11/05/24
June 05, 2008
16 nations vie for Euro 2008 title beginning June 7.: Czech Republic, Portugal, Switzerland, Turkey, Austria, Croatia, Germany, Poland, France, Italy, Netherlands, Romania, Greece, Russia, Spain, Spain, Sweden. Who's your pick to win it? Who will be the surprise team? Where can we watch live in the US for free at home (or can we)? Get the ball rolling inside.
posted by worldcup2002 to soccer at 12:21 PM - 22 comments
You think Reina will see any minutes at all with Casillas ahead of him? But seriously, with Cesc pulling the strings, I'd have to say Spain are my tip to win the tournament as well.
posted by trox at 01:13 PM on June 05, 2008
Where can we watch live in the US for free at home (or can we)? Here.
posted by tselson at 02:27 PM on June 05, 2008
I'll take a wild swing at this and say Germany to beat Portugal in one semi, Italy to beat Russia in the other. Germany beat Italy in the final.
posted by Mr Bismarck at 02:46 PM on June 05, 2008
Also, I'm strangely taken with the cigarette card-style graphics the BBC have thrown together this time... 
Although, I had to fix one for them... 
posted by Mr Bismarck at 03:02 PM on June 05, 2008
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAA, MrB!
posted by scully at 04:28 PM on June 05, 2008
Classic, MrB. Well done!
posted by worldcup2002 at 04:39 PM on June 05, 2008
btw, tselson, I'm using livesoccertv.com's schedule. Unfortunately, I only get ESPN2 (of the channels listed there) and not all the games are LIVE on ESPN2. I was hoping someone would say Univision or Telemundo or FSC or GolTV was doing some of the other ones. But it looks like ESPN has a lock on the tourney. But they are mostly on ESPN2, so I can't really complain. Thanks!
posted by worldcup2002 at 04:44 PM on June 05, 2008
I'll go with a slight dark horse and say The Netherlands. Tough group and some weakness in the back four but this might just be their year, especially with van der Saar so hot, van Nistlerooj aiming to peak for the tourney and van Persie back from injury too.
posted by billsaysthis at 04:53 PM on June 05, 2008
2k, if you have a decent net connection and a monitor you don't mind doubling for a tv, you could try myp2p. You might have to download sopcast, (although most programs are available on media player), but they have a large range of live feeds for almost all major sporting events. Just pick "live sports" from the top and then the sport of your choice. You can click "software" and then download sopcast from the second line of the blue checkerboard section. I see there's an exciting opportunity tonight to watch the key friendly between Afghanistan and Bangladesh.
posted by Mr Bismarck at 04:59 PM on June 05, 2008
That was awesome Biszy. Awesome. I have no idea who is truly going to win, but I love me some Euro 2008.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 05:12 PM on June 05, 2008
I see there's an exciting opportunity tonight to watch the key friendly between Afghanistan and Bangladesh. MrB, are you referring to the Developing Nations Football Championship? (originally posted by Bonkers here)
posted by worldcup2002 at 05:51 PM on June 05, 2008
Chuck in another vote for the aforementioned myp2p. That site is a goldmine. And the joy with Sopcast and TVAnts etc... Is the more people watch, the BETTER it is.
posted by Drood at 07:59 PM on June 05, 2008
So I've moved to Long Island and gotten Verizon's FIOS cable, with 5 flavors of ESPN and Fox Soccer Channel. This has been a great time to be unemployed, between the Champions League and Euro 2008 coming up.
posted by mbd1 at 10:59 PM on June 05, 2008
Bismarck? You're a genius. Although if you could have photoshopped in some lipstick falling out of his pocket as he fell, that would have finished me. My hot bet (not tip, but bet) is Russia, who to me seem ridiculously long odds at 33/1. Might be worth an each way flutter. My tip to win is either Holland (if they get through that group, form running up to the tournament goes out the window and they will ride the wave all the way to the beach), or Germany, who just don't miss penalties. Here's a test for someone. I'm going to be in Hong Kong when the first game kicks off - where can I watch it? If the answer involves me leaving my hotel bed, I'm not interested.
posted by JJ at 04:18 AM on June 06, 2008
On TV.
posted by yerfatma at 08:07 AM on June 06, 2008
That's so simple it just might work.
posted by JJ at 07:17 PM on June 06, 2008
As a decidedly amateur soccer afficionado, I find it unfortunate that Italy and France are in the same beginning group. I'm gonna root for Austria as the new Greece, but I'll vote for the Czechs. But I'd bet on Italy, because I can't make myself say anything favorable about the French. There. I've successfully given myself a 25% more or less chance to have a winning team. More or less. Anyway, it'll be fun to watch and learn.
posted by bobfoot at 10:45 PM on June 06, 2008
JJ! This site says tune in to PCCW in HK.
posted by worldcup2002 at 11:20 PM on June 06, 2008
And welcome to my time zone, JJ. Games kick off in the middle of the night. Annoying isn't it?
posted by owlhouse at 07:21 AM on June 07, 2008
Thanks, chaps. Watched it in bed. As owlhouse said, annoying timing (although I was only in Manila for three nights and hong kong last night, so I'm not really adjusting to the time change as I'm in the airport about to head home again). Funny thing, jet lag. Even that first game couldn't put me to sleep. In the meantime - COME ON, Federer! Get your arse in gear!
posted by JJ at 09:42 AM on June 08, 2008
Aw yeah! Just watched Netherlands 3 Italy 0 off my pvr. That Sneijder goal...wow.
posted by juv3nal at 02:03 AM on June 10, 2008
Ouch, I have Spain twice in there. Must be Freudian: They're my pick for the championship. With four Liverpool players in the team - goalie Reina, defender Arbeloa, midfield maestro Alonso and striker extraordinaire Torres - who else would I pick?