First team on the way to qualify today for European Championship is....

DubDani

Germany.

Just killing off the Austrians, leading 3-0 after 30 minutes (2xOezil & 1x Podolski), which means they won 8 out of 8 so far in this group with a Goal diference of +22.

One of the top favourites for next year, I would say.

Johner

Ozil is definitely one of the best players in the world.

DubDani

OK, Germans are through. Game against Austria finished 6:2

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

It's between Spain and Germany for the Euro's imo. From what I've seen of them, Holland have regressed a bit since the WC - and were lucky to avoid Spain and Germany there until the final. Portugal are the only other team in with a shout imo. England, France, Italy & Croatia are in the next barcket, don't expect either to come within an arse's roar of the final. The rest of the teams would be just happy to reach the QFs.

steelcityblues

THFC wrote: »

It's between Spain and Germany for the Euro's imo. From what I've seen of them, Holland have regressed a bit since the WC - and were lucky to avoid Spain and Germany there until the final. Portugal are the only other team in with a shout imo. England, France, Italy & Croatia are in the next barcket, don't expect either to come within an arse's roar of the final. The rest of the teams would be just happy to reach the QFs.

Not sure if I agree about Italy - the younger guard like Balotelli and Rossi are finally getting their chance, and doing pretty well. Won't rule them out, and they are Italy after all.

Peyton Manning

THFC wrote: »

It's between Spain and Germany for the Euro's imo. From what I've seen of them, Holland have regressed a bit since the WC - and were lucky to avoid Spain and Germany there until the final. Portugal are the only other team in with a shout imo. England, France, Italy & Croatia are in the next barcket, don't expect either to come within an arse's roar of the final. The rest of the teams would be just happy to reach the QFs.

How have Holland regressed since the World Cup? They've played 12, won 9, and drawn 3 (two of which were against Brazil and Uruguay) and are averaging over 3 goals a game.

CorkMan

Spain won't be too far behind Germany.

Fabregas scored 2, he has 4 goals in 4 games in total since he moved from Arsenal.

ILikeBananas

Tom_Brady wrote: »

How have Holland regressed since the World Cup? They've played 12, won 9, and drawn 3 (two of which were against Brazil and Uruguay) and are averaging over 3 goals a game.

More to the point, how have Holland passed out Spain in the World Rankings? It's not as if the Spanish have stopped winning games.

killwill

I reckon England will be in with a shout. They are now playing as a team and look pretty good.

Benimar

killwill wrote: »

I reckon England will be in with a shout. They are now playing as a team and look pretty good.

Have to disagree. The same comment could have been made before every major championship for the last 40 years, and it always pans out the same.

I don't think England are in good form anyway. They beat an atrocious Bulgarian team and in the game before that very nearly lost at home to Switzerland.

I have to agree with THFC. Spain, Germany, Holland and Portugal are a distance ahead.

killwill

Benimar wrote: »

Have to disagree. The same comment could have been made before every major championship for the last 40 years, and it always pans out the same.

I don't think England are in good form anyway. They beat an atrocious Bulgarian team and in the game before that very nearly lost at home to Switzerland.

I have to agree with THFC. Spain, Germany, Holland and Portugal are a distance ahead.

Spain, Germany and Holland are a distance ahead of england. No doubt about that, but I said England could be in with a shout, not England are a better footballing nation or anything.
And Portugal are not better than England IMO. Let alone a distance ahead.

Edit; Plus this was the team to play Switzerland, Hart; Johnson, Ferdinand, Terry, Cole; Parker, Wilshere, Lampard; Walcott, Milner; Bent.
That was quite a weak team. Lampard will be a on the bench from now on. As will Johnson, Milner, Bent and quite possibly Walcott.

everdead.ie

killwill wrote: »

Benimar wrote: »

Have to disagree. The same comment could have been made before every major championship for the last 40 years, and it always pans out the same.

I don't think England are in good form anyway. They beat an atrocious Bulgarian team and in the game before that very nearly lost at home to Switzerland.

I have to agree with THFC. Spain, Germany, Holland and Portugal are a distance ahead.

Spain, Germany and Holland are a distance ahead of england. No doubt about that, but I said England could be in with a shout, not England are a better footballing nation or anything.
And Portugal are not better than England IMO. Let alone a distance ahead.

Edit; Plus this was the team to play Switzerland, Hart; Johnson, Ferdinand, Terry, Cole; Parker, Wilshere, Lampard; Walcott, Milner; Bent.
That was quite a weak team. Lampard will be a on the bench from now on. As will Johnson, Milner, Bent and quite possibly Walcott.

While England are certainly good compared to a team like ours they lack the team spirit and ethic it takes to win a major trophy look at holland fantastic teams over the years but often racism has stopped them reaching their potential. (not saying anyone in the English camp are racist just trying to say team ethic/spirit needed. )

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

Tom_Brady wrote: »

How have Holland regressed since the World Cup? They've played 12, won 9, and drawn 3 (two of which were against Brazil and Uruguay) and are averaging over 3 goals a game.

I just think they don't look like the same team that they were at the WC. They're obviously still excellent, but I don't think they're as good as Spain or Germany are atm, and I'd fancy both of them to beat them. The winner will certainly come from that trio, and the only team I can see causing an upset is Portugal.

I don't know how anyone that can remember more than 5 of the last major tournaments give England a chance. They're like Spurs going to OT, one way or another they will lose.

killwill

THFC wrote: »

I just think they don't look like the same team that they were at the WC. They're obviously still excellent, but I don't think they're as good as Spain or Germany are atm, and I'd fancy both of them to beat them. The winner will certainly come from that trio, and the only team I can see causing an upset is Portugal.

I don't know how anyone that can remember more than 5 of the last major tournaments give England a chance. They're like Spurs going to OT, one way or another they will lose.

I can and I do.
Upfront they have the potential to score goals. Now that Rooney and Young are team mates at club AND country this can only improve.
England have amazing talent at CB and one of the best LBs in the world, as much as I hate Cole!!!
Midfield is a tough one I reckon Carrick behind Wilshere and Gerrard for 3 man MF and drop Carrick if they are looking to play Carroll up front with Rooney.
As I said they are not as good as Spain, Holland or Germany but htey have a good eneough team to challenge them.

G.K.

If England have an on day and the others have an off day, then maybe.

killwill

G.K. wrote: »

If England have an on day and the others have an off day, then maybe.

Only time will tell but I think this English team is gonna get better and better.
Personally I hope not because the media will have a field day if they win a major tournament and we will never here the end of it.

Blatter

England have a good chance of doing very well at Euro 2012 and an even better chance of winning the World Cup in 2014.

In 2014, they could well have the spine of a team in Jones, Smalling, Cleverly, Young, Rooney and Welbeck. All going well, they will be Manchester United regulars at that time and will know each other inside out. Add to that Hart, Wilshere, Adam Johnson etc. and I'm sure a few more will break in.

I firmly believe one of the biggest keys to Spain's recent success is the amount of Barca players in their team. Most of them know each other so well and it's almost as if your watching Barcelona. Makes a huge difference imo.

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

killwill wrote: »

I can and I do.
Upfront they have the potential to score goals. Now that Rooney and Young are team mates at club AND country this can only improve.
England have amazing talent at CB and one of the best LBs in the world, as much as I hate Cole!!!
Midfield is a tough one I reckon Carrick behind Wilshere and Gerrard for 3 man MF and drop Carrick if they are looking to play Carroll up front with Rooney.
As I said they are not as good as Spain, Holland or Germany but htey have a good eneough team to challenge them.

Fair enough, your opinion I suppose, but all the same things are said before any and every major tournament England play in. I completely disagree with the Carroll bit though, that man is hopeless. Rooney with Young & Lennon/Walcott for me.
I suppose they do have a better chance this time (:rolleyes:) now that Lampard and Gerrard won't be playing together, and they have a proper holding midf in Wilshere. That boy is immense.
I might as well say it now though - no chance of the final unless they avoid Holland, Germany & Spain.

irishh_bob

killwill wrote: »

I reckon England will be in with a shout. They are now playing as a team and look pretty good.

england have a habbit of cruising through ( usually easy ) qualifying campaigns and then sure as **** , they crumble at the finals

bamboozling

Blatter wrote: »

England have a good chance of doing very well at Euro 2012 and an even better chance of winning the World Cup in 2014.

In 2014, they could well have the spine of a team in Jones, Smalling, Cleverly, Young, Rooney and Welbeck. All going well, they will be Manchester United regulars at that time and will know each other inside out. Add to that Hart, Wilshere, Adam Johnson etc. and I'm sure a few more will break in.

I firmly believe one of the biggest keys to Spain's recent success is the amount of Barca players in their team. Most of them know each other so well and it's almost as if your watching Barcelona. Makes a huge difference imo.

Do you really believe it's 7 or 8 players on the starting English team will be from United in 2014?

What about Martin Kelly, Jordan Henderson, Andy Carroll, Glen Johnson from Liverpool.

Sturridge from Chelsea?

All the other players from other premier league clubs.

Wellbeck and Cleverley won't be starting for England in 2014. I'd wager any money.

Blatter

bamboozling wrote: »

Do you really believe it's 7 or 8 players on the starting English team will be from United in 2014?

What about Martin Kelly, Jordan Henderson, Andy Carroll, Glen Johnson from Liverpool.

Sturridge from Chelsea?

All the other players from other premier league clubs.

Wellbeck and Cleverley won't be starting for England in 2014. I'd wager any money.

I think it's possible, but obviously it's very difficult to predict.

The players you mentioned would all have a shout and I'm sure there will be others who come out of the woodwork.

I believe that all the lads I mentioned should all feel they have a very good chance though. I think you'd accept yourself that Smalling, Jones, Young and Rooney all have an excellent chance of being in the 2014 starting 11, all things going well.

Welbeck and Cleverly would be the most doubtful at the moment I'd agree but I'd be alot more confident of them making it than you are.

bamboozling

Blatter wrote: »

I think it's possible, but obviously it's very difficult to predict.

The players you mentioned would all have a shout and I'm sure there will be others who come out of the woodwork.

I believe that all the lads I mentioned should all feel they have a very good chance though. I think you'd accept yourself that Smalling, Jones, Young and Rooney all have an excellent chance of being in the 2014 starting 11, all things going well.

Welbeck and Cleverly would be the most doubtful at the moment I'd agree but I'd be alot more confident of them making it than you are.

Yes I think the four you've mentioned will probably be starting.

I don't think Wellbeck and Cleverley are as good as they look at the moment.

Blatter

bamboozling wrote: »

Yes I think the four you've mentioned will probably be starting.

I don't think Wellbeck and Cleverley are as good as they look at the moment.

Both are some way off being the finished article but I think they've got what it takes.

It would be an interesting thread if posters were to predict the England 2014 World Cup starting 11.

eugeneious

Anyone have any tips for dark horses?

If (and it's a big if) Serbia get through, I think they could be in with an outside chance. IMO they have as good as defence as anyone else and have some very good players in midfield. Other then them I don't see anyone else springing a surprise.

HalloweenJack

You never know about Ukraine, hosts and all. They did relatively well at the WC in 2006, too, considering it was their first ever tournament and went out to the eventual winners. Ok, that Switzerland game was atrocious but still. The final will be in Kiev, too.

I don't think Poland will do much though, they seem to have gone considerably backwards since they qualified for the WC in 2006 and the Euros in 2008.

Zebra3

Benimar wrote: »

Have to disagree. The same comment could have been made before every major championship for the last 40 years, and it always pans out the same.

Don't think anyone was tipping them in the build up to Euro2008.

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

Zebra3 wrote: »

Don't think anyone was tipping them in the build up to Euro2008.

Most enjoyable build up to a major tournament since 2002

Crazy Horse 6

killwill wrote: »

I reckon England will be in with a shout. They are now playing as a team and look pretty good.

Rugby thread is that way >>>

No seriously they have a chance if every single team they play have an off day.

Crazy Horse 6

killwill wrote: »

Only time will tell but I think this English team is gonna get better and better.
Personally I hope not because the media will have a field day if they win a major tournament and we will never here the end of it.

I've seen nothing and i mean nothing from the present crop of England players and the ones coming through that lead me to believe they have any hope of competing with the top sides in world football.

HalloweenJack

everdead.ie wrote: »

While England are certainly good compared to a team like ours they lack the team spirit and ethic it takes to win a major trophy look at holland fantastic teams over the years but often racism has stopped them reaching their potential. (not saying anyone in the English camp are racist just trying to say team ethic/spirit needed. )

Similar things have been said about Spain before (think it was that gob****e Dunphy), i.e. Catalans vs. Basques vs. Castillians. Certainly didn't do them any harm in the last two tournaments.

If you think the Catalan/Basque issues are minor compared to racism in the Dutch or English sides (if it's there), just look at what happened at the 2009 Copa del Rey final when Athletic Bilbao played Barcelona and BOTH sets of supporters booed during the NATIONAL anthem. Look at the reaction in Barcelona anytime they beat Real.

There are big divisions in Spanish society when it comes to regionalism, especially when it comes to Basques and Catalans, but the players all pull together when they turn out for Spain. Sure, Puyol, Fabregas, Pique and Busquets all played their part in Spain's success, all are proud Catalans. The most capped Spanish player is a Basque who only played for Basque and Catalan clubs.

So anyway, don't be giving the English an excuse. If the players come from different backgrounds, they can still pull together and do it, look at Spain.

Lawrence1895

irishh_bob wrote: »

england have a habbit of cruising through ( usually easy ) qualifying campaigns and then sure as **** , they crumble at the finals

...especially, when they play Germany

dreamers75

Italy fairly sure of qualification now.

England too

Holland also

steelcityblues

Spain 3-0 up on Liechtenstein - count them in.