I haven’t always been a fan of soccer. In 2013, I moved into the frat house (as I called it) with my brother’s friend Jarrod. After “Sailor Jerry” his own name for himself at the time (hence why I call him Jerry sometimes and why he is in my phone as Jerry) watched me play probably 200 hours of NCAA 14 on Xbox, he asked me if I had ever played Fifa. I laughed in his face and said “soccer is for fairies, play a real sport!” He rolled his eyes and asked me if I wanted to play the new FIFA 14 he had and I said sure why not and we did and he murdered me. So, slowly over the years we lived together, Orlando City became an official MLS team and Jerry was losing his mind so being a nice guy, I pretended to care and even bought the new FIFA that year, ‘15 to play as the local boys and played career mode as OC in The Prem lol. Let me tell y’all the day I popped that disk into my Xbox all the way to this day I have been a full tilt soccer fan. Not just MLS but all leagues and national tournaments and competitions. So all that to say thank Jarrod for this incredibly long break down of my euro 2021 predictions.
Group A:
Italy
Switzerland
Turkey
Wales
This one is easy, in my opinion, Italy has decent young talent mixed with veteran players who’ve been here before so they win the group. Second is a bit closer Wales has had some flashes of decent play in friendlies of late and turkey is always a dark horse. But I think Switzerland takes the second spot in this group with crazy amounts of defensive talent only question is can the attack finish games.
Group B:
Belgium
Denmark
Finland
Russia
Let me tell ya why Belgium will win this group and possible the whole euro tourney….one word two brothers Hazard. Eden hasn’t been on the best form this year at Real Madrid but he is the real deal (say real like Real lol). And Thorgan is on Brussia and is a magician with the ball. Add those two to a decent attack, midfield and all ya have to worry about is the Defense. They are not bad just old. And then they have Thibo (sounds like Tebow) from Madrid a world class keeper. Belgium wins this division. And to rapid fire through the other three. Finland has no one but Pukki so?
Russia only made last World Cup cause they were host country. So Denmark gets second due to Schmichel and Errikson.
Group C:
Austria
Netherlands
Macedonia
Ukraine
The Ukraine has no one on that team that is relevant. Macedonia has no one ever that has ever been relevant. So it’s Netherlands and Austria going through. Netherlands even without Van Dik is still a decent team with lots of veterans so they win the group. Austria gets second with very few amazing player but on an easy schedule.
Group D:
Croatia
Czech Republic
England
Scotland
Croatia were the World Cup runners up so they are the clear favorite right? No! The class and determination of those players that made that awesome run is still there but they have all aged since then and have either struggled or underperformed in there leagues and nation team jobs since that World Cup. Still they probably get second in this group so not too much hate on them. Scotland has some good players like 2-3 Robertson being the best by a country mile but still no dice on making out the group stage. Czech Republic. Captain Chec himself Petr Chec is no longer the goalie and captain of this team due to his retirement and honestly I can’t think of any other players on this team aside from Souccek who had a crazy good prem season but still not gonna make it out. England gets first in this group. Harry Kane, Rashford and so many other big names plus loads of good young talent. Seems like a shoo in for #1.
Group E:
Poland
Slovakia
Spain
Sweden
Imma make this short cause it seems obvious. Zlatan is out so is Sweden’s hopes not saying him in would help that much but never count out the lion among men that is Ibra. Slovakia another country that I don’t even know how they get into these tournaments but hey good for them. Spain wins this easily even though they left Ramos at home which is an outrage but they have talent falling out the young yang so ya they got this. Poland gets second Lewendowski is an absolute god and could probably win the euros on his own. That being said JK but they do get second.
Group F:
France
Germany
Hungry
Portugal
Group of Death! Poor Hungary wouldn’t have done ok in any group but y’all are screwed. Now the hard part. Picking only two from France, Portugal and Germany. Ok so France has the best defense in this group, Germany has the best Midfield and Portugal has Ronaldo…I mean the best attack. Honestly I don’t think Ronaldo has the gas with this Portugal team to make it out of the group so give me France 1 because Mbappe is a legend in the making and the rest of the team is crazy talented and give me Germany 2nd, because holy cow this team could easily win it all if it comes together and the Futbal gods smile down. Talent at all four levels of the team and the king of the team Kimmich himself!!
I won’t include the next rounds yet but if y’all liked this or hated it let me know and I’ll do the next round after the group stage ends and self reflect on my wrong answers and break down the rest of the tournament.
The MFL 