Euro 2008

[Quintus.JC]

Leader Board updated, with the top 3 looks most likely of winning. although the chasing pack still has hope. With only 2 games left anyone with 100 points still has the chance of winning, though only mathemamatically but logically impossible.

[scotchedpommes]

Semi-final Prediction 2

Russia 3-1 Spain (2045)

[Spain foiled by their unlucky yellow kit? Nah. Had been set on going 3-0 with this one, but I'll add one
in reply due to at least one exploited defensive blunder. Reason says they should score more, possibly
even steamroll a naïve Russian side, but I think against Italy they showed their inability to adapt
tactically. Since the first game, the Russians have shown their willingness to adjust their system, albeit
around an outstanding playmaker. Their fitness is second to none, and their ability to break well has
already been demonstrated. Kolodin could be a big loss, although he had a terrible game against Spain
before. If Russia press hard, yet again, I think Spain might crumble. And this time, unlike against the
Dutch, I have to back them. Hopefully they'll have been working on their set-piece defending. Oh, and if
nobody is convinced, for every goal scored they have been promised two women. Arshavin thinks it
might just be the extra incentive they need.]

[atheotes]

Russia 3 -1 Spain *surebet

[scotchedpommes]

Just realised the time.

I lost half an hour somewhere, eh. Yet again missed the Russian anthem. I need them to make
the final for that reason alone.

[FactionHeir]

Spain crushes Russia 3:0

[Quintus.JC]

Leader board updated. With one last game left only the top 10 has got any chance of beating LittleGrizzly to the title.

[FactionHeir]

How come I didn't get any points for predicting Spain to win?

[Craterus]

Right.

Spain 3 - 1 Germany

Might change this later.

[Adrian II]

Spain can play without Villa and Torres and still win. That clinches it for me: Spain are going to be the European Champions. I couldn't think of a nicer team to win the title anyway - bar Russia maybe, but they'll be back in 2010 and 1212 anyhoo.

European Championship Final
Final prediction

Spain 2:1 Germany

[scotchedpommes]

Spain solidified at the back, and Russia just looked tired, in numerous respects. [Well, at least Arshavin
secured his move to Catalonia by going completely missing.] Spain looked considerably more threatening
after Villa came off, didn't they? Wonder if that'll allow Fabregas a starting place in the final.

Just can't see them beating the Germans, though.

[Uesugi Kenshin]

Germany 2:1 Spain

I can't win, but hey the Germans can!

[Moros]

Spain wasn't great they were good but not great. The Russians were playing like in the beginning of the tournament. The Netherlands, and portugal both would have been no match for today's Russians. Spain is however doing great, and I bet they have confidence now. And rightly so. However it's still the Germans I see winning, though I must say that spain has proven itself a worthy champion and is looking as strong as ever. I still don't see a '64 comming though.

[Husar]

How come I didn't get any points for predicting Spain to win?

Same here.

Pretty cool though that spain won, why will there be no game for 3rd place?

[Louis VI the Fat]

Where's that hairy chap? Post your prediction, Grizz! Then all I need to do is vote for the other team to win the final and hope they win. Then I'll have Turked you from your first place and victory in this tournament is mine!

[scotchedpommes]

No pointless playoff. There hasn't been since '88 or prior.

[LittleGrizzly]

Well i was planning on voting the same as all you guys :D

seen as you posted first i think your morally obligated to predict first :p

Spain 2-1 Germany

I just think Spain have the better midfield, germanys defence may not be as solid as spains...

[scotchedpommes]

germanys defence may not be as solid as spains...

Give the man bonus points for best understatement.

[LittleGrizzly]

If theres extra points i have some more.. something about standard of goalkeeping...

[Louis VI the Fat]

Spain 2-1 Germany

That was going to be my prediction.

Gah! I shall root for the mighty Teutonic Titans then. Go Lahm and Klosinho!


You do realise though, that you can't possibly win this tournament unless the score will be an exact 2-1 Spain victory?
Your closest competitors will post 1-0, 2-0 Spain victories. Those following a bit further behind will pick Germany for the win. All of which will cost you the final victory in this tournament, unless you have guessed exactly right with 2-1.

You could reconsider your prediction to increase your chances...
[/psychological warfare]

[Centurio Nixalsverdrus]

The Russians were K.O. the second half! They had given up and so, consistently, lost.

The Spaniards play great and have all my sympathy, really. But sympathy has to end one day!

Germany 2 - 1 Spain.

Why?

- The Spanish game suits our Mannschaft. We will destroy their game (sorry folks, no prize for beauty here!).
- The Germans won't be as foolish as against the Croats or the Turks, because the Spaniards are favourited. The difficult opponents proved to be the easier opponents, and vice versa.
- Germans will have - this time - the absolute will to success. There's no way of zombiewalking in the final (see above).
- Germans are ice-cold before the goal. OK, Spaniards aren't bad either.
- The Spaniards are under pressure. Everybody expects them to win. They know that if they lose, Catalonians and Madrileños will start to tear each other apart again.

You see, Spain doesn't stand a chance. Disculpad, quizás otra vez... en 2012...

[LittleGrizzly]

You do realise though, that you can't possibly win this tournament unless the score will be an exact 2-1 Spain victory?
Your closest competitors will post 1-0, 2-0 Spain victories. Those following a bit further behind will pick Germany for the win. All of which will cost you the final victory in this tournament, unless you have guessed exactly right with 2-1.
[/psychological warfare]

If my closest rivals all pick close scores then bar a stupid score with spain winning its going to be pretty close at the top, theres not too much in it so someone will probably get in and steal it but... second aint bad
[/reverse physcology]

[Gaius Scribonius Curio]

Germany 2 - 1 Spain (AET)

[naut]

The game changed completely when Fabregas came on, they just opened up more and had more movement and drive. The score would have been a lot higher had Villa not been injured but Torres in his place or Giuza been brought on earlier for Torres. Yeah, that's right, Torres was shocking! He was absolutely , missing near open goals and his control, , bollox, he gave the ball away or blundered it so many times in the final third. Guiza showed why he was the highest scorer in La Liga last season. His goal and the build up to it was exquisite, typical Spain. I really hope Aragones starts Torres on the bench, he needs a break, as he can't handle the pressure. Arshavin went completely missing, and Russia spent more time on the turf than on the ball.

¡Vidas de España!

[Adrian II]

germanys defence may not be as solid as spains...

A certain small bear can't spell, or rather he doesn't bother with spelling. But he sure knows his game. Good strikers abound on both sides, and I have no doubt that Germany's defense is going to decide this game - negatively.

[naut]

If we simply look at the Goalkeepers we can pick the winner.

[Adrian II]

Guiza showed why he was the highest scorer in La Liga last season. His goal and the build up to it was exquisite, typical Spain.

True. But every Spanish goal in that game had Iniesta's signature on it.

[Subedei]

I may be leaning myself a bit 2 far out of the window here, but Lehmann sure has his days....Man, what a final....

[Louis VI the Fat]

Lehmann sure has his days....

Yeah, I remember Lehmann being great in the 1976 final.

[Moros]

If we simply look at the Goalkeepers we can pick the winner.

Casillas is a good keeper, Lehman is quite good. But I don't think that it's the goalkeepers who'll make the difference. If Xavi finally has a good day, or other creative minds like Fabregas and Iniesta are thinking outside the box, they might make it. But I think it's going to be German counters, as the spanish will leave space as they push forward, that'll make the decision. And of course they can also make it the French '00 style, as corners and freekicks are their thing too. (Whith guys like Klose who can put thier heads to any ball). Though Guys Like Senna, Fabregas, Xavi Alonso don't need that much luck when they shoot on target from distance.

[PBI]

So am I right in concluding from this thread that there is no 3rd-place playoff?

Anyway, on to the final (where have the other 30 games gone?):

Euro 2008 Final:

Spain 1-0 Germany after 90 minutes.


Going on the form of both teams over the whole competition, the Spaniards should win with ease. Though then again, no one ever wins with ease against Germany; hopefully they should still have the class to win it though.