Euro 2008

[????]

Not sure if football is allowed off the Football Focus thread but so what

I'm looking forward to this a lot without the emotional involvement of England. I think there maybe some great betting opportunities too. Any thoughts picks? At the moment I have to (reluctantly) go for Germany given their group, proximity to home and Ballacks form.

[mockney piers]

???chale huevos,

Espa?a ?chale huevos,

?chale huevos,

Espa?a ?chale huevos!!

[SeanMacGabhann]

I'll be giving Spain plenty of goodwill and would love to see them break their tournament duck (Reyes not withstanding)

I have a feeling in my bones about France this time however

[mockney piers]

Did you see quids, that west ham had the highest Englishness in the Permiership this season (average 6.6 players per game), whilst Arsenal were lowest averaging just 0.3.

Just an aside.

I hope so too Sean.

My sympathy also goes with Croatia who are a decent dark horse punt I reckon, difficult to breakdown and beaten a lot of big teams, Argentina, England....

My suspicion is the ever dependable Germans however.

[Annasfield]

I'm backing Spain (for obvious reasons) and Greece. (tu) Agreed though Mockney, I imagine Croatia will do quite well.

[bon3yard]

Those Portugeezers get my fiver.

[SimonM]

I too think the winners will come from the Iberian peninsular.

I'd love the Netherlands to win though - I still have a soft spot for that great Cruff/Van Neeskens side...

[david_carnell]

Rossiya!

Spasiba, comrades. Glasnost & perestroika!

[jimbo1964]

I have to laugh at the desperation of the BBC "who will you support?" ads.

[SeanMacGabhann]

they're alright jimbo - what would you do in their position?

[mockney piers]

I never actually enjoy England's games as such (well, not since we twatted the Dutch 4-1), so I can actually sit back, relax and enjoy good football this time round.

I fully support Spain, but for some reason I don't get quite the same knotted tension as watching England, despite their Englandlike ability to get themselves stupidly knocked out of tournaments.

[jimmy two times]

I won't have the stress and strain of watching another damp squib performance by England and the bunch of overrated under-performing timewasters who play for them.

I won't have to endure another round of Wag photos and gossip splashed all over the tabloids.

I won't have to sit through the total saturation on telly by advertisers who jump on the bandwagon of Team England.

I won't have to squirm whilst watching all the yobs and louts, who travel to these tournaments supporting England, kicking off in some otherwise tranquil European town centre.

I won't have to put up with all the chavs and divs wearing their replica England shirts and spouting their uninformed xenophobic rubbish in every pub the length and breadth of the country.

I can't wait for the tournament to start!

[jimbo1964]

they're alright jimbo - what would you do in their position?

Point taken.. I'm sure I'll enjoy some of the games. I'm just feeling a bit sad our lack-lustre team isn't taking part. Although I won't miss all the stuff that J Two Times points out.

[mockney piers]

Great first post jimmy two times, great first post.

[tommy]

Klose as top scorer is a generally good bet IMO.

[spadetownboy]

luca toni will be the main man, greece as outsiders, the italians for the cup.

[????]

I agree about enjoying it without the potential of embarrassment from England on a few fronts - I really enjoyed USA 1994 for the same reason.

For those interested, current Betfair prices to win

Germany 5.2

Spain 7

Italy 8.2

Holland 8.8

France 10

Portugal 14.5

Croatia 16

Money on France, Germany and Italy looks like a decent shout (although France and Italy are in the same group)

[ratty]

I will be cheering on Niko for Croatia!

[huncamunca]

Just been out to Prague for the Scotland game

The Czechs are a bit skilful - will be supporting them , unless they are playing germany or France.

[mockney piers]

"unless they are playing germany or France"

Are you a product of a franco-german union?

How wonderful, you are truly a child of the spirit of cooperation of postwar europe and a poster child for how we have all managed to put past hatreds behind us, bravo!!!

[david_carnell]

Just did my work sweepstake and got Italy...same as I did at the World Cup. Fingers crossed the result is the same.

[????]

I've just put a bet on Croatia at 16s....if they get through their group (and I think they will) I can lay it off nicely.....still Kauto Star was a certainty for Gold Cup

[huncamunca]

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why am I posting as huncamunca ?

[mockney piers]

shared pc perchance?

[Keef]

Like Anna I shall be keeping an eye on Liverspain.