Euro 2024 - Group F Thoughts

 Group F thoughts:

Turkey, in theory the average football fan should loathe Turkey the same way they loathe Portugal. Their league is full of tacklers that wouldn't look out of place in Fight Club, they export footballers of the thugish variety and have some of the worst fans in football. Despite this they looked good in qualifying only losing one game to Croatia and topping a group that included Wales. The squad is nothing to write home about, bar Hakan Calhanoglu its full of squad players that teams around Europe have taken a chance on and had it not pay off coupled with players of little note from the Super Lig. Very much a team that on paper that offers little however they have a decent chance of getting out of the group and I wouldn't mind seeing them out Portugaling Portugal.

Players to watch out for;

Hakan Calhanoglu - a mainstay of Serie A for the last few years and well into double figures in goals for Inter Milan.

Georgia? Is this right? It is? How the **** did this happen? The Nations League? Say no more... Hopefully they can honour the memory of Ray Traylor, they knocked out Greece in qualifying so they deserve a cheer from us and hopefully they won't get humiliated.

Players to watch out for;

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia - a tricky winger whose looked good for Napoli in recent years.

Portugal, the pantomime villains of Europe will either win the group or ball it up in comedic fashion. They could face either Germany or Spain if the tournament goes to form, they dominated qualifying and look ominous. I hate them.

Players to watch out for:

Diogo Jota - the only Liverpool forward to escape criticism this season.

Joao Neves - The next big thing to come out of Portugal.

Czech Republic, finished second in their group and won only four games in qualifying. Normally the Czechs are a team that could potentially trouble the second favourites of the group but given how close they are to Turkey in quality and the odds its a coin toss between them and Turkey. Mostly made up of Czech league players and a few decent pro's from around Europe this is a team I don't know well. One for the notebook...

Players to watch out for'

Haven't a clue.

Bets and trades:

Overs on bookings for Turkey Vs Portugal.

Euro 2024 - Thoughts on Group E

 Group E thoughts;

Belgium, I really like Belgium. The previous World Cup was painted as that generations last chance at greatness, presumably nobody informed Jan Vertonghen or Axel Witsel of this as amazingly their still going. Even though some names are gone their are still some of the generation fighting against the dying of the light to compliment the next generation. They excelled in qualification and should top this group, however I see them meeting France in the Quarter finals and should give them a good game.

Players to watch out for:

Jeremy Doku - I've loved this guy for the last few seasons he runs with the ball like no others do.

Lois Openda - Something of a novelty in that he's a good Belgian striker who isn't Romelu Lukaku.

Slovakia, did well in qualifying finishing second to Evil Portugal. A lot of decent players and should push Belgium but I can't see them doing much in the knockout stages.

Players to watch out for:

This team is a squad rather than having a few players of note.

Romania, a team full of players who I'm not familiar with. Having topped their group and not lost they're a team I for one will be keeping an eye on and have my notebook open for.

Ukraine, finished third in their group - pipped by Italy and qualified via the playoffs. A team mostly made up from the Ukraine league and utility players from abroad. Hopefully they can do something to lift their nation.

Players to watch out for:

Vicktor Tsyhankov - Part of a tasty Girona side.

Bets and trades

Belgium to win the group.

Soppy £1.00 on Ukraine to qualify from the group.

Euro 2024 - Thoughts on Group D

Group D thoughts;

Poland, there are three certainties in life - death, taxes and Mexico always getting through to the second round of the World Cup. Thanks to Poland after the last World Cup there are now only two certainties, they must be knocked out or the world will collapse into chaos - the dead will rise, the seas will evaporate and the World hurtle out of its orbit spinning into darkness. Only the Dutch, Austrians and French can save us from this fate.

Players to watch out for:

The opposition as they sweep forward and tonk Poland 10-0.

Netherlands, they did not look too good during qualifying and very nearly tripped up in a few games. However they have a really good decent little squad albeit no quality goal keeper. In defence they have Frimpong, van Dijk, Ake and de Ligt. Midfield of Blind, Gravenberch and Koopmeiners. Plus Brobbey and Gakpo upfront. They have the potential to do very well - especially with the draw if they finish runner up but, instinct says someone will do them or they'll screw it up.

Players to watch out for:

Brian Brobbey - the next potential big thing to come out of Ajax.

Teun Koopmeiners - one of my favourite middle three players currently in football. We will run his legs off and then run a little bit further.

Austria, trying to get excited about Austria is like trying to get excited for a trip to Aldi you might not want to go there but you're probably going to enjoy the results of going. Narrowly pipped for the top spot in qualifying by Belgium - and came back from 3-0 down to finish 3-2 in a game which must have had the Belgium fans tearing their hair out. A team full of journey men and aging pro's, they have a good chance of making the next round, I'd just rather they didn't.

Players to watch out for:

Marko Arnautovic - so tall that he may score a rebound from the moon.

France, imo the favourites its going to take a lot to beat them and whoever does will no doubt knacker themselves and get knocked out in the next round. I can't say anything that you haven't heard before, they walked qualifying and are the team to beat. I don't rate the goal keepers but I rate the defence and midfield in front of them.

Players to watch out for:

Kylian Mbappe - a basic prediction but he'll either rule the tournament or be a good watch as he combusts.

Bets and trades

Low level lay of Poland to qualify.

Back of France to win the group.

Min stakes on France/Austria forecast for Fritz and Giggles.

A group where I'm going to have to sit down and do some thinking as there's a lot of value in this market.