What's with all these players getting injured during training/friendlies and having to sit out the finals? Drogba, Obi Mikel, Essien (ok, he's been out for a while), Pirlo (maybe), Robben (also a maybe), Ferdinand and now Nani. Most unbecoming.

Ok, lay out your predictions and all that.

I support Germany. For no greater reason than I have been there and find the people very polite, courteous and friendly.

Wow. really? never been there but the few Germans I've met have been arrogant and with mountain sized chips on their shoulders. Maybe you have to visit their country for the real deal.

Spain all the way.

Brazil FTW! Followed by the Netherlands!
I love how not having a home team to cheer for allows you to support more than one team, as well as change loyalties halfway through the match without any guilt whatsoever.

Asmo wrote:
I love how not having a home team to cheer for allows you to support more than one team, as well as change loyalties halfway through the match without any guilt whatsoever.
Oh yeah. For the 08 Euros, I was backing Netherlands and then they got knocked out by the Russkis (who played an awesome game that day), so I moved on to Spain, who immediately booted out the Russkis and went on to win the whole thing. I was like "Yeah! My team won! Second team, but who's counting?"

My amateur analysis:

Spain - Got the best team, man for man, and most of them function as a unit day in and out playing for Barca. Their game would probably tear apart most European teams, but it remains to be seen how they'd fare against teams from outside the continent. Got beaten by USA, after all.

Brazil - Smart money is probably on them. Only this time, it's not their attack but their defence that's godlike. Julio Cesar, Maicon, Lucio... all from the 2010 CL winning team. + Alves, who's somewhat douchey but undeniably dangerous. And leaving Ronaldinho out of the team seems a clear message that Dunga isn't kidding around.

Argentina - Milito, Tevez, Messi and Higuain make for a lethal attack. Don't know how they shore up at the back though. Might miss Cambiasso and Zanetti, especially after their champion performances for Inter this year. Players are also going to have to cope with visions of Maradona running naked in the streets, so that might prove a distraction.

England - Not a bad team, but they'll need a good helping of luck to go all the way. Their opening friendlies against the minnows have been pretty scrappy.

Netherlands - Nobody actually expects them to win it anymore, so they might actually just do it. They've certainly got the players to pull it off and they play some great attacking football. Just need to keep it together for the big matches.

Germany - Probably the steeliest European side out there, grit over glitz and all that. Don't have any superstars on the team (now that fatcat Ballack has been literally kicked out), but they're ruthlessly efficient and are probably the most likely team to come back and win from behind. Finalists for 08 Euros, I see them going quite far here.

Portugal - Bah. I don't like them. Don't know who's going to be pulling the strings now that Deco is over the hill and Figo is out. Actually, I have no clue about this team. Fuck em.

France - Scraped through to the finals under dubious circumstances, so they're not going to be the most popular team in the tournament. Zizou gone, Paddy gone, Henry only fit for the bench - doesn't really bode well for their chances. I doubt their replacements have what it takes to drag them to victory here. Plus they've got a bonehead for a coach. Should have had Nasri in the squad, then I might have had some interest in watching their matches.

Italy - The fabled defence of 2006 might not be so bulletproof this time. Cannavaro's game went south after moving to Madrid, and Nesta's not around this time either. Pirlo getting injured is also a huge blow. Having a good coach might not prevent a shambolic display. Expect a lot of defensive play and diving (though that goes without saying).

USA - Well, they've got some good results in the past, so they might make an impact again this year. Though now that people are sort of expecting it from them, it's probably not an actual 'impact' anymore. First game against England should be fun, especially as it was Donovan who took Cashley Cole out of the tournament. Will it be like the Revolutionary War all over again?

Hm, that's all I have. Don't know much about the other teams. Nearly all the African teams are missing their main players and the Asian teams are going to have an uphill battle. Can see a few upsets happening, nonetheless.