Euro Predictions From This Point On

    Although I didn't join this site early enough to make my Euro predictions available for public scrutiny, the fate of the Dutch, Croats, and Portuguese to a certain extent justifies a train of thought I have been following for quite a while.  With only a final quarterfinal to be played I can say that if Italy doesn't walk away with the final semifinal spot I will be quite surprised.

    This tournament has been filled with teams with heart.  Heart is difficult to quantify, but it may be easier to analyze those who lack it than those who have it.  A quick analysis of the quarterfinals made it painfully clear the teams that willed themselves to win got these results. 

    Croatia is filled with skilled players.  Modric is a stunning midfield player, but I find it fitting he is headed to Spurs.  A mature leader would have stepped up and slotted in the penalty.  Croatia took a set-back, but rather than respond and use their superior skill to test the Turks gave up.  The team has no major tournament winners.  Next World Cup they may be a team to reckon with, but the cowardice they displayed by not responding to the Turk shock with resolve resulted in their downfall.  I must mention it started with the trainer Bilic who decided to complain to the side official about extra time rather than prepare his team for penalties. 

    Portugal is a team I love to hate.  Anyone who saw the less mature and inexperienced German squad of the 2006 World Cup dismantle the Portuguese squad in the 3rd place game could not have honestly predicted a victory for the Portuguese.  Cristiano Ronaldo has won games where paychecks were on the line, but he hasn't shown he has the internal fire necessary to will a team to victory as Zinedine Zidane and the legends of the past have.  Portugal has the class to compete with anyone, but it seems as if they plateau.  The level needs to escalate as the tournament progresses.  Those who change tournament predictions as teams display early and strong form, forget that a team that peaks in the group stage can't gel any further and has to lost something as the tournament progresses.

    The Dutch are filled with egos, and in spite of Van Basten's best attempts displayed talent but not the unity and sense of purpose that the top squads display as they commence a run to the finals.  Anyone who has seen the obnoxious on field mannerisms of Robben or Van Nistelrooy has to question the motivation of this team.  Do you see any Turks or Germans displaying the arrogance and attitude that the Dutch display routinely?  If anything the teams that find themselves to be slick and smooth seem to be falling prey to the workmanlike squads of Germany, Turkey, and Russia. 

    Italy has the class to compete with Spain, but they are gritty and have a tournament weathered squad.  Even the youth on their squad have a gritty look about them; Cassano's bad boy pedigree is well established.  Spain is filled with pretty-boys.  Do players such as a Villa, Torres, and Fabregas inspire confidence in Spain's toughness?  Senna and Puyol are the type of rough players Spain needs to pick more often.  Honestly, the tough play of Dani Guiza leads me to think if he is paired with Villa, Spain has the best chance of advancing.  I expect Italy nonetheless to walk over this coiffed and manicured Spanish team.

    In this tournament of the working class squads, we have seen tactics dominate.  The stifling 4-1-4-1 of the Russians shut down the open play of the Dutch.  The intelligent substitutions and alterations to the lineup by Fatih Terim kept the Turkish options open in spite of significant injury and suspension.  And finally, the tournament readiness of the Germans and Low's decision to side with traditional German football snuffed out the flare of the Portuguese.  It may signal a new era in football with the style and quality of teams that are advancing.  We'll have to see as the tournament progresses.  I'll predict Germany and Italy will utilize their mix of experience and quality to face off in the final and Germany will take the Euro.