Euro 2012

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.

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.