Argentina
Brazil
Czech Republic
England
France
Germany
Italy
Mexico
Netherlands
Portugal
Spain
USA
Some team that isn't mentioned here, such as Ukraine.
Well yeah, I still think they could qualify from their group, possibly even at Argentina's expense. Argentina were one of the favourites in 2002 and didn't make it out of the group stage, and it really wouldn't surprise me if either they or the Netherlands imploded. But that is probably the toughest group in the tournament, so it's not easy to predict who will come out on top.
Croatia eh? Interesting. Croatia have always been my second favourite international team, so I hope they do well.
I notice everyone has that John Terry guy on their roster. Is he any good?
lol, just the best centre back in the world. :POriginally Posted by Strider
I notice everyone has that John Terry guy on their roster. Is he any good?
John Terry is a king. Also half of the teams aren't showing up for me, I think. :{
You could of put Australia in the poll, Psy! I am offended >=[
I'm the only one with an Australian in my squad (so far) so feel obliged to support my team if you so wish
...Geddit?
Group C is nearly impossible to call, and promises to provide some of the tournament's best matches. Argentina and Holland are both magnificent on their day, and Serbia's record speaks for itself. As for the Ivory Coast, while it may be their first tournament, to qualify from the CAF division is no easy task, and Senegal showed us in 2002 that 'new' sides are not to be underestimated.
Perhaps during the build-up we could go over each group individually. Here's my predictions:
Group A
Germany
Costa Rica
Poland
Ecuador
Germany are the obvious first choices from this group. Their national side may not be what it once was, but the home advantage has proved highly effective in the past at helping teams make progress, and none of these sides should pose a real threat to them. Second place is a much tougher call, though. I'm rather fond of Ecuador, but their pre-tournament form has been terrible, so my choice for second place would be Poland. They may not be the most exciting team in the world, but they're certainly more reliable than the other two. There's nothing to say that Ecuador or Costa Rica couldn't potentially make it, however.
Incidentally, tickets for Ecuador vs. Costa Rica are still available online. What do you say we organise an EoFF delegation to Germany to cheer on the mighty Ecuador?
Group B
England
Paraguay
Trinidad and Tobago
Sweden
First of all, let's discount Trinidad and Tobago straight away. They're not a terrible side (they beat Mexico in one of their qualifiers, although I think that might have been a weakened Mexican line-up) but any team that finishes fourth in the CONCACAF qualifiers is likely to struggle in this tournament. Paraguay are a reasonable side, but lack the spark needed to overcome rivals like England and Sweden. The outcome of the group will hinge on that last match between the two European sides, with the winner taking first place.
Group C
Argentina
Ivory Coast
Serbia and Montenegro
Netherlands
Gah, too close to call. Strong as they are, I don't think the Ivory Coast have quite what it takes to overcome opposition of this quality, but the other three are all likely qualifiers. I'd say Holland are the most temprimental side though, so I predict they'll choke and get eliminated.
On a side note, now that Montenegro have voted to split from Serbia and become an independant nation, who would get the World Cup if they won the trophy? It'd be an interesting basis for a war, at least.
Group D
Mexico
Iran
Angola
Portugal
One of the weaker groups overall, I can't see any of these teams going on to win this thing. Whethere there's any competition in this group or not depends on how Angola measure up. If they can take a point from Mexico or Portugal then they'll be in with a chance, but that's easier said than done. Chances are this will be a straightforward fight between the Mexicans and Portuguese for the top spot.
Group E
Italy
Ghana
USA
Czech. Republic
A horrible draw for the USA and Ghana, who would have great potential in a slightly weaker group. Sadly, they're matched up against a rejuvinated Italian side who are certain to go far in this tournament, and the Czechs, who rarely fail to exceed people's expectations. Interestingly though, both Ghana and the Czechs drew against Turkey in their warm-up matches, so they might be more evenly matched than we think. Still, it's difficult to go against the europeans in this group. But if there is going to be a surprise, it'll probably happen here.
Group F
Brazil
Croatia
Australia
Japan
It's all about second place here. Brazil are going to run away with this group, no doubt about it. Second is rather a tough call, though. Croatia aren't the side they once were, but are far from over the hill. Japan might seem to have a decent chance based upon their showing in 2002, but without a home crowd behind them they might not achieve the same level of success again. But surprisingly (and perhaps stupidly) I'm going to go for the Aussies on this one. Sure, it's a piece of cake qualifying from the OFC, but that doesn't change the fact that they've got a good side, and they've certainly got the potential to overcome Japan or Croatia. Plus, the whole thing just seems inevtiable to me. Cahill will score a last minute header against Croatia, and we'll be forced to spend the rest of the night watching drunk, tanned Australians waving rubber kangaroos in front of the BBC TV cameras.
Group G
France
Switzerland
Korea Republic
Togo
Now, I know France aren't the same team as they were six years ago, but it would take something spectacular to keep them from qualifying here. Korea's astonishing luck in 2002 won't help them this time, and Togo and Switzerland are two of the weaker teams from their respective continents in this year's competition. Second place will be a fight between those two, and I can see Togo taking this one ahead of the Swiss.
Group H
Spain
Ukraine
Tunisia
Saudi Arabia
GROUP OF DEATH. I'm not even going to pretend I can predict the outcome of this one.
Go on folks, your turn.
"The most important and recognize player in the history of the country."
Sometimes I wonder what my life would be like if I were as great as Paulo Wanchope.
Group A
Germany
Costa Rica
Poland
Ecuador
Group B
England
Paraguay
Trinidad and Tobago
Sweden
Group C
Argentina
Ivory Coast
Serbia and Montenegro
Netherlands
Group D
Mexico
Iran
Angola
Portugal
Group E
Italy
Ghana
USA
Czech. Republic
Group F
Brazil
Croatia
Australia
Japan
Group G
France
Switzerland
Korea Republic
Togo
Group H
Spain
Ukraine
Tunisia
Saudi Arabia
that was easy!
Well i've signed up for the fantasy league. Never done one before so i'm sure i'll fail horribly.
As for the actual World Cup. I'd like to think England can win it, but having watched enough World Cups/European Championships and seen us go on on Peneltys or for dubious disallowed goals, I can just see it happeneing again.
So my vote was for Argentina. They may have the toughest group but I think along with Holland they'll get through it.
Every time I look at the group Ghana are in, I laugh. Seriously, how screwed up is that? #48 (Ghana) getting drawn with the teams ranked #2 (Czech), #5 (USA), and #13 (Italy) in the world.
Bow before the mighty Javoo!
I am Costa Rica for life. Paolo Wanchope is my hero.Incidentally, tickets for Ecuador vs. Costa Rica are still available online. What do you say we organise an EoFF delegation to Germany to cheer on the mighty Ecuador?
Double post but I don't care. I feel sorry for Jamie Carragher.Also, we should be at LEAST 1-0 up here D:
Edit: wtf Hargreaves no
Edit2: I love you steven gerrard <3333
Edit3: and you, John Terry <33333333
Edit4 by someone who will make themselves obvious by calling you a dingdong: I care. Don't double post, you dingdong.
A decent performance overall, with no real problems to speak of besides Sven's insistence on trusting Hargreaves instead of giving Michael Carrick a chance in the first team. Joe Cole was particularly impressive on the left, proving that he's come on in leaps and bounds over the past couple of seasons. Walcott did nothing to impress me, and with Owen not quite himself it was good to see Peter Crouch come up with an excellent strike. Awful celebration, though.
But yeah, with another warm-up game left to go, things are looking promising.
"The most important and recognize player in the history of the country."
Sometimes I wonder what my life would be like if I were as great as Paulo Wanchope.
The robot was so badly done that it was so good! ^^
might I also add:
Germany 2 : 2 Japan
was 0 : 2 for japan until germany got two in in a span of like 10 minutes. Germany gotta do better than that if they wanna get anywhere...
Group A:
Germany/Costa Rica/Poland/ Ecuador
Group B:
England /Paraguay/Trinidad and Tobago/ Sweden
Group C:
Argentina /Côte d'Ivoire/Serbia and Montenegro/ Netherlands
Group D:
Mexico /Iran/Angola/ Portugal
Group E:
Italy /Ghana/USA/ Czech Republic
Group F:
Brazil /Croatia/Australia/ Japan
Group G:
France /Switzerland/ Korea Republic /Togo
Group H:
Spain / Ukraine /Tunisia/Saudi Arabia
Last edited by Croyles; 05-30-2006 at 10:35 PM.
I voted for Brazil, but I don't partake on the "heh, we've won by default" opinion that rules on my country now. Overall, yes, we're the best team, but it's not rare for the best team to be kicked out by an inferior one (even if it's the referee's fault...Spaniards still have nightmares).
If Brazil doesn't win, it'll be because of Italy, which (if all goes well, that is) might meet us at the 4th or 5th match. Other than that, France and Germany will be great disappointments, England will perform quite the campaign (but no titles this year), and I wouldn't care if Argentina lost all three matches. Portugal, though...I can't predict its future. Scolari is at the helm, and we all know what he's capable of, but his team isn't that good, to be honest.
Oh, and Brazil 8x0 Lucerna. Sorry, had to say it, just like the Germans must've bragged over their 7x0.
Rofl, Ronaldinho fouled the referee in a corner kick, and that goalkeeper from Colombia scored a goal (first time I saw a goal like that)
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