Germany

No one else need turn up

 

Agreed.

 

Spain?

 

Not been so hot recently. Lost to england, drew with Costa Rica etc. Plus they're missing their best striker (David Villa) through injury.

 

Still not going to be pushovers, I wouldn't write them off

 

Germany wont get the ball off Spain to beat them.

 

Did they not win every qualifier? Also having people like Llorente as back up is hardly dire straights

 

They did win every qualifier, and yes, Llorente is an exceptional striker, but i just have a feeling that it's going to be the germans this year. The team that Loew has grown is just immense, they even have a good CB now (hummels).

 

Germany and Spain will start as favourites for the tournament.

 

Spain still have the best first 11 for me but Germany have some squad, which they'll need because they have an awful group. The Danes are very organised and can take points off anyone, I don't really fancy the Portuguese for this tournament but they have Ronaldo who can change games in seconds and Holland who look strong as ever in attack although they still look questionable in defence. I can't see Italy putting up any real fight and Croatia will be my second team for the tournament and have the players to take advantage of a weak Italian squad but whether they will is another matter.


Anyway, none of that matters because England are gonna win it

 

Yeah; I also think Portugal will struggle to get out the group stage, thier qualification wasn't all that impressive and all they have some good players like Ronaldo, I think their squad lacks unity.

 

France anyone? They beat Germany earlier this year.

 

Germany and Spain have got to the big favourites but I wouldn't put it past France or the Netherlands to cause an upset. I know who won't win it:Ingelund.

I feel France have a young team and if they get going they could play themselves into a frenzy. On the other hand they could crash and burn if they lose against England.

 

The Germans will win it this time Spain are the other obvious team but I just get the feeling that the Germans have been building up to this.

 

You can never tell with the french team. They always appear to be on the verge of a bust-up. If they keep their collective cool, they are worthy of a bet.

 

I think Holland might do it - but I say that in every tournament

 

They weren't that good against Bayern Munich the other night (I know, weird friendly) and it was basically a full strength side that played when they lost 3-2.

 

Germany and Spain look a class apart. On paper Spain have the best players and the big tournament pedigree. Have to say as good Llorente, Navas, Pedro et al are though, the loss of Villa is huge. Without him they probably wouldn't have won the world cup, he was that important. The question is should the two meet, can Germany get enough of the ball to allow they're dynamic attacking play to flourish?
Holland obviously warrant respect but can't help feeling they peaked in the World Cup. They also have the Van Persie/Huntelaar question to resolve.
France are dark horses with a good nucleus of young players and a good draw. I fancy them for the semi finals where Spain might have too much know how. The only other team worth a mention are Italy. Qualified strongly and you'd be crazy to rule any Italy side out of a tournament.

 

Germany currently losing 2-0 to the swiss

 

No, just no. Both Bayern and the Dutch squad played with the b-team.
Of the starting 11 in that game: Vorm, Willems, Narsingh, Huntelaar, Vlaar, Boulahrouz usually dont start.
De Jong(Siem) was dropped from the squad today.