just my luck...

Look, i wrote an article on euro 08 for an english newsletter for my school. Well I made predictions. I got it almost 90% right.I did this by the way 3 days before Euro started. I am completely overjoyed with my predictions. However, this is the screwed up part.

Thanks to some of the societies' members who did not submit their articles, the article could not be posted. So thanks to them ,the school could not see the sheer brilliant predictions that i produced =P.

So since the article would not be published, and thanks to an idea from my classmate, syahaz, i am posting this on my blog. Its up to you to believe me or not that i wrote this before euro. =P



EURO 08 – LETS GET THE PARTY STARTED!


Its football fever once again! It’s a major international football competition. I have always been fascinated by international football competitions, even more then club football competitions.

I mean international football is the only chance where we can get to see an Iran versus United States and actually see Iran merging victorious, for instance. This actually happened by the way in the 1998 world cup. At this time, there were politically intense between these two countries. To add fuel to fire, during the world cup, these two teams played each other.

Anyway, I’m not here to give a history lesson on two countries, neither about the world cup, but instead I’m giving my predictions on what is going to happen during the Euro 08 competition. The bookies hot favourites are Germany and Spain. For my money I would root Spain to win this competition.

Well, I believe Spain has probably got the most talented squad, and definitely the most dangerous strike partnership in Fernando Torres and David Villa. These two would be key for Spain if Spain are to win this competition. With the maturing Cesc Fabregas and Barcelona’s Xavi providing ammunition, there are bound to be goals for Spain. Their back look solid too, with Sergio Ramos leading them and the ever consistent Iker Casillas as their goalkeeper. The only danger for Spain is that their players get over confident and play for themselves and not the team.

If not Spain, next I would go for Germany. The German has got a thing for big competitions. They would struggle through qualification and suddenly would shine big time under the lime light. A squad full of flair, passion, and energy. With young talent in inspirational captain Micheal Ballack leading them, I for one would not be surprised if they emerge as champions of Europe one more time. The only downside for Germany would probably they do not have a strong defence and with no Oliver Kahn, it would be interesting to see how the Germans coop in defence.

The next few contenders I could see are France, Netherlands, Italy and Portugal. France probably has got the perfect mixture of experience and raw talent, however I think the French players would be jaded. If they were to make an impact, Franck Ribery and Samir Nasri will have to shine. Netherlands on the other hand, I just don’t think Marco Van Basten is the right man for the job. I just think that he is just not as good as he thinks he is. Anyway, the Dutch would need Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder to play amazingly well if they are going to progress to be champions. Italy was one of the favourites early on in my book, but after the unfortunate injury of their skipper, Fabio Cannavarro, I doubt they can do well in this tournament, simply because they have no proper leader in there. However, they have arguably the best goalie in the world in the world in Gianluigi Buffon and a solid midfield. Portugal I doubt their credentials, simply because I believe that they are simply not good enough. Nonetheless, they have got Cristiano Ronaldo who scored an amazing 40 goals this season. I think that Ronaldo would be too exhausted and will not be on top of his game for Portugal. However, if they do well, I think it would be because of Deco and Ricardo Quaresma.

Other long shot contenders would be Greece, Croatia and the Czechs. Greece does not have good quality players. However, they have got something most big teams don’t and that is spirit. They maybe not good individuals, but as a team they are strong. I really hope they do well to prove that their last Euro win was not a fluke, but I seriously cannot see it happening. The Croats has done very well indeed. With knocking out England out of qualifications, their confidence would be sky high. I just think their squad will miss Eduardo too much. Last but not least, the Czechs. They have got a decent squad, but in book they are just not good enough. They will miss Tomasz Rosicky too much, and he is pretty much the heart of this team. The only plus point would be that the Czechs has got a very very good goalkeeper in Petr Cech.

Well, there you have it. These are my predictions for Euro 08.



- By another pundit wannabe, Hadi.


There you have it. all i can do is curse my luck. This would have been a big break =P.