I've seen very few mentions of Croatia being in with a shout, despite making the finals in the last world cup. It seems their best players are ageing, so I guess that lowers their chances, but they must be in with a bit of a shout?

comment by Ji Sung Park's Cousin - A Beekers Dozen (U2958)
posted 3 minutes ago
I've seen very few mentions of Croatia being in with a shout but they must be in with a bit of a shout?
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let it all out

I think a good bet is for Croatia and England to draw in their first game as England usually start tournaments badly and Croatia seem to do well against England.

I’m not letting the hope kill me this time.
Oh for sure, England have great talent. But I have to go Columbo on this.. Southgate in the build up has alarmed me with his decision making.
Henderson and Maguire shouldn’t be there. History has shown what happens when you do this with injured/out of form players.
Also, these last 2 friendlies, I don’t understand players playing who aren’t selected. Where’s the momentum?
Is the team gelled together on the pitch?
Why would you have Ward-Prowse take all the set pieces in the last game? What was the benefit of that?

So for these reasons, I think it will come back to bite England in the ass. I hope not, but that’s my fear.

comment by Don Draper's dandruff (U20155)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by Ji Sung Park's Cousin - A Beekers Dozen (U2958)
posted 3 minutes ago
I've seen very few mentions of Croatia being in with a shout but they must be in with a bit of a shout?
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let it all out
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these are the comments we can do without

comment by Robb - Legacy Fan and proud (U22311)
posted 2 minutes ago
I think a good bet is for Croatia and England to draw in their first game as England usually start tournaments badly and Croatia seem to do well against England.
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Yeah I can see that. Expecting a tight game either way. Same against the Scots probably.

comment by James Punn (U21588)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by Don Draper's dandruff (U20155)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by Ji Sung Park's Cousin - A Beekers Dozen (U2958)
posted 3 minutes ago
I've seen very few mentions of Croatia being in with a shout but they must be in with a bit of a shout?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
let it all out
----------------------------------------------------------------------
these are the comments we can do without
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oh, come on

comment by James Punn (U21588)
posted 5 minutes ago
comment by Don Draper's dandruff (U20155)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by Ji Sung Park's Cousin - A Beekers Dozen (U2958)
posted 3 minutes ago
I've seen very few mentions of Croatia being in with a shout but they must be in with a bit of a shout?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
let it all out
----------------------------------------------------------------------
these are the comments we can do without
----------------------------------------------------------------------
to both

comment by Sgt Wilko 92 (U5983)
posted 1 hour, 6 minutes ago
I can't see beyond France.
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Look left and you'll see Belguim and Holland

Germany are for me the favourites,with France, England and possibly Italy in the mix .

comment by StringerBell (U11749)
posted 46 minutes ago
I’m not letting the hope kill me this time.
Oh for sure, England have great talent. But I have to go Columbo on this.. Southgate in the build up has alarmed me with his decision making.
Henderson and Maguire shouldn’t be there. History has shown what happens when you do this with injured/out of form players.
Also, these last 2 friendlies, I don’t understand players playing who aren’t selected. Where’s the momentum?
Is the team gelled together on the pitch?
Why would you have Ward-Prowse take all the set pieces in the last game? What was the benefit of that?

So for these reasons, I think it will come back to bite England in the ass. I hope not, but that’s my fear.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Having a larger squad than usual I guess gives Southgate leeway for a couple of 'free picks' in the hope that they can prove their fitness in the later stages of the tournament. If they don't, he still has a 24-man squad, which is more than usual.

As for the selections, it does seem a bit of a missed opportunity that he didn't use them to build familiarity between players who will probably be on the pitch together and familiarity with systems. I suppose it's a marginal decision though between prioritising familiarity and managing fatigue after a very unusual season.

Switzerland are my dark horses, with France, England and Germany being the teams to beat.

Scotland for me

France or Portugal, dark horse, Poland with Lewandowski

Northern Ireland. Will Griggs on fire!

comment by _Viva_Vida (U6044)
posted 1 hour, 39 minutes ago
Scotland for me
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Scotland used to good on paper but shiiit on grass.

Might be the other way round this year.

comment by StringerBell (U11749)
posted 6 hours, 57 minutes ago
I’m gonna go with the Germans. Germany.
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I live here and not even the Germans think they're going to win it.

comment by JustYourAverageFan (U21016)
posted 9 hours, 39 minutes ago
I feel like Italy might this time, they have gone under the radar somewhat this time. I hope one of the minnows does well though like usual. Would be nice to see Hungary ruffle some feathers in their group.
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Surely if anybody will be ruffling feathers it will be Turkey

comment by Dunne was under Unger and I was over Dunne (U6037)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by JustYourAverageFan (U21016)
posted 9 hours, 39 minutes ago
I feel like Italy might this time, they have gone under the radar somewhat this time. I hope one of the minnows does well though like usual. Would be nice to see Hungary ruffle some feathers in their group.
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Surely if anybody will be ruffling feathers it will be Turkey
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Depends how Hungary you are.

comment by Rock Steady (U9953)
posted 2 hours, 36 minutes ago
comment by StringerBell (U11749)
posted 6 hours, 57 minutes ago
I’m gonna go with the Germans. Germany.
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I live here and not even the Germans think they're going to win it.
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Ha! You see, well done you passed the test..
good lad.

(Cancel the friggin bet dammit... what do ya mean he’s not picking up?)

I guess I’m just scarred over the years, Germany just always rise to the occasion. Lose to France and I’ll believe you...

Netherlands. What can go wrong with Frank de Boer? I mean, he only got sacked very quickly from 3 jobs in a row of which one was a US club ffs.