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Holland: Can they go all the way?
Euro 2008 has reached the quarter-final stage and we would like to know who you think will go on and lift the trophy.
Which teams have impressed you so far? Has Holland's unbeaten start seen you favour them? What about Spain - can they shake off their under-achievers tag and win?
Can world champions Italy recover from their slow start and reach the final? Will their win over France kick-start their challenge or will suspensions prove costly?
Will Ronaldo inspire Portugal to glory or will Michael Ballack's Germany emerge victorious?
Can Croatia continue their impressive form and see off Turkey? Will Russia stun the Dutch?
Join the debate using the form below.
Comments (31)
Gary Squires (Southampton fan) says...
i think and hope croatia can go on and win it, they have great spirit but they can also play a bit. still dont think its right that they can meet the germans again but they have beat them once why not again. billic for southampton managers job would be nice!
Posted 07:35 20th June 2008
Syed Abrar says...
It's been Holland all the way so far. They have been the only team that haven't looked scratchy or rusty. All the wins have been emphatic and this can only add to their confidence. Their counter-attacking has left the best of teams shell-shocked. You just had to see the face of Thuram after the final goal in the Holland vs France match. His face told the whole story and the dominance of the Dutch. Even with 9 changes against Romania, they still had the power to beat them 2-0. Their first team is good, their reserves are good, so my money is on the Dutch.
Posted 02:32 20th June 2008
Scot Richards (Rangers fan) says...
Speaking for all the neutrals down under, I think the best final and the best football would be between Holland and Croatia. I think that game would be too close to call but Croatia's inexperience might show at that level leaving the Oranje back where they belong at the top of European football.
Posted 00:53 20th June 2008
Mighty Tigers (Hull City fan) says...
I had a bet on Russia in the Euros and the world cup 2010 as soon as Gus Hiddink became their coach. He always gets the best out of his teams. England should have got him as their coach before they appointed McLaren
Posted 23:47 19th June 2008
Luis Pimentel (Chelsea fan) says...
I think we already have seen the euro champions in Italy. The luckiest team ever, the luck started against romania when Buffon defended the penalty, and carried on against France, with Ribery injury, a sending off and a very poor France. So I will not bet against Italy. Spain haven't won an official game against Italy for 88 years!!!!. I just hope that germany another one of the lucky teams over the years don not get any luck tonight against Portugal. Just hope that Portugal win the game, and also hope that the german players do not start kicking the hell out of the Portugal players.
Posted 19:11 19th June 2008
Sean Watson says...
I think Holland are clear favourites. If they can demoralise the two world cup finalists, Italy and France, bt three clear goals, they can beat anyone! Wesley Sneijder is by far their best player and is the key to their success
Posted 19:04 19th June 2008
Dominic O'key (Arsenal fan) says...
I would love Croatia to win it. I have a tenner resting on Germany to go all the way but I think Croatia are the team I am in most support of; not just because they knocked out England, but also they have a Manager who is both both a tactician and a rock star. Slaven Bilic is one of a kind and it would be superb if Croatia won. Do it for Eduardo!
Posted 19:02 19th June 2008
Ellott Marsland (Doncaster fan) says...
Germans are the best tournament team, not the best team in it, but they always seem to sneek through. I also work for a large German company so, Germany for me!!
Posted 18:33 19th June 2008
Naser Hussain (Manchester United fan) says...
Holland have been in sizzling form, but lets face it 'the group of death' did not give the dutch much of a challenge (France- only scored 1 goal Romania- also only scored 1 goal italy - 3goals- a pen, deflected free kick and a goal from a corner). Holland should beat Russia, but I would not be suprised if they didnt. The dutch defence has not faced any strikeforce capable of scoring (as highlighted above) but against russia, they will. Italy do not have the imagination nor creativeness to beat spain, especially without Pirlo. Spain have the creativeness to score from set pieces and in open play and will beat italy Portugal and germany - We know anything german is reliable but i do not fancy em on this one. Germany have seemed average and some-what lazy in their work ethic. The pace of Portugals ronaldo, moutinho,simao,nani, bosingwa,pepe will see them get past a slugish german side. Croatia and turkey- A team of two 'grafters'. The suspension of the turkish goalkeeper may be an issue, and surely turkey can't snatch victory at the last minit again?? Portugal will beat croatia in the Semis Spain attacking prowess will beat Hollands defence, whereas the spanish defence will cope better with the dutch threat Portugal and Spain final = a tough call, and anything can happen in a final (spain may just edge it)
Posted 13:34 19th June 2008
Musa Dubad (Arsenal fan) says...
I totally agree with the English fans that Dutch are flying in this year's tournament. Lets not forget about the under dogs Croatia. This year belongs to Croatia people!!!!
Posted 13:08 19th June 2008
Richard Kidd (Aberdeen fan) says...
"Gurvinder Kharood (Manchester United fan) says... I believe Italy will go all the way to lift the trophy as they once again started at snail pace but are now starting to look dangerous. I cant see any other team in the Euros beating them as they are solid at the back and just need a goal from one or two players to win games. Spain, Holland and Portugal will all fade away. " Obviously a glory hunter!! Italy will no way progress against Spain. although the spanish havent been on top of their game, they are still 100 times better than Italy and with more potential. I think it'll be holland vs croatia or portugal in the final - i would not liek to see italy or germany in the final as they dont deserve it. Its a waste for france and italy to be in the competition when Scotland could have easily been there (if it wasnt for those italians and the corrupt ref in our last qualifier). We may not have got past the group stages, but we would have put up a damn good fight!!!
Posted 12:37 19th June 2008
Alan Molyneux (Liverpool fan) says...
It's a shame that the draw means Holland can't play Spain in the final as they've been the best teams to watch. Germany and Italy have not impressed so far but, like Chelsea, are experts at winning ugly, and cannot be ruled out. Russia were impressive last night, but I think Holland will beat them. My last 4 are Portugal, Croatia, Holland and Spain with Spain beating Potugal in the final.
Posted 12:28 19th June 2008
San Marco (West Ham United fan) says...
As a Dutchman I am biased, but I really think The Netherlands can win the title. The football is great, the team spirit is great and for the first time in 20 years everything is quiet. Some journalists try to disturb this unity, but to no avail. And I must say I'm proud that we try to play attractive football and in good spirit (van Nistelrooy staying on his feet).
Posted 12:22 19th June 2008
Colin Whitson (Hibernian fan) says...
Holland v Croatia final but too close to call a winner as both these teams are oozing belief and therefore have no fear. Germany and Spain to fail in the semis.
Posted 12:12 19th June 2008
Mehmet Cetin (Chelsea fan) says...
I guess Holland will be the winners of this tournament.Love to see Holland V Turkey final unfortunately The Dutch is too hot to handle at the moment.I can't see my beloved team to win this.
Posted 11:38 19th June 2008
Duncan Whyte (Newcastle United fan) says...
Holland have the strikeforce to win it this year. However, Italy and Germany shouldn't be ignored. Protugal is good, but maybe just notood enough. Spain will lose to italy, allthough I hope not. For me the best final would be holland vs portugal for the love of the game.
Posted 11:16 19th June 2008
Yash Siddhartha (Chelsea fan) says...
Well , the Dutch have certainly impressed me in this competition . Even their substitutes have been more impressive than the first-teams of nations like France and Italy. Italy has a major stumbling block in the age of its players and they just don't have as much talent and hunger as the Dutch do , so they cannot be championship contenders Russia are an entertaining , yet somewhat naive team and they will fall immediately to the Dutch Semifinals - Portugal , Holland , Croatia and Spain I am going with the younger teams to reach the semis as this time round , the tournament has been more about flair and fight than defensive pragmatism Winners - either Holland or Portugal (Croatia with an outside chance) , only because Spain always seem to play well in the first few rounds(World Cup 06 ..anyone ?) and then bottle it towards the end of the competition.
Posted 11:09 19th June 2008
Qasim Hameed (Manchester United fan) says...
Holland are playing brilliant football at the moment and I cant imagine them losing with players like Van Nistelrooy, Van der Sar, Sneijder, Arjen Robben, Van Persie, Klaas Jan Huntelaar,etc. Even Kuyt is their to get some scrappy goals. Russia will be a piece of cake for them. Italy will have gained some momentum after their win against France. I personaly am with Portugal so I tip them to win it.
Posted 11:03 19th June 2008
Jonathan Robe (Manchester United fan) says...
You can all say that the BIG teams have got this all wrapped up and there quality will come through but just remember the determination of Greece 4 years ago. After watching the Russia game last night i wouldnt put it past them making an upset... COME ON RUSSIA!!!
Posted 10:49 19th June 2008
Ash Holbert (Liverpool fan) says...
I believe the dutch will prevail in euro 2008! They have by far looked the strongest team for me. Playing their unique brand of attacking football they've looked the real deal, the one major difference to the Holland teams of the past 8-10 years is the team spirit. There has been no fall outs in the dutch camp this tournament, even with reports Sneijder and van persie don't get along Sniejder himself was quick to play down reports that van persie had tried to injure him. They are playing with a great camaraderie and i can only see them getting stronger as the championships continue, van basten seems to have found what other managers couldn't, a sense of pride in playing for their country and a great balance between youth and experience!!!
Posted 10:19 19th June 2008