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Old 06-01-2004, 11:54 AM   #66
91
 
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After my calling just about everything that happened this year in the world of football, I'm on somewhat of a roll. In any case, I'm going with Italy for this one. If they don't win it, France will. They're the two teams that really have it all in their team, top to bottom. Italy are the only team I just cannot see us beating in this, which nudges things in their favour.

England are decent outsiders and it wouldn't be absurd to think they could win it, but I can't see them getting past the semis. Actually I could just as easily see them losing to Croatia as I could seeing them beat France, it's a tough one.

Portugal are good bets being hosts, but I dunno, I can't see them going all the way. Spain are good too, but until they start gelling as a team (which they can do great in the qualifiers against the dregs of European football, but not against anyone remotely good) I can't see them getting by on talented players alone.

Holland? Inconsistent right now - capable of winning the whole thing or crashing out in the first round. The tie against Scotland demonstrated that nicely. In one leg they were utter crap, losing to a team they shouldn't be losing to (no offence Rob) and in the second they were gloriously magnificent. How they do depends on which Holland turns up in Portugal.

Speaking of Holland, me and a whole gang of Dutch and German folks are making a night out of the Holland Germany match, with me (and most of the others it seems) solidly behind the Germans. Speaking of Germany, NEVER count them out. What they lack in raw talent they make up for in workrate, discipline and teamwork.

And for the record, the Czech Republic are overated in my opinion. They never qualify for the world cup, but everyone still trips up over themselves to say how brilliant they are.

A bit like Wales.

Except the bit about everyone saying how brilliant they are.

And Sweden? Most underated team in the tournament, maybe the world. Don't be surprised to see them do well. But they won't win the tourny. Probably.
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