Euro 2008

[KnoxVegas]

The tournament hosts are Austria and Switzerland. Here are the first round groups.

Group A Previous Appearances(Past champions):
Czech Republic 6 (1960, 1976, 1980, 1996, 2000, 2004)
Switzerland 2 (1996, 2004)
Portugal 4 (1984, 1996, 2000, 2004)
Turkey 2 (1996, 2000)

Group B
Austria Debut
Croatia 2 (1996, 2004)
Germany 9 (1972, 1976, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004)
Poland Debut

Group C
France 6 (1960, 1984, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004)
Italy 6 (1968, 1980, 1988, 1996, 2000, 2004)
Netherlands 7 (1976, 1980, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004)
Romania 3 (1984, 1996, 2000)

Group D
Greece 2 (1980, 2004)
Russia 8 (1960, 1964, 1968, 1972, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2004)
Spain 7 (1964, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1996, 2000, 2004)
Sweden 3 (1992, 2000, 2004)

The Greeks are you defending champions. Hellas! Hellas!
Sorry England. Beckham will spend his summer in the MLS. Group C is your group of death. I got the Netherlands. Who you got? Let the debate begin and bring on the fantasy leagues!

[FLAK]

These are predictions to who will advance from the Groups

Group A
Czech Rep
Portugal

Group B
Germany
Croatia

Group C
France
Netherlands

Group D
Russia
Spain


I think either Portugal or the Netherlands will take it, France is erratic having lost to Scotland twice in the qualifiers, but with all the turmoil surrounding soccer in Italy and their barely squeaking by the Scots in qualifying as well, I think their diving tactics take a fall (pun intended) and they get smoked by Romania (who did surprisingly well in their qualification).

[Timbalaned]

VIVA ESPANA!!!!

[jessexy]

A: Portugal, Czech Republic-both these teams have too much firepower for the Swiss, but Turkey could cause problems. Goalkeeping could be the difference in the Turkey v. Portugal game.

B: Germany, Croatia- Croatia and the Germans. Poland is a possibility, but the host always have the home fans pushing them. With the natural rivalries in this group of lets just hope that the Austrians dont have too many more drunken fans raiding the fields and attacking the referees, like in qualifying.

C: Netherlands, Italy- This is the Group of Death. Rarely do you see teams that were in the same qualifying group playing together, but it happens here. This could depend on injuries and player availability. France has no Zidane to hold them together and no goalkeeper. Italy has it all, if everyone is playing.

D: Spain, Sweden- The Swedes are strong down the spine with a good forward, center mids, center defense, and GK. Spain has talent all over and should win the group going away but have to settle on a lineup and go with it. If they dont, they'll lose again in the knockout rounds. Fabregas is amazing.

[Zeuslax]

The Greeks are you defending champions. Hellas! Hellas!

Ohh man, that brings back great memories. Some of the best sports related parties I've ever been to. My neighborhood (Greek town Baltimore) was essentially shut down for a few hours.

The Greeks are still dangerous, but will need some big time momentum. I like the Netherlands and Italy.

[KnoxVegas]

The Greeks are still dangerous...

Aren't they always, honestly?

I was in Athens when Albania beat them later that summer in 2004. The manager of our hotel suggested we make it back to our room prior to the end of the game because the military would be out rounding up Albanians win or lose. We hung out in the Plaka instead and watched the festivities in person. Love me some Greece!

[Zeuslax]

Aren't they always, honestly?

Yes they are and yes it is. I've seen some crazy stuff. They almost got banned from Euro play a few times.

We hung out in the Plaka instead and watched the festivities in person. Love me some Greece!

Playing the strings on my heart. The Plaka is the best, nothing like it.

[BucLax13]

http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/photos/soccer-wives-and-girlfriends/298116/

stop supporting soccer... they are stealing global resources