Euro: The quarterfinals

Still on track for Germany-Spain final.  Hard to call.  I want to say Germany is a little better than Spain but I thought that in 2008 and again in 2010.  Germany is playing well but have room to get better; Spain look a bit bored out there, effortless possession, indifferent attacking.  Is this the year the Germans finally get back to the top?  Sure, why not.  I’ll go ahead and pick against Spain again.  Germany 3-2 Spain in the final. 

Germany v Greece – Ouch!  Hate it when sport collides with international politics.  I’ll take Germany (in both). 

Portugal v Czech – Portugal is one of those older teams that seems like they can’t hang but they still totally got skills and can possess the balls for hours at a time. They could use more scoring threat up front (Ronaldo is a great player but he’s not cold blooded at the frame like that), but their mid is second only to Spain. Czech is scrappy, they won’t go quietly, but their forwards are struggling, they’ll need a change to best Portugal.  Portugal is the better team, the veteran team, they’ll control the ball and make the most of their opportunities.  I’ll take Portugal (but wouldn’t be surprised to see a Czech victory). 

Spain v France – France is a team in-between: wily veterans and young up-and-comers is a stew that needs precise seasoning; I ain’t convinced that France has that.  They’ve got decent big play ability, maybe they can break loose and score.  But even still I expect Spain to pepper the goal for 90 straight minutes.  And France doesn’t have much that’s gonna stop that. Spain is a pretty easy pick. 

Italy v England – These teams look similar to me: solid veteran defense, flakey offensive capabilities.  Even similar gameplans: saggy defense that wants to counterattack. I wanna say Italy has more talent throughout the midfield and those possessions should make the difference and more power up front (though I’m not sold on Balotelli and the team is not sold on DiNatale).  England does have Rooney rested and ready (hopefully more ready than against Ukraine) and Steven Gerrard, perhaps the most underappreciated player in the tournament.  I can see this one going to PK’s.