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Topic: ⚽UEFA EURO 2020 Discussion Thread | Current Phase: Finals in June 2021! - page 192. (Read 31364 times)

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There seem to be too many pessimists in Croatia who don't believe in their team, but that is your problem - I bet you think same thing in 2018.

Croatia is always a strong opponent from any team that it is going to face them.
However, they won't reach too far as they are stronger teams that participate. My bet would go for Belgium as De Bruyne is in an amazing form this season and he deserves to win a title with his national team.
legendary
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It is a good team, but 9th is kind of realistic. And I'd definitely say that Croatia reached it's peak in Russia, no way this team is among the top 5 in Europe.
It is a knock-out tournament so anything can happen, but if I had to bet on either getting knocked out in group or reaching the semi's - I'd bet on the first one.
I think the result we will achieve is right in the middle - passing the group but getting knocked out soon after.

I don't know why you underestimate your country, it's almost the same team, without 2 or 3 players from last World Cup, but with a couple of good young players who filled their spots. Most of them play in top European clubs (Modric, Rakitic, Perisic, Kovacic, Rebic, Kramaric...). By FIFA ranking Croatia is 4 team in Europe, only Belgium, France and England are ranked better.

There seem to be too many pessimists in Croatia who don't believe in their team, but that is your problem - I bet you think same thing in 2018.

You forgot to mention Petkovic,  Vlasic,  Brekalo and other great new players in Croatian national team now.
I feel that Petkovic have potential to be better than Mandjukic and Vlašić already now can replace Rakitic.
Right now we have many young players but without experience.
They can play one match very good but other can loose.
I think that this EURO came to quickly for them but in the next World cup and next Euro they can make very good result.
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I don't know why you underestimate your country, it's almost the same team, without 2 or 3 players from last World Cup, but with a couple of good young players who filled their spots. Most of them play in top European clubs (Modric, Rakitic, Perisic, Kovacic, Rebic, Kramaric...). By FIFA ranking Croatia is 4 team in Europe, only Belgium, France and England are ranked better.

There seem to be too many pessimists in Croatia who don't believe in their team, but that is your problem - I bet you think same thing in 2018.

Of course there are, it is not pessimism but realism. Can we beat Belgium? Sure we can, but if we play them 10 times we will lose 5, draw 3 and win 2. They are the better team, therefore, their odds on winning are smaller.
I think it before every competition, mostly because we aren't good enough to constantly challenge top teams. One 2nd place in 20 years is enough proof that I'm right.

That does not mean I will not support my country and want nothing less than a victory in every game once it starts, just realistically saying that another (let's say) top3 result is a stretch for this team. Not saying we will not be there, just that the odds of it happening are not too great.
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It is a good team, but 9th is kind of realistic. And I'd definitely say that Croatia reached it's peak in Russia, no way this team is among the top 5 in Europe.
It is a knock-out tournament so anything can happen, but if I had to bet on either getting knocked out in group or reaching the semi's - I'd bet on the first one.
I think the result we will achieve is right in the middle - passing the group but getting knocked out soon after.

I don't know why you underestimate your country, it's almost the same team, without 2 or 3 players from last World Cup, but with a couple of good young players who filled their spots. Most of them play in top European clubs (Modric, Rakitic, Perisic, Kovacic, Rebic, Kramaric...). By FIFA ranking Croatia is 4 team in Europe, only Belgium, France and England are ranked better.

There seem to be too many pessimists in Croatia who don't believe in their team, but that is your problem - I bet you think same thing in 2018.
legendary
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I would not agree that Croatia is "reached its peak in Russia", it is still very good team with a lot of experienced players and with some very talented young players. The bookies once again underestimate Croatia, placing it in 9th place by chance of winning the championship, which is really weird for the 6 ranking football team in the world by FIFA and a World Cup finalist 2018.

It is a good team, but 9th is kind of realistic. And I'd definitely say that Croatia reached it's peak in Russia, no way this team is among the top 5 in Europe.
It is a knock-out tournament so anything can happen, but if I had to bet on either getting knocked out in group or reaching the semi's - I'd bet on the first one.
I think the result we will achieve is right in the middle - passing the group but getting knocked out soon after.
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I think Italy is an added value to any tournament.In fact last Euro 2016 without Italy was not that beautiful and this time in Euro 2020 Italy so far has won all the games during the qualification stage which is a strong indicator to their form.The coach also has a lot to do so I think Italy is one of the main contenders to win Euro 2016.

All strong European teams add value to the cup.
Each one of them has different play style and provides entertainment to football fans. Italy is strong in the defense and we need tough defenses in the next Euro cup.
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I think Italy is an added value to any tournament.In fact last Euro 2016 without Italy was not that beautiful and this time in Euro 2020 Italy so far has won all the games during the qualification stage which is a strong indicator to their form.The coach also has a lot to do so I think Italy is one of the main contenders to win Euro 2016.
legendary
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France and Portugal are no easy opponents mate. At least according to Germany's qualification campaign form, my guess is they will find it very hard in the group but i they switch their up gear to the Vintage No Nonsense tournament Germany, then chances are high that they will come out of the group.

Looking at what Germany did in the last 4 year I'd like to say...

France
Portugal
Germany
Random team

in this order.

Italy has been lucky for one time, it could be on Germany's spot.



I see why do enough people underestimate Germany? even though I see head to head from Portugal and France, the Germans are pretty good. but this is indeed tough, France 2018 world champion, Portugal champion of Euro 2016 and Germany 2014 world champion, this is really a hell group. Portugal is excellent because they have CR7, but when CR7 is injured, is Portugal still strong enough?

Well that's an interesting group. Even with the best number 3 also going to the knock out phase it's still possible to lose already one of those top teams :-o

like Portugal who was lucky enough to win the Euro 2016, because Portugal gets the third best position, but after that, they were able to win it.
but I hope so, that the three national teams deserve to qualify because this will make the match more exciting in the next phase.
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France and Portugal are no easy opponents mate. At least according to Germany's qualification campaign form, my guess is they will find it very hard in the group but i they switch their up gear to the Vintage No Nonsense tournament Germany, then chances are high that they will come out of the group.

Looking at what Germany did in the last 4 year I'd like to say...

France
Portugal
Germany
Random team

in this order.

Italy has been lucky for one time, it could be on Germany's spot.



I see why do enough people underestimate Germany? even though I see head to head from Portugal and France, the Germans are pretty good. but this is indeed tough, France 2018 world champion, Portugal champion of Euro 2016 and Germany 2014 world champion, this is really a hell group. Portugal is excellent because they have CR7, but when CR7 is injured, is Portugal still strong enough?

Well that's an interesting group. Even with the best number 3 also going to the knock out phase it's still possible to lose already one of those top teams :-o
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The team is old and that's the reason why some players cannot get playing time.
However, the euro cup is a tournament of one breath. And the experienced players have more chances to get positive results in the cup.

These I mentioned are not that old - they should be in their prime now.
It is not that big of a deal because I agree with you that cups are a different kind of competition - I just think we overachieved in Russia and don't see us repeating it in the Euros.

I hope they prove me wrong though Grin

Well, Modric is 34, Rakitic 31, Vida 30, Lovren 30. Only Versaljko is under 30 years old. All others are considered to my eyes as old (for playing football).
But as I said before, I don't think that this can be a barrier for Croatia to succeed.
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England is certainly eager for revenge for defeat in the semifinals of the World Cup in Russia.
Realistically, since then, Croatia has fallen sharply in both quality and results while England is even better than at the World Cup, and playing at home.
According to the results of the last 2 years, England is actually one of the main favorites for the European champions, with Italy, Belgium and France, and Croatia has probably reached its peak in Russia.
On the other hand, there will be a lot of pressure on young England players and Croatia has nothing to lose.

If I remember good, after World Cup they play in UEFA Nations League and England win at home 2-1 (first game end 0-0), so in a way they have already some revenge. But there is no doubt that in this match they will do their best to beat Croatia, though their greatest enemy is the underestimation of their opponents, and this match will be no exception.

I would not agree that Croatia is "reached its peak in Russia", it is still very good team with a lot of experienced players and with some very talented young players. The bookies once again underestimate Croatia, placing it in 9th place by chance of winning the championship, which is really weird for the 6 ranking football team in the world by FIFA and a World Cup finalist 2018.
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The team is old and that's the reason why some players cannot get playing time.
However, the euro cup is a tournament of one breath. And the experienced players have more chances to get positive results in the cup.

These I mentioned are not that old - they should be in their prime now.
It is not that big of a deal because I agree with you that cups are a different kind of competition - I just think we overachieved in Russia and don't see us repeating it in the Euros.

I hope they prove me wrong though Grin
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It is a good group for Croatia, but I think we will struggle a bit as well.

We will play the Euros with Modrić aged 34, with Rakitić and Lovren struggling for minutes in their clubs and with Perišić used only occasionally.
Vrsaljko is out as well, Vida is not playing good, Ćorluka cannot be a backup option anymore and the future of Čaleta-Car in the national team is still in the air.

The group seems easy enough to qualify, but we will probably struggle after that. My opinion is that we cannot be considered as a serious contender.

The team is old and that's the reason why some players cannot get playing time.
However, the euro cup is a tournament of one breath. And the experienced players have more chances to get positive results in the cup.
legendary
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It is a good group for Croatia, but I think we will struggle a bit as well.

We will play the Euros with Modrić aged 34, with Rakitić and Lovren struggling for minutes in their clubs and with Perišić used only occasionally.
Vrsaljko is out as well, Vida is not playing good, Ćorluka cannot be a backup option anymore and the future of Čaleta-Car in the national team is still in the air.

The group seems easy enough to qualify, but we will probably struggle after that. My opinion is that we cannot be considered as a serious contender.
legendary
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On the other hand, there will be a lot of pressure on young England players and Croatia has nothing to lose.

I really hate that expression "nothing to lose" and if I was an owner of the club I would forbid my staff to ever use it. As soon as you use it you acknowledge that the opponent is much better than you. Well fuck the opponent and let them prove it on the pitch. Yes England is playing good football but they also played good football and lost against us (Croatia) in the last world cup. We are 2nd team in the world and when was the last time England brought home some medals (1966 maybe)? We also got 3rd place in France 98 and all that with the league nobody in England even herd off and population of about 4-5 million, roughly 10 times less than England.

Same goes for Belgium.

Don't get me wrong both of those teams have better players, or at least much more expensive ones then Croatia but they still have to prove they know how to play big tournaments. If we met up in a friendly I would expect Croatia to lose that match with handicap but in these circumstances I have a feeling we will get something from it.

Don't get me wrong,  I don’t think that Croatia have no chance to beat England or that Croatia can't make another big result like in Russia 😁
I just shared some current facts based on the current results and players in both teams.
OK I maybe used wrong words but it's fact that England have more chances to make good result in EURO than Croatia.
Still,  as we sew in Russia,  the most important part for success is determination and team unity.
I'm sure that Croatia will be very well prepared again and not sure how English players will deal with big pressure from the public.
They didn't make good result since 1966 so it will not be easy for them.
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It's a crazy draw when you see the top three team in the same group, It's not fair for me, Definitely, Tournament will lose one of the favorites team in the group stage, can you say which one the country leave early of the tournament? I beat on France will get knocked out at the group stage because in recent time they are not playing well as a team, I am sure Germany will try to regain their glory by this Eoru20 and Portugal is my Favorite team again because of some potential players in that team along with Cristiano Ronaldo. Let's see what will happen.

All three teams have a chance to advance because the best numbers 3 advance to the knockouts.
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On the other hand, there will be a lot of pressure on young England players and Croatia has nothing to lose.

I really hate that expression "nothing to lose" and if I was an owner of the club I would forbid my staff to ever use it. As soon as you use it you acknowledge that the opponent is much better than you. Well fuck the opponent and let them prove it on the pitch. Yes England is playing good football but they also played good football and lost against us (Croatia) in the last world cup. We are 2nd team in the world and when was the last time England brought home some medals (1966 maybe)? We also got 3rd place in France 98 and all that with the league nobody in England even herd off and population of about 4-5 million, roughly 10 times less than England.

Same goes for Belgium.

Don't get me wrong both of those teams have better players, or at least much more expensive ones then Croatia but they still have to prove they know how to play big tournaments. If we met up in a friendly I would expect Croatia to lose that match with handicap but in these circumstances I have a feeling we will get something from it.
legendary
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France and Portugal are no easy opponents mate. At least according to Germany's qualification campaign form, my guess is they will find it very hard in the group but i they switch their up gear to the Vintage No Nonsense tournament Germany, then chances are high that they will come out of the group.

Looking at what Germany did in the last 4 year I'd like to say...

France
Portugal
Germany
Random team

in this order.

Italy has been lucky for one time, it could be on Germany's spot.



I see why do enough people underestimate Germany? even though I see head to head from Portugal and France, the Germans are pretty good. but this is indeed tough, France 2018 world champion, Portugal champion of Euro 2016 and Germany 2014 world champion, this is really a hell group. Portugal is excellent because they have CR7, but when CR7 is injured, is Portugal still strong enough?
legendary
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Croatia is playing against England at Wembley 14th June 2020 their first match on EURO2020

Good for Croatia to play the first against a tough opponent, cause otherwise our players know how to play an "uninterested" match
England, beware  Cool

England is certainly eager for revenge for defeat in the semifinals of the World Cup in Russia.
Realistically, since then, Croatia has fallen sharply in both quality and results while England is even better than at the World Cup, and playing at home.
According to the results of the last 2 years, England is actually one of the main favorites for the European champions, with Italy, Belgium and France, and Croatia has probably reached its peak in Russia.
On the other hand, there will be a lot of pressure on young England players and Croatia has nothing to lose.
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Everyone's eyes would be on Group F.
Portugal, Germany and France are going to give us great matches this summer. And all those stars in one group would be so exciting to see them playing. I think that Germany is going to be out of this group.
Why so? I see that Germany is unbeatable in the group. instead I think Portugal will out of the group, like Euro 2016 they are lucky to be third but in the end, they can be champions.
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