The World Cup Draw.

[Dabram]

fucking german conspiracy. this is so obvious even t0ne won't bother to make a thread about it.

ah well, we'll go win this thing anyhow! and once we're through the first round we're pretty much in the semi's already.

[Dabram]

don't see how netherlands is in your favourites; unless you're dutch yourself :/

Favourites are: Brazil, England, Argentina and Italy

Netherlands, Germany and France come next

and then Mexico and Spain are useless



England:
The group is good for England, Sweden, Trinidad and Tobago and Paraguay. It should be standard procedure we'll beat them

I don't see how England is in your favourites unless you're English yourself. Wow, you must know little about football to actually see England as favourites.

Imo Brazil, Portugal and Holland deserve to win the next WC. However it's almost unlikely that the best >>playing<< team will win a major tournament. That's how you get Greece winning the EC and Liverpool winning the EC. Too bad Brazil and Portugal will already have to meet in the quarters.

edit: Tip: sack the swede!

[Richard Creager]

spain if they decide to play better than the margin where the refs can defeat them

[H I M]

I don't see how England is in your favourites unless you're English yourself. Wow, you must know little about football to actually see England as favourites.

Well according to the English media they can win everything, no matter how shit the team they put out is. I need to find a TV channel where I don't need to listen to them go on about how they will win. "Best chance since 1966" my arse. It's the same every World Cup. Since Scotland have been crap the last 7 or 8 years the only joy I've had is watching England lose. It's a good feeling.

Anyway, Brazil, Argentina and Germany are my favorites. Brazil are probably on most peoples lists because of the array of talent they have. Argentina looked good in the qualifiers and have alot of good players. Germany might not be as good as they have been in the past but they have a home advantage and a fairly easy group.

[ZeUs!!]

Country loyalties aside - Holland are shit. Admittedly not Togo shit, but on a level with Sweden. They've got the ageing nucleus of a team, the new players coming through aren't that experienced (or good) and they always have a fucking bust up. However this doesn't count for much as we can't seem to beat Sweden despite their players playing for mid-table Premiership clubs, compared to Lampard, Gerrard, Beckham, Ferdinand, etc.

Edit: Jesus even FIFA agrees with me:

Top (but admittedly highly dubious) seeds:
Brazil 64
England 51
Spain 50
Germany 48
Mexico 47
France 46
Argentina 44
Italy 44

[Pressure Drop]

I think group E is the toughest group

Italy Cezch Rep. and USA are closer than Group C where i expect it to be Argentina and Netherlands duking it out for the top spot. I don't think Ivory Coast and Serbia and Mont. are that close to Argentina and Netherlands and i think they will be hard games but the quality difference will tell.

I don't know alot about the African teams this time around :/ i'm used to seeing Cameroon and Nigera play in the world cup and sometimes they put on some good attacking performances but they usual too weak at the back.

If i remember last time around there where alot of upsets with France and Italy and other big names falling by the way side early on. I don't expect as many as time around though as i think alot of South Koreans performance was becuase off their home advantage and i don't see them or the African teams making much of a threat.

[Galleleo]

Actually Netherlands does have a good team, it's quite balanced between youngsters and expierence if v. Basten puts the right people in. We do have a good shot at going a long way.

England has good players, but not a team. Brazil could even win with mediocore offense players, mediocore midfield and mediocore defense if Ronaldinho is in and is playing at 100%.

Germany has been crap for 2 years now. And Poule C is tougher then E, Usa isn't that good at all. They might upset tho. But Serbia is good, certainly a team you have to watch out for. And Cote d'Ivoire is not to be messed with. Seriously if you don't watch out against them, they'll take the win. Argentina is kinda weird really as a team, they can just as easily suck hardcore as play really really good. I mean the team ain't that different from 4 years ago.

I don't consider Portugal to be that good really.. maybe an outsider but nothing more.

[Fit of Rage]

Group A... Germany's got it without a lot of hassle.
Group B... England probably has the top seed here. Sweden might come out on top with a miracle, but don't count on it.
Group C... Argentina/Netherlands is the most interesting rivalry right now--I could see either of them progressing.
Group D... Portugal and Mexico are in the same situation as England/Sweden respectivly.
Group E... Definately the closest Group. Even though I'm American I think that Italy probably has the best chance here, then the Czechs followed by USA. Should be interesting matchups all around.
Group F... Brazil without question.
Group G... France with the possible upset of Switzerland... unlikely though.
Group H... SpainSpainSpainSpain

Go Germany!

[Pressure Drop]

Actually Netherlands does have a good team, it's quite balanced between youngsters and expierence if v. Basten puts the right people in. We do have a good shot at going a long way.

England has good players, but not a team. Brazil could even win with mediocore offense players, mediocore midfield and mediocore defense if Ronaldinho is in and is playing at 100%.

Germany has been crap for 2 years now. And Poule C is tougher then E, Usa isn't that good at all. They might upset tho. But Serbia is good, certainly a team you have to watch out for. And Cote d'Ivoire is not to be messed with. Seriously if you don't watch out against them, they'll take the win. Argentina is kinda weird really as a team, they can just as easily suck hardcore as play really really good. I mean the team ain't that different from 4 years ago.

I don't consider Portugal to be that good really.. maybe an outsider but nothing more.

Germany sucked going into the last world cup and ended up in the final. I don't think their team is looking that great but with home advantage you can never tell, but for some strange reason i have it in my head that the home advantage will put to much pressure on Germany and they will struggle.

I still disagree with you about group E though :P but i think the 3 toughest are C & E and G. France where in Irelands group as where the swiss (the swiss were also in our European 2004 group) so i've seen alot of them. They aren't that impressive and France are underperforming but they are solid. With south Korea a decent team i think theat group will be evenly matched.


But it all comes down to form and camp atmosphere, seems with the highly played players nowadays there can be a bust up that affects the whole camp. Didn't some italian player and Sedorf for Netherlands whine or refuse to play in a certain position and of course Roy Keane left the Ireland team just before the Japan tournament and flew home (but he was right )

The diffrence between the teams at this level can often just be confidence and luck.

[RATTY...]

USA knows how to play football? Yes, its called football.

[Galleleo]

Seedorf isn't being selected.

And fit, the best 2 teams of each poule go through. I still don't think group E isn't that hard for Italy and Czech Republic. Beside, I wouldn't count to much on Korea this time. Hiddink does magic with teams, it's that simple, advocaat probably won't be able to do that this time. G isn't that hard either, it's gonna be Swiss and France, tho I wouldn't be that surprised if the French decide to choke again and go out.

I think it'll be:
Group A: Germany, just because the group is easy. Other one is up for grab really, don't know.
Group B: Sweden and England, tho paraguay is a dangerous outsider.
Group C: Netherlands and Argentina, tho upsets can very easily happen in this group, Ivoorcoast and Serbia are not to be underrated.
Group D: Mexico and Portugal should have this easily.
Group E: Italy and Czech republic, I don't expect Usa to do anything big really.
Group F: Tough poule for second place, Brazil obviously. I think Hiddink will pull through with Australia, tho Japan and Croatia are hazards.
Group G: France, Switserland, tho I am not surprised if France chokes.
Group H: Spain, Tunisia. I think Tunisia is alot better then people expect, and all Ukraine has really is Shevchenko

[Mantra-Slider]

that tells you something tho doesnt it mike...

[Unorthadox]

Portugal

VIVA PORTUgAL ^-^

[Pearl Jam]

good groups. i love the world cup

landon donovan, bitches

[Mobey]

<confidence>













</confidence>