Right, let's start this off nice and simple. Who do you think is going to win Euro 2004?

If Holland can get their act together, and actually play the football they are capable of, I think they could win it.

Hey, it's here!

The host nation are always one of the favourites and I reckon it'll be between them and France.

P.S is it possible to add the previous Euro:2004 threads into this forum...?

Holland are one of the contenders but highly unlikely to win in my opinion. I know it was only a friendly against the Republic of Ireland but they were dire. Disjointed in midfield and clueless at the back. They could turn it on to win but I doubt it. I think either Italy or France are going to win it, because they have the talented individuals to turn matches on their own and the team structure and ethic to grind out tough victories.

I want England to win but am realistic to see that the semi finals would be a true representation of their standing compared to the other teams.

I will be going with france unfortunatly, and i think that semis would be an achievment for us. But then we always pull something out in tournaments.

I've got a tenner on Spain to win. Formidable team, tournament's on their doorstep and they've got to win something one day for God's sake.

France look overrated - yes Zidane, Vierra, Henry but Desailly, Marlet, Silvestre, Barthez?

Germany lack class; Italy are not the force they once were.

England could sneak into the final.

Really looking forward to the final. But here's an important question:

Where's the best place to put the wall chart? And do you put the scores in pencil or pen?

Netherlands, Portugal and Spain always under-perform. It's got to be France

Im going for France or Germany.

France for obvious reasons and Germany because they are just have the knack in major tournaments no matter how poor their team is (and this one is even worse than WC02's one). But they were one of the worst teams in that tournament and they still made the final....so they are my outside bet.

Would have been useful to have had a poll going of which group holds the potential winner, since there are too many right now for them all to be listed.

Probably France for me. I think they should have learned from their last WC fiasco.

Think Portugal should do OK esp. as hosts

Spain should do well but never seem to. Germany look awful at the moment and the Dutch didn't look up to much against the Irish either. reports suggest that the usual Dutch problems of splits within the camp are rearing their heads.

Outside of them, who knows. Perhaps someone like Croatia or the Czech Republic will come good.

England? Should qualify out of their group.

Italy should be there or thereabouts. Well organised and always difficult to beat.

England should progress in the tournament playing 4-4-2 and not fucking about with that clueless diamond formation.

The winner will come from Group D, I reckon. Although I'll be surprised if it's Latvia...

France are the only really class act - hope they don't fuck it up like they did in the WC.

hope they don't fuck it up like they did in the WC.

I fucking do!!

The winner will come from Group D, I reckon. Although I'll be surprised if it's Latvia...

In the highly unlikely event that Latvia do win, I'll be mocked for the rest of time for not betting on them.

Croatia, I hope. They have the official backing of the Scotland squad because they're roughly the same size and climate as Scotland and aren't England.

I dunno about Croatia ... isn't their climate very Mediterranean? (it's on the Adriatic.)

Anyway, I'm Scottish and I want France to win becuase I enjoy watching the French players when they play for their clubs .. Zidane, Henry, Vieira.

I suppose it's pretty small minded not to support England. Howvere if England did win we'd be hearing about it until Domesday.

France to beat Italy in the final as they did 4 years ago.

I can't believe anyone's tipping Holland - this is by far the worse Dutch team I've ever seen and I wouldn't trust Advocaat to manage a perfume shop in plague-town

I dunno about Croatia ... isn't their climate very Mediterranean? (it's on the Adriatic.)

Unbearably hot and humid for three months of the year, freezing, grey and miserable for the rest.

So yes, a lot like Scotland. Except in June July and August.

I'm glad no-one's said England. You really do have to be very gullible to imagine that beating Iceland 6-1 is going to turn ius into a world class team overnight. And the bloke who scores for Iceland plays for Watford for christ's sake.

Where's the best place to put the wall chart? And do you put the scores in pencil or pen?

Livingroom wall and it has to be in felt tip.

I suppose it's pretty small minded not to support England. However if England did win we'd be hearing about it until Domesday.

Don't get me wrong, the England games will be amongst the highlight of the tournament for me, it'll probably take a downturn if they get put out halfway through, as the commentators will become morose. I'd love it if they get to the final.

There, I was gracious, sporting and encouraging to England. I'm a big man really.

The Azzuri! (Italy).

I hate to spoil it for you all but..........England wins
My fortune tell, palm reader, Astrologer, Psychic and Spiritual Speaker all told me so!!
so there!

OK seriously

France Italy Spain or just maybe England

Whoever finishes second in Englands group will probably play Spain and then probably Italy
The team that wins the Group they will play Portugal and then possibly Czech or Denmark
Portugal have failed to win in the last seven friendlies involving Euro 2004 teams, therefore if England win the group, which I think they are capable of doing, they will have a much easier route to the final.
Hopfully France will meet them there, finish as you started.
Saying that I have Spain in sweepstake so I'll not be too gutted if they take it!

I honestly don't see England winning it. I'm not sure they can even win within their group. I think Spain has a good chance, but I'm sticking with Italy. I would love to see a good Portugal showing as well.

I would love to see a good Portugal showing as well.

Yes more TV time for you beloved ;)

I'd like to think England, but I'm sensible and no its not goin to happen so I'll say Italy or Spain, they have the most flair in their squads

Italy is the most negative playing international team in the world, no room for flair there

Whenever Italy do have a "flair" team they choke and revert back to their wicked ways - remember when they lost to Argentina on their ain midden, and 4 years ago to a lesser extent

England will win after qualifying second out of their group. They will start by losing 2-1 to France and only progress forwards after that. Rooney will win the golden boot and everton will refuse a £45M bid for him from Mourinho. Henman will win wimbledon and Bush will step down in favour of Ken Livingstone.

I guess the nation whose squad i'm currently most doubtful of is Germany. Obviously they boast one of the premiers goalkeepers in the game, but they are a very hit-and-miss team in international matches.
The have some excellent midfielders, esp. one fellow whose name escapes me. He has a shaved head, and rather unfortunately scarred skin. Anyone recall him?
At any rate, I don't think Germany are as creative a playing unit as the other nations. (And no hugo, this isn't retribution for you badmouthing the italians ;) )

Christain Zeige

Micheal Ballack is far better if you ask me.....as is Sebastian Deisler or Lars Ricken for that matter haha.

That's it! Thanks Royster.
I remember Ballack at the last WC; it was clear he hadn't quite come into his own yet, but there was a real potential there. I think he'll do well this time round.

bulgaria or france will win.

( get your money on hull city being champions of division 2 next season )

Don't misunderstand - I do support England, I just don't think they have much hope of winning this tournament. It's the same every tournament: "England can do it!...I firmly believe that this team has the spirit and skill to win it after our 2-0 trouncing of Molvania...England can recover from this crushing blow...England bounce back!...It's make or break time!...Ah, well. There's always the World Cup..."

I get quite enough hopeless optimism and crushing disappointment during the real football season to get very invlolved in international tournamenst. So, yeah, I support England, but I don't buy all that spurious cheer and Murphy's-Oirish-Pub flaky 'passion'.

Having said that, I do find odd-numbered-year summers slightly empty and unpleasant. I think that for a club football follower, international tournaments are methadone to keep us ticking over until the real football season starts.

Italy is the most negative playing international team in the world, no room for flair there

I'm not so sure about that because after their disaster in 2002 they changed their style to a more attacking play (I know that wasn't exactly difficult) with not so much emphasis on defence. They now even play with three forwards and have Del Piero and Totti in the same team which would previously have been unheard of.

Their style may be negative most of the time but if the front three click they will reach the final at least.

England has a chance if they start playing Beckham on the bench, but winners gotta be among France, Czech republic or Italy

Portugal, bad start, but theyll do it ;)

Im Gunna Stick My Neck On The Line And Say The Czechs