how crucial he was in both Euro '08 and the '10 World Cup. Torres has definitely played his way back into the team but I really like the opportunity Llorente has to play up top. Roberto Soldado will be hard to drop from the team as well if it comes down to it.

Llorente is the Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Spain. Dude's a fucking giant. But I agree, Soldado and Llorente is a pretty money combination up front. Torres will more than likely see some more quality playing time after the group stage. Spain can roll out just about any Starting XI in the group stage and still advance.

 

[Smudger]

Carles Puyol likely to miss Euro 2012 as Spain defender needs Surgery - The Guardian

Out six weeks & becomes an extreme doubt to the make the Spanish team with the final team being announced on May 27th. Big blow in terms of experience, leadership & grit. Not the same player he once was as he's slowed down quite a bit, but an important part of Spains last two triumphs.

In regards to David Villa, I read somewhere that he's trying to be fit for Barca's final game of the season on the 25th (Copa del Rey final vs. Athletic Bilbao). Whether or not that's even a possibility remains to be seen as of yet, but Del Bosque has stated that he will wait, even until the last minute to see if Villa will be ready for this summer.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/may/08/carles-puyol-euro-2012-spain

 

[TooTall]

Carles Puyol likely to miss Euro 2012 as Spain defender needs Surgery - The Guardian

Out six weeks & becomes an extreme doubt to the make the Spanish team with the final team being announced on May 27th. Big blow in terms of experience, leadership & grit. Not the same player he once was as he's slowed down quite a bit, but an important part of Spains last two triumphs.

In regards to David Villa, I read somewhere that he's trying to be fit for Barca's final game of the season on the 25th (Copa del Rey final vs. Athletic Bilbao). Whether or not that's even a possibility remains to be seen as of yet, but Del Bosque has stated that he will wait, even until the last minute to see if Villa will be ready for this summer.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/may/08/carles-puyol-euro-2012-spain

Not that big of a loss since they can slide Sergio Ramos over to CB, and run Arbeloa at RB, and either Jordi Alba or Iraola at LB.

 

[Wells4Heisman]

I'll be rooting for England or Italy with Balotelli on the squad, however I see the Netherlands or Germany taking it.

 

[OH10]

Germany, the Netherlands, and Portugal all in the same group. Interesting.

 

[Smudger]

Germany, the Netherlands, and Portugal all in the same group. Interesting.

Poor Denmark.