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Reactions: Euro 2000 Users sound off on their favorite teams
Posted: Thursday June 08, 2000 03:28 PM
CNNSI.com asked users to make their cases for which team would win the Euro 2000 competition, and the results are anyone's guess. A sampling of the responses follows: France will win Euro 2000, make no mistake about it. The Spanish are on fire, and the Dutch are looking slick but the French have it all over the pitch and above all, they are winners. England, unfortunately, don't have a hope. We may have the best strikers in the world, but our midfield is unbalanced and our defence suspect. I don't expect us to qualify from the group but I still reckon we'll stuff the Germans, who are even worse than us!!
I think that the Netherlands will win Euro 2000. Why do I think that?
First of all I think that Holland has the best team. They've got several different top players and their age is just good, the players are at the top of their career. The Netherlands are going to play at home and that's a big advantage (France won the world cup in 1998 playing in France, etc.). So my conclusion is that the Netherlands are going to win the cup, because they have the best players and the most experience.
Germany has the weakest team in years, but will still scrape through to the semi-finals. England might make it to the quarterfinals, but no further, the English press will still claim a moral victory (see Euro 96 or World Cup 90 and 98. Holland have the best talent on paper, only if the screw up badly, France or Spain might win it.
Phil Jones accurately comments that there is no clear favorite. In my opinion, those that have the best chance are the home teams: Holland and Belgium followed by France and then maybe England or Spain. I happily read Jones' optimistic comments regarding Spain's chances, but I still have many questions. Spain's players are tired after playing more than 80 matches. Also, Spanish press produce a lot of pressure and if Spain qualifies for quarterfinals, they probably will have to face either Holland or France, at best a 50-50 chance.
Don't underestimate the importance of home field advantage. The Netherlands will win this tournament. It will be difficult to deal with the strain of being the home favorites especially in the first round but as evidenced by the last world cup all difficulties on the pitch wash away when the whole (almost) stadium is screaming for you.
Everyone is making a big deal about England. When I last looked at their group, there were other power houses besides them. One that is not getting enough attention (that may be a blessing)is Potugal. Who is Luis Figo? Only one of the best right forwards in the world. Along side is Sa Pinto, Rui Costa, Joao Pinto, Fernando Couto, Xavier, have you seen Vidigal play recent? Make sure your cleats are on tight, here we come.
England will win. They have the mix of young and old on the team. England has some of the best strikers in the world in Michael Owen and Robbie Fowler. Sol Campball and Tony Adams will be just fine. I look to Paul Scholes to take over for Gazza. No one has the talent to match up with David Beckham. France is overrated. Italy has no one. Germany is too old.
Believe in the Danes, by most considered the underdogs of Group D. Remember '92 and then compare the talent pool. Shallower, isn't it? However, the lack of selfish prima donnas on the Danish team will carry them far, perhaps all the way.
Sentimental favorite should be France, since they won the World Cup. But 2 years have passed; many teams have matured. I pick Germany or Holland to get this one. Germany because of experience and Holland because of its lineup.
Spain will win the cup, beating Holland in the finals, UNLESS they (Spain) meet England along the way. England doesn't have what it takes to win, but they can and will beat Spain if they meet, allowing Holland to win. Otherwise, the cup is Spain's for the taking.
I think that Yugoslavia will shine in Euro 2000 as for most of the players it will be their last major tournament and I think that they would like to retire on a winning note, so expect them to have a little extra bite this year.
Portugal will win Euro 2000. They are long overdue to win a major tournament. They are as good or better as any other team in Euro 2000.
Most of the players have great international playing experience. Although it is basically the same team who lost to the Czechs and nearly qualified for France 98, they are much more experienced at the international level and this maybe the last chance for some of the star players to prove themselves worthy of their reputations as great players.
In my opinion, I think their are three candidates to win Euro 2000 in first place I put Germany as the favorite; it has a good team have the experience and as always they play with intelligence and patience. Secondly, I think Holland has a lot of chances -- they have a team full of great players. Thirdly, I think that Spain have the capacity to win the Euro 2000.
Portugal will win the European Championship because they have the best player in the world. His name is FIGO, he will be the key player for this title.
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