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Thugmeister

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SoccerNation Tourney: Who will win Euro 08?

Stauff Nation TB said 03/04, 08:32 PM
For those of you who don't know, Euro 08 is a competition involving European international soccer teams. It's the equivalent of the World Cup, limited to European countries.

So who will win it this year?

I think Germany will for several reasons, and I will list those reasons right now.

1. Germany has one of the best squads in the tournament and are currently ranked #5 in the world. Players like Klose, Ballack, Podolski, Schneider, Lahm and Lehmann, they'll bring a lot of experience and ability together and be very tough to beat.

2. Germany came off a hot streak before the tournament and were the first offical team to qualify.

3. They play in a fairly easy group compared to some other favorites. In Group B Germany will face Austria, Poland and Croatia. Croatia will be their toughest opponent.

4. The tournament takes place in Austra and Switzerland, two countries that have a large German population and share borders with Germany. Germany will have many fans behind them.

There's more. I'll get back to you later. Good luck, Thug.

Thugmeister said 03/05, 02:32 PM
Although Germany comes in as favorites, my pick will be with the currently #1 ranked team in the world, and winners of the last World Cup, Italy.

Italy has perhaps more talent at their disposal this time around than in the WC. With their depth in talent, they even have shown the ability to switch between a 4-4-2, 4-5-1 or 4-3-3 attack during the course of the same match. No other squad can match this ability.

They also are playing well of late, going 9-0-1 in their last 10 qualifiers.

They have the mental strength and toughness that other teams simply cannot match. With the Azzuri, the team is far more important than the individual. All players know their roles and their tactical duties, and they know how to keep their compusure under duress. They are experienced and they are winners.

Italy will win the Euro 2008 competition.

Stauff Nation TB said 03/05, 10:22 PM
"With the Azzuri, the team is far more important than the individual."

You're kidding right? Serie A, where most of Italy's players play, is known pretty well for having some of the most selfish footballers in the world. Many of the players who leave Serie A head to other leagues claiming they want to play for teams with better chemistry and more team-oriented players.

Also, Italy are in one of the toughest groups in the whole tournament. Netherlands, France and Romania are all in Group C with the Italians. Netherlands is currently ranked #7 in the world, France is ranked #5 and Romania is ranked #13 and are very underrated.

Germany's only real challenge in the group stages is Croatia, who are ranked #12 in the world. Poland are ranked #20 and Austria are all the way down at #84.

Italy will have it tough right from the get go, and if Euro 04 can show us anything, anybody-and I mean anybody- can come outta nowhere and win this competition. The team who is successful in the previous WC is not always the favorite.

Plus, Italy have actually lost points in the standings. From January to February they dropped 14 pts. Doesn't mean much but could be a sign of decline.

Thugmeister said 03/06, 10:28 AM
How well individuals play in their league play has absolutely nothing to do with how well they play as a team in international play. They have shown, with their experience and resiliency, that they can overcome petty individual differences and come together as a cohesive team in the biggest of international stages, witness the last WC.

The talent on this Italy team is just overwhelming. In goal, they have Buffon, arguably the best keeper in the world, who should be back in top form by summer. The defense is anchored by Fabio Cannavaro, the 2006 FIFA world player of the year. In the midfield they have Andrea Pirlo, perhaps the finest passer in soccer today, and rising star Daniele De Rossi. Up front they have Luca Toni who has been in excellent form recently with Bayern Munchen. They could also bring in Marco Borriello, who is the top goal scorer in Italian serie A this year.

Even German captain Michael Ballack, when warning his side not to take their group stage so lightly (as they are sure to be overconfident) admitted "When I look at Italy and I see the individual quality of players, they are stronger than us."

Italy will prevail.

Stauff Nation TB said 03/06, 05:41 PM
Of course Italy has the strongest lineup in Europe right now. If they didn't they wouldn't have won the World Cup, but I think Euro history has shown that the best lineup doesn't always win. Plus the fact that although Azzuri fans think so, these players aren't imaculate. They're human. The Italians are favorited to win most tournaments and games they enter or play in now, but they won't win them all.

Lots of people underestimate the Germans. Just take a look at the comments below. The Germans have a great side with many underrated players (see first arguement) Germany is also on a hot run at the moment, going 9-3-1 since September.

One of the things people fail to realize is that the Italian team is their old age. With the exception of De Rossi and Pirlo, most of their influential players are in their 30's. This includes Cannavaro (34), Gattuso (30), Inzaghi (34), Materazzi (34), Del Piero (33), and Nesta (31). Perhaps with their increasing age they might not be able to keep up as well with younger more agile teams even as much as they did in the World Cup. Germany is younger and has experience as well. This is (along with reasons in the opening) is why they'll win.

Thugmeister said 03/06, 06:37 PM
Actually, Germany comes to this tourney as the odds-on favorites (5-1 as opposed to 7-1 for Italy) but that is for gamblers and makes no difference.

What Germany should be concerned about is their players not seeing enough recent action to be competitive on a stage such as this. Their projected first-choice lineup features only 2 players who've had halfway normal seasons so far, Klose and Mertesacker. All others have been spending the majority of their time riding the pine or recovering from injuries. The down time to the majority of their best players will no doubt see them playing sloppy and not sharp in group play. The Italians by contrast, as you have already pointed out, have a much tougher group. A group that will challenge them and have them rising up and playing their best once the Knockout rounds come. Germany is likely to cakewalk through their group, while Italy will emerge battle-hardened and ready. Due to the way the draw int the Knockout round is set up, Italy will not face anyone from Group A or B until the Final. This means no Portugal (or Germany) until the end.

Perhaps it will be Germany in that game. If so, Italy will Prove Victorious!

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Should be a good TD!

Ghosthunter | 03/04/08, 08:38 PM

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SoccerNation Tourney: Who will win Euro 08?

Stauff Nation TB beat Thugmeister 9 to 8

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