Euro 2008 review - round 3

[HiyaVata]

Looking over the initial post for my group stage predictions and the situation in all the groups now, I think I'm on the right track with a few "expected" exceptions of course. Group D just finished and therefor we have the standings in all 4 groups after round two...

GROUP A

PORTUGAL 6Pts
Czech Republic 3 Pts
Turkey 3 Pts
Switzerland 0 Pts

Portugal showed why they were group favorites and lived up to their expectations. One might argue that the Czechs played a bad game but how can you play good when your opponent out posses you 59% to 41% and shoots 11 shots on target to your 2! That was the statistic in the Portugal - Czech game. Other than that, they were level on all other statistics. Turkey did what I expected of them, but i didn't expect it to be a HT/FT Switz/Turkey ending I mentioned they were a better team than the Swiss and they were. Unfortunately for them, they have to fight the Czech team who will really fight for this one. So a big win and money on the Czechs. The other fixture is just a review game and a goodbye game for the hosts. Who to bet on!? No one, if you ask me. My money is on goals. Over 2,5! And not just that, I would strongly suggest to put your money on yellow cards here. UNDER 4,5!

GROUP B


Croatia 6 Pts
Germany 3 Pts
Austria 1 Pts
Poland 1 Pts

Surprised!? No, not really... Like I said, both Germany and Croatia the title contenders so that 2:1 win over Germany didn't shock me all that much. To be honest I was expecting a draw, but non the less, was a very good match. I guess the biggest talk about the tournament is the refereeing. IMO Poland were robbed of all 3 points, but then again, thats history and the situation is what it is in this group. Austria will get hammered by Germany not because they want to, but because Germany HAVE to! I will easily put my money on the -1 handicap if the price is right. On the other hand, we have an already qualified Croatia against a 2nd position chaser - Poland. A big hmm hmm on this one. Poland has to win - full stop! And then just wait to see what happens in the other match. Question is, whether Croatia will be resting their players, and even if they do play, they will surely play with 70% effort. Since Poland has to beat Croatia by 3 goals to go through if Germany and Austria draw, I seriously doubt that they can do that and they know it too. So with this in mind, I think they'll just try to make sure they don't concede any goals and get a minimal victory. So my money is on UNDER 2,5 for this game.

GROUP C

Netherlands 6 Pts
Romania 2 Pts
Italy 1 Pts
France 1 Pts

What a group, what great games. You know, if the Euro 2008 consisted of only this group and these 4 teams, we wouldn't have regretted it! And there's still more action to come. 1 of the 2 group favorites, in my first post, are on the verge of making it into the second stage of the European championship. And look who it is...Romania I'm not going to give anyone the "I told you so" speech, because I as well as everyone else, knows very well that anything could have happened in this group so far. Before the tournament started, everyone was thinking : "How do you qualify from this group!?" Well. Holland have showed us how! This is one of those rare times when I will say I am GLAD to have been wrong! The oranges displayed some wonderful football, great individual skills and perfect goals. They overpowered and walked over the world cup finalists. Sometimes you wonder about this game...here you have the world champions, and runners up, losing 3:0 and 4:1 respectively in just the group phase. Romania were very unlucky not to have won against Italy, other wise it would have been game set and match for them. Now, they have to do it the hard way. Round three and this group has all sorts of combinations. How do I see this one going in round 3!? Here's the idea... will Holland beat Romania? I'm sorry Romanians, but after what we've seen, I have to say yes. The Netherlands are my No. 1 contenders for lifting the EURO 2008 cup! Seriously, if you have some spare money on the side, throw it all on Van Basten's boys! But does this mean goodbye Romania? Not really and in my view, I think they will still make it through to the next phase. How and why? Well, both Italy and France are 3 goals in the negative. Anything but a win is acceptable....thing is, this applies for both of them. Yes, I'm suggesting a draw here. A big one! But not a goal less draw though. 1:1 or 2:2 in my mind. But what ever the draw brings, both will be out. Romania just mustn't concede 3 or more goals. One might think, yes well that shouldn't be so hard, but when after we saw what happened to both the blues, one wonders whether this will be anything but an easy task for Romania. One big hope for the Balkan boys is that Holland might rest their key players, and not play as aggressive as they have. Who's to blame them!? They did "The Italian job" and "Raped the rooster" so they deserve the rest.

GROUP D

Spain 6Pts
Sweden 3Pts
Russia 3 Pts
Greece 0 Pts

One man is surely living the football dream. David Villa has been a solo star as much as Holland have been a star team. I wasn't too thrilled about Spain's game against Sweden today, especially after that great display of team work against Russia. But, as they say, it isn't over until the fat lady sings..and in the 92nd minute we saw great skill and calmness from Villa who put the El Torros through to the next phase. Round 3 will see Spain take on the Greeks who have also done what I expected them to...and that is nothing! Yet again, like in the previous groups, it will just be a matter of whether Spain relaxes and gives a point to them, securing the top spot, or will they actually take all 9 points as I predicted. I think they will, because even with 60% of their capabilities, Spain can beat Greece. On the other hand, we have 2 teams fighting for all they've got. This is the scenario as I predicted would happen. Now to see if all i said would come true. Russia to beat Sweden. Both teams played some "good-bad" football, and it will really be a tough battle to the last minute. My thoughts are on Russia as mentioned, and some small change on UNDER 2,5 goals. If the odds are good, you might want to test your luck on OVER 2,5 with Spain and Greece.

[catalinho07]

Bad thing is that defender Goian is suspended for this game. Romania could have won against Italy but Mutu missed that penalty and UEFA said Toni's goal was offside. We took 4 points out of 6 from Holland in the qualifiers, they didn't play like they did, but still I think they won't win, we will defend the whole game I think.

[HiyaVata]

From pessimistic to optimistic How quickly you've changed Catalinho Good luck anyways on qualifying.

[olive_tree]

Great analysis boss, how is ur boy doing? he should be few months now

[HiyaVata]

Thx for asking Olive He's 2 and a half months now and is a real bag full of joy