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Group A

Germany - Semi Finals
Poland - Second Round
Costa Rica
Ecuador

Very easy group for the hosts Germany. Germany have been poor recently, but the home side usually have an advantage that amounts to an extra player. I expect them to go as far as the semi-finals, with Ballack being the star, and Klose a decent outside bet for top goal scorer in the tournament.

Group B

England - Runners-up
Paraguay
Trinidad and Tobago
Sweden - Second Round

Two very strong teams in Group B, and two very poor ones. Very clear that England and Sweden should qualify, and it will be a close match between the two. England have a real chance of winning the competition, espcially if Rooney regains fitness in time to play a part, and if Sven can solve the riddle and get the best out of Gerrard and Lampard (2nd and 3rd in last years world player of the year). Sweden will go far, with Ibrahimaovic and Larsson forming one of the most lethal front pairings in the competition.

Group C

Argentina - Semi-Finals
Côte d'Ivoire
Serbia and Montenegro
Netherlands - Second Round

The group of death!! A real chance of a favourite being knocked out. Both Argentina and the Netherlands should go through, but Ivory Coast and S&M (swish...crack) are no push overs. Argentina are probably the slightly stronger team, with Messi perhaps emerging as a star. The Netherlands tend to under-achieve in major tournaments (lovely memories of 4-1 vs. England), but they should do well.

Group D

Mexico - Second Round
Iran
Angola
Portugal - Quarter Finals

Very easy group for Portugal, who I fancy to score a hatful in the group stage, and hence they feature heavily in my fantasy footie team. Will Pauleta make up for a shocking performance in the last couple of tournaments? Will Ronaldo have substance, or will he dive like a nancy girl? Who knows. Mexico: Tequiiiiiiillllllla.

Group E

Italy - Quarter Finals
Ghana
USA
Czech Republic - Quarter Finals

Another very tough group. With Luck, the USA could knock out either Italy or the Czechs. I rate the Czechs as slightly stronger that Italy, although Toni could make a massive mark off the back of an astonishing season in Serie A.

Group F

Brazil - Winners
Croatia - Second Round
Australia
Japan

Gooooooooooooooaaaaaaaal. Brazil are awesome, and as much as I hate to admit it, while I can see England beating every other team in this tournament, I think Brazil would destory us. Ronaldniho on form is the best player in the world and one of the top 5 players in history. Ronaldo, when he isn't busy being fat, is a superb predator. Lets not even get onto Adriano, Kaka, Roberto Carlos and Robinho. Yikes.

Group G

France - Quarter Finals
Switzerland - Second Round
Korea Republic
Togo

France are a shadow of the team that was so dominant 8 years ago. Many of the same players, just lots older. Henry is still probably the second best player in the world but has never shone at a major tournament. Zidane is old, the brain still works, but the feet aint so responsive. Viera is no longer so dynamic as he was. On their day they remain a force, and they should absolutely hammer Togo.

Group H

Spain - Second round
Ukraine - Second round
Tunisia
Saudi Arabia

Spain should walk this group, but as permanent under-achievers they will be gone in the 2nd round as usual. Watch for David Villa as a potential surprise for tournament top scorer.

As much as I hate Brazil I have to agree that they look like the smart pick if you're betting. /sigh and once again Ireland is nowhere to be seen. F[black][/black]ucking Roy Keane

hopefully portugal can get their act together and not disappoint like they have in the past. maybe that eurocup finals appearance will give them some confidence going in. too bad they have to face their friends angola in the first round

Bump for Goalkeeper. Oiiii you little ****, you requested this, don't leave me high and dry you damn dirty dutchman.

I'm glad Australia is in it this time round! I don't think we'll do too good but I'm glad we just got in.

My money is on The Netherlands.

They have the most awesome team on paper. If they can get their teamwork together there's no reason whyt ehy can't go all the way,

ROFL!

I surfed to the Asylum which small hopes of another Patrician WC-preview (trademark right there, folks!). But hey, you haven't let me down! <3

As far as your analysis goes: I don't see anything wrong with it. Personally I don't rate you English as greatly as most of yourselves, but admittedly you have quality in abundance.

I hope the Rooney-soap won't backfire on them, though. I'd be all for a Crouch/Gerrard team up front if he were not to recover in time. That way Lampard can do his devastating midfield plots. That man is a monster. Beckham / Cole looks like England's first decent pair of wingers in a long time.

Group A:
Germany will win this one comfortably. Hopefully for Klinsmann they will rattle in some goals and scrape in some confidence, which they lack. Ballack is a machine, and indeed Klose (slash Kuranyi slash Podolski) is /are lethal.

Not too sure about Poland. Dangerous outsider for the second round-ticket, but I haven't dismissed Ecuador just yet.

Group B:
Goals galore. T&T is coached by 'Don' Leo beenhakker, so I have sympathy for them. Saw them play Wales and that was just horrible. Extremely vulnerable at the back. Sitting ducks for England and Sweden. Sweden has a neat team, by the way. I fancy Wilhelmsson in particular. England go through as group winner with Sweden trailing, possibly on goal difference.

Group C:
Ouch.
What to say, really. I'll be happy if Holland goes through. Very tricky group. Van Basten still hasn't made most of us feel comfortable about the way we play, but the results are there. Positive point is the state of Robben, Van NIstelrooij and Van Persie, who haven't played a lot lately. They should be fit and hungry. Best goalkeeper of the tournament in Van der Sar, but vulnerable at the back. Solid midfield, hopefully Van der Vaart is fit when we start.

My biggest fear is underestimating S&M and Ivory coast. S&M is European middle-class, but could be all fired up this time. Appear to have a very good defense. Kezman, their striker, made a huge impact over here at PSV Eindhoven, scoring 30+ each season.

Argentina is Argenina. Huge name, but seam to fail over the last few WC's. Lethal attack with Riquelme and Crespo. I hope Messi will be fit. Verdict: Argentina 1st, Holland narrowly through.

Group D
Route 66 for Portugal, who will hammer Iran and Angola. Mexico is not to be underestimated! Port. 1st, Mex 2nd.

Group E
Italy is going to choke on the Czechs, who are brilliant as a team. Will Toni shine on the biggest stage? Can't wait to find out. Ghana is in for a good 'ol roggering! United States suck, sorry guys )

Group F
The stars versus the rest. I pity the rest of this group, who should quickly forget their loss versus Brazil and aim for the second spot, which is very open. Have a little hope for Australia, with Hiddink at the wheel. Emerton, Kewell, Viduka and Schwarzer all have Premiership experience. Hope it will show.

Verdict: Aussies trailing Brazil. Obvisouly.

Group G:
France and Switzerland through, although Les Bleus should be very wary of the Swiss threat. Very nice team. France would quite possibly make a bigger impact without Zidane. I predict a lot of goals from Henry and Trezeguet, one of the game's finest on and on strikers.

Group H:


Nothing to add. I do predict they will have massive problems keeping the Ukraine behind them. Tricky team, especially if Shevchenko should be fit on time.

Can't wait! Seven long days to go!

Hah, our Youth Team won the Under 21 European Championships.
Here's too a Dutch summer double!

/cheers!

Bummer we don't play against you Yanks in the group stage. You'd receive such a big roggering that our red light ladies would be blushing for three straight weeks!

I can't believe Ecuador is beating Poland.

I say Iran gets to second round in group d because when they play as a team they are a very skilled team. However, their entire team depends on momentum and team moral or else they will all get moody and not play, they hav done this in past games.also some individuals will try and solo the game and end up getting themselves owned and losing the game

Edited, Jun 9th 2006 at 10:33pm EST by fereshtehtombe

Yet again Steven Gerrard goes missing in the second half of a major game.

He really needs to Ignore what Erikson is saying in the half time team talk and take charge of the game, if he wants to play center half he can swap shirts with Rio and let someone else do the job.

yet again the heat is blamed for an appaulling second half display that made a journeyman Paraguay side look half decent.

Thank god for the back four.

first half was pretty good on the other hand and apart from some truely bazaar Ref'ing was entertaining, the second half was poor with some EXTREMELY bazaar ref'ing.

Some one needs to take every single offical to one side and remind them that the football players are the stars not them and to try and impact on the game as little as possible.

I watched it, great game. The backup goalie of T & T sure pulled through.