Euro 2008

[The boy formerly known as Evil Muzz 27]

The qualification round for the European Football Championship in 2008, Euro 2008, is drawing to a close, with one or two surprises in store perhaps. Some of the biggest countries in European Football could be absent due to upsets caused by nations generally seen as less skilled.

In Group A, Poland are likely to qualify, but Portugal, former 2nd place, may lose out if they lose to Finland. Group B is one of the most interesting groups, World Cup Finalists Italy and France may lose a place in the finals - to Scotland! Defending champions Greece in Group C are garunteed qualification, but Norway and Turkey are left fighting for a place, two sides that many would have expected to qualify. Group D is over already, Germany and the Czech Republic are through no matter what. Croatia are likely to go through from Group E, but England are depending on Russia slipping up at Israel. Sweden and Spain are pretty likely to qualify from Group F, but Denmark or Northern Ireland could take their place if they win their remaining games, and the two favourites slip up. Finally, in Group G, Romania are already through, but Holland could be denied a place if they slip up and Bulgaria over take them on points.

It seems like this is going to be one of the most hotly contended finals ever. Especially with the World Cup finalists possibly losing out to none other than Scotland, and England being dependent on other results in order to qualify.

Scotland have beaten France both at home and in Paris, and lost to Italy 2-0 in Italy. Scotland will qualify, probably at the expense of Italy of they beat the World Champions at Glasgow (not as ridiculously unlikely as it sounds...). England, having lost to Russia away, depend on the eastern Europeans losing to Israel in order to qualify, if this doesn't happen, England will most likely not be going to Austria and Switzerland next year. The fact that previous 2nd placers Portugal may not qualify is another major upset, Finland have showed good form recently, and I wouldn't at all be surprised if they took Portugal's place in the finals.

What are your opinions on the results, and any predictions for what may happen?

[Silur 3,304]

Hi, The boy formerly known as Evil Muzz ....

I think, England have chances about zero for Europe 2008 - this was mistake of this team yourself ...

But football is only some game - no more ...

[Superstar 69]

England is in an interesting position. I've got a British friend who fully supports England whereas most my other Israeli friends support Israel. Now that Israel has no chance of making it through he is fully supporting Israel so England can make it through, even though he doesn't really support the Israeli team

[The boy formerly known as Evil Muzz 27]

I'm Scottish BTW, but I wouldn't say they have zero chance, they can get through still, their fate is just in the hands of another side.

To answer your second point, as Bill Shankly, Scottish Comedian said, "Some people say Football is a matter of life and death. I can assure you, it's much more serious than that."

[GreekMan 246]

GOOOOOO GREECE!!!!!

[Insane Child of Bodom 1]

how the hell did Romania make....if there is no Hungary in the finals then I am routing for Bulgaria!!!!!

u can do it red white and green!

[amal81 3]

I seriously think that the qualification process is a bit flawed this time around. I mean if Portugal and England even after scoring 20+ points from 12 games don't go through...surely there is something wrong!

[xmike1991 2]

im wondering why the hell Isreal is in it at all? Last time i checked, they were in Asia.

[The boy formerly known as Evil Muzz 27]

I don't think they changed anything, it's just that there have been a lot of surprises from the little team, and who's to say that there still won't be some surprises? In England's case, they played ok, but other teams have done better. I'm not entirely sure for Portugal, but I'm guessing it's the same.

I think Scotland have the every chance to get into the finals, look how they have taken everyone by surprise, beating the world runners up twice a side that haven't even lost to the world champions in this campaign...

England on the other hand, I don't think will make it. This isn't typical Scots-English rivalry (anyone who knows me will know I am against that), but I just don't think they have played well enough to deserve a place in the finals, and that will show in their final group rankings.

[amal81 3]

If I remember correctly, there used to be a knock out playoff for the 3rd place teams in groups for EURO04 qualifiers. Interesting to see that they have removed it.

[The boy formerly known as Evil Muzz 27]

I think that was only when there was a place left, and it was taken by the sides that had the best record or something, because Scotland played England in a playoff for the 2000 one, I remember that, deffinently.

[S1acker 0]

England are doing rubbish... as usual.

I love it, during tournaments the entire country gets hyped "This is our year, we can do it!" then we go crashing out early on. It's a shame and I'd love England to do well, but I just don't see it happening when we can't even beat teams like Estonia (No offence intended to any Estonians ).

[tomdapom 79]

^ Same here in New Zealand, only with rugby . Although I don't think that England deserve a place, I think they will make it, as this kind of thing happens for every tournament (remember Beckhams free kick against Greece???). I'd love for Scotland to make it, but I'm not to sure. I guess I'll just go back to following New Zealands qualifying campaign for SA 2010... go All Whites!

[The boy formerly known as Evil Muzz 27]

Lol, what is NZ's Football team like? Evidently not too good, what region do they play in? Does Asia and Oceania go together for this kind of thing?

[amal81 3]

I think they are in Ocenia. actually NZ may have a chance now that Ozzie's have moved into the Asian group.

[SystemUK 0]

I truly believe that we will beat Italy at Hampden in November. We slipped up against Georgia but it could be a blessing in disgiuse as I hate to see Scotland play for a draw.

If we have all our usual first team fit and having an excellent record at home versus the big teams (Germany, Holland, England and Italy to name a few, recently, have not won at Hampden) shows that this team has a great chance.

We have the pride, the strength and - no matter what some way - the skill to beat the pasta munchers!! Look at Paris: we didn't only beat them, we beat them at their own games at time. We took the ... ahem ... pee at times against them.

The Tartan Army will be behind you boys; do us proud!!!

[Silur 3,304]

I'm from Russia ....

But I like Holland Team - Holland for ever for me from 1972 - Great Stars Team !!!

This is my pain and hope ....

Waiting Holland winners of World Cup .....

[Insane Child of Bodom 1]

this is for the World Cup?

I thought that only happens every four years,,,

[Zwabberaar 18]

The 2008 tournament is the Euro Cup, and Holland will be there. They don't stand a chance of winning it, but they will be there. I can not imagine the Dutch team will lose to both Luxembourg and Belarus. If that happens I will apply for a different nationality.

[toxicpiano 125]

Originally posted by: xmike1991 im wondering why the hell Isreal is in it at all? Last time i checked, they were in Asia.quote>

Yes I agree, very strange indeed.

[The boy formerly known as Evil Muzz 27]

Originally posted by: SystemUK I truly believe that we will beat Italy at Hampden in November. We slipped up against Georgia but it could be a blessing in disgiuse as I hate to see Scotland play for a draw.

If we have all our usual first team fit and having an excellent record at home versus the big teams (Germany, Holland, England and Italy to name a few, recently, have not won at Hampden) shows that this team has a great chance.

We have the pride, the strength and - no matter what some way - the skill to beat the pasta munchers!! Look at Paris: we didn't only beat them, we beat them at their own games at time. We took the ... ahem ... pee at times against them.

The Tartan Army will be behind you boys; do us proud!!!

quote>

 

I totally agree, however unlikely some may see it, I truly believe that Scotland have one last shock for the world, and hopefully it will be at Hampden. And by the way, if we draw, we can still qualify if Ukraine beat France in Kiev, which also a strong possibility, but I don't think it will need to come to that.

Bodom: No, this is the Euro championship, it's basically like a mini World Cup but only for European nations, every continent has one, it falls every four years in the two year slot between World Cups, or at least it does here.

[GingerBlokey 30]

Ahh if Wales were in the running I might take a jot of notice about football but it will be nice to have England not in it, I might be able to watch TV without being bombarded by boring, boring football.

[SystemUK 0]

^^ Wales just about lost to Europes worst team!!

They only beat San Marino 2-1 whereas Slovakia (or Slovenia) destroyed them 7-0 and, I think, Germany beat them 11-0!!!

Wouldn't mind Scotland beating Italy by 11 goals to 0.

[jj88 23]

Its shame. The problem with the English team is they are not consistent enough.

[Silur 3,304]

Excuse me, funs from Islands - England, Scotland, Wales and First and Second Eire - today are ZERO commands ....

There are many players in CHELSEA (with our Russian King of Oil named Abramovich (Queen must sleep)  and LIVERPOOL  - from another countries .... But there is no some stars from own land  from 1966 ....

Best regard ....

Holland FOR EVER !!!

But may be someone .... - I think, win this only strong !!! 

My mind: Israel- Russia = 2-1 - May be I'm crazy .... 

[The boy formerly known as Evil Muzz 27]

I agree with Silur, but that doesn't mean they aren't good. Craig Gordon, James McFadden, Kenny Miller. All big names in Scottish football, they all play in the English Premier League, while many more play in Scotland's biggest clubs (Kris Boyd in Rangers and Scott Brown in Celtic). The five I have named there are probably five of the best Scotland player's around at the moment, and they play within the UK. In fact, I think ALL of Scotland and England's first choice players play in the UK. But does this mean they are bad? Of course not. Scotland still beat the world runners up at home AND away with this squad.

Anyway, my XI for next saturday:

Craig Gordon - GK

Christian Dailly, David Weir, Stephen McManus, Alan Hutton - DEF

Barry Ferguson, Darren Fletcher, Paul Hartley, Scott Brown, Lee McCulloch - MID

James McFadden - ST

4-5-1 seems the most sensible approach, as we are strongest in midfield, and 4-4-2 would be suicide. Besides, 4-5-1 worked for us in Paris...

[SystemUK 0]

I think a 4-1-3-1-1 may be better although a 4-5-1 would be better for our infamous smash n' grab!

Gordon

Hutton - McManun - Weir - Naysmith/Dailly (other benched)

Hartley/Dailly (other benched)

Fletcher - Ferguson - Brown

McFadden

Miller

or if 4-5-1

Gordon

Hutton - McManun - Weir - Naysmith/Dailly (other benched)

Fletcher - Brown - Ferguson - McCulloch - Hartley/Dailly/possibly McFadden (either of first two benched if Mcfadden up front)

Miller/McFadden

The reason I have Miller furthest up is because the Italiens really didn't like him in Bari.

The Pasta Munchers didn't look like anything special in Italy and bad defending/not taking our chances lost us the game. It will be VERY different at Hampden!!

[The boy formerly known as Evil Muzz 27]

Considering we drew 1-1 with Italy at Hampden under the infamously horrific reign of Vogts, I think we have every reason to be conifdent, look how much better we are doing without Vogts, and look how we did in that fixture with him.

But anyway, Miller is a good enough player, but because of the problem's he has caused our opponents recently, MacFadden has to be my choice up front. Another shot like the one that beat Landreau, but aimed at Buffon would be fantastic.

[SystemUK 0]

Hopefully he will first skin the whole Italien team ... TWICE!!

[The boy formerly known as Evil Muzz 27]

Looks like it might be Miller up front, but it's too early to tell yet. My dad got SkySports so we could watch the game, it's agonising, in 36 hours we'll know if Scotland are in or not, or if we will have to wait until Wednesday to find out...