Euro 2012

[Taffy]

Looking forward to this tournament, and putting my money on Germany. I think England will get past the first round, and then get creamed by the first decent side they meet.

Nice series here introducing the teams: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/seri ... -histories

Shame the games are on so late here, but I suppose we're used to that now.

[irishstu]

Come on Northern Ireland!!!!

Oh, wait...



OK then, come the rest of Ireland!!! Desperately difficult group, but miracles happen (please, FSM, pleeeeeeeease).

[Bunks]

putting my money on Germany.

You are going to waste your money then. I think the Dutch are going to seek to go one better than the rubbish they produced in the world cup final.

[Taffy]

They can seek all they like. I'm aiming for two tournaments in a row (picked Spain for the last World Cup, though it wasn't exactly a bold decision).

[Kal El]

They can seek all they like. I'm aiming for two tournaments in a row (picked Spain for the last World Cup, though it wasn't exactly a bold decision).

I'm gonna stick my neck out and go for Poland to win it. Or at least reach the final and get beaten by the Dutch. The Germans just might go all the way.

[jimipresley]

My money's on the Dutch.

[Kal El]

My money's on the Dutch.

Me too!

Don't forget, we have a Superbru pool. I'll post the pool code later, but you could also just join up and when you are prompted to join a pool search for: Taiwanease Football Club. Click join, and apply.

[Bunks]

Most UK pundits are backing Germany based on their showing in South Africa. It all starts tomorrow. Exciting times.

[Dr. Nemesis]

Bunkle - what do you (and the people in British pubs) make of the whole Rio thingy? As always the UK media find SOMETHING to talk about that get football fans frothing at the mouth before a tournament.

[sandman]

Who cares about the prima donnas and their staged diving and histrionics?
What EYE want to see is English hooligans being pwned by gun-wielding Polish cops with their sonic cannons that make you wet your pants and their trained testicle-biting dogs.

[Bunks]

Who cares about the prima donnas and their staged diving and histrionics?
What EYE want to see is English hooligans being pwned by gun-wielding Polish cops with their sonic cannons that make you wet your pants and their trained testicle-biting dogs.

Shall we start a little thread for you and the other non-footy lovers to throw your toys about in?

Edit: It's down in Flounder Sandy. You can talk about how you want to wet well trained testicle biting dogs to your hearts content there. Perhaps we can just talk about footy here... Radical, I know, but it would be nice to enjoy something simple without having to feel scorn from others.

[Dr. Nemesis]

What about my query? I don't think that was pram worthy!

[Taffy]

Germany to win, Gomez to finish top scorer - £5 at 14/1. Last of the big spenders. Also put my traditional fiver on Ingerlund to win (10/1).

[Bunks]

Bunkle - what do you (and the people in British pubs) make of the whole Rio thingy? As always the UK media find SOMETHING to talk about that get football fans frothing at the mouth before a tournament.

Sorry, didn't see this till you reminded me, wasn't being obtuse.

It's hard to say. The manager should be able to drop players without them and their agents getting all huffy about it. Shelvy and Henderson have both played well at U21 level, so I don't see why Hodgson shouldn't be allowed to build his own team. We are expected to do badly, and will probably do badly in Brazil in 2014, its 2016 when he should be judged. Jochim Loew has been given 4 years, Capello was given 6 (?) Roy has been given about 4 weeks by the media. The FA have been proved right about Redknapp who is making the most god awful stink about his contract and I wouldn't mind seeing Levy sack him. Complaining that he isnt getting a 3 year deal while the chairman is burying his own mother. Redknapp is a prat and the FA dodged a bullet.

But back to your question, which I have answered in a roundabout way... Hodgson already has enough cover and has opted to picked youth. Terry is going because he is more attacking that Rio, and is a better player. Rio gets lost at times, and as much as Terry is the lowest piece of trash to walk this earth, and probably will be in trouble when he gets home because he did racially abuse ANTON (and not Rio as the papers seem to have decided) Ferdinand, it still doesnt mean Roy should select Rio over Terry. Then it really would look like he was picking politically. The FA should have dealt with the Terry thing instantly. Nobody talks about the Suarez thing now because it is over. The Terry case rumbles on in a mess of the FA's own making.

Long story short, Roy picked Terry. Roy did not pick Rio. I hope these two things are not linked because of an incident which should of been resolved a long time ago, but were made because of footballing reasons.

[Bunks]

Germany to win, Gomez to finish top scorer - £5 at 14/1. Last of the big spenders. Also put my traditional fiver on Ingerlund to win (10/1).

I thought Gomez was ineffectual in the champs league against bigger teams. I'm starting to think Spain might not have a great tournament. I suspect the French now of being sneaky and doing very well. Players in Europe on fire... Robben, Shweinsteiger, Ribery, RVP. Klose always pops up and bags 4 or 5 as well. I take it he will be going.

Alan Hansen was asked to pick his top 4 for the tournament. He selected Holland, Germany and Portugal who are all in the same group. What a plonker.