Henrik Larsson has come out of international retirement.....again!

Michael La Viola wrote:

They're certainly not as good as four years ago. However, Carvalho and Meira are a good defensive base, and if Quaresma, Simao and Ronaldo are all on form, they'll be unstoppable! I think they're weak in the centre of the park though. And they've only picked one left-sided defender, so they'll be rather buggered if he gets injured. With regard to Ferret's point about the striker situation, it is (as ever) a slight cause for concern. Hugo Almeida might be a better bet than Nuno Gomes or Helder Postiga. Portugal have, however, been playing Ronaldo in a 'true' forward role a long time before he played in that position for Manchester United. And when your leading forward has just scored thirty in one Premiership season, you've always got a chance of nicking a goal.

Always liked Portugal; they play football the right way.

They also now have Pepe to add extra depth to their defence.
The left back situation isn't that bad. There is Caneira who is very useful and Riebeiro, while Chelsea's Ferriera can cover that position also.

Veloso could be a massive player for them , as he's their only real holding midfielder. They haven't selected Maniche, but Petit is still around and Meira can also play as a defensive midfielder.

Out wide Ronaldo and Quaresma can destroy most teams, with Deco behind Almeida (most likely).
I don't think Almeida is much of an improvement on Pauleta/N Gomes, but you never know. Maybe, they'll be better off playing Nani or Simao and moving Ronaldo further forward in a fluid front 3 ala United.

Aside from that if given a crack,  Moutinho could be the joker within their ranks.

Overall, a fantastic bunch, but I'm not convinced by Portugal. There doesn't appear to be a genuine leader in the squad, and I think you need that to win a big tournament.

Ronaldo MUST play upfront. I think he's equally good either wide or as a striker, but considering Portugal have a surplus of talent on the wing, and little upfront, surely Ronaldo's the man for the striker's role? Almeida is at least slightly more physical than NG or HP, which I think is what is needed.

I'd go for Petit, as well.

As everyone here knows, I love the Azzurri, as they are actually my main team.  BUT, I am not very optimisitic about thier chances.  They usually don;t do well in the Euro;s, and the squad that seems to be picked , to me, is getting a little stale and old.  

I hope to be proved wrong!

As far as outside bets, I'd go for Russia.

Depending on how France and Holland do in the group either could do well.

Italy will go out in the first stage sadly, although that will hopefully bring about Donadoni's demise.......

No Raul or Bojan in Spain squad, Guiza is the surprise addition.

No Trezeguet in France squad...which is completely hideous when you think that Govou and Cisse have been selected.

From a selfish point of view I'm not fussed Trez has been left out, want him to have a good rest and bang another 20 goals in next season.

Micky wrote:

From a selfish point of view I'm not fussed Trez has been left out, want him to have a good rest and bang another 20 goals in next season.

What about Del Piero? Would you prefer him to travel to Euro 2008 or would you prefer him to miss out and remain fresh for next season?

He will be in the team for sure.  

Hopefully we take Cassano as well.   We need his kind of skeeelz in the squad.   Think he would be as well for a short tourney.

Toni, Cassano, Q, Di Natale, Boriello, ADP

if not Cassano, take Pippo

Still can't believe how good Quagliarella is. I once saw him playing in the all-white of Florentia Viola in Serie C2/B, and he was shockingly bad.

Trezeguet left out because France verged on making the glactico mistake for a while (remember WC2002: they had England, France and Italy's ttop scorers and failed to score a single goal). Domenech has chosen to build a squad which is cohesive.

This is a France 30 with Frey in (at last!) though he will probably play second fiddle to Coupet. The defence is hideously strong as are the strikers (although I wonder how sharp Henry will be after a disappointing season...at least he'll be fresh I guess). Anelka has been a revelation.
If Im worried about an area it's midfield. Vieira has been shocking this season for Inter. Flamini doesnt have enough caps. Is Makalele passed it? Benzema is a blessing, Ben Arfa, Nasri, Clerc and Toulalan will all gain valuable big tournament experience. Vieira or Makalele bring experience and bite at least. And when all is said and done France owned England in midfield so brap.

France, Holland, Italy and Romania is some sort of sick joke when you consider how weak some other groups look (Germany's!).

France, Portugal and Germany as favourites.

I simply don't understand how France ended up as fourth/bottom seeds. It just doesn't make sense, I can't remember how it was all worked out, but how the World Cup finalists ended up below Romania, I don't know.

I think France have got the best squad. Personally I'd stick Makelele in the centre of the pitch - I don't think he's past it, I think he still does an excellent job. The question is whether he can play so many games in such a short space of time.

I take your point about Trezeguet, Bobo - but Cisse ahead of Trez really is quite odd.

BTW Larsson is just taking the piss now.

Just saw this thread...

I will go for France...simply they are best team with few important players like Henry fresh from bad season. Also if you see potential they have in younger players I really cant understand why bookies rate them so low...I mean I saw odds for Spanish team and they are bigger favourites than Les Bleus  

I have never seen decent Spanish national team...they cant stand pressure.

About Italy, I think Donadoni is coach without vision. We have good players, best keeper in history and few really great players...and we have Del Piero...but we had Lippi and now Donadoni. It is like in Formula One you are in Ferrari and next they you try to win with Zauber...

If Portugal sometimes had world class striker they would have been world and European champions...Pauleta, Postiga, Nuno Gomes   ...man they just have no luck with strikers...I think Almeida is better but luck experiece. More, Ronaldo will play bad, no one can hold form for such long period...

France for me...

Outside bet? Croatia and Swiss can go to semis...

I think Russians are shit, and if Greeks make another miracle I think we can stop playing wonderful game...

Not much to pick argue with the team selection for me.   Let's wait and see who starts the first game.

In my heart I pick Italia but in my head I think it will be someone else.

Please prove me wrong!

Drughi wrote:

Just saw this thread... I will go for France...simply they are best team with few important players like Henry fresh from bad season. Also if you see potential they have in younger players I really cant understand why bookies rate them so low...I mean I saw odds for Spanish team and they are bigger favourites than Les Bleus

Aye but that's because Spain will surely win their group because it's pretty easy, whereas France have a chance of being knocked out in the first round, or finishing second and being paired with a decent team in the QF. That's the reason for the odds. Same way Germany are favourites at many bookies, because their group is shit.

Point taken though.

Van Basten wrote:

Micky wrote: From a selfish point of view I'm not fussed Trez has been left out, want him to have a good rest and bang another 20 goals in next season. What about Del Piero? Would you prefer him to travel to Euro 2008 or would you prefer him to miss out and remain fresh for next season?

I guess I don't feel the affinity for Trez that I do for Alex. It is always great to see Alex playing for Italy and I always want him to do well for them - I don't like France (as a footballing side).

I'm sure Alex will have plenty left in his legs to defend his capocannoniere crown next year..........

Just entered a prediction comp at work, and had France to beat Germany in the final, with Spain and Portugal the beaten semi-finalists.

I reckon part of spain's fault is the fact it's not a united country.
_________________
Forza Roma!