Euro 2012

[Falkor]

Just seeing on BBC that Puyol is a major major doubt for spain, that will be a monumental lose and if its confirmed im sticking my money on Germany.

Puyol is a rock in that squad

 

[Butch Willykins]

I don't like his hair tho...... Euro 2012 will be better off without that barnet.

 

[Ninja Elephant]

No, Spain won't miss him if he's not playing. He is too old now, his lack of pace has always been countered with his incredible positional sense but even that is beginning to slip. Spain have plenty at centre back, I wouldn't be suprised if Sergio Ramos partnered Pique instead, with Alvaro Arbeloa at right back. It's how Real Madrid have been for the most part this season, Ramos in the centre with Arbeloa at right back.

Either way, it's not Spain's defence you want to worry about.

 

[Mellotron]

No Puyol. No Villa.

Interesting.

 

[NickBHAFC18]

No, Spain won't miss him if he's not playing. He is too old now, his lack of pace has always been countered with his incredible positional sense but even that is beginning to slip. Spain have plenty at centre back, I wouldn't be suprised if Sergio Ramos partnered Pique instead, with Alvaro Arbeloa at right back. It's how Real Madrid have been for the most part this season, Ramos in the centre with Arbeloa at right back.

Either way, it's not Spain's defence you want to worry about.

Spot on. Ramos has taken that CB role with ease.

 

[Ninja Elephant]

Spot on. Ramos has taken that CB role with ease.

He's always wanted to be taken seriously as a centre back, but until this season it hasn't really happened. It has now, and I think he'll be staying there.

I don't even think they'll be too worried at losing Villa either, [MENTION=12101]Mellotron[/MENTION]. When you look at who is coming in to replace him, they've got a lot of options up front.

I'm very tempted to get on Germany though, it's historically unlikely that Spain will win a third consecutive major tournament and the Germany provisional squad is packed with talent all over the place. They have one of the best goalkeepers in the world, and experience throughout the entire squad.

 

[Mellotron]

He's always wanted to be taken seriously as a centre back, but until this season it hasn't really happened. It has now, and I think he'll be staying there.

I don't even think they'll be too worried at losing Villa either, [MENTION=12101]Mellotron[/MENTION]. When you look at who is coming in to replace him, they've got a lot of options up front.

I'm very tempted to get on Germany though, it's historically unlikely that Spain will win a third consecutive major tournament and the Germany provisional squad is packed with talent all over the place. They have one of the best goalkeepers in the world, and experience throughout the entire squad.

I'm sure they'd rather have Villa than not. He's by far their best striker. Of their options upfront, only 1 has "done it" at the top level and he's hardly full of confidence.

 

[Ninja Elephant]

I'm sure they'd rather have Villa than not. He's by far their best striker. Of their options upfront, only 1 has "done it" at the top level and he's hardly full of confidence.

I'm sure they would, but they're not too short of options up front. They might have to play slightly differently, but Fernando Llorente is a very reasonable replacement and he's not their only option.

It could be worse for them, they could be staring at the dilemma of playing Crouch, Welbeck or Carroll. Grant Holt for me please.

 

[Mellotron]

I'm sure they would, but they're not too short of options up front. They might have to play slightly differently, but Fernando Llorente is a very reasonable replacement and he's not their only option.

It could be worse for them, they could be staring at the dilemma of playing Crouch, Welbeck or Carroll. Grant Holt for me please.

I wouldn't play any of the above.

Sturridge with Young and Walcott/Oxlade-Chamberlain either side, for me.

But I get your overall point.

 

[Ninja Elephant]

I like Sturridge, but I'm not convinced he contributes as much as he should do.

I wouldn't take Ashley Young, purely because he's a diving cheat.

 

[Gullflyinghigh]

I don't think they'll miss Puyol too much, shove Ramos in at CB with Pique and all of a sudden they look just as, if not more, solid than they already did.

Either way, my money's going to be on Germany.

 

[turienzo's lovechild]

spain will still be strong but i've been in the "germany will win it" camp for a while now

their young squad that got to the world cup semi finals (DESTROYING england and argentina) is now 2 years older and more experienced, plus they have MORE top quality young players coming through

this is their preliminary squad

Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Tim Wiese (Werder Bremen), Ron Robert Zieler (Hannover), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Borussia Moenchengladbach)

Defenders: Holger Badstuber, Jerome Boateng, Philipp Lahm (all Bayern Munich), Benedikt Hoewedes (Schalke), Mats Hummels, Marcel Schmelzer (both Borussia Dortmund), Per Mertesacker (Arsenal)

Midfielders: Sven Bender, Mario Gotze, Ilkay Gundogan (all Borussia Dortmund), Lars Bender, Andre Schuerrle (both Bayer Leverkusen), Julian Draxler (Schalke), Toni Kroos, Thomas Mueller, Bastian Schweinsteiger (all Bayern Munich), Sami Khedira, Mesut Ozil (both Real Madrid), Marco Reus (Borussia Moenchengladbach)

Forwards: Lukas Podolski (Cologne), Cacau (Stuttgart), Mario Gomez (Bayern Munich), Miroslav Klose (Lazio)

for a start they have a number of players who are about to play in the champions league final, not to mention the likes of khedira and ozil at real madrid, podolski who is about to move to arsenal and has ALWAYS performed well at international level (43 goals in 95 games) and the dortmund boys (top of the bundesliga with a young squad)....even miroslav klose who may not make the squad has had a good season at club level with lazio and is an absolute GOAL SCOUNDREL in international tournaments

 

[Durlston]

Just seeing on BBC that Puyol is a major major doubt for spain, that will be a monumental lose and if its confirmed im sticking my money on Germany.

Puyol is a rock in that squad

Oh bollocks. Was thinking of having a large bet on Germany. May look elsewhere now.

 

[Falkor]

at 3/1 not amazing odds anyway. That said really there are about 3 teams in it.


Spain 5/2
Germany 3/1
Netherlands 7/1
England 9/1
France 11/1
Italy 12/1
Russia 20/1
Portugal 20/1
Croatia 40/1
Ukraine 40/1
Poland 50/1
Rep Ireland 66/1
Czech Republic 66/1
Greece 66/1
Sweden 66/1
Denmark 80/1

 

[Durlston]

I wouldn't be surprised if any of the 16 teams win it. All good sides who came through qualifying and the host nations tend to do quite well. Greece were 100/1 to win Euro 2004.

 

[turienzo's lovechild]

surprised sweden are 66/1 with one of the most in form strikers in world football in their squad

 

[Bold Seagull]

I'm sure they'd rather have Villa than not. He's by far their best striker. Of their options upfront, only 1 has "done it" at the top level and he's hardly full of confidence.

Fernando Llorente is in the best form of his career - 29 goals this season, they may not miss Villa at all. Llorente already has 20 caps for Spain, he has looked awesome this season.

 

[Mellotron]

Puyol IS El-Abd in a wig. FACT.

He's good, but he's not EL ABD good yet.

 

[DumLum]

Do England have the best keeper?

 

[Gonzo]

Puyol in my opinion is, dare I say it a tad overrated. A solid and dependable defender, but he certainly has his limits. As has already been said I'd definitely go with Pique and Ramos at CB - won't be majorly missed. Villa is also replaceable given the amount of attacking talent at their disposal. Still clear favourites imo.