Dennis

These championships are in the town where I was born and lived for 23 years. It's quite exciting to see them race the streets where I grew up.

is not sending their best team at all, which makes this much more exciting. On the men's side, the teams in the top 6 are of a fairly similar level. will make the difference in the women's field events, I think, whereas has the worst team of the top 6 in these women's field events. New predictions, now based on the actual entry lists: LARGE GAP I foresee an intense battle between and for that 7th spot.

Georgia also has a pole vaulter on their women's 4x100m start list. Anyway, some predictions: Very clear bottom 3 for me, with Malta not even entering all the events according to the start lists. Numbers 5 through 9 are very close and I have no idea which two countries from those 5 will relegate.

Just looking at the entry lists. Why is Malta not represented in so many field events?

After seeing the entry lists, my predictions haven't changed much. Maybe I'd swap and for places 4 and 5 and swap and for places 8 and 9. I expect to win all relays which could help them win this division, but has some very clear favorites in the men's 1.500m, 3.000m and 5.000m and in the women's 3.000m, giving them so many guaranteed points that they could rival for the first place, especially in front of a home crowd. I think the closest events should be the men's 100m, men's 200m and women's 400m. On the other hand, some events such as the women's shot put, pole vault and discus throw have some very poor entry lists.

Is there an overview of the Lithuanian team?

Just a prediction without looking at the actual teams. I want to see how wrong this will be in the end:

Oh yeah, I definitely agree with you, but these are only 9 out of 40 events.

Just looking at the Dutch team. Not many of our top athletes will be there, so maybe I should adjust my prediction. With this team I doubt we will finish on top.

I agree with the favorites for the promotion slot. The reason I put Belgium this high is that I don't see many bottom placements for them whereas I do foresee many finished around 4th or 5th place. I just don't see them in 7th having to fear for relegation. To me, the reason I picked these bottom four are: Ireland is not good at the field events. I can't think of any strong Irish athlete in the field events at the moment. That will cost them a lot of points. I foresee that they will finish many events around 5th-7th place. Romania is not that strong in the track events. I don't foresee a lot of top half finishes in those events and there are less field events to compensate for those. Honestly, if all countries bring their strongest teams, I don't see Romania winning any event. Maybe women's long jump or triple jump. Lithuania is strong in a number of events such as discus and javelin throw, but the track events are poor, often bottom two. Wouldn't be surprised if they would finish last in the relays on the men's side. Volko is good, but the guys from Turkey and the Netherlands are also good in those events, and one person on the men's side is not enough to carry the team. Mid and long-distance running, apart from the women's 800m seems to be non-existing there, there's not enough depth for strong relay teams, and shot put and discus are also not that strong. Just too many last places in my eyes which will not be compensated by many 'podium' finishes.

Something like that. Kiplesund also jumped 8.00 about a month ago, Guttormsen jumped 5.75m last year at the EC, Grovdal finished 3rd at the EC on the 3.000m steeple, and Iuel did well at the Diamond League in Oslo on the 400m hurdles beating the other Europeans. Henrik, Filip and Jakob can then split those other 36 events evenly.

Just posting some predictions without even really looking into the teams. I think it will be pretty close though between the teams. Norway might have the advantage from the home crowd.

Van Veenendaal is the MVP here. Glad we survived the first half.

Wrong flag?

The top 3 in Group A is very clear to me ( ), with and battling it out for the last spot in the Round of 16. That's really a toss-up for me, as I think they could all take that final spot. Group B: and are of course the biggest favorites. is a clear number 3 for me after their good performance this year in the Nations League. I don't think stands any change, so and will battle it out for that fourth place. Group C is obviously the weakest here, with not performing as well as they back in 2016 and 2017, although they should still finish 2nd. I don't see any serious threat for in that group, they seem to be the clear group winners to me, whereas is the clear number 6 here in my opinion. That means and will battle for third and fourth place. and are the clear favorites in Group D, but perhaps could surprise them here. They have shown good results against weaker teams, but I think they're ready to make the next step. Surprised to see that even qualified for this tournament. They should be happy with any win. I put over for 4th place in this group because of home advantage and the slightly better results in the past year.

I have to agree with your picks. What I predict: Group A: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Group B: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Group C: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Group D: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Semis: vs. and vs. Final: vs. Winner: Notes: I actually think deserves a medal here, but because of the draw, they will most likely meet in the quarter finals, and I think will win that matchup, although I believe they are currently stronger than both and . will most likely meet in the quarter finals, that's why I don't predict them to make the semis either, although I believe they are stronger than at the moment.

The Netherlands are already in the final with one more match to play. Italy and Great Britain will determine who will be the second finalist.

had to play the UEFA play-offs to qualify for this World Cup, and now they're in the final. The Dutch women been undefeated in big tournaments since the 1/8th final loss against Japan in 2015, as they won 6 matches in a row at Euro 2017 winning their first major title, after debuting in 2009 (semi-finals) and playing in 2013 (finishing last in their group), and now another 6 wins in a row at this World Cup in only their 2nd appearance ever. And now they will also debut at the Olympic Games. They've grown so much in such a short period of time.

Better team lost today. Japan deserved more.

Undeserved penalty in my opinion. was/is the better team as well.

First time ever qualifies for a European Championships after beating Latvia today. Was quite surprised by this fact, especially when you consider that the women made at least the semis in all large championships during the past 4 years.

Vélo tout terrain

This was such a crazy night. I watched the match in a night club with 2000 other people. My clothes are soaked in beer, the vibe was amazing. I will remember this night for the rest of my life.

Then they’ll play against during the next World Championships. Who would’ve predicted that?!

Surprisingly good championships for so far. Didn’t think they would be in the race for promotion after they promoted to this division last year.