EURO 2020 - predict the semi finalists

Euro 2020 starts on Friday and is shaping up to be quite an open tournament, with no clear favourite IMO.

So rather than the usual "pick the winner" poll. I thought how about predicting the last four semi-finalists. Maybe Scotland will be one of them.

To do so, I've created this poll as multi choice, but if you could limit your choices to four that will be great. If you can also share your four predictions than we can see who comes closest to getting all four correct picks. No prize for the winner, just the award of being considered more knowledgeable than the rest (or luckier).

I've gone Italy, Belgium, France and Portugal.

France - world champions, potential QF opponents for Scotland :greengrin
Belguim - class throughout that squad, tough call as they might need to take on the Italians but I think they will edge it
England - young and athletic with dangerous goal scorers, survive the 18th of June and who knows?
Denmark - Professional, strong team, expect them to finish second to Belguim in their group but to edge Holland/Switzerland

France
Belgium
Holland
Spain

Germany
France
England
Belgium

I've not checked the pathways so don't know if that really is likely.

Italy.
Denmark.
France.
Spain.

Belgium, France, England and Netherlands. Belgium beat England in final.

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Originally Posted by theonlywayisup

I've gone Italy, Belgium, France and Portugal.

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For this prediction to come true Portugal need to knock Germany out in the group stages.
Is that likely?

Scotland
Scotland
Scotland
Scotland

And we'll lose in the final on penalties.

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Originally Posted by Glory Lurker

Germany
France
England
Belgium

I've not checked the pathways so don't know if that really is likely.

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Don't know the pathways either.
Add Italy and Spain to your list and you will probably have the last 4.
I need to then pick 4 from 6 as you have done.

Given Germany and France are in the same group one of them will meet another big hitter earlier than the rest which will naturally reduce the big hitters by 1.

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Originally Posted by CMurdoch

For this prediction to come true Portugal need to knock Germany out in the group stages.
Is that likely?

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I think that could easily go either way – Germany obviously have a fair number of top players but they're still in a bit of a transition. That said, of course they are specialists in progressing through tournaments in just about any circumstances.

Belgium
France
Spain
Scotland

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Originally Posted by CMurdoch

For this prediction to come true Portugal need to knock Germany out in the group stages.
Is that likely?

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Portugal have a great squad right now, much better strength in depth than they normally have.

With players like Cancelo, Dias, Guerro, Danilo, Neves, Renato Sanches, Bernaro Silva, Felix, Jota, Ronaldo I could see them coming ahead of Germany in their group.

Germany will obviously be strong but fullback position is a real problem for them just now. With the strong wingers portugal have I think they'll beat Germany.

Done one of those score predictor things for work, which auto fills out all the pathways for the knock out round, and got the following semi finalists:

Belgium, Portugal, France, Denmark.

Knocking out Turkey, Scotland, Spain, Netherlands respectively in the round of 16.

The way the draw works out a lot of the favourites could knock each other out in the R16 and quarters.

My semifinals are

France v Italy
Portugal v Turkey

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CMurdoch

Don't know the pathways either.
Add Italy and Spain to your list and you will probably have the last 4.
I need to then pick 4 from 6 as you have done.

Given Germany and France are in the same group one of them will meet another big hitter earlier than the rest which will naturally reduce the big hitters by 1.

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The winner of our group plays the runner up in the France Portugal Germany group. So it might end up being advantageous to finish second in our group, you’d then play whoever is second in theSweden/Spain group.

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Originally Posted by hibsbollah

The winner of our group plays the runner up in the France Portugal Germany group. So it might end up being advantageous to finish second in our group, you’d then play whoever is second in theSweden/Spain group.

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That's interesting. I assume it deviates from the normal A1 vs B2, B1 vs A2 etc format because of the complication of some third-placed teams going through?

I think some folk are underestimating just how good Italy are just now.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CMurdoch

For this prediction to come true Portugal need to knock Germany out in the group stages.
Is that likely?

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Yes fairly, Germany don't really have a prolific goal scorer.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by hibsbollah

The way the draw works out a lot of the favourites could knock each other out in the R16 and quarters.

My semifinals are

France v Italy
Portugal v Turkey

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Would Italy not likely have to beat Belgium to reach this stage? I'm all for it, I want Italy to win it.

Think there's too many permutations to predict to that degree.

France will win it though.

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Originally Posted by One Day Soon

Would Italy not likely have to beat Belgium to reach this stage? I'm all for it, I want Italy to win it.

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Surely you want Scotland to win it? :wink:

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Originally Posted by DH1875

I think some folk are underestimating just how good Italy are just now.

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I took a punt on Denmark putting them out in the round of 16 in my predictor, but I could easily see them winning it if they get a bit of luck.

Been on an amazing run of results the past couple of years, got a great midfield and Immobile will always score goals up top. Not too sure about their defence though, Chiellini is aging and I've never really rated Bonucci that much.

France
Italy
Portugal
Scotland

Scotland
France
Belgium
Germany

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Originally Posted by blackpoolhibs

Surely you want Scotland to win it? :wink:

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That would be wildest dreams territory but has no chance of happening. I'll stick with the Italian part of my genes for this one.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CMurdoch

For this prediction to come true Portugal need to knock Germany out in the group stages.
Is that likely?

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Yes IMO

I tried to do a predictor last night and came out with a final 4 of Portugal, England, Belgium and Denmark. Obviously once you hit QFs it's so tough to predict.

Can't wait for the tournament to get started now!

I'm guessing the votes for Scotland are a case of heart over head? Hope I'm wrong but I suspect we won't win a game.

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Originally Posted by One Day Soon

Would Italy not likely have to beat Belgium to reach this stage? I'm all for it, I want Italy to win it.

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Yeah, they would likely face Belgium in the quarters. They’re my second favourites behind France; you can’t argue with their form; seemingly ageless defence, Barella doing his best Baggio impression and I like Chiesa up front. Italy and France don’t seem to have any weaknesses to me, plenty of cover in positions and most of their players haven’t gone far in European club competitions this year.

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Originally Posted by He's here!

I'm guessing the votes for Scotland are a case of heart over head? Hope I'm wrong but I suspect we won't win a game.

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No. We all think Scotland will win the euros.