Euro 2008 Predictions: Group B (Croatia's group)

The final stages of the Euro 2008 tournament will begin on Saturday in Switzerland as co-host Switzerland opens the tournament in Group A.

Group B matches will begin on Sunday with Croatia and co-host Austria starting the day's matches off. The other group B match will be between Germany and Poland.

Being that Croatia is in Group B and will give my predictions for this group in this post:

Sunday June 8th

Austria 0
Croatia 2

I can't see Croatia having too many problems against Austria. This ones should be fairly easy despite Austria's home field advantage. Austria has been struggling lately and has not yet made it into a major tournament like Euro Cup. The only reason why they qualified for this tournament is because they are co-hosting with Switzerland. I see two problems here: 1) UEFA should not allow co-hosts; and 2) they should not allow weaker teams to host because this would give them automatic qualification while other good teams miss out. Luckily, Croatia has "cupcake" match to look forward to start things off after some pretty bad friendly warmups. They tied 1-1 against Hungary in there most recent friendly warmup--a match that should have been a 1-0 win but one Croatian player scored an own goal for Hungary tying it up. I don't think this will happen in the tournament, however, and Croatia should be able to pocket 3 points in this one.

Germany 2
Poland 1

I don't care what anyone says: Poland is not an easy team. However, Germany is even better. Poland does have the players that can stop this one from being an embarrassment though and the Polish should be able to score at least one goal against Germany.

With these results, day 1 for group B should end well for Croatia and will see Croatia at the top of the group with 3 points tied with Germany who loses the tiebreaker with a +1 goal difference vs Croatia +2

Thursday June 12

Croatia 1
Germany 1

Phew! One day away from Friday the 13th. haha. Anyway, this one should be tougher for Croatia, but I can't see them losing against Germany since the Germans were struggling against Serbia in their last friendly for a good portion of the first half. Germany did win it 2-1 but I can't see a stronger Croatian side allowing the same goals that Serbia did. Both teams should come away with a point in this one.

Austria 1
Poland 2

Again, I don't see Austria winning this one. Poland will win this one 2-1.

With these results, the second round of group b matches will end with Croatia at the top again tied with Germany at 4 points. Being that Croatia and Germany would have tied 1-1 according to my prediction, Croatia would have one the tiebreaker once again with a +2 goal difference vs Germany's +1. Poland would have won their first match and received 3 points while Austria has 0.

Monday June 16

This would be judgement day for the Group B teams. Let's see what the final standings will be according to my predictions.

Poland 1
Croatia 1

Croatia always messes up in at least one match and I think this will be that match. Croatia will underestimate Poland and will not getting anything more than a tie. Poland will need a win in order to progress and will come out ready. However, Croatia fearing elimination if Poland did win and Germany beats Austria (according to the situation I created) will also be ready. This will probably end a 1-1 tie that will qualify Croatia for the quarterfinals but will mess up there chance of winning of the group if Germany defeats Austria which I think they will.

Austria 1
Germany 3

This one shouldn't be too hard for Germany and not too be analysis to be given. This should be an automatic 3 points for the team from Deustchland!


With the above results, the group would have ended as follows:

1. Germany 7 points (2 win, 1 tie)
2. Croatia 5 points (1 win, 2 ties)
3. Poland 4 points (1 win, 1 tie, 1 loss)
4. Austria 0 points (3 losses)

Therefore, Germany and Croatia will qualify for the quarterfinals where Germany will play the second place team in Group A and Croatia will play the first place team in Group A.

Group A and other group predictions will be posted as soon as possible.

Check out the official Euro 2008 website for more information.