Euro 2012

[Springsteen]

Group A

Poland
Czech Republic
Russia
Greece

Group B

Netherlands
Denmark
Germany
Portugal

Group C

Spain
Italy
Republic Of Ireland
Croatia

Group D

England
France
Ukraine
Sweden

Fixtures available below

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/european-championship/fixtures

 

[pjbleek]

I'll take Ireland fr 200 Euro, Springers

 

[CaptainTurtles]

Hmm.. no idea who to call for this. Can't wait for it to start, though. Been very interested in what's going on with the England team and how Hodgson does.

 

[porterjack]

my money on Italy

 

[Zorak]

Group b gets a lot of attention, but group c and d aren't nice either

 

[Springsteen]

I don't know about Group A that much. Russia were brilliant in 2008 but not so much now. really couldn't pick it.

Group B is tough to call, Germany and Holland should win on paper but Portugal are capable. Denmark are too in a sense because they topped Portugal's qualifying group.

Ireland's qualification in C depends on what Italy turn up. They are capable of beating Italy but they might not, because Italy might actually play this time. Spain will win the group, Croatia will be the team everyone looks to beat.

France and England should come through D, in that order I think because France are improved from 2010 and 2008. Sweden are always dangerous and Ukraine will be looking to impress. I'd expect England and France to come through, but it wouldn't surprise me if one didn't.

 

[Zorak]

Ireland are the weakest team in that group, but they'll give every team they play a very tough game.

 

[Springsteen]

England squad

Hart, Green, Ruddy
Baines, Cahill, Cole, Johnson, Jones, Lescott, Terry
Barry, Downing, Gerrard, Walcott, Lampard, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Parker, Milner, Young
Carroll, Defoe, Rooney, Welbeck.

Downing in Jesus that's not even funny

Parker over Carrick

Carroll over Crouch

 

[pjbleek]

Ireland are the weakest team in that group, but they'll give every team they play a very tough game.

they'll do it for the Corcoran clan of Woodquay,Galway, Ireland!!!!

 

[Zorak]

England squad

Hart, Green, Ruddy
Baines, Cahill, Cole, Johnson, Jones, Lescott, Terry
Barry, Downing, Gerrard, Walcott, Lampard, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Parker, Milner, Young
Carroll, Defoe, Rooney, Welbeck.

Downing in Jesus that's not even funny

Parker over Carrick

Carroll over Crouch

:thumbdown

Awful team.

I wouldn't have taken the Ox, Welbeck, Terry, Downing, Carroll, Defoe, Lescott or Gerrard.

 

[Springsteen]

AOC's too inexperienced to have been in this time, he hasn't played at the top level enough yet. Welbeck deserves it, certainly moreso than Carroll. Terry's far too old and prone to mistakes now to be anywhere near an England squad. Downing's been awful all season long. Carroll's had a good month but it certainly doesn't make up for the other 9 he was shit in. Defoe....I suppose you need a player like him in there, i cansee the logic, plus at least he's been to tournaments before. Lescott probably deserves to be there after his season but I think Kompany's made him look better than he is. I wouldn't say he's international class. I prefer Gerrard to Lampard but neither should really be in there.

Only 4 strikers would lead me to think he's going to play 4-3-3 with Young and Walcott either side of the striker.

 

[Zorak]

I think the idea is that Hodgson is looking for balance. A rooney, a big striker, a pacey striker, and an all rounder. A few wingers, one left footed, few right footed. Couple of defensively minded, and a couple of offensively minded players in the middle..

I like that idea; but the players are just so shit. I'm not a fan of Sturridge, but i'd rather have him than Downing.

 

[CaptainTurtles]

Baffled over Downing and Carroll.

 

[Springsteen]

John Ruddy has been ruled out of Euro 2012 with a broken finger. Jack Butland has been called up as a replacement.

It says more about English goalkeepers that I have never heard of Jack Butland, but from research he's a reserve goalkeeper at Birmingham.

 

[Zorak]

I refuse to believe there isn't a goalkeeper out there who isn't better than Butland... Even if he isn't English, just get him a passport if he isn't declared for someone else.

 

[Springsteen]

Should have been Ben Amos. Or David Stockdale.

 

[Springsteen]

Some good news, Gareth Barry has been ruled out of the Euros.

 

[Zorak]

Yes!!

 

[porterjack]

is he that bad?

 

[Springsteen]

Yes.

Should have picked Carrick, didn't, now paying the price. Though Carrick wanted to start, something Hodgson couldn't guarantee him. Quite rightfully too as he's been very good this season.