Check this out guys.
The official site for Euro 2004 is looking great.

See what you think

http://www.euro2004.com/tournament/index.html

As a sidenote:

C'MON ENGLAND! C'MON ENGLAND!!!

I can't see any reason why we can't win this tournament! Come on lads!

There's only one reason. England won't win enough games to win Euro 2004.

I can't see any reason why we can't win this tournament!Why? Because you lost against Sweden we we didn't have Henke Larsson in the team and we played pretty bad. Also, in the group England plays in(B with France, England, Croatia, and Switzerland) they will have a rough time going through. Sure, France will probably be an easy pick but Croatia and Switzerland have tactics that could rip England apart in minutes. I guess Croatia would come second in the group and England will win but England will then lose against Spain or Portugal.

Here is my guesses on how the groups will finish:
Group A:
1. Spain
2. Portugal
3. Russia
4. Greece

Group B:
1. England
2. Croatia
3. France
4. Switzerland

Group C:
1. Italy
2. Sweden
3. Denmark
4. Bulgaria

Group D:
1. Czech Republic
2. Germany
3. Netherland
4. Latvia

Then, in the finals, it will end like this:
(* means undecided, but I guess on this)
Spain
---Spain
Croatia
----------Spain?
Sweden
---Czech Republic
Czech Republic
--------------------Italy?
England
---Portugal?
Portugal
----------Italy?
Italy
---Italy?
Germany


As you could see, most of these are undecided, but I have the guts to say that England wont reach far, and so wont Germany ethier. Also, this can be called a bit biased, as I hope Italy will win, but I actually think they have the ability to do it.

lol. I don't expect anything but poorly thought out comments intended to make an argument from Harbourboy. Plus, I don't think he knows anything about footy anyway, so w/e.

But Velve. England had players missing in that FRIENDLY as well. We swapped I think it was 9 players at half time. And it was a friggin friendly, lol. Who cares about that?

The important stat to consider is that under Sven Goran Eriksson England have lost only one competitive game. That was by a flukey free-kick againsty the best team in the World.

England have, in my opinion, the best rounded team there. Sure, France have unarguably the best skill going forward. But their defence must have an average age of about 35 and have a donkey in the net. That will be the telling factor I think.

The only position that I think isn't pretty much World Class for England is the 'keeper' But David James has improved a lot over the last few years.

And I don't think Italy have enough talent in the middle of the park to win this tournament.

Portugal are too old. Although I think Chrissy Ronaldo will be a star player at the Euro's.

Holland always flatter to decieve.

Spain, ditto.

England, quality allover the park, a young side yet to reach it's peak but brimming with determination and one of two teams at this tournament who are truly difficult ti break down and win a game against. The other being Italy.

Should be good fun to watch. There are 5 or 6 teams capable of winning on there their day. But only about 3 or 4 likely to do so.
Inevitably it will depend on luck etc.

Although, back to my original point. England have as good a chance as anybody imo.


Edit:

Here are my guesses on how the groups will finish:
Group A:
1. Spain
2. Portugal
3. Russia
4. Greece

Group B:
1. France
2. England
3. Croatia
4. Switzerland

Group C:
1. Italy
2. Sweden
3. Denmark
4. Bulgaria

Group D:
1. Germany
2. Czech Republic
3. Netherland
4. Latvia

I know zip about soccer, but I'll just give it a try. Keep in mind: I'm a Dutch, so I take it the Netherlands will win. Not very likely, but it would be stupid to hope otherwise (like some of us who are from Sweden hoping Italy will win ;) )

A:
Spain
Portugal
Greece
Russia

B:
France
England
Croatia
Switzerland

C:
Italy
Sweden
Denmark
Bulgaria

D:
Netherland
Germany
Czech Republic
Latvia

QF AB:
*Spain*
England

QF BA:
*France*
Portugal

QF CD:
*Italy*
Germany

QF DC
*Netherlands*
Sweden

SF1:
*Italy*
Spain

SF2:
*Netherlands*
France

Final:
*Netherlands*
Italy

England hasnt got the skill or classs by far to be a serious contender. What forwards of any rank do they have other than Owen? Rooney? Untried youngster with a temperament problem. Heskey? What is he except big?? And then there is just about nothing. Too bad you didnt bring Beattie or Defoe, then you might have a possibility to score some goals.

The serious contenders as I see it are France, Italy, Germany and Portugal. True, they might not look that strong but they are the hometeam and that always means *alot*. As has been said I too doubt that Spain or Holland can deliver. England has a chance like all teams but it is less of a chance than for example the Czechs. You English really have to get rid of that notion as the rulers of the football universe. You are a mediocre football nation when it comes to your national team, down there in skill and chances with Sweden, Denmark, Turkey and so on. Not among the great football nations.

lol. omg.

What a load of complete and utter bollocks. (although I agree on the Defoe bit ;) ).

Take beattie? Why? What has he done at international level? Even with the chances he's had?

Who would have won the last world cup was it not for a jammy goal? Who has one of the best midfields in the entire tournament?

We have enough going forward to do sufficient damage. Owen is world class, Rooney has maturity beyond his years and a great footbaling brain and is still pretty much an unknown quantity in world football. Heskey is a great threat and an annoyance to a defence. I for one would hate to play against him.

How can you say England aren't one of the best teams in World football? Why do so many people hold a big bias against England? I can only assume it is either complete lack of knowledge or just jealousy. I can't wait until the tournament to show you what England can do. We are one of the best teams there, i can not believe you even contest that.

For gods sake man. Think about what your saying before your jump straight in with both feet and blatently show your complete lack of knowledge.

I agree with Joacquin and stick by my original prediction that England will lose to Spain or Portugal in the quarter final.

Like Joacquin, I continue to be amused by the over-confidence of English supporters despite the fact that their team continues to under-perform year after year (hence explaining their ongoing need to hark back to 1966, any win over Germany, and a load of "would have, could haves").

Heskey!? Ha! Even I know that he is rubbish at international level.

Have you or Joaquin (or w/e name) have ever played football? More specifically as a defender?

If so, you will know what a pain in the arse it is to play against someone who uses their body a lot. Beats you to every ball through sheer power and you don't feel confortable beating in the air. He hasn't got the best record I admit, but doe's that matter? He has the important knack of holding the ball up well and making plays happen. Good player to have in your team in my opinion.

'I' find it amusing how people dismiss England as 'also rans'. Suits me just fine.

Also, I'd like to add how annoying peoples attitudes are on these boads sometimes. Such 'I'm right, your wrong' attitudes yo a simple post refering you to a useful site only tempt me to type similar replies and argue your posts which are always full of ammunition because they are so poorly thought and so blatently lacking of knowledge.
I post on football boards and even if people dont agree with what other people are saying, they don't adopt a high ground, arrogant attitude. Such things only draw draw such attitudes back. Thats all I'll say.

Go Germany! woot!

Classic. OK, yes, if I had ever played as a defender at international level, I'm sure I would have a better insight into this discussion.

But other than that, I am just expressing my *opinion*, humble thought it may be, that England will not progress past the quarter final. I'm not the one claiming that everyone else is "blatantly lacking in knowledge".......

What would make England good enough on the forward side to actually win the tournament, that would be if a good center-forward that is huge but still fast and a compentent goalscorer. A perfectly good example of this is Alan Shearer. Sure, he is a bit old, but so is Roberto Baggio and both of them are still top-notch forwards and could score against any goalkeeper.

Oooh come on, Roberto Baggio can't play a major tournament anymore. Shearer could, he as our best player (Bergkamp, Arsenal) decided to quit to play for his country, probably so he can play a few years more on the highest level in your premier league.

I can't believe that you would place germany over the netherlands in poule 4, have you guys not heard what happened last game. They lost with 5-1 to romania who isn't even in the E.C.
Now the checz will be a problem as they have beaten us in the qualies, but now it's payback time.

And a small tip here, don't look at the qualies when deciding a tournament, they say absolutely nothing. I remember Denmark winning this tournament when they didn't even qualified in the beginning. And the netherlands who won in '88 were only in the tournament because they made a goal in the last quali game in the extra time.

Half Finals:

Italy
Netherlands
Spain
France

I agree. I'd buy Alan Shearer a pint if he returned to England! :D

Morsmodre, sorry if I offended you but I was only stating my opinion. I am of the firm opinion that the entire English constantly overestimate their national team, placing it among the absolutely best teams in the world. In my experience and from what I know of football and I know quite a deal about especially the English players just doesnt seem like a true view of reality. England is mediocre, in this tournament you even lack one of your best defenders, Ferdinand. His replacement is a far cry away from being as good as he is. England has one truly world class player, and it pains me to say this as I am no fan of him but it is Beckham. Owen can twinkle from time to time but he is too uneven and injury prone.

Oh, and I put up Beattie cause I am a Southampton fan and I think a big strong striker like him should be a good player beside Owen, he has atleast not done any worse than Heskey.

As for Germany, never ever underestimate them. They had a crappy team in 2002 and they still made it to the finals. For some reason it doesnt matter what squad Germany fields, they are still always a contender.

I agree with joacqin on the england subject. It's quite strange actually, I don't deny that they have good players with all the heart in the world, but for some reason they never play well in the important championships. Same counts for Spain, which in my opinion is really amazing. Spain has one of the if not the best national league in all the world, but again for some reason they don't do well in major tournaments.

As for germany...........I know they always compete well at the E.C. but they really really have crappy team this time. Let's hope the countries playing germany don't forget the single most important thing when playing Germany: Focus until the whistle blows, Germans never give up.

I hope they won't enter the quarter finals and that Herr Rudi get's what he deserves --> Frank Rijkaard did in once before :D

Since 2000

England 1 - 0 Germany
England 3 - 0 Spain
England 5 - 1 Germany
England 1 - 0 Argentina
England 3 - 0 Denmark
England 2 - 0 Turkey
England 3 - 1 Croatia

Nice to see people using informed opinions here.

I took no offence to what you said Joaquin so no worries.

But I think that England are in the Worlds top 5 teams and are still up and coming with some real amazing talent.

World Cup 2006 should see a blossoming team come to fruition.

Until then, all I am saying is that although people like you can nit-pick and try and find faults as much as you like with the England team. The same can be done to every other team in the World. England were missing arguably our most influential player at the World Cup in Steven Gerrard, and we all know what nearly happened there. We nearly won.

Agreed, Ferdinand will be missed. But John Terry is a very good replacement and I'd rather have our defence than then French for example.

England are a terribly hard team to beat. And I think we will go far in this tourney. We have the most fervently verging on fanatically supported team in the World and have good cover this time around.

AS, you are certanly only giving a biased view here. Sure, they have won against those team, but they have also lost against Italy with 1-0, Brazil with 3-2(IIRC), Germany with 0-1(Home) and IIRC, they also lost against Finland with 0-1.