Euro 2008, International - Written by BlueChampion on Tuesday, June 3, 2008 5:23 | 1,763 Views | 55 Comments | Add Comment

Euro 2008 | Who do you support?

God bless Euro championships. But for the Euro there would be no football this month. I just can’t imagine a footieless month. Of course the transfer rumours are quite spicy and keep you interested even if there is no action on the pitch. There is no substitute for watching football. Roll on Euro. So who am I supporting this Euro? And what is the rationale?

Being a non-European, I have a bunch of choices from which I can choose my Euro team. The parameters are basically I should like the team, the Chelsea representation in the team and the involvement of the Chelsea rivals in the team. I’d say I support England. Unfortunately they played so poorly that they could not get a draw at home when it mattered. It was justice that they didn’t make it to the Euro. What are the options I have? Well, here they are.

I can’t stand France. I’m sorry if any French (sorry Bella!) is reading this. I simply can’t even stomach them. I know there are three Chelsea players in the French contingent who could all play in the first eleven but I seem to have some aversion to the French national team. It’s just the football team and not the country or language, mind you. I absolutely loved the city and people of Paris, when I was there. With the option of seeing either Vieira or Henry holding the trophy aloft, France is big no-no.

Spain is good. But if they win, who’s going to take all the limelight? Torres, Fabregas, Villa, Ramos? Wht’s is in it for me. I’d love to see Fabregas spend his career with no trophies so that after he joins Barca he can look back and see how he could not win anything when he was in Arsenal. That’d be nice. Spain’s got a good team. When it comes to tournaments, they’ve always been chronic underperformers. But they’re a good team.

Portugal? Nah. You think it’s nice to this Ronaldo winning premier league, champions league and Euro in a space of 2 months? Well, it can improve his stock and pull him to Real Madrid, which would be great. Going by what Fergie says time and again on Ronaldo, he stays at Man Utd. Why win so much in such short span of time. Some of our defenders are Portuguese but it’s okay. They will win stuff with Chelsea.

I like the Azzuris. I like the way Italy plays. I love their style, which some of you might brand as boring. Italians are very highly tactically aware and play and think as a team. They are always conscious of what they need to do, as in what result do I need and how can I get it, smart football if you know what I mean. Also they are in the group C where France plays. it’s quite important that Italy plays well, if France are to be eliminated. You know what, I’d be cheering Romania too. So, Italy are one of my favourites for this tournament.

With Netherlands, you have another case of a group of very highly talented players but an okay team. In their best form, they are a treat to watch but they are never so popular outside of Netherlands. It’s quite difficult for a non-Dutch to support Netherlands because of their lack of iconic figures and also their internal ego clashes and their unprofessional behaviour and lack of sportsmanship on the pitch. Having van Nistelrooy and Robben don’t help them! I won’t feel for a second if they are to be eliminated. With Boulahrouz in their ranks, they can have great ambitions, can they?

Czech are a good team too. Last Euro they were the best team of the cup until they were unfortunately braten by the champions Greece. I’d love to see them come up with another such performance and give the big ones a run for their money. The best of the dark horses have to be Croatia. They played brilliant football all along the qualifiers and did not change their determination one bit even after they qualified. Bilic could be the most sought after coach, if Croatia makes it to the semi finals. There are no rumours about this but I think Chelsea would be rumoured to be chasing Bilic at some point of time. Among the dark horses, my vote goes to Croatia and Czech.

And finally, if there is one player that I want to see lift the trophy, it is ze German, Michael Ballack. Germany, like Italy, play the kind of football I like. I’d call it complete football - very evenly balanced in all parts of the pitch, strong in the air and on ground, they defend as well as they can attack, effective in set pieces as well as in open play and if they ever get into penalties, the game is as good as over for the opponents. To top it all they are a tournament team. They have a great sense of objective and their game way too organised for an upset of any sort. They are led by our man, Michael Ballack. There is no one in the German team from our English league rivals except a discarded Lehmann. My love for Ballack more than overshadows my hate for Lehmann. I hope Enke knocks him out for the first eleven.

So my first choice favourite is Germany and second choice is Italy. My first choice dark horse is Croatia and the second choice is Czech republic. The teams that I absolutely don’t want to win are France and Portgual.

I still remember the images of Ballack crying after the champions league finals. This is the chance for ze German to erase that memory by lifting the other European trophy. If want Germany to simply roll over every opponent they come across - be it Italy, Croatia or Czech - just roll them over. Michael Ballack to be the European champion.

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55 Comments

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1. TBF

Jun 3, 2008 @ 8:01

@BC

Atleast we support the same teams……..lol

Ze Germans all the way.

2. Jasix

Jun 3, 2008 @ 8:27

What about Poland Blue Champion? I am a Pole and I think we can do something on this tournament. Something big I mean. This is our first ever Euro and there is something like “lady luck” for beginners ;-) My vote goes of course to Poland - my dark horse in this tournament. POLSKA BIALO - CZERWONI!

3. JoseHoliday

Jun 3, 2008 @ 10:05

I support RUSSIA , cos lately any team I support seems to be knocked out quick

4. GermanFan

Jun 3, 2008 @ 11:18

I support a Germany v Portugal final.
If both teams do not meet before the final and keep injuries out I can see that happen.

5. Syed

Jun 3, 2008 @ 11:33

England supporter - so no way I can support the bloody Germans. I hope they rot in hell & get knocked out ASAP in their second homes in Austria and Switzerland! Hopefully Riccy, Paolo & Bosingwa - and old boys Maniche & Tiago (if they are selected) - lift the trophy, so Portugal all the way for me. Oh and someone called Mourinho is Portuguese too! Scolari is a brilliant manager and deserves another trophy after winning it with Brazil and taking Portugal to Final (Euro) and Semi Final (WC) in 2 consecutive competitions. Italy is my 2nd team, followed by Holland, Czech, Poland and Sweden. Along with Germany, can’t stand France, Spain, Russia and Turkey.

Going to Switzerland for my hols next week and will be supporting Big Phil’s lads.

Come on PORTUGAL!

6. Nihongo Blue

Jun 3, 2008 @ 11:34

my love for carvalio exceeds my hate for ronaldo so i would like him to have the euro cup. Knowing that riccy hasnt won anything this season would be very hard on him because last 5 seasons he has always won many trophies.. uefa cup, champions league, portugal league , premier league, FA cup and suddenly a trophy less season . go boy and get the euro cup

cheers

7. ilayathalapathi vijay

Jun 3, 2008 @ 12:46

germany all the way…going to win the euro 2008….ballack going to lead germans…

8. bidji

Jun 3, 2008 @ 12:52

Poland FTW!

9. SH.IBRAHIMI

Jun 3, 2008 @ 13:17

yep Germany is going to win it and i would prefer Italy in final to revenge them for 2006 loss but i dont think Italy will go so far i think either Italy or France will fail to qualify from “Group of Death” also think that Spain&Holland can win it so my favourite is Germany of course and as for Portugal i think they lack a decent striker and that’s the reason why i think they cant win it maybe quarter or semis but not to final and my dark horse is Croatia and finally the only team that i dont want to win it is PORTUGAL.

10. bluesluv

Jun 3, 2008 @ 13:46

first choice would be spain- i think they have found that missing link in El nino torres
germany comes a close second

i honestly hate the azurri and loved the zidane included france but, now both can lose and holland and romania can go up for all i care

11. churchill

Jun 3, 2008 @ 14:17

i would like to see a germany v. portugal final, if that is possible. i would also like to see holland make a run… still support robben. if we had still had him this past season we would have won the prem by 6 points. i cant stand the french either, and the spainish, russisans, coratians, and turks.
ps- rooting for the czechs for cech.

12. denver

Jun 3, 2008 @ 14:19

GERMANY all the way !!! then France(our French boys), Czech (because of cech),Portugal(large amount of chelsea players)
by the way Greece always seem to do well!!

goooooooooooo Germany!!!!!

13. Nihongo Blue

Jun 3, 2008 @ 14:26

being optimistic is good but no one can go past ricardo and score a goal!!!

be happy… be optimistic but riccy is gonna take it!!!

portugal all the way…

cheers

14. denver

Jun 3, 2008 @ 14:31

dark horses….. Romania, Turkey and Russia!!!

15. trueplatinum

Jun 3, 2008 @ 14:46

i think everyone is with you on this one, efficient german football because we like their stars

16. trueblue

Jun 3, 2008 @ 14:57

i hope germany wins d euro cup,but i think he is going to lose again as he came second in 4 competitons in 2002 with leverkuesen n now with chelsea second in 3 competitions,looks like this brilliant midfielder is very unlucky

17. MourofEssien

Jun 3, 2008 @ 15:05

Once a blue always a blue- and when i say blue, you all know am not talking about les tricolores of france who copy the original blues by calling themselves blues- I mean of course, the one and only national blue squad in the world- Italia.

The Azurris thro rain or sunshine always have my support. They are always the most intelligent squad- win or lose. They combine beautiful technique with impeccable tactical acumen-

Forza Italia and let the blue flag keep flying ever so high.

18. MourofEssien

Jun 3, 2008 @ 15:11

Guys, when the euro kicks off, fill us in when anyone finds any site where the debate on the euro matches is the hottest.

19. cap123

Jun 3, 2008 @ 16:16

I really should want france or portugal to win, but they’ve both got people i hate alot, sorry maka, carvalho, ferreria and bosgwina but your team mates suck! (incl. malouda and anelka :()

i’d love germany or poland to do well, and i like torres so spain as well. But i’ll support germany

20. churchill

Jun 3, 2008 @ 16:37

im not really gonna support one team, but the chelsea players on those teams.

21. mike ayad

Jun 3, 2008 @ 17:00

CHELSEA STRIKE ANCELOTTI DEAL(sorry to be off the topic)
http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=721857

22. IwasMissingJose

Jun 3, 2008 @ 17:13

la lala lala la………Deutschland wird Europameister sein!

23. Jasix

Jun 3, 2008 @ 17:32

Have you heard the news? Ancelotti - new menager of Chelsea!!

24. denver

Jun 3, 2008 @ 17:42

@BC
Is Carlo Ancelotti the man Chelsea need at this time… I not sure if he is the man to bring attractive football to Chelsea.Im not sure how i would feel if this turns out to be true.
The man we need is Rijkaard.
We must go for someone who WANTS to be at our club and not someone who wants to be there for the money!! (this goes for both players and coaches)

Since we all like German players so much we should try to get Bastian Schweinsteiger he is a great young player, with crisp passes and a wicked long range (in effect her is an all round German footballer)plus he will be better than Ballack.

25. denver

Jun 3, 2008 @ 17:55

@23 this has not been confirm yet ….
I still see Roman fiddling with things at the helm!!

26. Jasix

Jun 3, 2008 @ 18:05

Chelsea denied all this stuff… strange

27. denver

Jun 3, 2008 @ 18:09

milan’s recored for last season was not pretty, it had a lot of 1-0 wins for Milan (I though we we running away from 1-0 wins!!!!!) thus i dont think he is the best man to take Chelsea forward. Kaka is good but he aint not Diego.

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/football/ac-milan/results/2007-2008/

28. Adonis

Jun 3, 2008 @ 19:55

BC, a man after my own heart. I love the Germans, I’ll be wearing my German Ballack #13 jersey and hoping for some more magical headers and emotional, passionate celebrations.

29. TrueBlueInd

Jun 3, 2008 @ 20:49

Hi guys..

If given a chance, the first player I would bring to chelsea from Europe is Philip Lahm, followed by Lukas podolski…That gives away the team I am Supporting in the euros…GERMANY

My 2nd favourites would be France because for me Theirry Henry is one of the greatest strikers ever and I am a huge fan of Henry…So Naturally France would occupy a soft spot in my heart

Just for the record..My favourite International team is ARGENTINA

I want to see Germany vs Portugal in the final..Penalties..Cronaldo Misses again & Ballack blasts in the deciding penalty..wat a dream script:)

30. GermanFan

Jun 3, 2008 @ 21:51

TBI I know you suport ARSE(sex)AL but come on Tierry Henry? who is T. Henry?????
used to be a good player in another unsecceful team up north london, somewhere , where the price of houses are on a down fall, only because upARSE-AL have their stadium there.
Now everything being decent, no injuries on players I can see Portugal v Germany in the final, and lets the brasilians of Europe (sorry dad) win, only because they are the best skilfull players, not Italy, not France, and for Spain they only booked their hotel rooms for a week.
Now BC must be wondering lol.

31. joecoliere

Jun 4, 2008 @ 10:35

ciao
as you can see I am “italiano”…so you can image too who I voted!!!!
I’m happy to see that there is someone out of italy that support us.
I’m sorry that England will not involved in Euro 2008 because it would be my second team….until we play against you!!….
by the way I suggest you to take care to the big ANTONIO CASSANO who is retuned a big star after the spanish adventure(more of funny life that footaball).
I’m scared by the group, if we pass this we can go to win the title….but is a very strong group…I think we must win with romania because who will lose with them will go out of the tournament!!
But we have to start with a victory with nethrlands and is not gonna be easy!!!
as “italiano” I have a lot of espectations but it’s gonna be hard.
but here in “italia” the people’s thought is that we give the best when we are under pressure!!!….you can see this with your eyes: we won a “mondiale” when there was what you already know…the scandal of my team..juve
and we went out of the last “europeo” in a group with sweden and denmark!!!!!!!!!!
and with the 4-3-3 of donadoni we’are playing the best football of the latest years!!
so as you said…..FORZA AZZURRI!!!!
please don’t say FORZA ITALIA because is/was the name of the biggest politic party of italy….sure you know the man i’m refering to…he has got milan too….TV too….newspaper too…and government!

please correct my english where is wrong
bye dudes

32. heyjose

Jun 4, 2008 @ 10:52

i will support all chelsea players

33. Chelsea n Deutschland Fan

Jun 4, 2008 @ 13:48

Germany all the way .

34. xerxesk

Jun 4, 2008 @ 14:00

i wasnt too impress with germany’s performance against belarus and france against colombia.

We are recently linked with Roma’s manager, I hope he comes he takes a tram with no budget and 300 mil under dept and makes them challenge Inter.

Please leave a comment BC.

35. Jo

Jun 4, 2008 @ 14:46

this is the best time for chelsea to scout for talented and creative players…keep an eye on italian,holland,spanish and south american teams…hope chelsea make some moves for players…its kinda bored when there is no news about the manager as well as the players going to chelsea

36. SH.IBRAHIMI

Jun 4, 2008 @ 14:49

guys Porto is out of the CL for this season so now its a best chance to buy Ricardo Quaresma cos its impossible for him to stay there now without chance to play in Europe..

37. heyjose

Jun 4, 2008 @ 14:50

we have lost out on hughes he is citys new boss

38. GermanFan

Jun 4, 2008 @ 16:34

Yes Porto is out of CL next season but Quaresma’s agent is in talk with R Madrid and Inter. With Inter in advantage because of Mourinho.
I dont think Roman wants an English manager, he knows who hje wants and maybe is waiting for the euros and then goes for a top manager, that maybe can convince Lamps, DD, Essien, and carvalho to stay.

39. serbov Red Star

Jun 4, 2008 @ 17:43

My favourite team at this EC is Russia. I think that they pull a surprise. They will also be fueled with Roman s promised financial injection. Also because of Spartak Moscow.
My second favourite team is Greece. They are only team from the Balkans. Also because of Olympiacos.

40. BlueFan nr:1

Jun 4, 2008 @ 20:06

roman bether save his money for chelsea and dont spend it on roman. sweden is the best team with ibra upfront. and by the way essien is staying at chelsea

41. oranje

Jun 5, 2008 @ 6:45

Chelsea are willing to pay 18 mil for Miralem Sulejmani of Heerenven!

42. churchill

Jun 5, 2008 @ 12:11

essien to stay– great news it would be very hard to replace a player like him.

43. Chelsea ir

Jun 5, 2008 @ 13:26

Bad News :Dos Santos agree to join Spurs
Good News:Adebayor is leaving for milan.

44. BlueFan nr:1

Jun 5, 2008 @ 14:17

adebayor wont leave. they will get drogba he is moore easy to buy and cheaper. roman has to get a good manager fast. all the good players are leaving for other clubs and the players are prob getting mad!! this is fvcked up

45. BlueFan nr:1

Jun 5, 2008 @ 14:17

46. Jo

Jun 5, 2008 @ 15:06

yea..chelsea should get quaresma …this is the best chance to get him as porto cant play in europe….maybe chelsea should swap drogba for ibrahimovic…c’mon chelsea…cant wait to see who’s coming

47. Rob

Jun 5, 2008 @ 17:41

Stop buying wingers.

48. Chelsea IR

Jun 5, 2008 @ 18:04

The Spurs squad next season is stronger than us.I think next season they will fight for top 4 place and with this none manager at chelsea I think Chelsea will hurt hardly.
Dos santos gone.Ben zema will leave for united.also klus huntlair.i DONT no what will happaen next season.Maybe we will be under Fourth place.

49. GermanFan

Jun 5, 2008 @ 19:03

Essien is leaving guys believe it. If Roman doesnt increase his salary he is on his way out. Besides he is a JM man.

50. IwasMissingJose

Jun 5, 2008 @ 19:54

Chelsea is paying for its mistakes and its we fans that are going to suffer humiliation. Those guys on the chairs simply quit their jobs when things get out of theier hand. RA should listen to us. or we are going to sink….our glory would be a mid-summer nights dream. everthing will be lost…

51. MarkO189

Jun 9, 2008 @ 0:38

The Germany and Poland game..I saw the highlights..
Why can’t Gomez shoot??
WHY is Klose so generous??
But Poldoski and Ballack know how to play WELL!