Yeah, all 'great' achievements for a semi-decent footballing country.

Holland, however, have a collection of some absolutely fantastic footballers who don't deliver results which you would expect when putting players of that quality together. That's more what I meant when I talked about failing to deliver. Really, the players collectively have enough talent and skill to win the thing... but never seem to get everything working to actually get there.

Or maybe i'm just bitter after that astounding beating you gave us. ;)

You're right about that i suppose, there's always plenty of talent, except they hardly ever know how to turn things into a smooth operating team. The best team we ever had failed to win the worldcup in 1974, and that sums it up pretty much. They were a better team than the one that won the European championship in 1988. It's the same old story this tournament, plenty of talent, no teamspirit, and a coach with failure anxiety. He can't seem to make up his mind, now he even wants to bring back Frank de Boer, who hasn't played since the 1-0 loss in Glasgow, go figure. Pure panic.

I have no real high hopes we'll go far this time, but as long as we beat Germany it's fine with me. :D

Portugal give 1 1/1/2 ball. but I still bet on Portugal to win the match.

I think France or Germany may have a chance at the cup. But who knows Portugal may have a go since they are in home ground. anybody wanna bet Latvia win the cup? The pay is 256 to 1. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

And Hungary isn't even taking part in Euro 2004? Shows that good teams don't get to qualify. :D

Things aren't quite going as planned for the homeside right now. 2-0 Greece.

Crap!! oh Crap!! I can't believe this. Portugal Lost 1 - 2 to Greece. Arghhh.. there goes my money.

LOL How much did you bet ?

And Hungary isn't even taking part in Euro 2004? Shows that good teams don't get to qualify. :D </font>[/QUOTE]Grr, yeah it's all thanks to those Latvians! Bastards! [img]tongue.gif[/img] But as my cousin says it's probably a good thing that Hungary didn't qualify for the last world cup or this Euro 2004 since it'd be a national embarrassment to see the team play crap on the international stage. :D

Oh and I just have to say, hahaha! Gutted Portugal! :D

[ 06-12-2004, 02:39 PM: Message edited by: Vaskez ]

I think France and Italy probably have the best shot. Lot of offensive firepower.

England has a decent shot, but I think it really depends what kind of performances they get from Owen, Rooney and James. Owen's gotta play the way he did in '98, Rooney has to play the way Owen played in 98, and James has a lot of pressure. My money's still on France though.

True on France, but on Italy ???? You're probably right about Italy having the necessary firepower, except there's a difference between having it, and having the balls to play offensive football. And the latter is something Italy is not familiar with.