So thats every team played once and us punters have had the chance to see what kind of form everybody has brought into the championships.
So far it's kind of gone to form in all the matches. The only slight surprise was France looking so poor and the beautiful way in which the Netherlands dismantled Italy
(I'm a 1/4 Dutch so I know where my allegiances lie!).
So how have the teams shaped up, imo obviously
Austria - no comment, don't want to offend anybody from that lovely country, but - lol
Croatia - viable winners until Eduardo was crocked. Lovely to watch and one of the more charismatic managers. Probable semi-finalists.
Czech Rep - struggled a bit in thier opening match, will be interesting to see if they have more to offer. Not too good up front.
France - abysmal display. Clearly had too many non-Leos in their squad. Glad to see their arrogance shattered and Domeneche given a proper wake up call.
Germany - very solid performance against their big rivals, and the strikers look deadly. They will take some stopping, and probably won't be.
Greece - was that for real last night? Shockingly poor and negative. Can only hope they bog off home with a grand total of nil points.
Italy - were my tip to win before a ball was kicked. Looked their age and no real creativity in midfield. Still no mugs, dismiss at your peril.
Netherlands - come on you Dutchies! Too early to get excited, but on that sort of form the Germans might have a proper challenger.
Poland - not even the holy goalie will be enough to save them from an early bath. Expected more from them but it was a tough opener.
Portugal - strangely soft defensively looking despite the individuals on show. Will Ronaldo spark? As long as they stop this 'rolling around as if shot' malarky whenever a tackle comes in. Cringeworthy at times.
Romania - might have been in with a chance of progress outwith the Group of Death.
Russia - harsh for them to lose their main playmaker before the tournament, then to run into the Spanish in that form. Hiddink is no dafty though, can still qualify from the group stages.
Spain - Wonderful display last night against Russia, defence remains suspect tho. If they lose Puyol they are as good as out.
Sweden - typical Swedish team with toughness and guile throughout the pitch. Maybe not enough in midfield in the long run.
Switzerland - valiant triers, a step up in class from their co-hosts. Will still be be lucky to grab a point before the end of the group stages.
Turkey - not got the class to annoy the big guns, looking forward to their grudge match against Switzerland.
So in summary, I'd love to see the Dutch do the business, but those damned Germans are just too good at winning! Honourable mention to the Iberian nearly men.
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