Once again, my beloved Azzuri (that’s Italy, people), get treated like they’re Albania when it comes to the group stage. World Champs and we’re in a SECOND “group of death,” just like in the 2006 World Cup. This time we get France (runner-up at the World Cup…oh it felt good to type that), Romania (strong), and The Netherlands (always tough, especially in this tournament).
Boy this is a murderous bracket. I’m gonna play my hunches and call France to fade. Italy and The Netherlands advance.
Other brackets: Switzerland, Czech Republic, Turkey, Portugal. On paper – where too many soccer games are played:):) – the Czech Republic and Portugal outclass Switzerland and Turkey.
Austria, Germany, Croatia, Poland – Germany gets Austria, Croatia, and Poland; Italy gets France, The Netherlands, and Romania. Who did these brackets? Hillary Clinton? Germany and one of the stiffs advance. Do I really have to pick one? Fine…Croatia.
Russia, Sweden, Spain, Greece – Spain always plays well in Group play. They’ll kill Greece and Russia. Sweden should edge Russia.
Just for fun – here’s that zany Zinedine Zidane headbutting Marco Matarazzi.
