Euro 2008 in the rear view
| Friday June 6, 2008 00:00
Kagiso Sekokonyane
(Monitor Editor)
Who do you want to win?:
Portugal
I like this team and I am a big fan.
Who will lose?: Holland
Holland are very disappointing. Okay, they play good football, so what... they never get results and at times it's like they are hapless. They are also under achievers.
Who deserves to win? Portugal
This time around they stand a good chance and with the team that they have, victory is on the cards. When they play, you can see the urgency and the desire to win. Portugal's line-up is every coach's wish. Their trump card is Ronaldo who had a sparkling season at Old Trafford. He has been given the arm band. This is a motivation. Another player to watch is Simao if he is fully fit.
Who will win?: Germany
Though I have my preferences, my conscience tells me that Germany will take it. The Germans have a winning spirit even when they are losing. They never give up. They have a resolute fighting spirit, consistency and also have a distinctive playing pattern.
Tshepo Molwane
(Sports Editor)
Who do you want to win?: France
France has a number of quality players and they can rise to the occasion in any given match day. Due to the fact that they did not do well in the last World Cup competition, this will be a motivation for France to protect their diminishing respect.
Who will lose?: Holland
I like Holland's style of play but their problem is that they never rise to the occasion despite the talent they possess. It is a norm that they never win any major trophy and even their supporters have learnt to live with it. They have the players and as usual they will lose and people will still ask questions why?
Who deserves to win?: Switzerland
They are the co-hosts with Austria and over the years this team has improved a lot. A loss for them will just be heartbreak for their passionate supporters who are expected to fill the stadiums.
Who will win: France
Like I said, this team will live to their usual reputation. I see them strongly poised to counter any challenge. The attacking trio of Karim Benzema, Frank Ribery and Thierry Henry will be too hot to handle. This is a chance for Henry to stand up and be counted as most people have written him off after his move to Barcelona in Spanish La Liga.
Wene Owino
(Sports Analyst)
Who do you want to win?:
Holland
This team has been labelled the biggest losers in world soccer. They were the finalists in the 1974 and 1978 World Cups. This team plays attractive football and needs to win this tournament to build ground as one of Europe and world's greatest.
Who will lose?: Italy
They are the World Cup holders and they do not need this one that badly. I also do not like the Italians because of what transpired when they played against Nigeria in the 1994 World Cup - they did not deserve to win that game but they ended up as the runners-up.
I think they were favoured ahead of the Nigerians. Decisions also went their way during their game against Australia during the 2006 World Cup and ended up winning the tournament.
Who deserves to win?: Holland
I think they need to stage some serious challenge and this time around they cannot afford to lose. Their reputation is at stake and they need victory more than any other heavyweights of this game.
Who will win?: Any team can win
As much as I think that France may win this tournament, it is not easy to pick the winner. The tradition of the European competition is full of surprises and a number of outsiders have won this competition and defied the expectations.
Letso Mpho
(Sports Writer)
Who do you want to win?: France
This team is close to my heart and comprises many star players. The French team has come of age, as one of the best complete packages and their match sheet will give any opponent a shiver.
Who will lose?: Italy
I think that Italy can be arrogant should they win this competition ahead of the French team that narrowly lost the World Cup in 2006.
Who deserves to win?: Spain
I personally think that this is one of the best teams in Europe at the moment. They have world-class players in every department. I think they are just unlucky to have not won this competition over the years.
Who will win?: Portugal
They are a good team that have missed chances of winning a major victory. With dazzling players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Ricardo Queresma and Nani they will be a force to reckon with.
Boitumelo Khutsafalo
(Sports Writer)
Who do you want to win?: France
This team has flair and players who really possess strong characters.
Who will lose?: Italy
Italy is the usual threat against any team, and as much as I want France to win this one I think Italy can stop France in their tracks.
Who deserves to win?: Czech Republic
This is one good team that has come close to winning the Euro at times and should they get that chance again, I back them to go for glory.
Who will win?: France
I think that since I picked them as the team I want to thrive, they will not disappoint me. Not this time. This is a team full of world class acts and they will go all the way.
Chippa Legodimo
(Sports Correspondent)
Who do you want to win?: France
This is the most technically gifted side in Europe. They have flair and they gel very well.
Who will lose?: Spain
As much as they have one of the best leagues in the world, they lack outstanding characters at this stage. They are not really dominant as they look and are usually a good team on paper. I also think that Greece will not pull off their tricks again.
Who deserves to win?: Holland
This team is really unlucky. I think they play good football but they just fall short to make a kill when they should rise to the occasion.
Who will win?: France
My money is on France because they came so close in many occasions lately. This time they play as a unit and they have new blood who play at the top level with players such as Karim Benzema, Florent Malouda and Frank Ribery. I also fancy Germany as well because they are a strong force and usually are full of surprises.
Lesang Maswabi
(Sports Analyst)
Who do you want to win?:
Holland
This is one of the best teams in Europe and to some extent on the universe. A very skilful team with a number of renowned players. They have been under achievers and came close to winning on some occasions, but this time it looks like they are in with a chance.
Who will lose?: Germany
This is a football powerhouse with some of the greatest players in the olden days such as Franz Beckenbauer, Jurgen Klinsmann, and Lothar Matthaeus and the current team have much to prove. As much as I respect Germany, I think they will lose this time and give other teams a chance.
Who deserves to win?: Holland
For the same reason that I picked Holland as the team that I want to win. I think they need victory badly. After saying that, I think that Spain and Portugal are also big soccer nations with big game players and they too will need to win this one to keep pace with the French and the Italians as the super-powers of European soccer.
Who will win?: Italy
Italy is on form and is confident at the moment. They are the world-beaters and tough competitors and are world winners. I also think that Germany and Russia are likely to grab the headlines.
Gideon Nkala
(Mmegi Editor)
Who do you want to win:
Germany
This team is well balanced and it is one of the complete sides going into this competition. They will live up to their reputation and are strong contenders in any competition.
Who will lose: Spain
As much as Spain has a number of world-class players, I doubt if this team will win this competition. They do not look serious at all. To some extent I also think that France should also lose this time.
Who deserves to win: Italy
They are the champions of the world and are world-beaters in all perspectives.
Who will win: Germany
Though my money is on Germany, I also think that Italy have equal chances as Germany. It has been a while since Germany won a major competition and they have gained momentum since the last World Cup. They have a youthful squad now and have found a winning combination.
Tumelo Setshogo
(Correspondent)
Who do you want to win:
Portugal
This team has a number of renowned match winners such as Nani, Cristiano Ronaldo and Deco. I think that this time around they stand a good chance to lift this trophy.
Who will lose: Germany
Though Germany is a very strong force in the industry, I feel that they have achieved a lot and should lose and give other nations a chance.
Who deserves to win: Holland
They play attractive football and have competed in major tournaments but have never won a major trophy. I do not know what could be the problem associated with this team's failure but I think luck will be on their side in Switzerland/Austria.
Who will win: France
Though I did not pick France to win, I think they will win this one. I am a diehard fan and I think they have a swarm of talent in players such as Florent Malouda and Frank Ribery and others who are likely to use this tournament to break into bigger leagues.