Don't get me wrong here, I think Germany are a better team 'on paper' than England, but England are capable of beating them should we meet, if we got a spot of luck. We have a new coach and he's drilled in some organisation, we were solid for most of the game versus France and dangerous on the break. Holland were very poor value but you could see that if you have a couple of pacey players against Germany then holes appeared. Sneijder and Robben got behind the fullbacks a few times, but the side was a bit of a mess and couldn't make anything of it. Germany though are very patient and keep possession really well which I think is their biggest asset.
Portugal had a better team a few years ago imho when they had that little dirty dog Deco playing in central midfield plus the only real 'striker' they had in Luis Figo. They now rely on Nani and Ronaldo, and the latter doesn't appear to be playing at his best right now. For me Spain are still very strong. They played an excellent Italian side and punched holes in them at times, I think they are still the team to beat - the Irish will get a pasting tonight
Regarding the long term problems in English football, csThor is dead right but it's going to get worse. Because EPL clubs don't develop many players themselves last Summer they have bribed the majority of the 72 EFL clubs below them to vote in the EPPP, which is a system where the EPL can take any young player from any club at any time for a nominal sum. They got this through because 3/4 of the 72 don't have academies and are unlikely to ever get into the EPL so they voted for the cash. My club, Crystal Palace, have an excellent Academy so what will we do? Possibly Abolish the academy because it won't be worth it. Our present side has several academy player in it - 2 players to watch for the future are
Jonathan Williams and
Wilfried Zaha