I'm not going to preface this with some pithy crap about what time of year it is, and blah blah sports blah. Nope, just going to start up with this. It's Euro 2008! Yes, I know that I wasn't planning on watching the tourney on TV, as I was planning on actually being there (in Switzerland OR Austria -- who cares?) but I'm pretty damn happy that ESPN is showing every match. And that's really where I want to start with this. Firstly, it would be nice if Tommy Smyth would let Julie Foudy get a word in edgewise. Granted, I have a real problem with Foudy's rather American tack on "soccer." She tends to swim in that irritatingly college soccer vocabulary that gave us such wonderful phrases as "nutmeg" and "my bad." Urgh. But, honestly, she's really the only American on the set who actually knows anything about the game, its players, and the philosophy of the international tournament. The other prominent Amercian Rece (I think I spelled that right.) Davis, is basically the 'face' of the network here, reading moronic e-mails that come in that any of us -- who actually know how the game works -- would ignore immediately. Okay, so back to my original point. Tommy Smyth. A long running commentator for ESPN on their Champions League coverage, normally he's a welcome and humorous color commentator to the sometimes dry (but also solid and insightful) play by play voice of Derek Rae. But, sitting next to Julie Foudy, we find out that he must have some sort of issue with working with women. He won't let her speak. At all. I don't necessarily agree with all she says, but damn. She won a freakin' World Cup. I think she has a rather informed opinion on the game. Let her talk. You're in no danger of not being listened to, Tommy.
Secondly, regarding the broadcasting, it's a wise decision that ESPN made to keep British Isles born commentators and experts at the heart of the action. Fox Sports has been rather guilty over the years of letting some jackass Americans take the helm of commentary, and it's been abysmal. To say the least. As much as Andy Gray is a bit over done for me (no fault of his, it's just that I hear him all the time on my FIFA07) he's still one of the classic voices in modern football commentary.
Okay. On to the sport itself.
Group A.
Well, I feel pretty secure in the notion that Portugal will take the group. There's no way that the Swiss can really last this stage out. Sad to say, but I think that the Portuguese will turn them out, and the Turks can wear them down. The only real stumbling block for Turkey (my pick for number two in the group) will be if they Czechs draw or beat Portugal, but I can't really see that happening. So I think it will end up with Portugal taking the Czechs out with a win, then beating the Swiss. Turkey will beat the Swiss, then draw with the Czechs, taking the number two spot.
Group B.
I have to agree with Tommy Smyth on this one. Austria could be the dark horse of the group. Croatia got a ton of kudos upon coming through the qualifying group they were saddled with, but maybe they were just the least mediocre of the bunch. Germany will certainly take Croatia down, and Austria should have no problem with what seems to be a impotent Poland. So, my original pick of Germany and Croatia going through has to be a bit adjusted. Germany and Austria. Which is fantastic to Austria. Personally, I want to see Germany go as far as possible. I think if they make it through as the top side in their group, they should have no real problem with Turkey.
Group C.
Group of death? What does that mean, exactly? France never starts a tourney hot, and Italy is one of the most overrated sides in a LONG time. I'd argue that Italy is more overrated than Spain (or England if they were in it) usually is. In my mind, the big match of the World Cup was NOT the final. It was the amazing display that France put on against Brazil. Anyway, I digress. The drubbing of Italy by the Netherlands really came as no surprise. They're a faster team, more stylish, less tempermental. And if Van Nistelrooy is on, it's over. But I gotta admit, I had the Dutch going home after this round. So, it is with great humility that I rethink that, and put them up top. With France in boring mode, I have a feeling that a second victory against the Gauls will secure them a berth. Romania will probably surprise us and draw with a frustrated Italy. At least that's how I see it. But after that, I still don't know. I have to go for France. So, Netherlands and France. But I do have a weakness for the Romanians. They've been through a lot. They deserve a break.
Group D.
What the hell is wrong with the Greeks? Wow, even Arsenal fans have left the whole 1-0 stubborn victory to the past. Watching Greece play today was like what I do when I've got a slim lead in FIFA 07 and a few minutes left and so I just start passing between my back four for half an hour. Thank god the Swedes got it going. What a strike by Ibrahimovich. Holy goal of the week. So far. Poor Russia. No, there's really no hope for them, but, like Romania, I've got a weak spot in my heart for them. They've been through a lot too. But, Spain looks like they may finally live up to expectations. I don't think they could compete with the Portuguese, and I think against the Germans it would end up just being a big stalemate, but they will probably make it pretty far this month. So, Spain and the Swedes. I'd be happy to see either side win it all.
From there, I see it like this:
Portugal v. Austria - Portugal an easy winner.
Germany v. Turkey - Germany wins in extra time after 90 mins. of stalemate
Netherlands v. Sweden - This one will be a good one. Two good forward moving sides. But in the end, the Dutch will take it in a game filled with goals.
Spain v. France - Spain. They want a little respect, and a little revenge.
Next Round:
Portugal v. Germany - Germany won't be able to keep up. Portugal.
Netherlands v. Spain. - This could be the match of the tournament. I want to say the Netherlands, but they always seem to implode. So, Spain it is, going through for an all-Iberian final
Final:
Portugal v. Spain. Please, for the love of all that is holy, no penalty shoot out. Torres and Villa against the speed and confidence of Ronaldo should prove to be a thrilling match, ending in a 4-3 victory to the Spaniards. This is me going out on a limb. My first thought was Portugal. But after seeing the display the Spanish put on, it's gotta be Spain.
So, there it is. Let's see how I do. I should have put money down on Italy winning the World Cup in 2006. I picked them a week before the tourney. Oh, well...
That's my life right now. I write, watch football, and occasionally read.
Oh. By the way, we're moving. Goodbye Texas. Hello, St. Paul. More on that some other time.
!
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