Originally posted by C Elegans
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Like Xan I never held Portugal as favorites, they have a sad history of failing in the big games, and they have great difficulties playing as a team in the World Cup two years ago. Since they didn't have to qualify because they are hosting the event, they haven't played any serious games since then, which I think is a drawback. I was however negatively surprised to see them play as badly as they did yesterday. Poor Portugal, and what a pity for all the fans.
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One of the problems with the Portugies team is that Louis Figo isn't the player he was some years ago (or infact, I've never hold him in special regards, because I don't think he has been *that* good, more like being hyped).
And because so much of the game has to flow through him, well - it creates bottle necks.
The portugies are strong on paper, but as you say, they have a history of failing in tournaments.
And regarding the Germans, for some reason they have always been a "tournament-team". They usually get bether the futher into a tournament they come. It is interesting to see if they can do this again - and I've certainly not written them off as contenders to the trophy. (Infact I've waged a small amount on them on odds 12:1 on winning the cup, but then again - I've also taken Croatia in the final at odds 26:1

)
@Sytze: Holland might seem in a crises now - I don't know, I haven't followed the national team much, but Holland strikes me as more like a team then individualists playing on a team (unlike France, which are strongly build on individualists - Zidane, Henri etc). Combine this team-feel with some good solid players (and Nistelroy

) - they are always contenders to winning the european championship.
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