The European soccer championships are still underway, and we've now reached the round of eight. I give you my thoughts on the upcoming games, along with a crazy bet for each game that I would recommend just for the fun of it.
Portugal vs. Czech Republic
Cristiano and the Ronaldettes against possibly the weakest team in this round. It's clear the Portuguese found their rythm against Holland, and they should be everybody's bet to reach the semi-finals.
The verdict: Portugal by two. 3-1 or 2-0. But it's going to be a frustrating game with a lot of Portuguese touches, a lot of Cristiano Ronaldo making faces at the refs or his teammates, and not many quality shots on goal.
Crazy bet: Czech Republic go through on a Cristiano Ronaldo own goal.
Germany vs. Greece
Good vs. Evil here as the Germans, who play some of the best soccer the world has seen in years, go up against the Greeks, whose bank of ideas is as... well, you know. Too mean? Nevermind. I hope Greece is in for a thrasing, but with their compact defense, I doubt it. Heart says 4-0 Germany.
The verdict: Brain says 1-0 Germany. And we can safely assume Mario Gomez has something to do with the goal.
Crazy bet: All the German bench players wear Joachim Löw's trademark white shirts.
The verdict: Brain says 1-0 Germany. And we can safely assume Mario Gomez has something to do with the goal.
Crazy bet: All the German bench players wear Joachim Löw's trademark white shirts.
Spain vs. France
An exciting, evenly-matched game of hopeful young teams beaming with diverse offensive talent and creativity - when they played this game at Euro 2000. France hasn't really found its legs since the Zidane Incident in the 2006 World Cup final. In fact, you could argue even that team was a pale shadow of the 2000 team. Spain has won it all now. They have seemed tired, and looked like a parody of themselves in that ten-midfielder lineup against Ireland. Still hard to beat them, though.
The verdict: Spain will find a way to win. And it's probably going to be the way they always do it - 1-0 on a goal scored between the 70th and 80th minute.
Crazy bet: Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas joins the tiki-taka game and becomes the de facto eleventh midfielder.
An exciting, evenly-matched game of hopeful young teams beaming with diverse offensive talent and creativity - when they played this game at Euro 2000. France hasn't really found its legs since the Zidane Incident in the 2006 World Cup final. In fact, you could argue even that team was a pale shadow of the 2000 team. Spain has won it all now. They have seemed tired, and looked like a parody of themselves in that ten-midfielder lineup against Ireland. Still hard to beat them, though.
The verdict: Spain will find a way to win. And it's probably going to be the way they always do it - 1-0 on a goal scored between the 70th and 80th minute.
Crazy bet: Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas joins the tiki-taka game and becomes the de facto eleventh midfielder.
Italy vs. England
Two former super powers in soccer. Well, they might be on the way back to that status now. Italy have played somewhat un-Italian, and England have avoided messing up their group stage. Might actually be the most interesting matchup, and the best game, of all the quarter-finals.
The verdict: I think it'll go to penalties. In which case I suppose Italy would have the psychological upper hand.
Crazy bet: Goals galore - wouldn't that be something in an Italy game? Like ten total goals in this one. Even crazier if you bet on a 7-3 win for England.
Fifteen minutes to kickoff in the Portugal-Czech game. Now the real games begin!
Two former super powers in soccer. Well, they might be on the way back to that status now. Italy have played somewhat un-Italian, and England have avoided messing up their group stage. Might actually be the most interesting matchup, and the best game, of all the quarter-finals.
The verdict: I think it'll go to penalties. In which case I suppose Italy would have the psychological upper hand.
Crazy bet: Goals galore - wouldn't that be something in an Italy game? Like ten total goals in this one. Even crazier if you bet on a 7-3 win for England.
Fifteen minutes to kickoff in the Portugal-Czech game. Now the real games begin!
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