Those are the teams so far guaranteed in minus the auto-qualifying hosts Austria and Switzerland.
My picks for the groups that have runnings is Portugal to come first with a win over Finland and a Polish Draw with Serbia.
Group C looks like Turkey but with the erratic way Turkey has been playing I can see Norway slipping past the line with Turkey drawing Bosnia.
Group E is my big upset ticket with England going down at home to Croatia (most likely a draw) and Russia going through.
And finally Group F Sweden should posts the points it needs against the Latvians and the Northerners being kicked out.
Siege of Tobruk - One German POW said: "I cannot understand you Australians. In Poland, France, and Belgium, once the tanks got through the soldiers took it for granted that they were beaten. But you are like demons. The tanks break through and your infantry still keep fighting." Rommel wrote of seeing "a batch of some fifty or sixty Australian prisoners ... marched off close behind us—immensely big and powerful men, who without question represented an elite formation of the British Empire, a fact that was also evident in battle."
Rzec the only way England can't go through is if they lose to Croatia at home. Bearing in mind that Croatia lost to Macedonia 2-0 I doubt we'll see an upset. Tiny Israel has saved England since they beat Russia.
I've been supporting Portugal since Qualifying began but their performances have been eratic, many draws and not convincing victories. Afterall they only beat Armenia at home 1-0 wtf? I'm also skeptical about Turkey, this country is always inconsistent why can't they play better against the smaller teams. Win against Norway was big.
Hermano, usted que dice ser cristiano
Cuando vez un vagabundo porque no le das la mano
Le dices de lejitos 'Dios te bendiga!'
Pero no sacas ni un pesito pa' llenarle la barriga
Mira, te est�n mirando desde arriba
El evangelio no se trata de gastar saliva
Si quieres que te escuche, tienes que darle vida
Y darle un buen abrazo aunque este muriendo de SIDA
Poland is easily a worse team, we don't deserve to be first placed IMO but second, but we probably will.
the only way England can't go through is if they lose to Croatia at home. Bearing in mind that Croatia lost to Macedonia 2-0 I doubt we'll see an upset.
I know, but I want the English not to make it. It will cause the shock they need to bloody well revamp their system and piss enough people off so they might actually stop being ****. It happened with Poland 1972, though given it took then about 10 years to do anything.
I'm also skeptical about Turkey
Turkey in the 2002 World cup won their place with Korea in very drastic circumstances. They have never been a extraordinary team, like those Koreans.
Turkey is one of those overrated teams that are good on the best of days.
Siege of Tobruk - One German POW said: "I cannot understand you Australians. In Poland, France, and Belgium, once the tanks got through the soldiers took it for granted that they were beaten. But you are like demons. The tanks break through and your infantry still keep fighting." Rommel wrote of seeing "a batch of some fifty or sixty Australian prisoners ... marched off close behind us—immensely big and powerful men, who without question represented an elite formation of the British Empire, a fact that was also evident in battle."
Yeah but its different when you have to travel to fooking Asia and play this random ass team. Plus I think altitude plays a role.
"Poland is easily a worse team, we don't deserve to be first placed IMO but second, but we probably will."
I disagree you guys have been getting better over the years, I saw the highlights of your win over Belgium. The first goal was a complete dee dee from Belgium but the other ones were nice very good fluid play.
"I know, but I want the English not to make it. It will cause the shock they need to bloody well revamp their system and piss enough people off so they might actually stop being ****. It happened with Poland 1972, though given it took then about 10 years to do anything."
McClaren is so retarded I don't know how even got the job. England should breeze through this group. Russia really aren't that good, they've been hyped up cuz of of Hiddink but defensively their an awful outfit. Croatia are decent throughout the whole campaign they haven't been fantastic but they've been professional in beating teams below and around them. That is until they lost to Macedonia!
"Turkey in the 2002 World cup won their place with Korea in very drastic circumstances. They have never been a extraordinary team, like those Koreans."
They were good in the world cup and unlike Korea weren't blessed with unbelievable luck. I think Turkey is sort of like Russia, its trying to establish its domestic league amongst the big boys with certain clubs pouring tons of money. However its all a very concentrated amount of wealth.
"Turkey is one of those overrated teams that are good on the best of days."
I just think its inconsistency and its so damn frustrating because I started to support them after the 02 WC. But like most South American teams their poor playing away from home but very very hard to beat at home. 80,000 turcos in the Attaturk stadium is the most intimidating venue in all of Europe.
Hermano, usted que dice ser cristiano
Cuando vez un vagabundo porque no le das la mano
Le dices de lejitos 'Dios te bendiga!'
Pero no sacas ni un pesito pa' llenarle la barriga
Mira, te est�n mirando desde arriba
El evangelio no se trata de gastar saliva
Si quieres que te escuche, tienes que darle vida
Y darle un buen abrazo aunque este muriendo de SIDA
The reason I put most likely a draw is that that is the most likely outcome, hence England going through. However, my money is that the English are going to for so odd (or rather normal) reasons lose...
I would rather see England lose and then have public reaction cause some sort of change in English Football because how England is playing now and the selections for the team are abysmal, England should easily be 3 times as good as they are now.
Siege of Tobruk - One German POW said: "I cannot understand you Australians. In Poland, France, and Belgium, once the tanks got through the soldiers took it for granted that they were beaten. But you are like demons. The tanks break through and your infantry still keep fighting." Rommel wrote of seeing "a batch of some fifty or sixty Australian prisoners ... marched off close behind us—immensely big and powerful men, who without question represented an elite formation of the British Empire, a fact that was also evident in battle."
Actually, I don't think England's campaign has been that bad, let's look at the facts.
There have been 11 games so far, 9 cleansheets, 5 3-0 victories, 2 1-0 victories. Two losses, one against Croatia away with one hideous own goal, one against Russia on a plastic pitch.
The trend has been an upward one, I think after qualifying, England needs to let Beckham and Neville retire and give the right side to Richards (who has been playing awesome) and Wright-Phillips. When Rooney and Owen are fit, they are a very good attack. Now, just get Carson in goal. Robinson isn't bad, but he has his moments, I think Carson is a contender.
Oh come on Rob, the English need a stern kick in the arse. They shouldn't have even been in danger of not qualifying in a group who's biggest danger was Croatia (seriously even with Hiddink, Russia is ****). England has the talent, it has the infrastructure, it has the money, it has the current players but bloody bureaucracy and stupid selections have marred Englands teams for too long.
I wouldn't even say Erikson's managing was not that bad, actually he was pretty good, but when you have to choose English players from basically the top clubs or else... leaves your options rather limited, especially if they don't deserve the place (Fat Lampard is one such hoser that needs to be booted). I mean who the **** plays Emile Heskey? Some poor decisions...
I feel sorry for Becks. So much pressure on the poor guy, basically a lot of pressure for him to win games or at least lead the team to games when he was captain.
Either way I agree with your choices.
Siege of Tobruk - One German POW said: "I cannot understand you Australians. In Poland, France, and Belgium, once the tanks got through the soldiers took it for granted that they were beaten. But you are like demons. The tanks break through and your infantry still keep fighting." Rommel wrote of seeing "a batch of some fifty or sixty Australian prisoners ... marched off close behind us—immensely big and powerful men, who without question represented an elite formation of the British Empire, a fact that was also evident in battle."
To be fair, you contradicted yourself there. As Emile Heskey plays for Wigan, hardly a top club. But, that turned out to be a very good choice as he played great. Some of the team selections aren't always good, but I think McLaren has improved. Hes no tactician and never will be, but his selection policy is better than Sven's.
Gareth Barry and Emile Heskey in particular have been brilliant choices. On the other hand, Nicky Shorey should DEFINITELY have played instead of Lescott against Russia.
My issue with the Croatia game on Wednesday is the selection and formation though. England don't play well 4-5-1. We really, really don't. But I can see him opting for it as we only need a draw. We are short on strikers at the moment, thats true. However, I think Defoe should start with Crouch with Bent on the bench. Another issue of course is Lampard/Gerrard/Barry/Hargreaves. Which to pick? I imagine he'll go for Lampard-Barry-Gerrard in the center of midfield. Personally though, I say drop Gerrard. Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge Gerrard fan but I do believe Lampard is in better form just now. Barry and Hargreaves should be picked for the defensive role depending on their form, and the same should be the case for Lampard and Gerrard in the attacking role.
Anyway! Point being, with all this in mind I'm not totally confident for the upcoming game. If Croatia win, it would not shock me. Though I do think a draw or hard fought 2-1 victory is the most likely.
Quote:I wouldn't even say Erikson's managing was not that bad, actually he was pretty good, but when you have to choose English players from basically the top clubs or else... leaves your options rather limited, especially if they don't deserve the place (Fat Lampard is one such hoser that needs to be booted). I mean who the **** plays Emile Heskey? Some poor decisions...
I feel sorry for Becks. So much pressure on the poor guy, basically a lot of pressure for him to win games or at least lead the team to games when he was captain.
Either way I agree with your choices.
In most countries a few big clubs dominate selection, however, Owen is from Newcastle, Heskey is from Wigan Athletic, Bent is from Tottenham, James from Portsmouth, Carson plays currently for Aston Villa, Richards for Manchester City and Barry for Aston Villa.
England's squad for the Croatia game and the most likely number if everyone was available.
Chelsea 4 (6) (J. Cole, Lampard, Bridge, Wright-Phillips, perhaps Terry and A. Cole)
Tottenham 3 (Robinson, Defoe, Bent)
Portsmouth 2 (Campbell, James)
Aston Villa 3 (Barry, Carson, Young)
FC Liverpool 2 (Gerrard, Crouch)
FC Everton 2 (Lescott, P. Neville)
Manchester United 2 (4) (Owen Hargreaves, Brown and soon again Rooney and Ferdinand)
Manchester City 1 (Richards)
Reading 1 (Shorey)
Middlesborough 1 (Downing)
Newcastle United 1 (Smith)
Blackburn Rovers 1 (Bentley)
Galaxy 1 (Beckham)
I honestly think England will become a lot better, when the team does not get so many injuries etc... . What they need to do is qualify and then play lots of games with this or a similar formation.
Rooney Owen
J. Cole Gerrard Wright-Phillips (or Lennon)
A. Cole Ferdinand Terry Richards
Carson or Robinson or James
The trend is upwards, in late 2006 England won 1-0 against Estonia, in mid 2007 they won 3-0. In 2006 they drew 0-0 with Israel, in 2007 they won 3-0 against Israel. In early 2007 England drew 1-1 against Brasil.
The three most important things that should be done are.
1. Play fast and furious as in the EPL, i.e. no more "just kick it into the box" Beckham era stuff, give Beckham his 100 caps, take him with to the Euro 2008 to play in the last 20 minutes when a great freekick can win a game, I like Beckham, he has the right attitude and that is why I think he'll be okay with such a role. England is on it's way to achieve this, Wright-Phillips and Richards add so much pace to the right hand side.
2. Practice penalties before Euro 2008, practice, practice, practice.
3. Sort out the goalkeeper issue, probably Carson.
I think England is in with a chance if they do that, fortunately McClaren has already started to implement No 1 and No 3.
Quote:To be fair, you contradicted yourself there. As Emile Heskey plays for Wigan, hardly a top club. But, that turned out to be a very good choice as he played great. Some of the team selections aren't always good, but I think McLaren has improved. Hes no tactician and never will be, but his selection policy is better than Sven's.
Gareth Barry and Emile Heskey in particular have been brilliant choices. On the other hand, Nicky Shorey should DEFINITELY have played instead of Lescott against Russia.
My issue with the Croatia game on Wednesday is the selection and formation though. England don't play well 4-5-1. We really, really don't. But I can see him opting for it as we only need a draw. We are short on strikers at the moment, thats true. However, I think Defoe should start with Crouch with Bent on the bench. Another issue of course is Lampard/Gerrard/Barry/Hargreaves. Which to pick? I imagine he'll go for Lampard-Barry-Gerrard in the center of midfield. Personally though, I say drop Gerrard. Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge Gerrard fan but I do believe Lampard is in better form just now. Barry and Hargreaves should be picked for the defensive role depending on their form, and the same should be the case for Lampard and Gerrard in the attacking role.
Anyway! Point being, with all this in mind I'm not totally confident for the upcoming game. If Croatia win, it would not shock me. Though I do think a draw or hard fought 2-1 victory is the most likely.
I think McClaren rested most of his first pick against Austria, except for some formations and people that need the practice, i.e. Owen (hope he's well soon), in the press conference McClaren said something along the lines that he rested Hargreaves for the important game. He also said he wanted to play forward and not hide. A 4-5-1 with two holding midfielders wouldn't be good in my opinion, England shouldn't hide and in my opinion he'll play 4-4-2 of some sort. The good news is that Ashley Cole and John Terry are pretty certain to be back.
Y'all honestly think that Dafoe is better than Bent? I've always thought Bent was underrated, for a couple of years with Charlton he was the premier league's top English scorer. Ramos has also decided to opt for Bent to partner up with Keane at Spurs. It's hard to leave Crouch out after scoring against Austria, but have people thought of a partnership between Dafoe and Bent? England will need pace to get behind the defenders, the way Owen does. They simply can't do that with Crouch.
Hermano, usted que dice ser cristiano
Cuando vez un vagabundo porque no le das la mano
Le dices de lejitos 'Dios te bendiga!'
Pero no sacas ni un pesito pa' llenarle la barriga
Mira, te est�n mirando desde arriba
El evangelio no se trata de gastar saliva
Si quieres que te escuche, tienes que darle vida
Y darle un buen abrazo aunque este muriendo de SIDA
When Heskey was chosen he played for Leicester City (1999), but he was already moving (or was very well rumoured) to be moving to Liverpool, hence his selection.
Siege of Tobruk - One German POW said: "I cannot understand you Australians. In Poland, France, and Belgium, once the tanks got through the soldiers took it for granted that they were beaten. But you are like demons. The tanks break through and your infantry still keep fighting." Rommel wrote of seeing "a batch of some fifty or sixty Australian prisoners ... marched off close behind us—immensely big and powerful men, who without question represented an elite formation of the British Empire, a fact that was also evident in battle."
Say what? I am of course talking about his recent recall to the squad, where he performed brilliantly. He plays for Wigan Athletic now and did do at the time of the recent recall. Unfortunately however I believe hes broken a metatarsal.
I was talking about his original selection, my mistake.
Siege of Tobruk - One German POW said: "I cannot understand you Australians. In Poland, France, and Belgium, once the tanks got through the soldiers took it for granted that they were beaten. But you are like demons. The tanks break through and your infantry still keep fighting." Rommel wrote of seeing "a batch of some fifty or sixty Australian prisoners ... marched off close behind us—immensely big and powerful men, who without question represented an elite formation of the British Empire, a fact that was also evident in battle."
Like I predicted Croatia humiliated England on it's home ground... What a farce for English football.
Siege of Tobruk - One German POW said: "I cannot understand you Australians. In Poland, France, and Belgium, once the tanks got through the soldiers took it for granted that they were beaten. But you are like demons. The tanks break through and your infantry still keep fighting." Rommel wrote of seeing "a batch of some fifty or sixty Australian prisoners ... marched off close behind us—immensely big and powerful men, who without question represented an elite formation of the British Empire, a fact that was also evident in battle."
germany that might be an odd choice for an englishmen but then againt its not the 20th Century anymore and todays generations doesn not blame eachothet for past wrongdoings
afterall the english are a german tribe saxons originally with some celtic
