Euro 2024 - Predictions (and hopes) Thread

[Yevrah]

Right, now the season is over on almost every single front let's crack on with this. Apologies advance to those non-European nationals or those from countries that didn't make it, just delete the bits that aren't relevant.

Nation specific shit:

Your Nation is:
How they should do:
How I think they will do:

Your manager is:
Should he be leading the team into the tournament?
How I think he'll do?

Your team's top scorer?
Who will your team's best player be?
Who will underperform the most?
Who will your team's outright shittest player be?
Who might spring a surprise?

Any other comments about your nation?

For everyone:

Who will win the tournament?
Runners up?
Losing semi-finalists?
Outside bet?
Biggest disappointment?

Top scorer?
Player of the tournament?
Biggest disappointment?
Pleasant surprise?

Any other comments about the tournament in general?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Here's the draw in case anyone (like me) had forgotten it:

[Giggles]

Your Nation is: Germany
How they should do: Winners
How I think they will do: 4th

Your manager is: Nagelsmann
Should he be leading the team into the tournament? Yes
How I think he'll do? 4th

Your team's top scorer? Fullkrug
Who will your team's best player be? Wirtz
Who will underperform the most? Havertz
Who will your team's outright shittest player be? Sane
Who might spring a surprise? Beier


For everyone:

Who will win the tournament? France
Runners up? England
Losing semi-finalists? Germany, Portugal
Outside bet? Switzerland
Biggest disappointment? Italy

[Baz]

Couldn't tell you the last time I watched England but I presume Foden and Palmer will give it the beans and then go out in the semis on pens.

Hopefully Holland win it.

[SincereTheRebel]

Does Palmer start?. Waistcoat has too many in-form players in attacking positions to pick from.

[niko_cee]

No chance Palmer starts.

[Shindig]

I agree. He's more likely to have Bellingham, Rice and Foden as the midfield three.

[niko_cee]

Foden will be shunted out left won't he, Saka right and Bellingham behind Kane?

When you start thinking about who plays next to Rice and then the defence is where it all starts to go wrong. He can't seriously be looking at Henderson or Phillips surely? Does that mean Mainoo or Trent?

[Shindig]

I don't like Foden out on the left. Granted, I've no idea if he plays there regularly for City. In my mind, that's Grealish's slot (for club, maybe not country). Left of the front three could be Gordon? Phillips hasn't had the performances for a start and Waistcoat's not hopping over to Amsterdam every week to see Hendo.

[John Arne]

Your Nation is: England
How they should do: Winners
How I think they will do: 2nd round defeat to Germany

Your manager is: Waistcoat
Should he be leading the team into the tournament? No
How I think he'll do? Shite.

Your team's top scorer? Kane
Who will your team's best player be? Bellingham
Who will underperform the most? Maguire, Foden (out of position)
Who will your team's outright shittest player be? Maguire or the third midfielder
Who might spring a surprise? Nobody


For everyone:

Who will win the tournament? France
Runners up? Germany
Losing semi-finalists? Spain & Netherlands
Outside bet? Serbia
Biggest disappointment? England

[Jimmy Floyd]

Mainoo is the right sort of player that needs to go alongside Rice, but it's come a bit early for him I fear. As it is, no doubt we'll be left with a stodgefest.

We are pretty much nailed on for a quarter-final against either Spain or Italy, that has irritating defeat written all over it. I am still annoyed about the reaction to us losing to France in the World Cup quarter-finals. It was pathetic and people were far too nice about it.

[Kikó]

Other than James, is anyone else going?

[John Arne]

Henderson not in the squad

Curtis Jones apparently in, which is surely wrong. Maybe he called him to ask for Elliot's number.

[niko_cee]

Yeah, Jones and Quansah IN on the BBC text thing. Not sure I can see either of those two featuring in the final squad or much if they somehow do. Think Elliot is still considered to be a 'forward' option so will have a much harder time getting in ahead of better actual forward options.

Seems they're leaking the entire squad.

[Serj]

Your Nation is: Austria
How they should do: Respectable third-place finish in the group
How I think they will do: Under Rangnick I actually expect they'll achieve this

Your manager is: Ralf Rangnick
Should he be leading the team into the tournament? Absolutely
How I think he'll do? Fulfill expectations

Your team's top scorer? Probably Sabitzer
Who will your team's best player be? Laimer, seems to be carrying good form over from Bayern
Who will underperform the most? Would usually be Alaba, but since he's crocked: Baumgartner, he always seems to show flashes of brilliance but doesn't build on them
Who will your team's outright shittest player be? Can see someone in defence having a 'mare, but since our first keeper is injured, I'm going for Pentz, the backup goalie
Who might spring a surprise? Arnautovic, can see him coming off the bench, score two worldies, then retire.
Any other comments about your nation? We've been hit by an injury crisis, so our main goalkeeper, centre-back and central defensive midfielder are out --> expectations are always low, this time around they've increased a bit due to a solid qualification; now they've been dampened somewhat again with key players not able to participate. Competent performances against France/Netherlands and a win against Poland would be ideal.

For everyone:

Who will win the tournament? Portugal, they have a shit group, a good squad, and seem to have a knack for stumbling through even when playing shit.
Runners up? France (not sure that matchup is even possible for the final, but I'm too lazy to check)
Losing semi-finalists? England + Germany
Outside bet? Hungary or Scotland for a surprise run to the semis
Biggest disappointment? Croatia

Top scorer? Mbappe
Player of the tournament? Bernardo Silva
Biggest disappointment? Saka
Pleasant surprise? Not sure if that counts, but Upamecano, who's been under fire at Bayern, to have a good tournament

[SincereTheRebel]

I will follow whoever i sweepstake at work. Draw is on Friday.

[Waffdon]

Your Nation is: Austria
How they should do: Respectable third-place finish in the group
How I think they will do: Under Rangnick I actually expect they'll achieve this

Your manager is: Ralf Rangnick
Should he be leading the team into the tournament? Absolutely
How I think he'll do? Fulfill expectations

Your team's top scorer? Probably Sabitzer
Who will your team's best player be? Laimer, seems to be carrying good form over from Bayern
Who will underperform the most? Would usually be Alaba, but since he's crocked: Baumgartner, he always seems to show flashes of brilliance but doesn't build on them
Who will your team's outright shittest player be? Can see someone in defence having a 'mare, but since our first keeper is injured, I'm going for Pentz, the backup goalie
Who might spring a surprise? Arnautovic, can see him coming off the bench, score two worldies, then retire.
Any other comments about your nation? We've been hit by an injury crisis, so our main goalkeeper, centre-back and central defensive midfielder are out --> expectations are always low, this time around they've increased a bit due to a solid qualification; now they've been dampened somewhat again with key players not able to participate. Competent performances against France/Netherlands and a win against Poland would be ideal.

For everyone:

Who will win the tournament? Portugal, they have a shit group, a good squad, and seem to have a knack for stumbling through even when playing shit.
Runners up? France (not sure that matchup is even possible for the final, but I'm too lazy to check)
Losing semi-finalists? England + Germany
Outside bet? Hungary or Scotland for a surprise run to the semis
Biggest disappointment? Croatia

Top scorer? Mbappe
Player of the tournament? Bernardo Silva
Biggest disappointment? Saka
Pleasant surprise? Not sure if that counts, but Upamecano, who's been under fire at Bayern, to have a good tournament

Scotland are about to be one of the worst sides to ever compete at a major tournament. 3 losses for -10 GD if not higher

[Serj]

Scotland are about to be one of the worst sides to ever compete at a major tournament. 3 losses for -10 GD if not higher

Do not doubt the magic of Lyndon Dykes.

[niko_cee]

No Rashford and Wharton in the provisional squad.

Maybe Waistcoat isn't going to fuck it up.

Someone get round to Harry Maguire's with a lead pipe.

[Dark Soldier]

Your Nation is: The Mighty England
How they should do: Final
How I think they will do: Quarters

Your manager is: A Math Teacher
Should he be leading the team into the tournament? Yes, based on previous tourneys
How I think he'll do? Shit the bed when any form of actual football is played against us

Your team's top scorer? Kane
Who will your team's best player be? Mainoo
Who will underperform the most? Pickford
Who will your team's outright shittest player be? Phillips as the cunt will prob bring him
Who might spring a surprise? Mainoo

Any other comments about your nation? We still rule the world

For everyone:

Who will win the tournament? France
Runners up? Dunno I've not looked at brackets not a nerd
Losing semi-finalists? Germany Spain or summat
Outside bet? Romania
Biggest disappointment? Italy

Top scorer? Mbappe
Player of the tournament? Mainoo
Biggest disappointment? Some greasy Sicilian
Pleasant surprise? Random East European talent who'll go for 40mil post tournament and fade into obscurity

Any other comments about the tournament in general? Is anyone actually arsed?

[Waffdon]

Do not doubt the magic of Lyndon Dykes.

My god if he start.

I’m already preparing for Stephen o’Donnell or a Tony Ralston disasterclass at right back

[John Arne]

Rashford out

[Luke Emia]

Rumours of Quansah being in the squad as well as Curtis Jones. I mean Quansah has done ok but he shouldn't be anywhere near the squad and Elliott should be slightly aggrieved if Jones has gotten in ahead of him.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Would like to see Wharton as a bolter perhaps. He might be what's needed alongside Rice. Not convinced Rice/Trent is what we're crying out for but who knows.

[niko_cee]

Is there any chance of Trent in some sort of holding role? Surely not. Maybe he and Saka can be deployed as defensive wingers so Foden and Bellingham can be shoehorned in to the middle where they can fall over each other.

[Luke Emia]

Bellingham being described as an attacked and Alexander Arnold as a midfielder in the squad probably tells you all you need to know about Southgate.

[-james-]

Hard to complain about that squad selection in general but Shaw/Trippier/Joemez as the three left backs is not too inspiring with Shaw's availability being doubtful at best.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I don't get why they don't put Tyrick Mitchell in there. OK not a world beater but a specialist in the position and won't let you down.

[Luke Emia]

Yeah I'd get behind Mitchell as well, not brilliant but steady enough and at least he is actually left fucking footed which is needed for your full backs in this day and age seeing as they normally need to provide the width as the wingers will be cutting in all the time.

[-james-]

Broke:

Bellingham being described as an attacked and Alexander Arnold as a midfielder in the squad probably tells you all you need to know about Southgate.

Woke:

England manager Gareth Southgate on Phil Foden's position: "Anthony (Gordon) has obviously missed the last game with an injury, so that’s part of it.

"Phil has played off the right and left, but the key is where he ends up not his starting position. At City, he’s able to drift and it’s the same as us. Jude has played all season as a number 10 and sometimes, has defended on the left. It’s all about where they end up.

"We don’t pin players to a touchline, that’s not how we work. You want Phil in those central areas. It’s obvious how brilliant Phil’s season has been, he’s stepped up in big games, not only when big players are missing but when playing alongside them too."
England manager Gareth Southgate on squad positions: "I wouldn’t be obsessed with the positions because they can move, I wish it was just forwards and backs.

"I don’t know where we need to cut. If we picked tomorrow, we could have a dozen defenders because we don’t know where we’re at. In a couple of weeks, we will be in a better position with that. There’s a lot to think about over the next couple of weeks.

"I’d love it to be cleaner than it is, but that’s not the situation we’re in."

[Jimmy Floyd]

I wish it was just forwards and backs

Probably refers to his subs as 'replacements', too.

[Yevrah]

Lovely last couple of sentences from Sir Gareth there to manage expectations.

Our defence is a bit shit, but that accusation can be labelled at every single other nation's entire side in this bar France.

[Waffdon]

Bellingham being described as an attacked and Alexander Arnold as a midfielder in the squad probably tells you all you need to know about Southgate.

Bellingham has played as a striker all season

[Waffdon]

Would like to see Wharton as a bolter perhaps. He might be what's needed alongside Rice. Not convinced Rice/Trent is what we're crying out for but who knows.

Looks absolutely perfect to play alongside him assuming Bellingham is in the ‘10’. Mainoo would see that midfield completely overrun

[SincereTheRebel]

Is Wharton the lad with that silly long neck piece?

[Magic]

Scotland are about to be one of the worst sides to ever compete at a major tournament. 3 losses for -10 GD if not higher

Bullshit. It's tournament football, anything can happen (apart from that).

[Waffdon]

Your Nation is: Scotland
How they should do: Should be looking to steal 3rd place with a win over Hungary and hope that’s enough
How I think they will do: Battered by Germany, 2-0 loss to Swiss and a loss to Hungary if they’re in with a chance of 3rd best team

Your manager is: Steve Clarke
Should he be leading the team into the tournament? Yes
How I think he'll do? Shite

Your team's top scorer? zero goals
Who will your team's best player be? McGinn
Who will underperform the most? Robertson
Who will your team's outright shittest player be? Dykes
Who might spring a surprise?

Any other comments about your nation? not going to do well at a tournament without a right back or a striker

For everyone:

Who will win the tournament? France
Runners up? Spain
Losing semi-finalists? Germany, England
Outside bet? Romania to make it through groups
Biggest disappointment?

Top scorer? Kane
Player of the tournament? Griezmann
Biggest disappointment? Musiala
Pleasant surprise? Kante

Any other comments about the tournament in general?

[Dan]

Your Nation is: England
How they should do: Quarters or semis, depending on when they draw someone good
How I think they will do: Quarters or semi, depending on when they draw someone good

Your manager is: The next United head coach
Should he be leading the team into the tournament? Sure
How I think he'll do? Englandy

Your team's top scorer? Kane
Who will your team's best player be? Probably Declan bloody Rice
Who will underperform the most? Foden and/or Bellingham, surely?
Who will your team's outright shittest player be? Maguire will still be starting, right?
Who might spring a surprise? I guess it’s pretty much Wharton by default if he makes the squad

Any other comments about your nation? We’ll continue to do an England

For everyone:

Who will win the tournament? France
Runners up? Spain
Losing semi-finalists? England & Portugal
Outside bet? Serbia?
Biggest disappointment? Isn’t it always Italy and/or Netherlands?

Top scorer? Mmmbop
Player of the tournament? I’ll cheat & say Rodri
Biggest disappointment? Most of the Dutch squad, but I’ll go with Koopmeiners
Pleasant surprise? Rafa Leao playing to his potential consistently

Any other comments about the tournament in general? At least Man City can’t win it