That Euro 2004 Thread

[jonffm]

With the premiership drawing to a close, and the Euro's only a month and a bit away, I believe it's time to start the hype.

This thread is purly for your conversational and informative needs regarding Euro '04, with a small compo thrown in for good measure.

So untill euro starts, this be a nice place where banter and chat regarding the european football championships can be placed, without the need for lottsa threads.

The Groups

Group A

-----------P--W--D--L--GF--GA--Pts
Portugal---0---0---0---0---0---0---0
Greece----0---0---0---0---0---0---0
Spain------0---0---0---0---0---0---0
Russia-----0---0---0---0---0---0---0

Group B

-------------P--W--D--L--GF--GA--Pts
France-------0---0---0---0---0---0---0
England------0---0---0---0---0---0---0
Switzerland--0---0---0---0---0---0---0
Croatia------0---0---0---0---0---0---0

Group C

-----------P--W--D--L--GF--GA--Pts
Sweden---0---0---0---0---0---0---0
Bulgaria----0---0---0---0---0---0---0
Denmark---0---0---0---0---0---0---0
Italy-------0---0---0---0---0---0---0

Group D

-----------P--W--D--L--GF--GA--Pts
Czech Rep-0---0---0---0---0---0---0
Latvia-----0---0---0---0---0---0---0
Germany---0---0---0---0---0---0---0
Holland----0---0---0---0---0---0---0


The Fixtures

12th June
5:00pm - Portugal v Greece
7:45pm - Spain v Russia

13th June
5:00pm - Switzerland v Croatia
7:45pm - England v France

14th June
5:00pm - Denmark v Italy
7:45pm - Sweden v Bulgaira

15th June
5:00pm - Czech rep v Latvia
7:45pm - Germany v Holland

16th June
5:00pm - Spain v Greece
7:45pm - Portugal v Russia

17th June
5:00pm - England v Switzerland
7:45pm - Croatia v France

18th June
5:00pm - Bulgaira v Denmark
7:45pm - Italy v Sweden

19th June
5:00pm - Latvia v Germany
7:45pm - Holland v Czech Rep

20th June
5:00pm - Russia v Greece
7:45pm - Spain v Portugal

21st June
5:00pm - Croatia v England
7:45pm - France v Switzerland

22nd June
5:00pm - Italy v Bulgaria
7:45pm - Sweden v Denmark

23rd June
5:00pm - Holland v Latvia
7:45pm - Germany v Czech Rep



The News

Woodgate out of Euro 04' as Englands defensive worries mount

Newcastle defender Jonathan Woodgate has been ruled out of England's Euro 2004 squad because of a thigh problem.
The 24-year-old tore a muscle in last week's win over Chelsea and Magpies boss Sir Bobby Robson said: "It will need at least two months to repair.

"That is without him being involved in serious training so we do not know how long it will take for him to get fit."

With Gareth Southgate also a doubt because of a knee injury, England could turn to Manchester United's Wes Brown.

England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson had hinted earlier this week that a question mark over Brown's fitness could mean he would miss out on a place in the squad.

And Brown's inclusion could also put Eriksson on a collision course with United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

Ferguson feels that Brown, who has fought back after two cruciate ligament operations, should be rested completely over the summer.

However, Brown has hinted that he would relish being involved in Portugal and, with Eriksson's defensive concerns mounting up, England may have to turn to the Old Trafford star.

The Compo

Heres how it works. The numbers below represent teams. You pic a number from 1-16, then leave for a while. When it's closer to Euro, I will use randomizer.org to assign a number to a team. Should that team then go on to win, all the members that picked that number win.

Prize: 500 rupies

Compleatly free to enter.


1. Greece
2. Sparrow France
3. Latvia
4. Dingbat Holland
5. dr. derrice Denmark
6. sheep go moo Russia
7. dogincognito Spain
8. Mr Jones Germany
9. LooNaTicUK Switzerland
10. Blueberrymuffin Bulgaria
11. Peej Croatia
12. AngryPaul Portugal
13. Zola England
14. Streety Sweden
15. Italy
16. Plastic Vicar Czech Republic


Thanks to BBC.com for most of the information

[dogincognito]

form guide nicked from the bbc:

Group A
PORTUGAL
Last 5 games: DWDLD
Injuries: Couto
Selection problem:
Whether to play 4-5-1 or 4-4-2
Hosts Portugal have failed to win their last seven friendlies against Euro 2004 opponents and their only recent victory was against Kuwait.

Coach Luis Felipe Scolari's main problem is how to combine his front-line and, though he played in the 1-1 draw with Sweden, Fernando Couto has been suffering with a series of niggling injuries. Form: 3/5

GREECE
Last 5 games: WDWWL
Injuries: Kapsis
Selection problem:
Whether to play 5-4-1 or 4-4-2
Greece were unbeaten in 15 matches and will hope that the defeat in Eindhoven, which key defender Mihalis Kapsis missed through injury, was merely a blip in their preparations. Form: 4/5

SPAIN
Last 5 games: WWWWD
Injuries: Puyol/Marchena
Selection problem:
Reyes or Luque
Spain are unbeaten in eight games and coach Inaki Saez's only worry is the luxury of having to worry about which additional players join their established strikers.

Carles Puyol and Carlos Marchena missed the 1-1 draw with Italy through injury. Form: 4/5

RUSSIA
Last 5 games: WDWDL
Injuries: Ovchinnikov
Selection problem:
Balance of midfield
Russia sneaked past Wales in the play-offs and have been in unconvincing form in their warm-ups.

Goalkeeper Sergei Ovchinnikov suffered an injury scare and coach Georgi Yartsev must also decide how to balance his midfield. Form: 3/5


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Group B
FRANCE
Last 5 games: WWWWD
Injuries: Govou
Selection problem:
Balance of midfield
With a 100% record in qualifying and unbeaten in their warm-ups, France are favourites to retain the title.

Sidney Govou is struggling with a recurring hamstring problem and Djibril Cisse is suspended. Manager Jacques Santini's only 'problem' is how to balance a host of riches in midfield. Form 5/5

ENGLAND
Last 5 games: WDLDL
Injuries: Southgate/Woodgate
Selection problem:
Left midfield/defence
Having narrowly won their qualifying group, England have failed to impress in their warm-ups with defeats by Sweden and Denmark.

The suspension of Rio Ferdinand and injuries to Gareth Southgate and Jonathan Woodgate means problems in defence to add to the usual leftside-of-midfield dilemma. Form 3/5

SWITZERLAND
Last 5 games: LWLLW
Injuries: Murat Yakin/Streller
Selection problem:
Defence
The 2-1 win over Slovenia was Switzerland's first win of the year after winning their qualifying group.

Stephane Chapuisat and Alexzander Frei are potent up front but Marco Streller is a doubt and Murat Yakin's injury absence is a worry with a leaky defence their main concern. Form 2/5

CROATIA
Last 5 games: DWLDW
Injuries: Kovac/Prso
Selection problem:
Midfield
Since the retirement of Zvonimir Boban and Robert Prosinecki, Croatia have struggled to find the right playmaker in midfield.

Dado Prso has been in form for Monaco but missed the 1-0 win over Macedonia and key defender Robert Kovac is battling an ankle injury. Form 3/5



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Group C
SWEDEN
Last 5 games: LLLWD
Injuries: Jonson
Selection problem:
Wide players
Sweden won their qualifying group but understrength sides have faltered in recent friendlies.

The return from international retirement of Celtic striker Henrik Larsson is a massive boost, especially as Andreas Andersson is injured and only Zlatan Ibrahimovic is in consistent form. Form 3/5

BULGARIA
Last 5 games: LWLDW
Injuries: Martin/Stilian Petrov
Selection problem:
Right-back
The bright young Bulgaria side qualified as group winners and the two Petrovs are expected to recover from injuries sustained in the 3-0 win over Cameroon.

Coach Plamen Markov's main problem is who takes the right-back role left vacant after Radostin Kishishev quit internationals. From 3/5

DENMARK
Last 5 games: WDWLW
Injuries: Lovenkrands/Bogelund
Selection problem:
Defence
The national press has lambasted Denmark for recent defensive weakness and they will not be helped by the absence of Kasper Bogelund.

Rangers' forward Peter Lovenkrands is also a doubt but they have quality up front and have been solid in the build-up. Form 4/5

ITALY
Last 5 games: LWDWD
Injuries: Tacchinardi
Selection problem:
Wingers
After finishing second in Euro 2000, Italy hope to go one better and have looked good in their warm-ups.

Roberto Baggio, 37, featured in the 1-1 draw with Spain but insists he does not want to be considered and a lack of natural wingers is their one weakness. Form 4/5


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Group D
CZECH REPUBLIC
Last 5 games: WWDLL
Injuries: Rosicky
Selection problem:
Defence
The 1-0 defeat by Japan was the Czech Republic's second successive defeat after a 20-game unbeaten run and their problem is inexperience in defence.

And though Tomas Rosicky, Vladimir Smicer and Karel Poborsky all returned, they may not be in top form in time for Portugal. Form 3/5

LATVIA
Last 5 games: DWLDW
Injuries: Pahars
Selection problem:
Forwards
Latvia rely on a counter-attacking style and struggled to score during their qualifying campaign.

There is an injury concern over striker Marian Pahars and that puts more doubt on Latvia's ability to cope in their first major finals. Form: 2/5

GERMANY
Last 5 games: WLWWL
Injuries: Lauth/Rau/Worns
Selection problem:
Defence
Romania embarrassed Germany's weakened team in Bucharest and fitness battles for defenders Christian Worns and Tobias Rau are a worry.

Benjamin Lauth's absence does not help coach Rudi Voeller's concerns over his lack of goals up front. Form 3/5

NETHERLANDS
Last 5 games: LWWDW
Injuries: Robben
Selection problem:
Playmaker
Forced through the play-offs, the Netherlands look to be reaching the right form and managed to crush Greece even with star players missing.

Dick Advocaat's main problem is who to play in the playmaker role in midfield and there is plenty of cover for Arjen Robben, should he fail to recover from a hamstring injury. Form 4/5

[NIGHTCOW]

oh how wank is that, im outta the country from end of may til 26 th june.

nice thread tho johnny, keeps it all organised

[jonffm]

Thanks...hay! You used the dare to believe moto in your sig. Good for you.

Fly like a mouse.
Run like a cushion.
Be the small bookcase..

EDIT: dogincognito, thanks BTW. And NIGHT, I stole your sig idea.

[Cap'n Zola]

All the hype...Hmm....As a neutral (Damn you Scotland team), I'd just have to say that I'd like to see some stormers from Henry, wanna see Gallas playing regulary for France, John Terry playing in Rio's position and I think that the Czech Republic will win!

[jonffm]

Heh. I think France will win. Theres no defence in the world that can stop Henry. We're in deep shit.

But still, COME ON ENGLAND.

[NIGHTCOW]

wanker.



I think france are gonna be very difficult to beat as always but like in the world cup, they don't always fire on all cylinders. I think England might have a good run. It''s been long enough

[jonffm]

Yes. This year I think we could do it. With Gerrard back to his best, Rooney, and a fully fit Owen, it'll be our best chance since the early 90's

[dogincognito]

Its a really open tournament imo, could be anyone, France, Czech republic, Holland, Italy, England, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Sweden?

[eejit]

me and my mates are heading down to blackpool for the England - France game, so if your in the area and see some distinctly Scottish-like frenchmen you can say hi.

Vive La France!

[jonffm]

A scottish frenchman? Thats some mix. You must have an odd accent...

edit: Compos now up. Take a gander. Pick 1-16. Max 5 people per number. bla bla bla.

[AngryPaul]

When it comes a bit nearer I will place bets for the tournament in my betting thread I will do the single matches but also odds so people can choose an outright winner

England can beat France!! [/optimism]

[jonffm]

Of course, I wasn't planning to do bets here because I want to have a bet myself. Like most people I'm going to throw all my rupies on England to win.

[AngryPaul]

Originally posted by JonnyFFmaster
Of course, I wasn't planning to do bets

Didnt think you were, just thought I'd say I was plannig it so that people would know to look

[jonffm]

Oh..Ok..Just covering my tracks..that or I'm in a very paranoid mood.