Statistically speaking, Oranje should go to the semi-final (see here under), so I am afraid you'll have to suffer at least 5 matches. But to be honest, I do not think they will survive the first round and I am afraid they'll end on the last place in their group.

1980: 1st round (or QF) (Group with FRGermany, Czechoslovakia and Greece)
1984: did not qualify
1988: winner
1992: SF
1996: QF
2000: SF
2004: SF
6 participations to the final round, 4 times in the last four and the 2 other in the last 8.

By the way, Czechia has nearly the same records: they were semi-finalists in 1960, won in 1976 and since there is a real tournament (1980), the were 3rd in 1980, 2nd in 1996, SF in 2004 and they could not survive the first round only in 2000 (in a group with France, the Netherlands and Denmark)

Group A: Portugal is the class of the group here.  Beyond that, I'm at a loss.  Turkey can play very well, but rarely does.  Switzerland doesn't impress me at all and wouldn't be here if they weren't co-hosting.  And the Czechs?  They're not as strong as they were.  I'll still take them to finish second.

Group B: Germany will win the group handily.  They might draw with Croatia, but they should be very strong.  Croatia will finish second.

Group C: Italy should survive along with the French.  I don't think much of the Netherlands or Romania.  Not sure any group is more exhausting than any other.  There are no easy games or games that are taken lightly.  If anything Group B should be exhausting for all parties.  The border between Germany and Poland will be recently opened, but hostilities on the field are possible.  This could be the emotionally charged group.

Group D: Spain in a walk.  I'll take the Greeks to finish second.  The Russians will collapse; the Swedes could win out, but I'm not convinced.

Not sure I want to predict the next round given suspensions, injuries, etc. make it very difficult.  I have a hunch that the Spaniards are due, but I say this with some romantic notion that good football should win out...

Smyslov_Fan wrote on 12/04/07 at 05:15:27:


As Spain is always a natural favorite and always disappoints and there is no indication that things will go another way this time I put my money on Italy.

Perhaps UK should organise the next championships so that England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales can be seeded ? Actually Scotland played fiercely in the qualifiers and could have made it, but England...

Klose has only got a minor injury, whereas the goalie has to stay out of business for two month.

I share the view that stamina could be a decisive issue at the end of the match. In my eyes this is a major advantage for the german team. In my prediction they reach the final playing Croatia, Poland, Austria, Switzerland and again Croatia.

On the other hand Spain would have to play against Sweden, Greece, Russia, Netherland and Italy. This should be much more demanding.

BTW I don´t like the schedule that much. Why didn´t they make the semifinals with QF1 - QF3 etc. to avoid a repetition of group matches before the finals?   

Lou

Group A: 1.Switzerland 2.Czechia 3.Turkey 4.Portugal Portugal did not play well during the qualifiers and did qualify more thanks its opponents' weaknesses than through nice play. Turkey is a bit too irregular. Czechia is no more what it has been but it is a very solid and regular team. Switzerland plays at home and has a very strong defense.

Groupe B: 1.Germany 2.Austria 3.Poland 4.Croatia Poland and Croatia are quite good teams but they will suffer against Austria that plays at home. Germany is too strong for its concurrents in this group.

Group C: 1.France 2.Romania 3.Italy 4. Netherlands  Oranje has "gewoon pech" with the draw and their team is not so efficient as it was. Italy did not convince me during the qualification. Some team has to make the surprise and I'd bet Romania is the one to do it. They will be playing without pressure and each earned point will be a bonus point. By the way they already did it in 2000 against England, Germany and Portugal. France is not that terrific without Zidane but they proved to be the better of Italy during the qualification and they do not play Scotland here

Groupe D: 1.Sweden 2.Greece 3.Spain 4.Russia Russia and Spain are traditionally disappointing teams at such tournaments and I do not see why it would change this time. Sweden and Greece are very solid and it seems Greece can now score more than once in a match. 

QF1: Switzerland - Austria ===> Switzerland (Switzerland will play at home and their team is more talented)
QF2: Germany - Czechia ===>Germany (the difference will not be important but Germany will win on character)
QF3: France - Greece ===> France (the remake of the 2004 QF and France does never lose twice against the same opponent)
QF4: Sweden - Romania ===> Sweden (the Romanian will be tired and already happy with their first round) 

Switzerland, Germany and France could all win the tournament. Details and nerves will then prevail. In case Switzerland reaches the final against France, I see the Helvetian team win, in case Germany reaches the final, I think Les Bleus will win. Sweden will not have enough to offer at this stage.

thibdb13 wrote on 12/02/07 at 20:35:11:

But in this case it would be a bit weird, as the 2 of the direct heads arent really scary opponents

My money is on Italy and Romania going through. Van Basten will only get one or two draws

The draw for the Euro Championships looks interesting.  Little doubt that Netherlands, Italy, Romania, and France makes up the "Group of Death."      

But tell me: how on earth did the Netherlands qualify as the top seed alongside Switzerland, Austria, and Greece?  Hosts and champion, alright, but the Netherlands?  There was some justification about previous qualifying efforts, etc., but how do they out-seed World Champions Italy, or World finalists France?   

I like Italy in this group, though they and France will have to get over their perennial slow starter habits in a hurry...