++ [ originally posted by Erik ] ++
France are still too powerful for us to challenge them imo.
Not out of the question though. holland can beat them on the day, and that's all that counts.
Then there's Portugal with the home advantage (and they beat us in the WC qualification)
Bah! They're chokers in their own right. Ultimately their defense, starting with the midfield cover, isn't up to it. They can go far, but they'll not win it.
and the Czechs (whom we can't take, evidence being the Euro2004 qualifcation round).
True, but they seem to lack a bit that would take them to a title. I don't know what - maybe their strikers are a bit to workmanlike, maybe they rely too heavily on Nedved for creativity, but I think the right team can take them down, every time. I guess it's just a monkey on the collective Dutch back, and I think that if you beat them, you'll really hammer them.
Sweden is a dark horse for the title too I reckon!
Could be. A decent side. Like the Czechs, I think they're outsiders though.