Urban75 Home About Offline BrixtonBuzz Contact

Ding Ding - Impressions at the end of Round 1

Who dya fancy so far?

  • Total voters
    32
  • Poll closed .
D

Diamond

The Red Baron
Right, we're a third of the way through the group stage and everyone's played at least once. So who do we fancy so far and why?

I'm plumping for the Germans. They've got a solid well balanced team with a nice quick counter attacking style. For my money they're more durable than the other favourites.

p.s. apologies to supporters of either hosts, Romania or Poland. I had to limit the poll to 12 so I lopped off those who I thought would be overlooked.
 
Espana, cos i should've bet on them and they were damned convincing tonite i thought. Germans solid and efficient, Netherlands surprising, and Portugal look ominous. Nowt shocking there really.

Pleased to see Austria and Switzerland at least making decent games of it so far, pre-tournie commentary would suggest they may as well not have bothered. Italy out first round, Romania shock qualifiers? Perhaps.....
 
The thing about hosts exceeding expectations, as they usually do, is that it's contingent on massive support in the host country but by all accounts the Austrians seem positively miffed that they're incovenienced by the hosting of the tournament whereas the Swizz have always got their eye on switching horses so to speak.
 
Wouldn't be surprised if the Italians sweep to glory. They always recover from an appalling start

then again, maybe not. Hope they do though. Forza Azzurri :cool:
 
Dunno but reckon Spain and Holland will not win....blistering starts inevitably lead to capitulation in about the quarters / semis....I hope portugal (sweepstake) though suspect possibly Germany...don't care really the football that I have seen thus far has been nay bad at all....
 
I can't see past the Germans at the moment but if the Spanish or Dutch can get over their choking habit then the knockout stages could be pretty interesting.
 
I hate to say it - Germany at the moment.

I will laugh like fook if both Italy and France go out at the group stage.
 
We looked good yesterday but Russia played into our hands....other teams won't. I still feel more optimistic than in the WC but right now Germany do look handy and a tad more organised, although their centre backs cause concern.
 
^ They were pretty impressive but against weak opposition, so can't really take much form that game. I want either spain or holland to win, and sweden, czechs/portugal to do well(but not actually win it). Without england in the tournament, im not really bothered though i am enjoying it.
 
Spain are the only team that have genuinly impressed me so far. Most teams look a bit toothless in attack.

Portugal, holland & russia have looked okay as well.

The standard has been rubbish so far.

dave
 
Eight games, three of them damned good, not a bad start. There are the threee obvious choices (Spain, Holland and Germany - who weren't that impressive, but still had quality all over the field, unlike the other two) but I''m still going for France
 
Yeah no way france will do it.:( None of the strikers are in form at all. Malouda is pants. A really ageing centre back.

and i really dont like the coach. Silly tactics + astrology = Glenn hoddle = fail.

dave
 
There's only been one game! How many time have we seen a team start crap and end up winning the whole thing? How often have the teams that started superbly actually gone on to win it?

I have no idea about either, but I bet it's at least 'a few' and 'not that many' respectively
 
belboid said:
There's only been one game! How many time have we seen a team start crap and end up winning the whole thing? How often have the teams that started superbly actually gone on to win it?

I have no idea about either, but I bet it's at least 'a few' and 'not that many' respectively
Click to expand...

Without a doubt. The most vicious example being the Czechs at the last world cup. Started looking like serious outside contenders after hammering a much-fancied USA side 3-0. Then crashed out after losing the next two!
 
What odds on the Switzerland vs Turkey game getting called off, then? Its absolutely pissing it down and there is still 60 min left.
 
Always difficult to assess after 1 game, partly due to the differing opposition. I've seen all the opening games apart from the France-Romania one, and the Dutch and the Germans looked the most calm, assured and comfortable. The Spanish, whilst winning the game with ease, do make me wonder if they have the team rather than the 11 players, if you see what I mean. They also weren't really tested at the back, and a lot of their players will have had very long seasons. I may well have my thoughts quashed in time though.

The other things that have struck me is how poor the set-pieces, especially the corners, have been. They barely ever seem to clear the first defender and hardly any swing onto the penalty spot to be attacked. Some of the marking, especially from the Italians, was woeful as well, and it's looking like the majority of the goals are being got on the break, rewarding solid defences who can distribute to quick attackers.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

twistedAM
players whose reputation has taken a dive at Euro 2008
Replies
22
Views
4K
mrkikiet
M
D
How far is your support for a team at Euro 2008 dependent on the country's politics?
2
Replies
55
Views
8K
Wilf
Wilf
E
The referee for the Euro 2008 final is.....
Replies
1
Views
2K
TrippyLondoner
T
Silva
Team of the tournament
Replies
16
Views
3K
stavros
S
D
  • Poll Poll
Holland-Italy v Night of the Hunter
Replies
26
Views
3K
Donna Ferentes
D
Back
Top Bottom