Sorry if I am being thick, but I don't understand that comment Floyd M? Can you expand on it a bit please?
Sorry AA. Not you being thick, but my very limited writing skills!
The idea bandied about on R5 about it being easier to win the WC than the Europeans seems like nonsense to me.
In all 17 World Cups, the four countries I mentioned have occupied a top 4 place 20 times, which suggests to me that a tournament without them in must be easier to win.
That's why I added my own part about getting out of the group being harder. As mentioned there are a, albeit limited, number of top teams who aren't in Europe.
So you could say the Euros are harder as you have to hit the ground running, if you get a slow start you'll get punished far harder than you will at a world cup, however, once you get to the semi-final stage, or quarters if you did have a slow start, then you have an increased chance of facing a top team at a world cup as there are a few additional top quality sides in the tournament.
I can see where you are coming from, randy andy, but I think it's swings and roundabouts. In Euro 2012, it's easy to drop points to a dull average side that is well organised. One unlucky 0-0 or loss can finish you off. In the World Cup groups, there is often a weak fourth team - an unlucky draw against the weakest team can mean you have no chance as the other two teams are likely to get a full three points. I think part of the problem is that 3 points for a win and 1 for a draw does not really work in small groups. I always thought the whole idea of 3 points for a win was to make away sides attack more. This has arguably been a success, but when 14 of the 16 teams are playing away, it is a bit irrelevant.
I think Germany could go on to win it, they have an outstanding current crop of young players.
This. Müller, özil, götze, podolski, neuer and then players like lahm, schweinsteiger, hummels and mertesacker, they are truly world class opposition. Germany to win, france as runners up. Spain will lose in a semi to France, and holland will lose to the germans, with us, portugal, italy and denmark all losing in the quarters, that's my prediction!
I think Germany could go on to win it, they have an outstanding current crop of young players.
This. Müller, özil, götze, podolski, neuer and then players like lahm, schweinsteiger, hummels and mertesacker, they are truly world class opposition. Germany to win, france as runners up. Spain will lose in a semi to France, and holland will lose to the germans, with us, portugal, italy and denmark all losing in the quarters, that's my prediction!
The Germans are so good you even forgot to mention immense players such as Khedira and Gomez...the more I think about it the more ridiculous it all seems...the current crop of England youngsters are nowhere near as good...*sob*
I really enjoyed watching the Germans play in 2010, gutted they beat us of course, but they were good and entertaining, I can't remember ever being impressed by their flowing football before - always efficent, strong and well organised of course. Good shout to win, I agree, but we can't discount the Spanish, can we?
I really enjoyed watching the Germans play in 2010, gutted they beat us of course, but they were good and entertaining, I can't remember ever being impressed by their flowing football before - always efficent, strong and well organised of course. Good shout to win, I agree, but we can't discount the Spanish, can we?
Thougt Spain were fortunate to beat the Germans in South Africa. The Germans are now 2 years more experienced with players like Ozil and Khedira now at Champions League clubs. Germany are the team to beat this tournament and probably the 2 after
Comments
Sorry AA. Not you being thick, but my very limited writing skills!
The idea bandied about on R5 about it being easier to win the WC than the Europeans seems like nonsense to me.
In all 17 World Cups, the four countries I mentioned have occupied a top 4 place 20 times, which suggests to me that a tournament without them in must be easier to win.
So you could say the Euros are harder as you have to hit the ground running, if you get a slow start you'll get punished far harder than you will at a world cup, however, once you get to the semi-final stage, or quarters if you did have a slow start, then you have an increased chance of facing a top team at a world cup as there are a few additional top quality sides in the tournament.
Müller, özil, götze, podolski, neuer and then players like lahm, schweinsteiger, hummels and mertesacker, they are truly world class opposition.
Germany to win, france as runners up.
Spain will lose in a semi to France, and holland will lose to the germans, with us, portugal, italy and denmark all losing in the quarters, that's my prediction!
Thougt Spain were fortunate to beat the Germans in South Africa. The Germans are now 2 years more experienced with players like Ozil and Khedira now at Champions League clubs. Germany are the team to beat this tournament and probably the 2 after
I will say it for a 4th time then
Italy
Greece
Portugal
Ireland
The group of debt.
What would you call a group consisting of Spain, Italy, Greece and Ireland..?