We're 2 group matches into Euro2008 (except for Group D) and I'm gonna review some of the highlights of the tournament so far :D

NEW FAVOURITES
Netherlands are the new pundit's favourites to win Euro 2008 following their excellent start to their campaign. They completely outplayed world champions Italy 3-0 and followed that up with a superb 4-1 win over World Cup runners-up France. The two results mean that they top the group and will most likely mean that they face Greece/Sweden/Russia in the quarterfinals. If they can swat away France and Italy so easily, then their path to the semis should not be much of a challenge. However, confidence is one thing; overconfidence is another. If they can keep their feet on the ground and not be complacent, they could easily be crowned Euro champions come the end of the Finals.

STUTTERING FAVOURITES
France, Italy and Germany are all stuttering despite being some of the favourites to win Euro 2008. France and Italy both lost to Netherlands, and both drew with Romania as well. If Romania manage to beat the Netherlands in Group C's final match, France and Italy will both be sent home in the groupstages. That would be unthinkable for the two heavyweights who clashed in the World Cup final in 2006. And it would be an unthinkable achievement for Romania, who are no easy foes but are still by far the weakest team in the 'Group of Death'.

As for Germany, they started their campaign with a comfortable 2-0 win over Poland, but were then shocked 1-2 by dark horses Croatia. At the start of the tournament, Germany would still have been almost certainly assured a place in the last eight as they will meet Austria in their final group match. Austria are the weakest team in the tournament and wouldn't have qualified if they were not co-hosts. However, the Austrians have proven to be difficult to beat. They were unfortunate to go down 1-0 to Croatia, then they held Poland to a 1-1 draw, albeit through a controversial stoppage-time penalty. Even if the Germans beat Austria, they will only finish second, which means that they will another tournament-favourite, Portugal, in the quarterfinals. These two teams were my "favourites" to reach the final, so for either side to be knocked out in the last 8 would be pretty much unthinkable.

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So here are my new predictions!

QUARTERFINALS
Portugal 1 Germany 1
After extra time, Germany win 4-2 on penalties

Croatia 2 Czech Republic 1

Netherlands 2 Sweden 0

Spain 2 Romania 1
After extra time, 90mins 1-1

I'll post again when the semifinals arrive~

Joel at 6/14/2008 04:19:00 PM :: link

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