The odds;



Just a week away now. Woo!

So, who's everyone taking to win it? And who do you fancy as a good outside bet?

A Germany-Spain final looks the favourite to happen, but I don't think it'll pan out that way. I can see the Dutch or French definitely upsetting that. The host nations at 50/1 each are tempting long shots as we've seen before that once they get on a roll it can really gather momentum, South Korea in 2002 immediately spring to mind. Here's hoping it lives up to the last Euro championships for quality and entertainment, and isn't like the last world cup.

Germany for me, they've finished 3rd at the last 2 world cup and lost the final of Euro 08 4 years ago and I think they're time has come.

Russia are an outside shot, have an easy group and Dzagoev could be the star of the tournament, they will likely face Holland in the Quarters and I think they might have a shot of causing an upset again.

Croatia in the other half of the draw could also spring a surprise and knock out Italy in the group stage and then they are capable of beating England or France.

Can't wait for it to begin though, got 2 weeks of work starting Thursday, ready for a feast of Football.

As for England or should I say Liverpool 2.0 it will be the same old story, Quarter finals and out

Martin Kelly....enough said. Just don't get that one, not only has he only played in 10 league games this year, but when I saw him he wasn't that impressive.

As far as the tournament goes, I can't see past Spain. I do like Germany, and France are on a great run right now and they'll be tough to beat.

I don't think we'll get out the group if I'm being honest, we'll get beat by France in the opening game and then lose to Sweeden as well.

Looking forward to seeing football pretty much every single night though. :D

I think Rio's got a right to wonder what's going on when Kelly's picked ahead of him! In fact I can think of a few players who must be wondering what's going on. And, as you say, I can't see us beating either of France or Sweden, but, it's not impossible the French implode and we sneak a win against them.

Gotta love tournament football and games on every day, it's the best part about it.

Lee, you could well be right about Russia. They've got to have an advantage too with the tournament's location.

Not sure about that; the locals will be so busy hating on Russia they won't have time to vent their hatred on anyone else.

Good 1st games yesterday and hope everyone took on board my tip from the earlier post of Russia as dark horses and Dzagoev as the star, 2 goals from him and Russia brushed past the Czehs with ease

Looking forward to todays games, Holland Vs Denmark gets going in just over an hour and then the really tasty Germany Vs Portugal.

Portugal arn't the force they were in the early-mid 00's and will be relying on Ronaldo more then ever in the tournament but a team with him in can't be written off,

Should be 2 cracking games.

Well the 2 games didn't exactly live up to the hype

Denmark beating Holland has really put the Dutch in a hole and defeat to the Germans on Wednesday could well see them gone already.

They must be cursing there luck that all those attacking options could have over 25 shots and not 1 of them could put the ball in the net, only a few even went on target, credit to Denmark who took there 1 real chance well and then stuck to there gameplan.

Portugal were disapointing IMO, they showed in the last 20 mins when they fianlly decided to show offensive intent that they could get behind the German back line and be a threat just a shame they spent the rest of the 70 mins defending and playing for the draw.

Hopefully tomorrow we get a little more excitement

Russia have been the best team so far, by a country mile. Portugal were going for the draw until they went behind. I don't think Germany looked all that good, and they definitely looked defensively vunerable at the back, Lahm wasn't at his best by any means and thought Hummels looked off at centre back. I think if Portugal would have gone for it from the start then they could have got a result.

Netherlands were pretty poor, definitely should have taken their chances and Van Persie was more wasteful than I haver ever seen. Can't remember his name but the Danish left back was man of the match for me. The Dutch should have had a penalty but if they would have taken their chances, they wouldn't have needed to rely on that to get a result.

I think their game against Germany will be interesting, the good thing for Holland is they created a lot of chances, and they are not going to miss them again like they did. I'd be willing to bet that Netherlands beat Germany and Portugal beat Denmark to set up a fantastic set of final games.

Spain v Italy should be a good one but i bet that disappoints and is over shadowed by the Croatia v Republic of Ireland game.

Yeah Spain Vs Italy is either gonna be a cracking 3-2 or a real drab 1-0 or 0-0 where both teams are scared of committing and we all know the Italians like a good defensively display more then anyone.

I am intrigued though in seeing a good defensively display by the Italians vs the attacking flair of Spain and see who wins, Barcelona couldn't break down Chelsea so see if they can break down Italy.

Ireland and Croatia could be a real belter as both teams must feel there only real chance of getting out of this group is to pick up the 3 points in this game, a draw will do nobody any favours.

Ireland will need to take there chances as they arn't exactly prolific in front of goal outside of Keane.

Hopefully we get 2 games that really get the juices flowing.

Pretty pleased with our performance, solid display and a good groundwork to build upon

Hodgson has got us well organized and we look a tough nut to crackdown, I don't think we'll concede many but on the flip side we still look a little short going forward and seem our only real chance to score is from a setpiece.

Combine the 2 and we are all set up for a another penalty defeat then.

Really happy to see Shevchencko grab 2 goals and be the hero for Ukraine, you get the feeling he really has only kept going just so he can play in this tournament and was rewarded with a starting spot and after struggling initially it seemed they might take him off but he responded well and grabbed 2 good goals to life the whole nation

We could of done with that game being draw but no worries, Sweden don't look like causing us to much issues although our record against them isn't great. Would be great if Ukraine beat France and then the pressure would be of them heading into there final game and might make things a bit easier.

Been an enjoyable 1st round games, a little cagey but the 1st round of games are always like that as teams really are scared of losing the opener, these 2nd round of games are usually the best so looking forward to the next few days.

Wednesday is a belter, depending on the earlier result Holland could be heading home if they lose to the Germans.

I was generally encouraged as well yesterday, while we are clearly not good enough to win the thing we put up a competitive performance against a good team.  That was more than I was expecting.

Pretty confident we will get out of the group now.  Naturally a q/f exit on penalties will then follow 

We did look quite tactically aware, which was unlike most England teams. We look hard to beat and, well, a little hard to watch.

That's exactly what I thought, we put out the right team to stifle the French. I was really happy with that result and so were the other 200 people watching it at the bar, I thought we played some nice football at times. We obviously need to create more chances but defensively I thought we were very good. Worse teams have won the Championship, I don't think we will but I'm not 100% writing us off after drawing with a team that hasn't been beaten in over 2 years.

Wow that is some incredible storm going on in Ukraine, game is suspended due to Lightning and its absolutely teaming down.

The pitch could become unplayable if it lasts for much longer

Hope the England game is safe from this weather

Yeah, it looked pretty scary! It reminded me of Jets MNF game against the Ravens a couple of years ago when there was lightening over the stadium.
I wonder if the conditions are gonna effect the French's passing.

Good win tonight and a really exciting game, but, geez, we lack quality. I thought the defence would be our a strong point for us this tournament, but they were all over the place. Nevertheless we should go through now and be subsequently outclassed by the Spanish!

Why do England always make the game of football look difficult?
The France game we looked solid all round, especially at the back but last night we were a shambles. Sweden had far to many chances but we got 3 points and I thought mandy carroll had a good game, now if all goes to plan we beat Ukaine and France draw with Sweden, England win the group, happy days.

Well it wasn't pretty but we got the job done and thanks to Sweden find ourselves as group winners and the fortune of avoiding the Spanish in the quarters, despite them looking far from the world beaters we've been used to the past 4 years I'd rather avoid them till the final.

Bring on the Italians then, still gonna be tough and they must also be feeling pretty good about missing out on playing France (not that I rate France as highly as most seem to) and getting the easier game.

I'd defiantly take out Milner and put Walcott in, Milner is just doing nothing at all and Young will be lucky to keep his place as well with the OX breathing down his neck but his experience might just keep him in.

We arn't playing great but its working, we are head to beat and Hodgson has done a great job of getting his system and style implemented in just a few weeks.

Italy will start as favorites but both teams are build from the back types so it might be one for the purists I think, 0-0 and penalties between 2 teams with the worst shootout records.

England vs Italy does scream out Bore Draw, with the first team to score a penalty going through. I think I'll give it a miss, just like most of the penalty takers!

To be fair you could say that about 90% of matches involving the Italian national team! I don't have a problem with Roy employing his current tactics. It makes sense to build the team defensively when he has had so little preparation time. At the very least it's been more watchable than our group games at the WC under the Italian...

England have done pretty well so far, surprisingly so, but if James Milner is an international footballer then so am I.

I can't see how anyone should have a problem, you can't make a silk purse etc..

With the dearth of creative players at his disposal what else could he do than adopt the tactics he has.

I don't think many would have a different midfield duo to Gerard and Parker, but neither of them have any creative flair at all. Whoever he plays outside of those two aren't exactly inspirational either, although I agree with you that playing a cart horse like Milner beggars belief.

There's been a few ex-pros saying he should be more attacking as was Laurent Blanc. I wasn't directing the comment at you...My only real problem with the team is that if you're playing Gerrard and Parker in midfield that's fine, but at least have a couple of wingers who can create, Milner's another one of those functional, but limited type players.

I wasn't convinced by Rooney in the Ukraine game, I hope he can work the rust off before tomorrow's game.

I think we can beat Italy. We're both defensively minded teams, but I think we have the edge in attack.

England are playing solid, traditional English football, starting with a strong defence. It's no good pretending we can play like Spain or the like, we just don't have the 'flair' players needed for that.

Put away your flags its over once again on Penalties

It was an injustice that it even went that far really, Italy were by far the better team and the stats were something like 9 attempts to 36 and possession was 32% to 68%.

Always disappointed to go out and its even worse that its penalties once again but the best team is through and should be two good semi final matches.

Ashley Young was just terrible all tournament, overrated dosn't come into it and Milner is not a wide player and didn't do anything, he can't cross or pass so what he was doing out there I don't know.

Rooney is another that just hasn't done anything on the international stage to be worthy of his status of a so called worlds great

There are positives to take, defensively we were good and looked solid and we once again we exit a tournament without losing a game in normal time.

Hodgson seems to have stamped his mark in just a short space of time, he now has 2 years to get the team he wants together and work towards the World Cup.

He was nowhere near fit to be fair to him. In hindsight you wonder if we would have been better starting Welbeck and Carroll. As usual it's a lack of technique and inability to take penalties that sends us home.

But why wasn't he fit? he missed 2 games, all this talk of rust I find absurd if he is rusty because he missed 2 games in under a week then he really shouldn't be a professional footballer, how long did we want to give him to get up to speed, he trained all the time, this wasn't like 2006 where he was injured.

I had this debate at work earlier, when was the last time an England player had a great tournament? I have to go back to 2002 or might of been 1998 when Sol Campbell was in the team of the World Cup and he and Rio in 2002 had a rock solid centre back pairing.

The simple fact is as you say AC we are just so far behind technical wise, we are hard to beat which is a good thing and have a great spirit but are just found wanting against the best which is our level, since the mid 50's we havn't beaten a leading nation in a knockout game.

He maybe picked up a knock and didn't train, perhaps? He looked like he was completely out of shape. He only played a few minutes in one friendly prior to the tournament too. I'm with you though, he should be able to play 90 minutes if he's had no injuries.

Ashley Cole? As must as I dislike him as a person he always plays at high standard for England. I can't think of much else. Rooney when he broke onto the scene in the Euros a few years back?

Totally agree with all that. We are simply aren't very good when it comes to the tournaments. What I can't quite understand is that we have players who look great in European club competitions; Lampard and Gerrard, for example, but when they play for their country they never look the same. Rooney is another I'd add to that list. Of the experienced players only Ashley Cole, Rio and possibly Terry ever seem to come close to their club form.

I would say that some great prediction but it wasnt exactly a shocker given history

In terms of what we did in the tournement i say it was a par score, we are probably in the 5-8 range in terms of European side so need to panic. Really Hodgson had no time to do anything, by the time 2014 WC comes around it will be his team and thats the time to judge him.

"Laugh at Ronaldo, let's all laugh at Ronaldo!"

Delighted to see that scumbag left looking like an idiot at the end. Poser insists on going last so he can be the glory boy and doesn't even get to take a penalty.

I'd rather see Southampton win the cup than that slimeball in the final.

Rubbish game until the second half of extra time when the Spanish stepped up a gear; better team definitely won.

Terribly dull game as most of the knockouts have been really

If I was the coach I'd made Ronaldo take one earlier, IMO the best taker must always be in the top 3 to guarantee he at least takes 1, preferably you want him to take the 1st one.

With Spain missing the opening one If he had taken the 1st one then it might of been a different story.

I always say the most important penalty is the one after the opponents miss, score that one and the pressure is cranked up, most of the time that team goes on to win (England being an exception the other night, but when England take pens all logic is gone) miss and the pressure is then lifted again somewhat.

Really hope tonight's game is better and the winner beats Spain in the final even if its Germany.

Who's everyone got tonight then

really can't decide, it could go either way, both have been very good in defence all tournament and the 1st game was very even

Italy have had the better championships overall I'd say and there win over Germany was very impressive but Spain haven't conceded a goal since that opening goal for Italy 3 weeks ago and it is hard to back against a team who are eyeing a 3rd successive major tournament victory.

I'm going with a 1-0 Spain victory but really not confident

4-0 Spain win, might of been a little harsh on Italy who were unlucky to be reduced to 10 men for the last half hour having made all 3 subs but thats the risk you take making all 3 changes that early.

This Spain team is something else though it really it, they turned on the style tonight and just stopped Italy from playing.

Best team I've ever seen, this generation of Players for Spain has to be the greatest ever assembled, Barcelona players must have the largest trophy cabinets.

Certainly one of the best, but not a good as the Brazilian 1970 team in my opinion, or the best national team that never was: The British team that could have been fielded in 1970 would have been the best ever. Might have beens don't count though I guess.:(

The Dutch team that won the 88 Euros where a favourite of mine. They won it before I was old enough to start seriously watching football, but they had Gullit, Koeman, Rijkaard, and, maybe the best ever European forward Marco Van Basten. I guess they weren't quite at the standard of the current Spain team or Brazilian ones as the Dutch never won a World Cup, still they were pretty good.

One thing I will say which may be an argument against Spain in a debate is they have come around at a good time where the opposition may not be the strongest.

The recent Brazil sides have been quite weak by there standards, both France and Italy have gone through rebuilding phases since they contested the World Cup final in 06, England have been the usuall England, Portugal are basically a one man team since there golden generation retired after 06 as well, Holland still have there usuall problems of infighting despite having a decent looking squad on paper.

Germany are the only side that have a good generation defining squad but they are still young.

Even the Germans aren't that great. Their midfield is very strong, but I'm not sure about their centre-halves and Gomez doesn't impress me much either.
Argentina in the WC might finally give the Spanish a challenge, it's about time Messi really influenced the tournament.