PORTUGAL vs GERMANY
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Flair against grit, both traits equally effective when wielded by the right hands. Which trait will come out top this round. A match too close to call but Germany have not been exactly gaining momentum after 2 back-to-back lacklustre displays. On the other hand, Portugal has been dishing out some entertaining football especially in that one game against the Czechs.
I picked Portugal to win 3-1. What about you?
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CROATIA vs TURKEY
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I expect Croatia to stop Turkey in their tracks whatever Ezan may think. Turkey have battled hard and possess great fighting spirit especially in the last 3-2 comeback win but Croatia has too much in them to let this slip away.
A 2-0 Croatia win is my pick. What about you?
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HOLLAND vs RUSSIA
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Holland is the undeniable favourites now. To beat two top teams in Italy and France in the same group will be top order for most teams but the Dutch believe in themselves and confidence will be running high. Quality oozed everywhere from this team. Russia will need to believe they too can match the Dutch but I expect them to hold back their adventurous instincts a little as such is the David vs Goliath mentality. Guus Hiddink will know that his team is not David but ultimately the players are the ones that run the show and not really closed to being cowed, still they may feel a little overawed by the occasion having seen the Dutch at close hand.
A convincing 1-0 win for the Dutch though the scoreline could have been much higher with lots of missed chances. What about you?
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SPAIN vs ITALY
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Spain has been a distant 2nd best behind the Dutch but it is still better than the remaining qualifiers. They will have made the world take notice and start losing the 'chokers' tag that have been bestowed upon them with a fresh injection of youth and flair especially from the pairing of Villa and Torres. Truth is, they have always been regularly injected but there is a certain hard-shelled mentality this time with maturing young players such as Iniesta and Fabregas already running the shows at club level. I know my pick will be the Italians no matter what though. They can turn it on as so belatedly done in the last match but they cannot afford to turn off now. Italy will miss Pirlo due to suspension but de Rossi, man of the match last time out, and perhaps Del Piero may be looking for first-team berths. Given the limited selection in midfield, it will be the wise decision. The midfield is where the battle might be won.
Italy to win 2-1. What about you?
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akim - the Italian fan
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Flair against grit, both traits equally effective when wielded by the right hands. Which trait will come out top this round. A match too close to call but Germany have not been exactly gaining momentum after 2 back-to-back lacklustre displays. On the other hand, Portugal has been dishing out some entertaining football especially in that one game against the Czechs.
I picked Portugal to win 3-1. What about you?
***
CROATIA vs TURKEY
***
I expect Croatia to stop Turkey in their tracks whatever Ezan may think. Turkey have battled hard and possess great fighting spirit especially in the last 3-2 comeback win but Croatia has too much in them to let this slip away.
A 2-0 Croatia win is my pick. What about you?
***
HOLLAND vs RUSSIA
***
Holland is the undeniable favourites now. To beat two top teams in Italy and France in the same group will be top order for most teams but the Dutch believe in themselves and confidence will be running high. Quality oozed everywhere from this team. Russia will need to believe they too can match the Dutch but I expect them to hold back their adventurous instincts a little as such is the David vs Goliath mentality. Guus Hiddink will know that his team is not David but ultimately the players are the ones that run the show and not really closed to being cowed, still they may feel a little overawed by the occasion having seen the Dutch at close hand.
A convincing 1-0 win for the Dutch though the scoreline could have been much higher with lots of missed chances. What about you?
***
SPAIN vs ITALY
***
Spain has been a distant 2nd best behind the Dutch but it is still better than the remaining qualifiers. They will have made the world take notice and start losing the 'chokers' tag that have been bestowed upon them with a fresh injection of youth and flair especially from the pairing of Villa and Torres. Truth is, they have always been regularly injected but there is a certain hard-shelled mentality this time with maturing young players such as Iniesta and Fabregas already running the shows at club level. I know my pick will be the Italians no matter what though. They can turn it on as so belatedly done in the last match but they cannot afford to turn off now. Italy will miss Pirlo due to suspension but de Rossi, man of the match last time out, and perhaps Del Piero may be looking for first-team berths. Given the limited selection in midfield, it will be the wise decision. The midfield is where the battle might be won.
Italy to win 2-1. What about you?
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akim - the Italian fan