Wouldn't bet on it. I can see a defeat against France, and we hardly ever get a decent result against Sweden. I expect England's progress to be determined in the final round of games. Defeat against France, a draw against Sweden and then having to beat Ukraine and hope that France dispatch Sweden relatively easily.
Last time we won the World Cup, in 2006, we were just out of our biggest football scandal ever, so who knows. Personally, I don't think it will mean much.
I'm looking forward to the Italy vs Ireland game - potentially a second place in the group decider. Not to discount Croatia but Ireland are plucky and usually raise their game even further in the finals of tournaments. It's an interesting group though. Much has been made of Group B being the 'group of death', but Group C can't be far behind it.
My predictions for the groups... Group A 1. Russia 2. Czech Republic 3. Poland 4. Greece Group B 1. Germany 2. Holland 3. Denmark 4. Portugal Group C 1. Spain 2. Italy 3. Croatia 4. Rep of Ireland (sorry Ireland) Group D 1. France 2. Sweden 3. England 4. Ukraine For my team ENG am going for... ENG 0-2 France ENG 1-2 Sweden ENG 1-1 Ukraine Also at work I had bad luck to draw Greece out of the Euro sweepstakes never seeing that £1 again
My prediction is almost the exact opposite, except group C, I think it'll be: A: 1.Poland 2.Greece 3.Russia 4.Czech Republic B: 1.Germany 2.Portugal 3.Netherlands 4.Denmark C: 1.Spain 2.Italy 3.Croatia 4.Ireland D: 1.France 2.England 3.Sweden 4.Ukraine
Oh go on then, I'll play too; Group A Russia Poland Czech Republic Greece Group B Germany Holland Portugal Denmark Group C Spain Ireland Italy Croatia Group D France Sweden England Ukraine Think Ireland will edge out Italy, and Sweden will edge out England.
1. Czech Republic 2. Russia 3. Poland 4. Greece 1. Germany 2. Holland 3. Denmark 4. Portugal 1. Spain 2. Italy 3. Croatia 4. Rep of Ireland 1. France 2. Sweden 3. Ukraine 4. England I'm very pessimistic about Portugal's chances. If they came out of the tournament without 3 defeats by big numbers, I'm going to be surprised.
I'd take a draw against France right now. Anything barring a defeat would be acceptable. Either way we need to go all out to NOT finish second in the group as I don't fancy playing Spain in the QFs. Italy, Ireland or Croatia would be much more preferable!
Poland 1-0 Greece (HT) Been a decent game to far and Poland look quite good going forward. Pity the ref has lose control of the game.
I suddenly thought to myself after about half an hour, that the ref was having a very good game. Then he produced two ridiculous yellow cards that ended up with the Greek RB being sent off. First one wasn't even a foul, second one was nowhere near a card.
Heh, looking pretty good for my tip of both Greece and Poland advancing to the next round, they both looked quite strong imo.
Poland's defense was really poor and I expected a lot more from the Dortmund trio. For me the EC starts tomorrow anyway. The weekend's going to be fun!
Must admit, I enjoyed the first game more. Poland were like a rabbit in the headlights when Greece went down to 10 men. The opportunity was there for them to go on and win the game comfortably but they blew it and let Greece back into the game. TBH, Greece might even have won it. Greece will be disappointed by their sloth-like start, whilst Poland will no doubt be alarmed by just how easily they capitulated at the start of the second half.
Russia ripped up the Czech's though I've got to admit I MISS the music that played in Euro 2008 when they scored compared to the dull short crap they are playing this time around.