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.

Euro: The teams that didn't move on.

Croatia – I loved Croatia!  Totally rooted for them throughout.  Liked them, liked the way they crossed the ball into the box (penetrated the crease routinely, had trouble finding the frame).  A good team.

Denmark – Pushed Netherlands aside, stood up well to Germany, held Portugal as best they could.  I was rooting for them, I wish they’d pulled out a better result. 

Netherlands – They had talent up front, I fully expected them to score and they just never got in a rhythm together.  They played like guys that just didn’t like each other. 

Russia – ditto.  Russia’s got good talent all over the field—that beatdown they put on Czech was not a fluke.  But that egg they laid in front of Greece wasn’t either.  Team of talented headcases (11 Marat Safins *shiver*). 

Poland – They played hard, gave Russia the business.  Scrappy but not a talent-laden squad. 

Ukraine – Rooted for them, nice win in the opening game.  But a lifeless side, they controlled the ball against England but never could convincingly challenge the goal. 

Sweden – Not a classic Sweden side.  Ibrahimovic up front is a beast but he seems selfish, poorly utilizes his teammates. 

Ireland -- Clearly the worst squad out there.  They were never in any of their 3 games, they were outmanned at every position.