Latest / The Calcio Guys / EURO 2024 Preview - Ep. 231 Ft. Richard from Serie A Sitdown

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EURO 2024 Preview - Ep. 231 Ft. Richard from Serie A Sitdown · The Calcio Guys

0:25
It's a cold night in Monchal, but it's gonna be a hot week,
0:28
hot month for soccer or football fans around the world. Euro twenty twenty four
0:32
kicks off on Friday. For the culture guys to myself, Nicholas plus Johnny
0:37
A. Johan was actually away in Italy, so we might not hear from
0:40
him for a while, but yeah, I'm sure he's enjoying it. And
0:43
we're joined by our good friend Richard from City. I sit down, Richard,
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how's it going. It's going well. How are you guys doing?
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Huh, can't complain. Yeah, I'm doing I'm doing okay. I been
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busy with work. I've been doing a lot, but happy to finally sit
0:56
down and talk some calcuhow very nice. Yeah, there's a lot to talk
1:00
about. As I said, it's Germany that kicks off the tournament obviously in
1:06
Germany on Friday against Scotland. Then Italy plays right away. I love it
1:08
when Italy plays early in the tournament because then you get the nerves out of
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the way they play. They play was already the third sets of games,
1:18
four sets of games, whatever it is on Saturday against Albinia. So last
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week Iron and I previewed Italy's tournament. We looked over the roster and all
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that, but this week I want to give more of a tournament over you
1:32
overview. Obviously, me and Janney we have more limited knowledge of leagues outside
1:38
of Italy. That's why we asked you. You were our Germany connoisseur,
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so at least because of Germany, you know, it kind of fits.
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But you know, we'll give our very valid opinions for all the teams,
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right Richard, that's right, that's right completely. But I fool you guys
1:56
this whole time. You think I have this knowledge outside of literally you have
1:59
Itellian knowledge, you know, I mean it's still knowledge. True, that's
2:07
true, that's true. I mean you also have a bit of you also
2:09
have a chopday knowledge that you have some German knowledge. True, that's true.
2:14
I guess Nelson Kirchen I said it right. This time. I learned
2:16
how to say Gelson new Kirchen, Glson, Kirsten Glson, Kirschen. Okay,
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that that's where Italy plays on June twentieth, Home of Shock against Yeah,
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yeah, yeah exactly. Uh So let's start right away with the first
2:31
group Germany, Scotland, Hungary, Switzerland. So you know it's uh,
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I'm not gonna go out and say it's it's an easy group for the hosts,
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but like they could have had tougher, right, And so they get
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teams that, you know, teams in Hungary, I think all three were
2:50
actually in the last year, so at least their experienced teams. Switzerland they
2:53
always they're always a dark horse, right in these tournaments. They beat France
2:57
last time out and ended up losing. I think in the court. You
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know, so as a German expert, like easily Germany, Germany has the
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expectation to win this group, right right, Richard, Yeah, yeah,
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I think a lot of pressures on them to win the group. But yes,
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I would think so, yes, is that is that what the reaction
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is, and at least in the German media, Yeah, I mean this
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is a this is a big tournament for Germany because obviously they put up some
3:24
sinkers lately, uh, and you know, being at home, there's pressure
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to do well in this tournament. Obviously having a group like you know with
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Hungary, Switzerland and Scotland, it's a favorable one, right if you look
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at it, it's not the group of death that we have like the group
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d you know, for instance, But it's it's a it's a great chance
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for them to kind of get on a roar early and then kind of build
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that momentum, use the crowd and to their advantage because I think, you
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know, it's it's maybe a little hanging fruit here, but a dark horse
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in the tournament's got to be Germany just because they're at home. And we've
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seen how many you're international tournaments where the home team has at home cooking and
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it drives them deefend the tournaments, whether the good teams or not. Germany
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certainly could feed off the home crowd and this one and a great way for
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them to start off in a group like this to really build that momentum.
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But they got lots of talent. They're a team to look out for for
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sure. Any thoughts, Jenny, Well, I mean it's hard to say
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that, like I mean, like I don't want to like outright like contest
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that point because it's such a strong team Germany, Like I know, like
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there are the jitters that are playing at home, but it like if you
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look at the previous tournament where they had the home field advantage being woke couple
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of six. You know, yeah, they were extremely dominant. They just
4:41
had to They played just basically the end of a golden generation for Italy and
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it was down to the wire. It was just that the it was just
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a defensive lap laps that costed them. And then the second goal was more
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like okay, like they obviously had to throw everything. Yeah, they had
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to commit fully to offensive, tidy game, and they got caught on the
4:57
counter. Like it wouldn't wouldn't even consider that, like Germany playing horribly.
5:00
It's just you got caught, which your pats down essentially for lack of a
5:03
better word. So that's so like I feel like they're one of the few
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nations that do better when they're home. You know, prior to prior to
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Spain winning the World Cup in South Africa, usually European teams just dominated whenever
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there was a European tournament, whether like it's so like we're not obviously Euros
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or Euros so like European, Like it's just they're they're in the comfort zone.
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I feel like it's hard to go against Germany in this tournament. I'm
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not saying dark horse call is a bad call. I'm saying it's just it's
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it wouldn't be silly to ban on Germany, is what I'm saying. No,
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for sure, And I think it's funny with Germany is because if this
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is the German team of the past, like four plus years ago, this
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different story, that was a super team, a juggernaut team. Under they
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were a machine. They were one of our top you know, three teams
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you're gonna pick to win the tournament every every time there's a tournament going on.
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But they're going through a identity crisis at the moment, and jokim LoVa
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is gone. Obviously, the experiment with Hansi Flick failed and so they're now
6:09
with Nagolesemen trying to figure themselves out. Who are they? They got a
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bunch of aging players and some new players and trying to mix it too.
6:15
On paper, they are stacked, They are one of the most stacked teams
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in the in this tournament. But can they play together? And that's what
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we haven't seen really well in the last couple of years with them. Certainly
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Home Cookie is gonna help. If you take the form of the last two
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three years or four years, Germany has been playing the best at anybody,
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but they're probably the most talented team. They're trying to get it together now
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under no agasemen Uh. And they got some you know, some good pieces,
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both experience and new. And I think they're gonna be certainly a team
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you have to keep an eye out for if you if you obviously overlook them,
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they're gonna make you pay. But I think a team that's very disciplined
6:50
defensively especially and are clinical, they're gonna make it difficult for Germany no matter
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you know who you are. So uh, Germany is interesting, the team,
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interesting team to keep an eye on, no doubt about it. Uh.
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Look at the three other teams. I think this is where the real
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battle is in this group, you know, for second spot, even third
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place. Obviously it was at the four to the sixth top third place teams
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go through. But you know Scotland, Hungary, such a Hungary they were
7:17
in. They were in Germany's group last time out with I want to say
7:20
France and Portugal if I'm not mistaken, back in Euro twenty twenty, and
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they were I don't think they went through, but they were. They were
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the they were the dark house. They were the team that everyone counted out
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and they got some results in that group stage, so you know that'll be
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interesting. But I think for me, you know, just based on experience
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alone, Switzerland, you know, as I said, Euros, it always
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seems like they do better in Euros, especially than like a World Cup.
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You know, this is a team you can't cant out, can out.
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Even if they finished first in this group, I wouldn't be surprised, you
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know that. You know that said. If I'm a betting man, I'm
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still gonna bet on Germany fitting finishing first. So for me, you know,
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I it's easy to say Jerremany, Switzerland or the top two. But
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even Scotland, you know, this is a team that again they're not They're
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not even the best team in their own like Kingdom, right, you know,
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but they they they still they had a decent showing last time out,
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lost a lot of Scottish followers. Yeah yeah, if you wonder if any
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Scott's listened to us, they they did, They stopped almody here I said,
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they had the decent showing. They tied once and lost twice against Croatia,
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Czech Republic in England last time out, so maybe not and then hungry
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Hungry still finished last in their group and with Germany, Portugal and France,
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but they got two points, so credit to credit to Hungary for that group.
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So you know, between those two, I think Hungary stall has the
9:03
advantage. But you know, I think out of all these games, there
9:05
could easily be an upset any day. This is really besides Germany the three
9:09
remaining, it's it's pretty even. Yeah, I agree with that. I
9:16
think this is the battle for second place and a lot of these groups is
9:18
going to be highly contested. I think this is one that you could really
9:22
throw out many different ways. Obviously, Switzerland's gonna be the one that,
9:24
like you said, that everyone knows about. Obviously now with in Citiya,
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everyone knows about John Sommer, but they got so many different players and from
9:31
the defense, midfield and the attack, this is a pretty good team.
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And every year, and we saw the last years they gave everyone hell and
9:39
you know they pushed the Azuti to the wire and the Zooti's way to the
9:43
winning the title. But I have I have questions about the Switzerland team and
9:48
I wonder can they as they normally do they getting to these tournaments. They
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do play well, but they haven't played. They haven't played okay as of
9:56
lately. Scotland I think of the group. Honestly, I think I'm gonna
10:01
say Scotland's the worst for me. I may I may be going on a
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limb here and I may be picking. I think I'm gonna go with you
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know, Hungary finishing second this group, I think they're a surprise team to
10:09
keep an eye on. They've had some decent results and over the last year
10:13
or so. Yes, easier groups for sure, but they got some players
10:18
on their team to keep an eye on. So I think, you know,
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don't be surprised if Switzerland maybe get off to a slow start and Hungry
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get a surprise. I mean, it's gonna be typ between Switzerland and Hungry.
10:26
I think Scotland, you know, I never know with him as well,
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but I know, I think whoever finished the third dis group is when
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it could be a team that you have to look out for, you know,
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as far as third place teams moving on. But I like Hungary in
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this group to finish second. Honestly, I'm probably the only person outside of
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Hungry. Did you do that? But yeah, it's got this feeling about
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Hungary. This tournament. I'm usually a Swiss guy, but something about Hungary,
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I don't know, Just my guts tell me, you know, pick
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them over Switzerland and Scotland. So I have to go with my gut.
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I guess that side. We'll see how wrong I am. I guess you
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could say you're not that hungry for Swiss fees Broos. Wow. Nick Wow.
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I think that's a very fair assessment. I don't think it's too far
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fetch to stay hungry finishing second. But I kind of went with Nick here
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and I went I basically went with Switzerland's second, Hungary third. It's it,
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they're a team that you really can't like, like Nick said it perfectly
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like Switzerland just does so well in Euros and they're they're always a good team.
11:26
They're never they're never poor, they're never like horrendous either. So so
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it's I do see them as the second strongest team in that group. Now,
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obviously, in group stage soccer, you always get these surprises out of
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nowhere, or these teams that you expect to do well don't do well,
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and these teams that you pick as the dark horse end up just screwing you
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over so that they just like they sometimes they just surprise you. So I
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think that that Hungary assessment is a fair one. I think maybe they're really
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on the stronger third place teams, but I think I see Switzerland finishing second
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in this one. Moving on to Group B, this is one where you
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know, we'll spend more time focusing on the group of death. Croatia,
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Spain, Italy, Albinia. So, as I said earlier, kicks off
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on Saturday, Spain, Croatia, Italy, Albania. I'm actually two.
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Actually is on the on June nineteenth, Croatia, Albinia, and then and
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then on June twentieth, Spain Italy. And then it finishes off June twenty
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fourth, Albinia, Spain, Croatia, Italy. First, guys, let's
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let's focus on Italy. Since this is the cultural podcast. How do you
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think we'll start with, Richard? I mean, how do you think Italy
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will do in this group? That's tough. I mean, yeah, I
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think you know that in this tournament's probably two groups of death. This has
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certainly been one of them. And the hard part about it is we don't
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know what kind of a Zudi team we're gonna get. That's really the thing.
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We know what kind of Spain the Spanish team we're gonna get. They're
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gonna be freaking amazing in Croatia. Their age, but they got some world
13:03
class players on the team. Maybe looka Mojo at forty nine years old is
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still, you know, one of the better players in the world at his
13:07
positioned. So it's hard to say what what the Azui you're gonna do.
13:11
But I, you know, I trust and split the I for the most
13:15
part, like the selection of the Azui, and so the fact that I
13:18
think their biggest game is gonna have to be that last game against Croatia that
13:22
I think the winner of that game takes second place, and that's crucial.
13:26
What are you gonna have to get a good result against Albanian to geinst some
13:30
confidence? Obviously it'd be nice to get some kind of maybe a point at
13:33
minimum against Spain, but that's gonna it's gonna come out against Croatian. And
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I like this Azui. I like how we've been building. As the tournament's
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gotten closer and closer, it helps us see a couple of the key players
13:46
all of a sudden emerging. Right. DeMarco has been great all year,
13:48
but Skamaka and Kiez in particular, they've gotten hot over the last month or
13:52
so, and so can we use that to our advantage? Can the midfield
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surprises? I honestly like the the adding a full of Runshu. He could
14:01
be an X factor that you just don't expect to. You know, he's
14:03
the guy who most likely be on the benchm all the time, but you
14:07
know it Splutty, you know, he's Plutty's smart with these kind of with
14:09
the substitutions and times, and he'll bring in guys that you're not expecting and
14:13
they usually flourishing such in this kind of situation. So it's gonna be an
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interesting tournament. How the biggest part of me, and I've I've said this
14:20
for last two years probably is the defense is what scares me with the Azuiti
14:26
and how do we cope against teams that put pressure on us, in particular
14:30
Spain and Croatia you know, will do that as well. How do we
14:33
handle that? We can handle that fairly well? That whether that storm,
14:37
it's gonna be successful for us going forward, because I think now we have
14:41
some pieces at least in terms of form of going forward where maybe we can
14:46
punish teams on the other side. So can we see that old Azuiti defense
14:50
that we're so used to, you know, growing up, or this is
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gonna be more wide open at the Lato styles, you know, games where
14:54
it's gonna be a shootout. I don't know, so I'm positive. And
15:00
the Zudi finishing second or third for sure. I mean, if you want
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me to tell you what where I think they'll finish, I'll let you know.
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But I think there's certainly one of the best three teams in this group.
15:09
It's just not saying much as only fourteen. So I think basically what's
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gonna happen is stereotypical at Zuti fashion where they're gonna draw against Albania because it'd
15:22
be one of those games. Right. So, but by the way,
15:26
last Euros was an anomaly where they just happened to like dominate their entire group
15:31
and go nine points. I think it's the first time in my entire life.
15:35
Yeah, I've ever seen Italy go three and zero in a group stage.
15:39
I'm probably forgetting No. Ninety eight. I don't think they even went
15:41
I think they drew one game in ninety eight because that was the first term
15:45
and I remember, and I mean I was too like ninety six, I
15:48
was four years old, right, I mean in ninety fours too. Anyways,
15:50
long story short, like I don't remember Italy ever going through to zero
15:54
now. So that's why I'm saying this group stage, what's gonna happen is
15:58
that they're gonna probably tie against Albania, lose to Spain because it's it's typical,
16:03
and then they're gonna, like typical duty fashion, pull off this miracle
16:07
against Croatia and finished second in the group. I feel like that's probably what's
16:12
the very likely thing to happen. But I think I think we're in full
16:17
agreement here that the clear number one in this group is going to be Spain,
16:21
bar none. Spain is going through another good era of their team.
16:25
Uh. They their playing so like, they just play so well. They
16:27
have just good players all around. You know. Rich said it perfectly about
16:33
like you know, like defensively, you know, can we really count on
16:38
them? No? But cohesively, I think they're at least fine enough.
16:45
I think Spalletti, as he's done, as he did with Napoli, has
16:49
his capacity of drawing water from stone with some players, you know, And
16:55
I given what he's done for with Napoli, I have full trust in the
17:00
guy. I have full faith in him being able to do very well for
17:06
the team. I think you'll be able to get them far enough, but
17:11
I don't really expecting them. I don't expect them to go that far,
17:15
that deep into the tournament itself, because there is a point where the quality
17:18
on paper will affect them. I don't think this team is a good team,
17:26
but it's significantly, significantly weaker than our twenty twenty one squad in my
17:30
eyes. You know, like some positions are severely lacking, to the point
17:34
where it's like you can't even be compensated by strength from other positions. It's
17:40
not like twenty twenty one, where because of our defensive play we're able to
17:45
win the tournament, you know, like we're able to excel from there.
17:48
Now it's at a point where it's like, you know, not even our
17:51
defensive play might be great enough to get us there. So in terms of
17:56
group stage, I see it ly finishing second in this group. Yeah,
18:00
I think that's a fair assessment. That's pretty much try I expect them,
18:03
By the way, Johnny, I just looked it up. Italy went three
18:06
and oh in Euro two thousand and just before your time, but Italy nineteen
18:10
ninety. But you're right, it doesn't it doesn't happen often. Yeah,
18:15
looking at Euro two thousand was the first time before that, so you're right.
18:21
Twenty twenty or twenty twenty one was the second time ever they went three
18:23
and oh. You know, a lot of people say they're historically slow starters.
18:29
You know, I kind of disagree with that because I think they sometimes
18:33
they start too fast. You know, think back even last World Cup they
18:37
had a nice two one win against England and then they crash out against Costa
18:41
Rica and yeah, and your wife and so you know what I told the
18:47
Chiano on the podcast last week was that for me, this this Albinia game
18:51
is almost a must win, because if you don't win, even if you
18:53
get a tie, like they're putting pressure on themselves to get results against Croatian's
18:59
mate regardless regardless of what happens against Albania, they need to get results against
19:03
Croatia and Spain. But at least with three points. If they get three
19:06
points about against Albania, you're at least giving yourself a chance to at least
19:11
finish as one of the top third place teams because last timeout, one of
19:18
the teams that advanced from the third place had three points, So you're giving
19:22
yourself even the smallest chances. I don't think they'll lose both games against Spain
19:26
and Croatia. I think they'll probably be Albania either lose or tie to Spain.
19:33
I expect to tie because these two teams always tie in the Euros before
19:37
going to penalties. And Croatia that's a tough one. That's a tough one.
19:42
It really depends, you know, what's left to play for. It
19:47
depends you know, who's healthy on both sides. You know, you look
19:49
at Croatia, they stall have an older team. Are they going to be
19:52
healthy by the third game? Even look at Italy Burrella. What's happening with
19:55
him is going to be playing? What's his status? So you know,
20:00
if anything, it might be another tie against Croatia. But that that,
20:04
like you said, Richard, from that that pretty much is already gonna be
20:07
a knocko game. That's a tournament right there. It's already knocko game.
20:11
Let's put it that way. So this is interesting because I think I think
20:14
we're all in agreement. I think that this ZOD probably finished second place as
20:17
or hope at least, I think it's what he needs to start off with
20:19
a win, Like you said, Nick, Nick, you know if we
20:22
get a win. If then you have a real question because we've seen Spiletti
20:26
in situations where you have two games before decide right, one where it's kind
20:30
of a throw away game because you think you're gonna lose, right. I'm
20:33
talking about the England game when we were during a qualification where we didn't really
20:36
have to put our best eleven against them, right, and then the game
20:37
after, which was the important game. So say we beat Albania in that
20:41
first game, what does Spilletti do in that second game against Spain? Does
20:45
he keep going to best eleven or does he try to wrest some guys that
20:48
maybe are tired, age, hurting whatever against Spain. Try to have a
20:53
decent result there and then throw all the chips against Croatia and then go for
20:57
the win there. It's gonna be interesting with spelet he does, but you
21:00
gotta win that first game. I think first you get things rolling, like
21:03
you said, and then hopefully things will fall into place. In Spiletti does
21:07
what he does in big games, So I'm curious. Yeah, and uh
21:15
for group winner, I mean I say it's Spain. I don't know.
21:18
You guys think, yeah, yeah, easily, Spain easily. Yeah for
21:25
me, yeah, if it's not Spain, it's Croatia, because I don't
21:27
see a scenario in which Italy wins the group. It's possible. But so
21:32
if Croatia win, does it? Does why make it out? Or did
21:34
they make it ahead of Spain? Spain will either be typical Spain or completely
21:41
choke? Yeah, zero in between. We've seen us in all the big
21:44
tournaments, right, like some big team that you're expecting to go far just
21:47
chokes in the first round at journey did the last time? Right? And
21:51
why not Spain? I'll take you yeah, yeah, like I think Spain.
21:56
I think Spain wasted all those like all those like terrible tournaments like early
21:59
on in their lifetime. Now that they're like, okay, well now we
22:03
have experience winning, we know what it takes. So yeah, uh so
22:07
moving on group see this is more of an interesting group. Slovenia, Denmark,
22:12
Serbia and England. Always Spain has three euros that my correction, listeners,
22:17
I forgot Spain has three Euros. Idiot Aways continued, Sorry, yeah,
22:23
glarified that, like I don't I don't want to sound like an idiot.
22:30
All good, Yeah, it always seems like England has a bit more
22:32
favorable draw. I mean not to say that Serbia and Denmark are good teams.
22:36
We know they are, but you know this is not a group by
22:38
group of death. But uh, for me, the interesting game out of
22:41
this one is Denmark England rematch of the semifinals from from the last Euros.
22:47
And you know, Serbia is a team that for the last couple of World
22:49
Cups and Euros that they're always talked about as a dark horse. Obviously we
22:52
know they have a couple of good players, like like Valvich, but they
22:56
just haven't been able to get it together. I think they even missed if
23:00
I'm not mistaken, they even missed the last eros. They were in the
23:03
last two World Cups though. So yeah, for me, I think this
23:07
groups. You know, England's to lose. I think Denmark is you know,
23:11
they could definitely give them a run for their money. But they also
23:15
maybe I'm just talking because they had such a magical run back in twenty twenty
23:18
one that maybe they won't even you know, repeat that magic, you know,
23:23
and in that case, Serbia has to step up and get the result
23:26
done. So you know, again, for me, England is is in
23:32
line to win and it's gonna be that battle. I'll be honest, I
23:36
don't know too much about Slovenia. I think it's been a long time since
23:38
they've they've even qualified for the Euros. Yeah, like is Luka donc just
23:45
gonna play? You know, like I can't name you one Slovenian soccer player.
23:49
I'm not even kidding. That's why they're a perfect candidate to finish.
23:57
Is he still Is he still playing? Yeah, we're still playing all by
24:00
there you go. And to be honest, if for audio still be a
24:03
last time they qualified was in two thousand and that was the only other time
24:06
they qualified, So don't blame me. What do you guys think about this
24:11
group? It is an interesting group, no doubt about it. Obviously,
24:17
England are the no brainer to pick to win the win the group fairly easily,
24:22
I think, and I say fairly easily they win, they win the
24:25
group, they can get nine points. I don't know if it'll be fairly
24:27
easy the question mark is the rest of the group. Like you said,
24:30
I mean, like each of those three teams, there's question marks. Serbia
24:34
undoubtedly has the most talent of the three teams, I would say, and
24:38
every year I always I'm picking Serbia because I think they're great and they're talented
24:42
players from front to back, and then they they just can't do it for
24:45
whatever reason. I feel like that's going to continue. I think, you
24:48
know, as talented as they are, for whatever reason, they can't play
24:51
as the incusive unit. You look at some of the results that they had
24:53
in the build up to this, it's it's been okay, eh right,
24:56
I mean you can say all three teams, though I think Denmark same thing.
25:00
They're not the Denmark of old the Denmark to those teams that got runs.
25:03
There's no Peter Schmichel coming to save them or the Son and the Son's
25:07
there. But whatever. But I'm gonna I'm going maybe just me tonight picking
25:11
out all these random teams for second place, I guess, but I'm gonna
25:15
Slovenia like the results that they've had over the last you know, based on
25:18
trends for these last three teams. I think of the three Slovenia's had the
25:22
better run the form and may maybe say have the easier teams to go against,
25:26
but you know, goalkeeping defense is very important in these kind of games,
25:33
and Jano Block is still one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
25:36
Not to say it's Serbia, you know, with you know, if it's
25:37
Milik for Savas starting whoever starting for them. In Denmark, they got good
25:41
coopies as well. But Janal Block, he can we saw what he did
25:45
to enter right. This guy is still legit goalkeeper and he is some kind
25:48
of any kind of defense in front of him. But you're gonna have a
25:52
bunch of guys that most people don't ever heard of. But I think they
25:55
can play as a team. They've played as a team up, you know,
25:57
it's build up over the last year or so, and so I feel
26:00
like they're gonna surprise Serbia and Denmark and finished the second place, and I
26:03
think Serbia finishes in third. I think Denmark is a team looking out and
26:07
Serbia is gonna be a strong team and third, but I think surprised by
26:11
Slovenia and they've surprised and get that second spot. You heard it here first
26:17
only one out of Slovenia. We always need we always need a dark horse,
26:21
right, yeah, they're by the way, Ili Chich is playing.
26:25
How did I how did I forget about it? Oh yeah, yeah,
26:26
yeah, I was about to say, yeah, and he's on the rosters,
26:30
so good for him. Yeah, I hope you places. I I
26:36
honestly think that's the perfect like description Slovenia because nobody's really you know, paying
26:40
too much attention to to them in terms of because it's because of like Illi
26:44
Chich is probably being your your your your best player on that roster, you
26:48
know, like it beside the block of course, with respect the black but
26:52
uh, Benjamin scal But like that's why I think that the perfect choice to
26:57
finish second. Uh. I think clear number one is England bar none,
27:03
Clear number one is England. I think Sylvenia second, Denmark third. I
27:07
think Denmark just just just ease Weasels into third and it's one of their stronger
27:11
third place teams. Like like I think, I honestly think Richard said it
27:18
best. Like I don't want to parrot him. I don't want to you
27:21
know, waste waste time repeating the same thing. But I put them,
27:23
I put them second in my predictor. Okay, okay, I like it.
27:30
Uh Group D, Richard, I know you said there was another group
27:34
of death. I don't know if you meant it was this one, because
27:37
it does look interesting. Pull in Netherlands, Austria, France. Was it
27:41
was it this group you were referred to? Yeah, okay, there you
27:44
go this. You know, it's easy to pinpoint France right as as the
27:48
group winners. But come on, poll in Netherlands and even in Austria.
27:52
If I'm a mistaken, all four of these teams played in the knout knockout
27:56
stages last time out in twenty twenty. Yeah, Poland and not Poland and
28:03
not, but France was there. They were they were everyone's picking Poland and
28:07
they choked. That's what it was. Everyone say, Levandoski, Levandoski and
28:10
yeah they struggle, Yeah, yeah, yeah exactly, they choked last tournament.
28:15
But yeah, what do you well, it's start joinny this time.
28:18
What do you think about this group of uh of Group D you were talking
28:23
about. Yeah, it's a tough this is a tough one. Uh,
28:30
I'm going to France, Poland, Netherlands, Austria. I think I think
28:33
Poland surprises. I think I think Poland surprises and they finished second. Wow,
28:40
I have likevee like Netherlands didn't quite impress me, uh last tournament,
28:47
last Euros, you know. And I don't think they're that strong of a
28:52
team. I don't think there's like one of those teams are like they're convincing
28:56
me that they're gonna be like number number one I I honestly, and I
29:00
don't think. And because of that, I don't even think they finished second.
29:03
Because of it, I think I think Netherlands are quite overrated. And
29:06
I'm probably gonna get flamed for this, but that's what I believe. So
29:11
sick to your beliefs, Stick to your belief I'm sticking to my beliefs.
29:17
I'm not gonna slamer you. But yeah, this is this is a difficult
29:19
group. I think France does does get the first place, you know,
29:26
Holland, I'm gonna call it Holland Holland. The you never know with their
29:30
with their the manager, how they're gonna do. They got the talented team,
29:36
maybe not as talented as France, but who is the talented as France.
29:38
Austria's got Ralph Ronick and they really started playing well, really well against
29:42
uh under Ralph Rodyik. And you know, Poland obviously has some a lot
29:45
of good players on their team. It's difficult to pick there. I think
29:49
this gets probably gonna be the closest group in terms of points, just because
29:56
all these teams are fairly capable of being the other one, even Frances losing.
30:00
But I'm gonna go France one, Holland two, Austria three, Poland
30:03
four. And just because I picked for Holland Poland four doesn't mean I don't
30:07
think they're good. I think they're a good team. Holland hasn't you know.
30:11
The reason I've picking Holland over another two is because the Netherlands they they
30:17
got some talent on their team. They they found ways to play. It's
30:22
not typically think a typical Dutch football is beautiful, attractive, in a fast
30:25
paced you know, take it taking almost it's not this, not what it
30:27
is. But they got players and they they can grind out victories and grind
30:32
our results. It's not the prettiest way. I'm sure if you go to
30:36
talk to anybody and the Netherlands are gonna be like, this is not typical
30:37
Dutch football. But hey, they'll take wins at any at any point because
30:41
anything can happen as the tournament progress it so I think if you look at
30:45
talent wise, it's hard. They're slightly, in my opinion, slightly better
30:51
than the other two. Austria has a lot of really good players on our
30:53
team, and I like the way their team is composed more than Poland,
30:56
so I give them a slight diedge over over over Poland. But this is
31:00
a really difficult group, I think, and this is you know, we
31:03
talk about teams that could capetually honestly if France is capable, but it's unlikely.
31:08
You know, they've had their as you mentioned you talk about Spain had
31:11
their issues back in the day. France did as well, and they've kind
31:15
of figured it out lately with his Golden Generation. So I think Hollin's on
31:18
the way back up. France are there, and I think, you know,
31:21
Austria and Poland around out the group. For me, I think Netherlands
31:26
are you know, my dark worst favorite twin. But we'll get into this
31:30
later. But I think France is also my favorite to win overall. So
31:33
it's tough because these are two of the top teams in the same group.
31:37
You know, you look back France, that is one team that you could
31:41
say they're slower starters at tournaments. They struggle in group stages. Yeah,
31:45
once they get going in the knockout stage, that's when they go far.
31:49
So it's gonna be interesting. I'll say. I'll still say the Netherlands first,
31:56
France second, but you know, it's it could easily go either way
32:02
or for the other teams. You know, between Poland Austria it's a bit
32:06
tougher. Austria is a team that you know, took Italy right to the
32:08
brink. You're a twenty twenty and they, you know, or not to
32:13
be scored bo is ruled off side and so they took Italy right to the
32:16
brink of elimination. And you know, they impressed me watching that game.
32:20
They really impressed me. I don't know if they're the same team. I
32:22
don't know if I don't even know if they have the same coach or what
32:23
not. I mean, I can't say I watched them, but yeah,
32:28
you know, Poland, like you said, they are they are chokers.
32:31
So you know, one end, you could say, oh, they're probably
32:34
looking for events from last time. Out, but they just they just don't
32:37
have that that talented anymore to really convince me, even Lamadosky like, it's
32:42
not the Limadoski like twinty fifteen. Right, So, I you know,
32:45
for me, Austria third, Poland, Poland fourth, and I would I'll
32:50
leave in pennsyl in Austria as one of the top four third place teams.
32:54
Yeah. Back you know, even back to nets. This is a team
33:00
that lost to the Argentina and the quarters of the World Cup and they had
33:05
a heartbreak loss. I think it was against the Czech Republic in the last
33:08
yer. So this is a team that I'm sure they're hungry and they're a
33:12
very young team too, right, So for me that it's going to be
33:15
interesting to see what they do, and I think they'll at least start strong
33:19
and win this group and then next group group the Slovakia, Romania, Belgium,
33:27
Ukraine, I'll be honest, besides Belgium, it's like I can't,
33:32
I can't say I know too much about these You know about Slovakia, Romania,
33:37
Ukraine. You know what My only memory of Ukraine and sorry Slovakian international
33:42
tournaments is them. Was it they beat Italy in twenty ten in the third
33:45
in the last game of the group stage. Was it three to two or
33:49
something? Mark Hamshik was and they haven't scored that game. I forget Jenny,
33:53
Yeah he did a Was he even part of Napoli then yet? Or
33:57
no, yes he was, he was. Yeah, it was because because
34:00
because they all called up in Annapoli brought brought themselves up in two thousand and
34:04
six. He's been it's been part of Napoli Sinceetia b Like okay, yeah,
34:07
yeah, yeah, okay, yeah, yeah, there you go.
34:13
So I really don't know too much about Croatia, but you know again,
34:16
Belgium their team. That Why did I say Croatia? Yeah, it's in
34:22
colors. Uh yeah, Nick, just shout on like hundreds and hundreds of
34:31
years of history right there. All the Balks are going mad right now,
34:37
the Eastern European countries. They need to get some new colors. Mad.
34:40
They're all going with the same colors. What is this? So we got
34:43
the UK mad, we got the Balkans man, what else can we get?
34:45
Mad? They're losing followers by the minute, damn. Yeah, yeah,
34:54
all five of them. But yeah, Belgium is a team that.
35:00
You know, I feel like their goal generation has passed. They filled in
35:04
their golden generation. They didn't get the job done. You know, I
35:07
don't know if they're the same Belgium as old, but you know, considering
35:10
their opportance, they could go on nine points. You know. Ukraine's an
35:15
interesting team obviously, everything that's happening in the country, you know, it
35:19
feels like it's catapulted them a bit. I know what they needed to win
35:21
in the playoffs to even to even get here, and uh yeah, Romania
35:25
too. Can't say too much, I know too much. My only memory
35:29
of Romania playing soccer is your ONW thousand and eight, that scarf that you're
35:31
wearing, Richard when they tied Italy won one and I think before made a
35:36
penalty save. So, uh, you know, second third in place.
35:39
It could go either way. I'll even put Ukraine up there, just because
35:42
they have a bit more experience in this in these tournaments. I think they
35:45
and them too. They played in the knockouts the last time out. But
35:50
you know, at the end of the day, it's it's three games.
35:52
Anything could happen, right, Yeah, yeah, I know, it's certainly
35:55
Canada. I think this is an interesting group because who do you pick second?
36:01
I think Belgium. No, they're not the same team as before,
36:05
but I think under Tedesco they've they've done well to highlight the strengths and I
36:09
think, you know, having some players that you have some of the old
36:14
guard that are still playing, but you have some of the new guard,
36:15
like CDK obviously we know what he's done this year and said, yeah,
36:19
he's obviously so hungry. They got a lot of a lot of players there.
36:22
I think they're comfortably win this group. The question is who finishes in
36:27
second. I love the Ukraine story and everything that's going on. They're trying
36:31
to do for the country and everything, but at some point that motivation that
36:38
it takes a lot out of you. You know, obviously the emotional tolls
36:43
back home, but just trying to keep that, you know, playing for
36:45
your country, playing for whatever, playing for pride, Eventually it wanes on
36:50
you and it just you just you run out of gas, right And maybe
36:52
that's where they're at. Because I'm as well as they did to get in
36:58
the qualify for the tournament, I'm not sure that they they have enough in
37:01
the tank left to kind of compete the tournament. I think kind of I
37:04
kind of see them finishing four. The thing, I think Romania can really
37:06
surprise them and jump into third place. I think that they're team that none
37:10
people know about. Obviously they have their obviously world class keeper in Radu,
37:14
right, but no, they have some decent players in the team. Obviously
37:16
dragosins in the and is gonna turn a lot of heads, right, the
37:20
guy who went for a big, big move this this past year. So
37:23
they got some decent pieces there. I think they can. They've been playing
37:27
as a team and they're build up into this tournament has been okay. So
37:30
I think they'll finish the third and I got Slovaki finished in second. Some
37:34
you know, some good names, decent names that many people will be familiar
37:37
with and on their on their team, and I think they'll be I think
37:44
they're confidently finished second. I think, you know, Belgium gets all the
37:45
points, but you know, I think Slovakia probably finished easily and the second
37:49
public six points to get out of the group. So yeah, I think
37:52
Slovakia is probably the cream of the lower lower end. Theres a good amount
37:58
of Italian players too. On Slakia. You don't think of Auz is the
38:05
main name, but obviously a couple of guys from Hella celearning Kana kality.
38:08
So yeah, Richard, you mean the cream of the crop. I'm probably
38:24
gonna, you know, throw people off with this, but I think Ukraine
38:28
wins the group. Oh okay, I'm tired of saying this is Belgian year,
38:32
this is Belgian year. This is not I'm tired of it. I'm
38:36
tired of it. It's it's it's it always seems to be like their year,
38:38
and they always tend to screw me over every time I put faith in
38:42
them. So this time I'm learning from my mistakes and I'm not putting them
38:45
first. I'm putting them second. I'm actually putting uh first, first place,
38:50
Ukraine, second place Belgium in the third place Slakia, and then fourth
38:53
is Romania. Obviously. I think I think Silakia has got a lot of
38:59
good overall players. Ukraine, sorry, Ukraine's got a lot of good overall
39:04
players that really like pushed them into like the first place spot. For me
39:07
that I just feel like they're just more cohesive as a unit than than Belgium
39:14
is. I think like their time is done. I think everyone's like,
39:17
oh, this is their year. This is their year. It's done.
39:20
It's done, guys. Let's let's be honest. They had stronger teams in
39:22
the past before and they couldn't do it. You know what, what's going
39:24
to change this year? You know? And maybe now that it's actually and
39:28
then you know change. Maybe now it's the first time things work out and
39:30
I can look like the media. But that's that's basically what I'm going with.
39:36
I'd be amazing the story if Ukraine won the group for sure, you
39:37
know, I think I I think honestly they do. I mean, they
39:40
had a great run last year. They had a great run last year,
39:45
you know. Like Hipchenko I think was a fantastic matcher for the team.
39:49
I think he stepped down. He didn't get released. I think he stepped
39:52
down. If I'm not mistaken, I can't remember. I can't remember details
39:57
to it. But either way, did he go. I think he sat
40:00
down to go manage club team, I think again or something. I believe,
40:02
so I believe he's that. That's actually fine. Let me just take
40:06
a pic pic chip Chenko. I can't take it. But either way,
40:09
you know, like, uh, he's managing Uh. He went to Genoa
40:19
and then after that where did he go, I'll think going anywhere nowhere.
40:23
Oh he was quitting football for politics. Excuse me, there you go.
40:28
Yeah, But either way, I think I think he found something in the
40:31
squad, and the squad themselves started to believe in themselves a bit more.
40:36
I think this Heiro is like like you'd be like, you know what.
40:40
I think they get that first place finish and surprise people. Yeah, I
40:45
mean it's it's not a it's not a bad call. Yeah, especially especially
40:51
Belgium. They're just annoying this every year, Like you said, Jesus said,
40:54
oh this is belgiums here and then they choke Group F Turkey, Georgia,
41:02
Portugal chech Republic. So the first time I looked at this group,
41:05
my first thought was Euro two thousand and eight, and then I looked it
41:07
up and this was pretty much the same group in Euro two thousand and eight,
41:12
just switch out Georgia for Switzerland and that was Group A Inyuarro two thousand
41:16
and eight. So these these teams pretty much, well I can't say they
41:20
know each other because of that, because what one player is left from that
41:22
and it's Ronaldo from that tournament. But it's just funny to see. You
41:28
know, this is again honestly another tough group. You know, in Georgia
41:32
they are the Cinderella story. I think it's their first time ever in the
41:36
Euros, obviously led by by Cavara, but you know, for for Portugal,
41:42
this is what is I guess Naldo's last run. But I feel like
41:45
we said that at the World Cup. And you know, Turkey they're always
41:50
a team that you know, they could surprise people, but then sometimes they
41:52
do, sometimes they don't, so you know, they're they're hard to read
41:55
sometimes. And then obviously Czech Republic. Again they're a team that I probably
42:01
know the least about on on on in this group. But between them and
42:07
Georgia, I'm sure either can make, you know, make an upset,
42:09
like even Portugal, like obviously they're the favorites to win this group, but
42:14
I'm not convinced. I'm not convinced at all. I know they are,
42:16
they do have a new generation now, they're they're past relying on Ronaldo.
42:21
Uh, they have a deep team, but just something about them, you
42:25
know, watching them sometimes it's like, well Gutuso says sometimes maybe good,
42:30
sometimes maybe shit. You know, which Portugal is gonna show up. Is
42:32
it gonna Is it gonna be the Portugal that went to the quarterfinals in at
42:38
least the World Cup, or you know that went to the final in twenty
42:42
sixteen, or is it gonna be the Portugal that lost to Belgium in the
42:44
round of sixteen three years ago? Which portragal is? Is it gonna be?
42:47
Uh? So, for me, this group is wide open. I'll
42:51
still say, you know, Portugal is gonna win, but after that,
42:54
you know it's for me, it's even between Turkey and Georgia. Georgia it's
43:00
gonna be tough for them, just because they are such a young team that
43:02
they have zero experience with this. But you never know, you never know,
43:07
maybe we'll just be so energized and uh you know, if there's one
43:10
team that could you know, steal everyone's heart this year, that maybe this
43:15
year's then Denmark, it's them, it's Georgia. So I also say,
43:17
I'll sso say Portugal, Turkey, Georgia, Czech Republic. Yeah, I
43:23
think this is this is the most difficult group for me to pick. Not
43:28
that they're all like, it's not a group of death any even stretch,
43:30
but I think just it's a group, you know, and it's like you
43:34
don't know really who to who to pick in this I think Portugal should win
43:37
this group. They're good enough. I think that they can overcome it with
43:42
you know, all the talent that they have. The question is you know
43:45
who finishes the second, third, and fourth? All these teams, well
43:50
check you formerly know Czech Republic. They've got some pretty decent pieces on their
43:53
team, but like some of them are aged how they're like okay players.
44:01
Some of them are really good. But I feel like if there's gonna be
44:06
a surprise in this group, it's check Ya not performing and Georgia finding a
44:10
way to get above them, just you know, led by Kavara alone,
44:14
because he just does magical things. We've seen Annapoli and we set him doing
44:17
Georgia as well. He can sometimes carry the show enough. They can beat
44:21
some teams, not all teams. This is not the you know, I
44:25
think Turkey's gonna finish second. It's not the Turkey from what two thousand and
44:29
eight was. It was a Euros two thousand and eight when them and Russia
44:31
had some marvelous run in the tournament and when both of them went deep it's
44:35
not that team. But there are some really good youngsters on this team and
44:38
some good veterans. Obviously Chellon know's there, you know, middle of the
44:42
pack. But they got some youngsters and Nelds and Gulaire who are really really
44:46
talented you cannot have looked in. Then they got some you know, some
44:51
older players as well that you know that can study the ship. They have
44:53
a nice mix of old than you. I mean obviously you guys like me.
44:57
Uh Mary de Morel, he's there to He's gonna help him out of
45:00
the child Nolan in the midfield there che Gi Zund there is a guy who
45:02
we all familiar with the city. Yeah right, he's He's he has an
45:06
attacking talent. This team is not bad at all, honestly, And I
45:09
think I'm gonna go a shout out to Keenan Caramont too shaka player. You
45:15
know, he had a really great year this year. But uh, I
45:16
think it's Turkish team. It's good enough to finish second place in this group.
45:21
It's not the greatest group. I think Chuck is on her way down.
45:23
I think Georgia is okay. You know, it's mostly because of Kavara,
45:27
right and there's another another player his name. Escape scene for Georgia is
45:30
really good. But I think Turkey of this group is the most talented of
45:35
those bottom three. Out thought of Portugal, I think they have they can
45:38
get, they can make it tight against Portugal. But it's one two Portugal,
45:42
Turkey and then Georgia and Chuck a last. So I'm actually going to
45:50
I think it's obvious Portugal's first place. I think they take the group because
45:52
out of all the teams there, they're on paper strongest team. I'm actually
45:58
going with Georgia for second. I'm going for Jorjia for a second. I
46:00
think I think this is really like a big like coming out for a party
46:05
for them. They have so much comment and they have so much uh you
46:07
know, hype about them. You know, they're all like it's their first
46:10
time, is it their first time quifying? Yeah? I think so,
46:15
let me I should fact check myself on that, but let's just say,
46:20
I'm pretty sure I think it is theirs. You feel look like Iceland when
46:23
they first made it. Yeah, Like it's just like like they have a
46:29
couple of great players and like I do have a soft spot forget about Skellia
46:31
and I think this is going to be like a very big demonstration of his
46:35
talent. I think he has another I think he has like I'm just making
46:37
assumptions here, I'm just making you know what it's it's predictions. We're having
46:40
fun with it. I think he has a Hamish Rodriguez type of tournaments.
46:45
That's that's the type of attorney. I think like it. He's totally capable.
46:50
He has a talent. Uh you know, I think he has that
46:52
strong of attorney. It won't be strong enough for them to like, you
46:55
know, making maybe make him past around the sixteen, but I think it's
47:00
going to be strong enough for them to get second in the group and then
47:01
you know, lose to a strong team in the round of sixteen. I
47:05
think that's the type of performance that they'll have, and then in third place.
47:07
I put as a strong third place Turkey the nick you freeze on us,
47:28
Nicole, You okay there, but oh yeah, I'm good. I'm
47:30
just for my computer, soull good dinue talking though. Everything's good. Well,
47:37
I mean I just finished my point. I think we're moving on to
47:39
okay, the third place rankings. No, yeah, I mean that which
47:45
that's so hard to predict if you guys remember which teams you predicted to go
47:50
third, we could we could do that, but I already forget. I
47:54
mean, I mean, like, for example, I chose, uh,
47:59
the four that I chose, we're Netherlands, Croatia, Hungary, and Turkey.
48:04
Those are the four that I went with. Does fourth third place make
48:07
it? Fourth third place makes it? I think it's four third places make
48:10
it? Ok, Yeah, it's not three. I think it's four of
48:13
them. So those are the four I decided to go with. I think
48:15
it's totally fair. I mean, I don't I don't really see. I
48:22
really don't see like any like out of the other ones is what we're let's
48:25
see, ahong I haven't written down here, like Slovakia and Denmark. I
48:30
don't think they're the ones that they're gonna make it through out of the third
48:32
place teams, given how strong the groups are that they're in from there also
48:42
have like predictions to like other things. But I don't know, do we
48:45
go further than the third place finishes or or we're just saying group stages and
48:50
yeah, I think you just go talk to because even with the third place,
48:52
it all depends on how many points again, and it's almost a statement
48:55
of how strong the group is, you know, you know, you look
49:00
look at Euro twenty twenty four, sorry twenty twenty the third place teams it,
49:07
you know, teams that went through had four points, four points,
49:09
four points, three points and then the teams that didn't go through had three
49:13
points and three points. So it's all about like type breakers and all that.
49:15
So I think that's harder to predict. I wanted to I wanted to
49:19
ask who you think you know will be in the final, you know,
49:23
not thinking about maybe the bracket so much, because any still, anything could
49:29
happen right on either side of the bracket. Any two teams could end up
49:31
on any any side of the bracket. If you guys have the bracket pulled
49:36
up and you you you have a you know, uh theory of the two
49:43
teams that will come out on each side go ahead. For me, I
49:45
think there's I think there's a good possibility that fan because France is in Group
49:52
D, right, so if France wins Group D and Germany wins Group A,
49:59
they're on opposite side in the bracket. For me, I think that's
50:00
the final, right there, Germany France, they're on opposite sides. Germany
50:05
is a home team. You know, they lost out in the semi finals
50:07
back in two thousand and six. They wanted they want to they want to
50:09
avenge that loss. France lost out in the final in two thousand and six.
50:13
They want to avenge that lost. So they meet up in Berlin and
50:15
and France wins it. And for me that you know, I think France
50:21
is very strong. Obviously they lost in the World Cup final, lost a
50:24
very good Argentina team. They lost Ti Messi. But you know, they
50:28
won the World Cup last time out, and they lost the Euro Final.
50:30
They've just been playing in all these finals that two losses in a win,
50:35
and it feels like, you know, six years since the since the World
50:38
Cup win. It's almost like a new generation for France. They have a
50:40
lot of young players, so I think they want to get some hardware out
50:45
of that. And and this is their opportunity. Oh that's a that's that's
50:51
tough. I mean, the three teams that jump out to me our favorites
50:58
obviously Spain, England and France. There's some second place teams and some other
51:01
teams like Germany or the Netherlands. Some of the teams you could throw in
51:04
there that could possibly do it right, even though it's if all things fall
51:07
into place. But I don't expect that. If I had to pick a
51:09
final without looking at the bracket, man, I would go, I'm gonna
51:15
say Spain versus France, not knowing where the bracket is, you know,
51:22
assuming they're on different sides of the bracket, and I'll say Spain shock France
51:29
in the final. Yeah, there's a possibility they end up on the other
51:32
side if they each win their I I actually nick like when I did my
51:40
bracket, basically got to the same conclusion where it's Germany France in the final
51:45
and France wins because I, according to the order that I chose, basically
51:52
my top my final four beat Journey versus Portugal, France versus England, France
51:55
with beating England and Germany beating Portugal, and then from there essentially it moves
52:00
on to a German French final and for France wins it. Uh, they're
52:06
just such a great team France. It's hard to look at that team and
52:09
like, besides Germany, like it's it's hard to look at him and be
52:12
like, yeah, how how does this team lose. Besides, like last
52:15
Euros, it took penalty shots and penalty shots like you know, we were
52:17
laughing and having a good time with it. It is a crap shoot.
52:21
Penalties are a crap shoot, you know. Yeah, yeah, I'm still
52:23
were proved, it proved in that tournament that he is a he's a he's
52:28
a you know, a spot kick stopper, like he's like he's good at
52:30
that and he's and he's done the same in City yeah this year, so
52:34
like he's just that was his bread and butter and he did well. He's
52:36
great in that psychological game. So I I honestly do believe that that I
52:45
think France win it this year, Like they're not gonna have any bullshit happened
52:49
to them, and they should actually win in the final versus Germany. Yeah,
52:53
that would be a crazy final fans versus Germany. In Germany, it's
52:58
always easy to give the home team to manage, right, but yeah,
53:05
imagine if Germany won it. Jeez. Yeah yeah, As as a German
53:12
soccer follower, like just how how good will this tournament be? You know?
53:16
And I know these are all great stadiums. A lot of the stadiums
53:20
that hosted the two thousand and six World Cup. Great atmosphere. They love
53:23
their soccer. They're in Germany, Like, what do you think that's gonna
53:25
be, Like Richard, it's gonna be. It's gonna be nuts. It's
53:28
gonna be very similar to what we saw in twenty two thousand and six.
53:32
It's it's the fans travel. They're so passionate the despite the league that the
53:39
Bundesliga second division team, they outdraw their Bundesliga clubs. Like the passion in
53:45
that in that country is ridiculous, and so all the team's gonna be be
53:47
packed out, you know. Obviously it's a lot of a lot of travelers
53:51
small around Europe are gonna be there. But they're gonna be They're pushing off
53:54
for the team. They're gonna try to get them. They want to see
53:57
their team do well. I think a good tournament for Germany in regards to
54:00
the fans, will be a deep run, you know, semifinal at you
54:04
know, a semifinal or maybe a quarterfinal. But if you go lose so
54:07
big you know, one of the big teams, but they expect them to
54:08
go far, I mean semifinals or bus Obviously they would love to win it,
54:13
but you know, there's there's a lot of good teams and there's a
54:16
lot of talent on this team, so I think expectations are high, but
54:21
they're subdued. They they still have fresh the World Cup in their mind,
54:24
so they have that back in their mind. They need to get back to
54:28
where they are they feel they expect to be. But this is a tournament
54:31
they could do it at home. We've seen what home cooking can do and
54:35
Germany it's a good place to do it. So it'll be a good tournament
54:37
for them, I think. Yeah. And out of the ten venues,
54:40
nine of them actually hosted games in two thousand and six, so that's that's
54:45
pretty interesting. Only only one in Dusseldorf did not host in two thousand and
54:52
six. Even looking at you know where Italy played back in two thousand and
54:57
six, they start off this tournament in Orman in the same stadium where they
55:01
beat Germany back back then in the semi finals. So that's a nice full
55:07
full circle moment for phone playing in that game. Assistant coach. Now with
55:13
the lastly, guys, where where do you see Italy going? How how
55:17
far do you see them going? In this tournament the big what if,
55:22
right, I think they need to get out of the group stage. They
55:27
need to get out of the group stage. I think if they if they
55:29
make it to the quarterfinals, that's a great tournament. As good as this
55:32
tournament is, this is the this is the most difficult tournament on the planet.
55:37
If they get to the quarterfinals, I think that's a good tournament.
55:40
If they get out of the group stage, it's a failure and they got
55:44
they got there, still at the tournament, but they need to get out
55:45
of the group stage. And I think if they can result around sixteen,
55:49
even better. But I think quarterfinals would be a fantastics occasion by them.
55:57
I predicted the same I said finals. I think they they because like quite
56:02
to my table here, let's see, I'm just gonna say it for the
56:06
for the podcast to see if I actually made a good prediction or not.
56:08
I think in around the sixteen, they play Switzerland and they win, but
56:12
then in the quarterfinals they face England and England gets their revenge and they and
56:15
England beats Italy. So that's basically what my my my table looks like.
56:21
They lose to England in the quarterfinals. A bit more specific, let's see
56:27
if right, Yeah, no, I think that's good. And I think
56:30
even if you look at the bracket Italy, if they win the group,
56:34
they third, they play a third place team, and if they finished second
56:37
in the group, they actually play another second place team. So so you
56:40
know, they kind of locked out that they don't have to if they finish
56:44
second, they don't have to play a first place team. But and and
56:51
it would be if so they'd be runner up Group B would be runner up
56:53
Group A. So it could be runner up between Germany, Scotland, Hungary
56:57
and Switzerland. So obviously, okay, there's a possibil that they could play
57:00
Germany, let's say in that position. But you know, if Germany wins
57:04
the group and Italy finished the second, whether it's Scotland, Hungary or Switzerland,
57:07
it's three teams that you know, Italy could be in that quarters sorry,
57:10
in the round sixteen. But I'm on the same boat as you guys.
57:14
I think quarters is realistic at least to just get there. Once they
57:17
get there, you know, if they lose, depending who they lose to
57:21
and how, I think it'll be mixed emotion. I feel like for people
57:25
who actually watched they and who watched this national team know that it's a period
57:30
of struggle for them. Right. This is not the same team that went
57:32
into the Euros thirty plus on meet in three years ago, where we even
57:38
predicted semi finals or finals, and you know, for maybe fans that are
57:44
a bit more casual and just say, oh, yeah, they won the
57:46
last Euros, they should go far this time. Like they're in for a
57:51
disappointment. To be honest, this is not It's not same Intaly, I'm
57:53
not convinced. But at the end of the day, anything could happen.
57:58
You know, we'll leave our critics. Isn't to the end. If they
58:00
win and everything, everything's all good. If they lose earlier than quarter finals,
58:05
that's where we could criticize. But but yeah, I'm pretty excited though.
58:09
I'm pretty excited and we appreciate you coming on Richard. Do you have
58:15
big plan big viewing party plans for the for the tournament? Uh, we'll
58:21
see. I mean, I definitely want to watch the first game, but
58:23
we'll see how how depends how busy work is. But I definitely like to
58:27
have to get out some of the parties. I know the Milanlan Club d
58:30
C that they even talking about some of the games and stuff. So I'll
58:34
see where I can watch the game. I'll definitely ify go further. I'll
58:37
find some bar to get to. I'll do it. But the group stage
58:40
will be mostly home viewer for the most part of things. So yeah,
58:45
fair enough, fair enough. Uh So that'll do it for us? Where
58:50
can where can people find you? On social media? Richard? You can
58:52
follow me at our underscore k H A R M A N, but more
58:57
importantly follow me or follow us at City sit Down on all across social media.
59:00
That's both Frank and I. On our podcasts. Yeah, and for
59:06
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59:09
you guys, all of our all the products, all of our podcasts are
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59:19
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platforms for all of our coverage for Euros and more importantly for forty and thanks
59:30
for listening by