[rockball]

Switzerland were desperately unlucky to lose after haivng dominated for so long. Frei was good. Behrami was outstanding. Another 1-2 performances like this and some clubs will come calling for him.

Czech were really disappointing. This side is just a shadow of the one few years back with Poborsky and Nedved calling the shots. Koller is past his prime and I haven't seen any of Baros to say if he can be good.

Turkey too don't have much but they impressed by attacking against Portugal. Switzerland could still go through since Turkey could beat or draw against Czech.

I was disappointed with Scolari for not playing Quaresma. I think the only way Quaresma can play is if Simao is dropped. Quaresma is one of the players I am looking forward to in the tournament and it will be disappointing if he doesn't play enough. They could have scored more but could be still better. Deco was very good only if he doesn't take long shots at every opportunity.
Wingbacks and strikers could let them down. Everything else is top notch for them.

Tonight are some good games. After Group C, Group B is the most compelling.
Germany, Austria and Poland!!! There could be some riots here. Germany should stamp their authority.

A bad sign for them is the poor form of Schweinsteiger. He has been poor this season which may make them play Podolski in the midfield. This Germany isn't as strong as it is generally, but then they always do well in the big tournaments and a first place in the group is a minimum for them.

[Jok3r]

Originally Posted by deepu

i miss the EURO cause of no TV at home.

from what i have read - an awful game by czech and yet they managed a win over dominating switzerland thanks to cech.

poor switz should be an awful start to the EURO. now they have to win over Portugal.

guys apart from frei who all are injured ?

Cheers,
Deepu.

yeah, the czech were very lucky to have come out with the points...

no one apart from frei was injured...

though holland look like in trouble...reports suggest robben & van persie both might miss their 1st game, while ibrahimovic might not be able to finish 90 mins in their first game...

lets see...

[evilblood86]

was a very good match, far better than the first. Portugal were excellent and could have had at least 4, Pepe's goal was brilliant

Turkey were below average and were bad with possession too...
They need to improve while Portugal will get a lotta confidence.


Pepe :hurray:

[joel1702]

Originally Posted by polpot

The Czechs looked very one dimensional yesterday. God, how i wish Nedved was still there. This Czech side will lose to Portugal and then lose to Germany in the quarters.

Portugal were playing good football yesterday. Moutinho especially caught my eye. But a top team playing a 5 man midfield can cut out their flair easily. ONly because the y dont have a striker. But a path till the semis is assured.

Yeah...Nuno Gomes is past his prime...Its time for them to give Hugo almeida a chance upfront i think..

Czech Rep could be upset by Turkey as well...

[joel1702]

Not really excited by Tonites games

Austria are lucky to be in the tournament & at a ranking of 101 they are more than 50 places below the next lowest team. I dont think they will pull off a Greece & surprise us all.
Should be an easy game for Croatia

I am a little more interested in watching the Germans. Watched Germany vs Poland during WC 2006 & it was fairly dull till Germany stole a late win...
Germany seem to have an easy group on paper & it will be interesting to see their attitude.

My predicitons are

Austria 0 Croatia 2

Germany 2 Poland 0

what r ur predictions guys??

[getintoiimb]

well same here..not interesting matches today..
group A is boring..i think group C encounters would be awesome..
from tomorrow onwards the matches would be great..
my predictions for today is 2-0 for croatia against austria..
feel rakitic would score today..
germany vs poland should go 3-0..klose,podolski and ballack scoring
tomorrow is the big game.ITALY vs NETHERLANDS
FORZA AZZURRIS!!!

[evilblood86]

Originally Posted by joel1702

Yeah...Nuno Gomes is past his prime...Its time for them to give Hugo almeida a chance upfront i think..

Czech Rep could be upset by Turkey as well...

Hit the frame work twice

Played the one-two with Pepe for the first goal.

In all , he still was in good touch

Turkey upsetting Czech would be good for the grop:hurray: but looks unlikely with the football that Turkey played last night

[polpot]

Originally Posted by evilblood86

Hit the frame work twice

Played the one-two with Pepe for the first goal.

In all , he still was in good touch

Turkey upsetting Czech would be good for the grop:hurray: but looks unlikely with the football that Turkey played last night

Still, Portugal would be a world beateing side with a striker like..lets say Villa....


Turkey cant beat the Czechs. The Czechs are a different outfit now,... Earlier they were an attacking side with Rocisky Poborsky and Nedved. Now they are a defensive unit. They conceded the least number of goals in qualifying - 5... Yesterday too they looked defensively strong. Expect more of the same...


My predictions: Ger 3 -0 Pol
Aus 0 - 2 Cro

[fire_kris]

Well now the only chance for Turkey to qualify is beat czechs... cause u cant expect czechs to be beaten by portugal.. czech republic is a very efficient side.. but lets take a look at the team the took Euro 2004 by storm and played the most mesmerizing football.

Jankuloski, Poborsky, Rosicky, Nedved, Koller and Baros were in red hot form.. I dont expect them to sizzle the tournament as they did earlier.. But nowadays after Brazil won the 2002 world cup.. it has been all about efficiency..

Today I expect Croat and Germans to sail through easily.. Yesterday was pretty dull if you ask me.. but we are just getting started arent we?

Ciao..
Kris

[evilblood86]

Originally Posted by polpot

Still, Portugal would be a world beateing side with a striker like..lets say Villa....


Turkey cant beat the Czechs. The Czechs are a different outfit now,... Earlier they were an attacking side with Rocisky Poborsky and Nedved. Now they are a defensive unit. They conceded the least number of goals in qualifying - 5... Yesterday too they looked defensively strong. Expect more of the same...


My predictions: Ger 3 -0 Pol
Aus 0 - 2 Cro

Well as much as I know about Portugal and their playing style they always focus much on their wingers and midfield marshalls rather tan the strikers.....
Strikers like Pauleta,Nuno Gomes,Helder Postiga normally play the tap-the-ball game or assist the wingers while going forward.....

I think Nuno Gomes is the much needed experience and the person to lead for Portugal after Figo and Pauleta atleast in this Euro.

Now even for Spain inspite of having great wingers and class deep midfieldrs like Alonso and Xavi they havent done well is due to the system Villa and Raul are used to follow.....
Really Expectin a lot from Spain this time