Early EURO Favourites

I am looking to cash in on bets with some friends of mine who love football. Who are the favourites for the Euro Cup this summer? Who have the easiest groups? And is it true the Russians could be a surprise contender?

Forget Russia. A miracle might happen, but I wouldn't put my chips on them.

Spain are long overdue a tournament win, and I'd never discount Holand.

Originally posted by blade68
Spain are long overdue a tournament win, and I'd never discount Holand.

Germany

Originally posted by darvlay
I am looking to cash in on bets with some friends of mine who love football. Who are the favourites for the Euro Cup this summer? Who have the easiest groups? And is it true the Russians could be a surprise contender?

It'll be between Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Holland or Portugal.

In order,
Portugal would be my tip.
France
Spain
Holland
Italy
Germany

D

Originally posted by Ragnorak
It'll be between Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Holland or Portugal.

3 of those 6 teams appear to be in Group C, so it looks like there will be some good chances for underdogs in the knockout rounds. 2004 saw plenty of upsets and I imagine this year will be no different.

Any potential dark horses?

Originally posted by darvlay
3 of those 6 teams appear to be in Group C, so it looks like there will be some good chances for underdogs in the knockout rounds. 2004 saw plenty of upsets and I imagine this year will be no different.

Any potential dark horses?

The Swiss are the home country

Originally posted by Ragnorak
It'll be between Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Holland or Portugal.

In order,
Portugal would be my tip.
France
Spain
Holland
Italy
Germany

D

Why would you put Portugal as favourite? Did they brainwash you when you were down there? 🙂

Italy is my tip. To be fair, they didn't have a great qualifying campaign but the thing is, they rarely do and that rarely stops them from being extra solid when the knock-out phase starts.

Their squad is very, very solid. The only glitch is that they generally start slow, but with a group like that any slip-up could be fatal.

Originally posted by darvlay
3 of those 6 teams appear to be in Group C, so it looks like there will be some good chances for underdogs in the knockout rounds. 2004 saw plenty of upsets and I imagine this year will be no different.

Any potential dark horses?

If Romania wasn't in Group C, I would have said they'd be the surprise package of the tournament. 🙂

The thing is that 2 teams progress from each group so one expects only one of those to drop-out. After that, you'd still have 5 of those teams in the last 8.

Originally posted by darvlay
3 of those 6 teams appear to be in Group C,

I guess I should have looked at the groups before predicting.
A:
Winner: Portugal
2nd: Czech

B
Winner: Germany
2nd: Croatia

C
Winner: France
2nd: Holland

D
Winner: Spain
2nd: Sweden

WA v 2B = Portugal
WB v 2A = Germany
WC v 2D = France
WD v 2c = Spain

Then Portugal will beat Germany, and I can't decide between France and Spain.

D

Originally posted by Ragnorak
I guess I should have looked at the groups before predicting.
A:
Winner: Portugal
2nd: Czech

B
Winner: Germany
2nd: Croatia

C
Winner: France
2nd: Holland

D
Winner: Spain
2nd: Sweden

WA v 2B = Portugal
WB v 2A = Germany
WC v 2D = France
WD v 2c = Spain

Then Portugal will beat Germany, and I can't decide between France and Spain.

D

Holland's defense doesn't convince me...

Wilfred Bouma (Aston Villa)
Tim de Cler (Feyenoord)
John Heitinga (Ajax Amsterdam)
Joris Mathijsen (Hamburg SV)
Mario Melchiot (Wigan Athletic)
Andre Ooijer (Blackburn Rovers)

😕

Originally posted by Palynka
Holland's defense doesn't convince me...

Wilfred Bouma (Aston Villa)
Tim de Cler (Feyenoord)
John Heitinga (Ajax Amsterdam)
Joris Mathijsen (Hamburg SV)
Mario Melchiot (Wigan Athletic)
Andre Ooijer (Blackburn Rovers)

😕

Very true.

That's why I didn't have them go very far. I suppose you write off Italy at your peril.

D

Originally posted by uzless
The Swiss are the home country

Switzerland and Austria both are hosts this year.

Originally posted by Ragnorak
I suppose you write off Italy at your peril.

What do you mean? Are you talking about yourself or about me? 😕

Originally posted by darvlay
Switzerland and Austria both are hosts this year.

Yes, but nobody in their right mind is going to suggest Austria.