In all seriousness though, I do tend to agree. It's why I'd love to see a meltdown of sorts as they're so far ahead of others it'd make the tournament very interesting with a lot of other teams a similar level. There's loads of teams better than England at this tournament, but France are the only ones who are absolute light years ahead imo, and the only ones that I'd give us no chance whatsoever against.
There's nearly always one team in the last four who is a bit of a surprise. Any thoughts on this: Denmark or Turkey perhaps?
Surprised I'm the only person who went for Portugal. They may be in the toughest group, but they've got a great squad now. Ronaldo may be 36, but he scored 29 league goals last season. They also have Bruno Fernandes, Joao Felix, Bernado Silva, Ruben Dias, Joao Cancelo, Diogo Jota and others. I could see them going all the way.
I certainly place them up among favourites. I've chosen Italy as I can see them quietly going about their business to get to the semis and then being absolutely solid and nicking two matches. For me you can put teams into 3 groups: France Portugal / Italy / Germany / Belgium Spain / Holland / England
It's all about Group F for me. France, Germany and Portugal could finish in any order and that is what will shape the KO stages. They will all be scrambling to win that group as that means playing a third place team from either A, B or C (not too daunting looking at those groups) whereas finishing 2nd means probably playing England at Wembley and finishing 3rd and qualifying means the winners of either B or C so most likely Holland or Belgium.
If there is to be a surprise team in the SF, then I'd suggest it will most likely come from the bottom quarter. And that fits in exactly with the two sides you've mentioned. As I highlighted on here previously, the only group winner who features in that quarter is the winner of group C, which is Holland's group. Now Holland aren't bad, but they are also no France or Portugal. It only takes one slip up from them in the group stage to potentially not be that group winner, or one slip up in the KO stages, for them to not be the SF representative from that quarter. (Although they should massively fancy their chances.) The other three sides in that quarter will be the runner-up from group A (quite possibly Turkey as you suggest), the runner-up from group B (quite possibly Denmark as you suggest), and a third place side from either group D, E or F. Now if that ends up being group F, then that changes greatly - because suddenly France, Portugal or Germany would most likely enter that quarter. But if it's from D or E, then in reality it'll probably be someone weaker than the likes of Turkey and Denmark.
I've managed to draw Portugal again in the work sweepstake after drawing them in 2016. Good omens for Portugal.
