Winner : Italy
Runner Up : Germany

I don't get all the Germany picks either, they have been horrible for a while now. But somehow, they have also been consistently very lucky with the draws, always having the easiest path to the semis.

This is a pretty tough tournament to predict. France is probably the best team on paper, but it has many small issues that set it back in the field (Domenech, overworked internationals, tough draw). Teams that are super motivated and highly organized will prevail.

Italy has the WC hangover to overcome. France did that in 2000, but their team back then was clearly superior to the field. Can't say the same about Italy now.

Germany is just plain overrated but they have an easy group and play near home.

bump.

Germany's eventual progress to where the majority of people expected them to be has been odd, hasn't it? I bet half of those would have revised their prediction after they Germany - Croatia game.

I picked Germany as winners as well with Russia or Croatia as runners up. Didnt realise that Croatia/Germany final was impossible due to the skewed nature of the draw....did we ever get to the bottom of why the draws the way it was?

Well done dotmund and inca on getting the finalists right. I hope you got the winner wrong though.

And Ralph Dangerfish got it right on the Predict The Whole Thing thread. As did inca again, though on that thread he has Germany winning.

God, I predicted France to win? That is some know-nothing bullshit there. Most Gormless Prediction award there, I'd say.

No. That was your prediction that the Conservative Party was finished...

The Horse wrote:

QUOTE:
Why do so many people think Germany will reach the final? (Serious question, I'd be interested.)

Gangster Octopus wrote:

QUOTE:
'Cos they always do.

And I was right...