UEFA European Championship 2020 - Knockout Stage

iamrealone90 · Post #21 » by **iamrealone90** » Tue Apr 14, 2020 1:09 pm

troza wrote:
HIF wrote:
troza wrote:Don't forget Portugal. I don't see how everyone keeps ignoring Portugal (here the press is trying to sell us as underdogs) when we have 2 of the best players in the worlds (Cristiano and Bernardo), one of the best writing services for buying college research papers during studying and youngsters (Félix) and we still have lots of nice players on the best leagues in the world (Patrício, Semedo, Cancelo, Guerreiro, William Carvalho...).

We should play a lot better but that's other topic. Also Germany has not been the same since the middle of the decade and France is very good but also not as good as their great teams from the end of the 90s and start of 00s.

How can you forget the best RWB in the world?

If Portuguese fans forget Ricardo, then why shouldn't everyone else forget Portugal?

I love your team but it seems people are overlooking Belgium. I think it could be their time.

Ricardo was in the group of good players in the best leagues in the world. I hope he goes. Him, Cancelo, Semedo and Raphael Guerreiro could be our line up for wing backs at the euros.

Belgium also has a great team. Like Portugal, just without Ronaldo but Lukaku is doing great and De Bruyne is better than Bernardo.

We will see how Ronaldo will perform in 2021. It seems last big tournament for him. I don't believe he will perform on highest level until WC 2022.

troza · Post #22 » by **troza** » Tue Apr 14, 2020 1:43 pm

iamrealone90 wrote:
troza wrote:
HIF wrote:
How can you forget the best RWB in the world?

If Portuguese fans forget Ricardo, then why shouldn't everyone else forget Portugal?

I love your team but it seems people are overlooking Belgium. I think it could be their time.

Ricardo was in the group of good players in the best leagues in the world. I hope he goes. Him, Cancelo, Semedo and Raphael Guerreiro could be our line up for wing backs at the euros.

Belgium also has a great team. Like Portugal, just without Ronaldo but Lukaku is doing great and De Bruyne is better than Bernardo.

We will see how Ronaldo will perform in 2021. It seems last big tournament for him. I don't believe he will perform on highest level until WC 2022.

Between 2021 and 2022 is just one year away. I won't get worried about him as long as he can avoid some serious injury (when you look back at many sports and all time greats, that has been the real end of their greatness: a nasty injury when they are old...).

The thing is... what will happen with the other players. No one wins alone and the other players aren't consistent as him. Pepe is older than Ronaldo and he would start this year... does he have another 2 years? He and Ruben complement each other so well that without one another I have a feeling that the defense will be weaker at that position.

Then we have lots of other good players that this season weren't that well or were doing really well... will the momentum continue? Will Ricardo recover from his injury? Will Bernardo regain the form from last season?

And those that were doing great? Will Bruno Fernandes keep improving and become even better? Will Renato Sanches be back or even surprass his form on the EURO 2016? And so on... I would say that there is the potential for Portugal to become even better in 2021 than 2020 but that thing about the central defenders is what worries me.

wco81 · Post #23 » by **wco81** » Fri May 21, 2021 9:50 pm

First group game, Italy vs. Turkey, is on June 11.

https://soccer.nbcsports.com/2021/05/19/euro-2020-watch-live-stream-schedule-fixtures-odds-predictions-start-time/

So the bettors have made England and France favorites, over Germany and Spain, with Italy one of the long shots.

Outright winners

England: +500
France: +500
Belgium: +600
Germany: +750
Spain: +750
Portugal: +800
Italy: +1100
Netherlands: +1100

https://soccer.nbcsports.com/2021/05/19/euro-2020-watch-live-stream-schedule-fixtures-odds-predictions-start-time/

HIF · Post #24 » by **HIF** » Sat May 22, 2021 7:25 am

Belgium v France Final (if that's possible with the setup). Clearly the 2 best teams in Europe. England aren't even in the top 4.

The_Brecht · Post #25 » by **The_Brecht** » Sat May 22, 2021 4:26 pm

France is the one and only true favorite.

Spain, Germany and Belgium next.
Portugal, England after that.

HIF · Post #26 » by **HIF** » Sat May 22, 2021 5:57 pm

The_Brecht wrote:France is the one and only true favorite.

Spain, Germany and Belgium next.
Portugal, England after that.

Belgium are the favourites for me.

Post #27 » by **Baphomet** » Sun May 23, 2021 5:38 pm

Already had a thread for the Euro 2020, so I decided to merge this into that one. Cheers.

HIF · Post #28 » by **HIF** » Sun May 23, 2021 5:43 pm

I can't say I'm really excited about it. I just want Leicester players to get a rest and please NO injuries.

wco81 · Post #29 » by **wco81** » Tue May 25, 2021 12:32 am

Baphomet wrote:Already had a thread for the Euro 2020, so I decided to merge this into that one. Cheers.

There are group stages in both qualifying rounds and this "final" round which will lead to the champion?

That is why I created a new thread but it could confuse some.

Foye · Post #30 » by **Foye** » Mon May 31, 2021 8:08 am

Anyone think De Bruyne will be back for the knockout stage?

The_Brecht · Post #31 » by **The_Brecht** » Mon May 31, 2021 11:08 am

Foye wrote:Anyone think De Bruyne will be back for the knockout stage?

Masked, but yes.

HIF · Post #32 » by **HIF** » Mon May 31, 2021 1:41 pm

Foye wrote:Anyone think De Bruyne will be back for the knockout stage?

Belgium don't need him they have Tielemans

Foye · Post #33 » by **Foye** » Mon May 31, 2021 4:57 pm

France U21 squad could probably reach the semis in this one if they get a little lucky.

Thats how much quality they have in the youth teams.

Quality jinx...eliminated by Netherlands u21

HIF · Post #34 » by **HIF** » Tue Jun 1, 2021 8:06 am

Foye wrote:France U21 squad could probably reach the semis in this one if they get a little lucky.

Thats how much quality they have in the youth teams.

Quality jinx...eliminated by Netherlands u21

And fofana is injured and won't play yet they still have quality depth.

Foye · Post #35 » by **Foye** » Sun Jun 6, 2021 8:55 pm

Should just send our U21 squad to the EC.

Wilfried · Post #36 » by **Wilfried** » Mon Jun 7, 2021 8:46 am

The_Brecht wrote:
Foye wrote:Anyone think De Bruyne will be back for the knockout stage?

Masked, but yes.

He won't need a mask

AK47MVP · Post #37 » by **AK47MVP** » Mon Jun 7, 2021 12:57 pm

I think Belgium and France are top tier teams. Anybody else is a step behind but could surprise in one elimination game. Go Denmark BTW!

The_Brecht · Post #38 » by **The_Brecht** » Mon Jun 7, 2021 4:13 pm

I feel like Italy is going to have a good tournament.

I'm a little relieved with the performance from Belgium against Croatia yesterday.
Tielemans bossing the game against the likes of Modric, Brozovic and Kovacic is a lovely thing to see.

AK47MVP · Post #39 » by **AK47MVP** » Mon Jun 7, 2021 5:16 pm

The_Brecht wrote:I feel like Italy is going to have a good tournament.

I'm a little relieved with the performance from Belgium against Croatia yesterday.
Tielemans bossing the game against the likes of Modric, Brozovic and Kovacic is a lovely thing to see.

Agree about Italy. Not a superstar loaded team but really good team chemistry. I think they can go far.

rapstarter · Post #40 » by **rapstarter** » Mon Jun 7, 2021 7:49 pm

It's against Latvia, but this Germany lineup looks more promising than initially thought.