Well, the UEFA European Championships final tournament kicks off in little over a week on Saturday 7 June 2008.

Who do you think will win? The favourites are Germany, with Spain, Italy, Portugal and France close behind. The holders, Greece, could be in with a shout, there are this year's hosts - Austria and Switzerland and many other "dark horses".

Have your say, who will win Euro 2008?

 Is England not in that list?

 Sadly not, plus we're not exactly in a position to gloat... 

Certainly looks like Spain are favourites according to Community members!

I've had a cheeky bet on Spain as outright winners and Croatia and Russia each-way. Money down the drain?  

Daniel Rae:

I've had a cheeky bet on Spain as outright winners and Croatia and Russia each-way. Money down the drain?  

As solid as Croatia and Russia can't see them going all the way.  Spain however might be a good bet as they've got an excellent squad.  Personally i've gone for Holland.  Either way it should be good!

Yeh my only hope is if the each-way bet covers semi-finals - I should have looked at the small print closer!

Can't wait for the footy to start tomorrow - I'm like a kid the night before their birthday! 

Is everyone enjoying the Euro's so far?

As it's turning out the big guns are all doing really well which should make for some beauty games in the knockout stages!

I had a small wager on Holland and feeling quite smug now ... but plenty time to go.

I'm interested in the debate about how the (English) referee was the first to finally be brave enough to penalise the blatant holding in the penalty box. This is an afront to the game and denies spectators goal mouth excitement  ... goals, saves, hitting woodwork, everything that makes this the "beautiful game". For too long we have been treated to refs holding up the game to tell players to stop holding jerseys then resuming play and promptly allowing rugby style tackles to the ground.

I'm a retired top grade referee and this practice was just beginning to be a cancer in the game when I retired. It was about then that FIFA recognised it and said they would stamp it out. That was about 5 or 6 years ago. Players and managers are so used to the practice that it surprised them when Austria were awarded that penalty late in the game against Poland even though it was in the "stonewall" category. Even the Polish manager compounded it by saying this is practiced in every game ... I would agree ... and it is a foul ... as it would be if it were in the middle of the park. This is the strangest part of it that it is accepted behaviour and that players don't expect referees to penalise them. Here's hoping that FIFA really support the referees in stamping this out and not just give it lip service. Referees must be fearless and have the bottle to award penalties for these fouls ... it just isn't football. 

Remove fear ... one of Deming's 14.

I agree with you Bubonic, hate to see the barging and holding in the box before corners and free kicks are hit... as long as there is a unified approach and all refs treat these incidents with the same outcome, much like the way two footed tackles, etc are treated.

I'm still holding out hope for my Spain and Croatia bets - also got Spain in the office sweepstake!

I have a mate who is a junior football referee in the Central Scotland area and had an interesting debate about Ruud's goal for Holland against Italy - he completely sides with the ref's decision and it's hard to argue against (even though the guys on ITV continue to do so!) 

Thoroughly enjoying the tournament so far! 

So Holland is out and on the night deservedly so ... come on the Russians ... attack minded, pacy and beginning to get a self belief ... a real breath of fresh air. I particularly liked the one Scot in the team ... Kolodyn ... well, he sounds like he should be a Scot!

By the way what does this say about Gus Hiddink's CV now? South Korea to the World Cup semi now this.

Glad to see the Italians out after cheating their way to the winning the World Cup.

Wasn't Spain v Italy last night the worst game ever? All about not losing. It looked as if Italy were planning to go to penalties. The strangle hold on Torres at a set piece was cynical but entirely expected. N.B. the only ref to penalise this type of infringement was "backed by UEFA" and promptly sent home! Nothing new there.

Guus Hiddink must be the best international manager in recent years because of his achievements with so many countries that are not fancied - Russia, South Korea and Australia.

I'm still on to win some money in the office sweepstake with Spain, fingers crossed. My each way bet on Russia isn't looking so daft now at 33/1!

I think Germany will win the tournament outright now.

Yep, after watching that sad excuse for entertainment last night, I reckon we are lined up for the game of the tournament on Thursday - Russia v's Spain. Two teams who don't know anything else, but how to attack.

Just a pity that one of them is gonna meet the Germans in the final, but you just never know!

KB 

Don't really like football much, but like the World Cup as it's good fun and can quite easily become anyone's game!  Unfortunatley I had Switzerland in the office pool and so was out really early.  But just reading through some of the posts and as a big fan of Rugby I wondered what everyone else thought about having the playback facility in football like they do in Rugby.  If I am being honest (and probably naieve!) I think there is more of a need of this facility in football for the sake of the referees if nothing else.

And then there were two...so who's gonna walk away with the trophy on Sunday night? I'm hoping it's Spain for the sake of the beautiful game!

As for AmandaO's suggestion for the playback facility in football i'm not sure i agree as it'd stop the debates that people the world over have about dodgy offsides, goal line decisions, penalties etc. I think the human element is what makes it so exciting! I know i'd miss it!