Because when website ratings are low, you go to what draws the most attention. Therefore we bring you predictions of a soccer tournament that the U.S. isn't allowed to be in. Here are Mark and I's predictions for Euro 2012:
Mark
Group A
1st Russia
2nd Poland
Pained me to not pick my fellow Czech country men but hosts tend to overachieve and Russia is one of the best teams people hardly ever talk about. They made the semis in 2008 and lost to eventual champion, Spain.
Group B
1st Germany
2nd Netherlands
I found the Group of Death surprisingly easy to pick. Portugal's defense is incredibly suspect. Denmark will miss out due to goal differential.
Group C
1st Spain
2nd Ireland
As you will soon see, Ireland is my "outlandish Cinderella of the tournament" pick. This group could produce a dark horse in Croatia or Ireland. Wouldn't surprise me if Spain happened to not make it out even though I picked them to win.
Group D
1st France
2nd Sweden
France will try to make up for the debacle in South Africa and a so-so group here will help. Sweden squeaks by an injured Three Lions squad and hopeful host Ukraine.
Final Four
Germany over Ireland
The juggernaut that is the German team continues to churn over Cinderella Ireland, who off a penalty kicks victory over France just doesn't have enough left in the tank.
Netherlands over Spain
In a rematch of the 2010 World Cup Final, Nigel de Jong successfully takes out Xavi, Ineista, and David Silva in a single sliding tackle allowing Le Oranje to make it's second consecutive major final.
Germany over Netherlands for the win
Bastian Schweinsteiger wards off the demons of Munich when he scores one and assists on another for the Germans.
John
Group A
1st Russia
2nd Czech Republic
Greece wont be able to afford cleats, sustaining multiple injuries to their bare-feet, really hurting their chances. Polish coach Frank Smuda will accidentally substitute the wrong "owski" in confusion. The Czech Republic will squeak through after having the worst qualifying record. And Russia will run away in the worst group.
Group B
1st Netherlands
2nd Germany
I'll be cheering for Denmark, but they got screwed in the draw. Meanwhile Christiano will be more concerned with his hair drooping in the hot continental summer of Poland/Ukraine than advancing. Germany and the Dutch will be in a tight battle for top spot in the group.
Group C
1st Spain
2nd Italy
It'll be real tight between Italy and Croatia to advance, but I say Italy's defense gets em through. If Croatia were to advance however, they could be a dark horse the rest of the tournament. (That's called hedging your bet)
Group D
1st France
2nd England
France is coming in with an 18 game winning streak. I might be a soccer-ignorant American, but I'm fairly confident that 18-0 is rather hot. I'm takin England to advance as well, because I didn't wanna make too many of the same picks as Mark. But watching them crash and burn would be fun as well, so its a win-win for me.
Final Four
Spain over Germany
Germany is the OKC Thunder, but Spain is the 1992 Dream Team.
Netherlands over France
The Netherlands barely advance over the hot French squad. Should this matchup actually happen, it'd be pretty entertaining to watch.
Spain over Netherlands for the Championship
The Dream Team defeated their opponents by an average of nearly 44 points. Therefore the Spaniards do the soccer equivalent, crushing the Dutch 3-2.
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