[El Goose]

So this kicked off today, and after a quick search I found that there was yet to exist, a thread in which we could discuss everything related to this exciting football tournament. I'm not exactly sure how excited this forum gets by football (soccer) tournaments but I hope aside from me that at least a few people are interested in the progress and discussion of what is the 2nd biggest event in the international football calender.

Feel free to discuss anything related to the tournament in this thread, which country you support, decent prospective players that are worth watching, prediciting, previewing and reviewing different games and generally anything worth talking about.

I personally, as I am English will be supporting England throughout the tournament, although our chances of even making the group stages are somewhat slim with the weakest squad I have seen put out in my life time. I don't expect that we are totally written out of the competition as although we play very boring football, it seems that our run of 1-0 wins has given us some hope in boring the opposition off the field, something we may be able to do all the way to the final. As much my heart wills England to win, my head tells me that the Germans have the talent to go all the way and win the competition with the stronger teams, Holland and Spain snapping at their heels. I think France are a great team on paper but have often found chemistry, like the past England sides, to be their weakness, and I await Monday eagerly to see how they come up against us in our first game. They're certainly dark horses in my eyes.

For those who are interested or don't know, here is a list of the 4 groups involved in the competition. The hosts being both Poland and Ukraine.

Group A
Czech Republic
Greece
Poland
Russia

Group B
Denmark
Germany
Netherlands
Portugal

Group C
Croatia
Italy
Republic of Ireland
Spain

Group D
England
France
Sweden
Ukraine

If people would like, I was thinking of writing previews for each of the games played to give people an idea of what to expect or look out for in them, if not at least for an interesting read.

[Claire Mclaughlin]

I am supporting England but we have no chance of winning. I reckon Holland will win, and whilst Spain could get to the final I dont think they can win.

[Jessica White]

Go Wildcats

[Miranda Taylor]

I am supporting England but we have no chance of winning. I reckon Holland will win, and whilst Spain could get to the final I dont think they can win.

Germany and Holland can't be in the same final, they would have to play each other in the Semi's whilst Spain could play any team in groups C or D in their semi to reach the final. I reckon in such a case you're right in predicting that Spain will be in the final, but I think they will be bested by both Germany or Holland, depending on who goes through.

Is anyone currently watching Russia vs Czech Republic; the Russian's are going crazy and Pavlyuchenko just scored a wonder-goal!

[James Smart]

Guys, Russia is winning 4:1

I support Poland, of course! We have no chance of winning, but no matter. Germany will probably take 1st place.

However, we might just make it out of the group. If Russia wins all matches, Poland wins against Czech Republic and Czech Republic against Greece. That's not impossible, right? So go Russia!

[Assumptah George]

Shame that Norway didn't get into Euro 2012, we never partake in the tournaments.

Exciting tournament nonetheless. I predict that either Germany, The Netherlands or Spain will win the whole thing.

[Alexis Acevedo]

Go Wildcats

I figured that would be the common response on such a US orientated gaming forum haha!

Guys, Russia is winning 4:1

I support Poland, of course! We have no chance of winning, but no matter. Germany will probably take 1st place.

However, we might just make it out of the group. If Russia wins all matches, Poland wins against Czech Republic and Czech Republic against Greece. That's not impossible, right? So go Russia!

I thought you were unlucky not to win against Greece, you certainly dominated for most of the game. Lewandowski is a fantastic player so don't count yourselves out. From what I've seen of Group A so far I'd say it was a pretty safe bet for you to finish second after Russia.

[David Chambers]

England are awful. Don't see why people even support them. I'll stick with my local team. This country has no football talent, especially in attack.

[Angela]

England are awful. Don't see why people even support them. I'll stick with my local team. This country has no football talent, especially in attack.

That's rather pessamistic, we still managed to qualify, and we've beaten some decent teams over the past few months, including Spain who are up their with the favourites to win in Poland/Ukraine. Obviously I'd always support club over country, but it's still nice to get behind the boys and support them no matter how bad they are, you never know, they could surprise you.

As for attacking talent, I think that's one of our strongest positions with a fit Rooney, Bent, Young and Defoe. With Sturridge and Welbeck also showing potential, the situation isn't as dire as it seems. Although you're probably right that we are not on par with some of the other talents in Europe, or the rest of the world.

[KU Fint]

I would like to see a finale between the Netherlands and Spain, a rematch of sorts for the last world championship. But on the other hand I'd prefer Germany to win over the Netherlands. I am torn by doubt.

[Gisela Amaya]

That's rather pessamistic, we still managed to qualify, and we've beaten some decent teams over the past few months, including Spain who are up their with the favourites to win in Poland/Ukraine. Obviously I'd always support club over country, but it's still nice to get behind the boys and support them no matter how bad they are, you never know, they could surprise you.

As for attacking talent, I think that's one of our strongest positions with a fit Rooney, Bent, Young and Defoe. With Sturridge and Welbeck also showing potential, the situation isn't as dire as it seems. Although you're probably right that we are not on par with some of the other talents in Europe, or the rest of the world.

Shrek is awful for england.

Carroll is starting to get better though.

[Unstoppable Judge]

Shrek is awful for england.

Carroll is starting to get better though.

True I suppose, I'd say out of our current squad Defoe is the most reliable and proven in international circumstances. Rooney is our best player though and on his day is unplayable.

As good as he was for Liverpool in the latter stages of the season, I do not trust him to do a job for England, especially after the poor 5/6ths of the season he'd had prior to his good spell. I hope I'm wrong and that he turns out to be top scorer, but I somehow doubt it, and his performances against both Belgium and Norway did nothing to reassure me.

[Roanne Bardsley]

That's rather pessamistic, we still managed to qualify, and we've beaten some decent teams over the past few months, including Spain who are up their with the favourites to win in Poland/Ukraine. Obviously I'd always support club over country, but it's still nice to get behind the boys and support them no matter how bad they are, you never know, they could surprise you.

As for attacking talent, I think that's one of our strongest positions with a fit Rooney, Bent, Young and Defoe. With Sturridge and Welbeck also showing potential, the situation isn't as dire as it seems. Although you're probably right that we are not on par with some of the other talents in Europe, or the rest of the world.

All you have to do is look at the number of qualified coaches in a country. Spain has 20 times as many as us and that's why they have such a range of talent.

[Kat Ives]

My prediction...


Group stages:

Group A
Greece
Russia
Czech Republic
Poland

Group B
Portugal
Netherlands
Germany
Denmark

Group C
Italy
Spain
Croatia
Republic of Ireland

Group D
England
France
Sweden
Ukraine

Quarter finals:

Greece vs Netherlands
Italy vs France
Portugal vs Russia
England vs Spain

Semi finals:

Greece vs Portugal
France vs England

Final:

Portugal vs France

[Alan Whiston]

Group B
Portugal
Netherlands
Germany
Denmark

Germany knocked out at the group stage? They're gonna go all the way!

[luis ortiz]

Supporting Poland even though Germany will be victorious. I remember this was a huge deal when I spent the summer back home in Hungary, was rooting for the Germans then and got quite mad when they came second. This time around I'm still supporting them after Poland gets eliminated (which I hope won't be soon!).

[Janette Segura]

My prediction...

I am surprised, after their performances today that you chose to include Greece over Poland, but I suppose out of all the groups, that is the least predictable. As for the other 3 groups, I believe that both Germany from group B and Croatia from C will qualify for the Quarter finals above Portugal and Italy. Portugal have quite an average team, and are reliant on Ronaldo carrying them to at least struggle through the group stages. Italy are an aging side with some good talent, but I beleive that Croatia have an equally strong squad with some truly underrated talent. As much as I would love for England to get through the group stages, I can also see Sweden stealing the 2nd place from us.

Most surprising about your predictions, other than the lack of Germany past the group stages, is the idea that Greece will somehow defeat Holland in the Quarter finals. Holland are one of the best sides in the tournament, and if their players are on form, could easily win. RVP has had a stunning season in the Premiership and scored another 2 in the 6-0 defeat of Northern Ireland just last week.

One thing that's for sure is that if the tournament turns out your predicted way, it will certainly be interesting and dramatic.

[Rachel Eloise Getoutofmyface]

Nice to see a great opening game to the tournament. I have a sneaky feeling that Germany will win, but you can't bet against Spain being the favourites and all.

Group A
Russia
Poland

Group B
Germany
Holland
(Tough group)

Group C
Italy
Spain
(Also think it will be difficult for Italy as Croatia and Ireland are no pushovers)

Group D
France
Ukraine

Naturally, as I'm English I shall be supporting my home nation but I really can't see them going anywhere, which is a very sad affair.

[BEl J]

I am surprised, after their performances today that you chose to include Greece over Poland, but I suppose out of all the groups, that is the least predictable. As for the other 3 groups, I believe that both Germany from group B and Croatia from C will qualify for the Quarter finals above Portugal and Italy. Portugal have quite an average team, and are reliant on Ronaldo carrying them to at least struggle through the group stages. Italy are an aging side with some good talent, but I beleive that Croatia have an equally strong squad with some truly underrated talent. As much as I would love for England to get through the group stages, I can also see Sweden stealing the 2nd place from us.

Most surprising about your predictions, other than the lack of Germany past the group stages, is the idea that Greece will somehow defeat Holland in the Quarter finals. Holland are one of the best sides in the tournament, and if their players are on form, could easily win. RVP has had a stunning season in the Premiership and scored another 2 in the 6-0 defeat of Northern Ireland just last week.

One thing that's for sure is that if the tournament turns out your predicted way, it will certainly be interesting and dramatic.

Everyone expects Germany to do well based on their performances at the World Cup. I can see them buckling under the pressure and being one of the surprise flops of the tournament.

The Netherlands have a great team, but they often underperform at international level. I don't see them making it to the semis - even with RVP's current form.

Portugal do have an average team, but I just have a feeling they're going to do well, like France. Average teams have won the tournament before - just look at Greece back in 2004.

[Amelia Pritchard]

As always, my money is on Germany

[Scared humanity]

A chain of swedish electronic stores are, once again, running their "If Sweden wins, you'll get your money back!" campaign. It's a nice way to show our trust in our team

Sweden somehow tends to wiggle their way through group play though and this years it's definitely possible for it to go both ways. Here's to hope!

[Nikki Morse]

A chain of swedish electronic stores are, once again, running their "If Sweden wins, you'll get your money back!" campaign. It's a nice way to show our trust in our team

Sweden somehow tends to wiggle their way through group play though and this years it's definitely possible for it to go both ways. Here's to hope!

Nothing against Sweden (although England seem to get them in every group, of every major tournament) but I really don't want you to finish 2nd, unless we finish 1st, which I doubt we will.

It's strange though, a chain of electronics stores over here are doing a similar deal in which you get ￡10 back off any purchase for any goal scored by England in the competition. (A pretty safe bet for them if you ask me, considering we only ever seem to win 1-0).

Can't wait for todays games. Especially Germany vs Portugal. Hoping for an entertaining game, and watching Ronaldo as usual.

[Mrs shelly Sugarplum]

My prediction...



Group B
Portugal
Netherlands
Germany
Denmark


Quarter finals:

Greece vs Netherlands

wut

[christelle047]

1 - 0 to Denmark...........YEEAEAAAAAHH

[[ becca ]]

They should have given us that penalty at the end, but still, bad play from us.