I really fancy Brazil to do in the World Cup what they did in the Confederations Cup last year, probably lose or draw one group game but still get to the knock out stages, and be none too convincing in the wins. Then steamroll everyone on their way to the final. The only thing that might count against them is their defence, as already stated, and the fact that so many of their top players are playing a lot of games this season, can Ronaldinho keep going at the pace he is at? Can Ronaldo keep up the improvement in form? Even if they don't, their reserves tanked Argentina in the Confederations final last year, and their second string has to be stronger than most teams in the World Cup itself, so they definately have plenty in reserve. Who is going to replace Rooney for England? What if Owen is not fit?
If you're looking for a dark horse, go with the Dutch or Italians, both topped their groups without any problems, and are playing with a unity not usually seen, certainly in the case of the Dutch. Van Basten has got a team of not so famous names playing attacking, fluent, exciting football.
I'd quite happily kill if it meant Ireland would play in Germany, but I think I'll settle for watching the boys from Brazil play football the way we want it played, not the way Sky tell us it should be played
It's scary when you think about Brazil. They have fellas that won't get within an asses roar of the squad, never mind the bench, but would be definite starters for 98% of countries in the world. If the likes of Ailton, Fred, Liedson etc had an Irish granny they'd have over 100 caps each by now.
I think a European Country will win it. Speaking of facts, 1958 was the last time Brazil won a European hosted World Cup.....
In which case you cannot look beyond Italy... let's face it lads, isn't it time a European country won it again?
Sure Marcelinho was Bundesliga player of the year and I'm pretty sure he's never even been capped. I like Ailton but I think he's not physically ready.Originally Posted by Volcán Masaya
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It's only been eight years.
As for your "facts", I'm just saying now, in 1966 Brazil lost Pelé in the group satges. In all fairness, any team would miss Pelé.
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Abri o portão de ouro, da maquina do tempo.
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Sure as **** hope not, I like my teams to play attacking football, not the dross that European national teams have served up the last couple of years.
As for Rooney, I expect most teams to target him from the start and try to injure him, same as what happened to Pele, Maradona, and Ronaldo when they went in to 66, 90 and 98 World Cups with the media praising them to high heavens
Can't see past Brazil or Argentina really. There was a good article about Brazil by Amy Lawrence in the Observer recently http://football.guardian.co.uk/comme...750190,00.html
I do think she exaggerates a bit, but there are a few good points. (Earlier posts have questioned their defence)
Argentina would be second favourites and Germany and Italy are both capable of playing poorly and surprising anyone.
Greece 1 - 0 Germany
Socrates (89)
I will. And you tell it to the other hosts who did the opposite - and I would class the USA and Japan's performance as rising cos of home advantage relative to their past showings.
Other teams that have done this are Mexico and South Korea. Germany were finalists last time out and have a proven World Cup winning track record (they are nearly always written off). I see them as an 'oul reliable'. Throw in their home advantage and the fact that Brazil havent performed well in Europe bar sweden and I think Germany have a strong case. When push comes to shove and germany go into extra time in a knockout game v anyone - I'll back the hosts 9 times out of ten.
Germany should be there or there abouts. Of course Brazil are favourites and they have every right to be but Argentina, Holland and Germany are not too far behind. I'd also have to go along with wws, home advantage does have an impact. You just have to look at S Korea 4 years ago.
My dark horses for the competiton would be Ukraine and Mexico. I can see both of them making the Q finals at the very least.
mexico supposed to have their best team in years...altho they are always a bit flaky when push comes to shove.
germany should do alrite. hard to see past brazil tho. what odds france pull off a shock?
During the draw, Pele, when asked who he'd like Brazil to get, disparagingly said "Ukraine". Given how well they qualified I'd be very hesitant to be so dismissive.
Ukraine's first and second choice goalkeepers are both struggling to be fit in time for the finals. That should torpedo their chances if the two of them don't make it. Cause keeper #3 is well dodgy !
I've been thinking a bit about this.
With Henry, Zidane, Makelele, Pires (if selected), Gallas, Giuly, Couper and others including some of the impressive Lyon side play to their best would it even be a shock?
I think their manager is a handicap but I always think that that form (or lack of it) in qualifying is no reliable indication of finals performance. Presumably Boumsong won't be a starter (or will he?). Zebina looked atrocious against Arsenal so they're not without their waeknesses.
Mexico looked impressive in the Confederation Cup thingy last summer.
With the enlarged tournament I think the early stages will be a bit of a procession with only a couple of tight groups and maybe a surprise or two but the knockout stgaes will be interesting. From the last 8 onwards it'll be tough for everyone.
England
Italy
Argentina
Brazil
P.S : Just beware of teams like Croatia, Serbia or even the US...
"Take care to get what you like or you will be forced to like what you get."
George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950)
It would be the perfect fairwell for Zizou if they did it. It'll be sad to see him retire. The CL 2002 Final would've been nil all if it weren't for that goal!
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Yo te quiero, mi querida. Sin tus besos, yo soy nada.
Abri o portão de ouro, da maquina do tempo.
Mi mamá me hizo guapo, listo y antimadridista.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, the Ukraine are very dark horses.
Here they come! It’s the charge of the “Thanks” Brigade!
France are being overlooked in the world press, and this will work to their advantage. I think Zizou will go out in a blaze of glory and any team with a magican like Henry has to be feared. As we well know, all it takes is 10 seconds of sublime beauty from him and a game turns.
Lot of people seem to be fancying Mexico in this thread, but consider that their top striker can't get a game for Bolton, though new dude Franco looks promising. They are solid, and few teams in the world can move the ball around like they do. They'll come out of their group, but then they'll come up short.
Spain are ones to watch. At this point everybody expects them to disappoint given their history. But they have a handy enough group. If they win it then their 2nd round game should be handy enough too. Then they's likely run into Brasil in the QFs, and I fancy them for an upset.
Scolari will take Portugal to the SFs, knocking out England in the QF.
Suprise team... Aussies. They'll pip Japan and Croatia for 2nd place in the group. Then upset the Czechs in the 2nd round. Lose the QF but leave happy.
Biggest flop... Dutch.. will fail to win a game. Also, all the African teams will fall flat, not horribly flat, but none will advance.
GR A
Ger
Pol
Gr B
Eng
Swe
GR C
Arg
Srb
GR D
Por
Mex
GR E
Cze
Ita
GR F
Bra
Aus
GR G
Fra
Kor
GR H
Spa
Ukr
2nd RD
Ger bt Swe
Arg bt Mex (game of the Cup 3-2)
Eng bt Pol
Por bt Srb
Aus bt Cze
Fra bt Ukr
Bra bt Ita (dissapointing game)
Spa bt Kor (revenge time, 3-0)
QFs
Arg bt Ger
Fra bt Aus
Por bt Eng (tabloids go apesch!t)
Spa bt Bra
SFs
Arg bt Por
Fra bt Spa
Final
Fra bt Arg (1 goal game, tense and exciting)
So their ye have it lads, no need to waste ye're time watching in June.
my prediction is that in the main the press, the media the forums the fans will all be moaning about the sterility of the football and lack of goals or maybe even "diving" or whatever is the fad for hand wringers
than it will all even out and the same ol same ol will be in the semis.....
GERMANY. By a nose
sorry.australia will be lucky to pick up a point. they are only woefull.
I wouldnt worry bout whether mexican players look good or not for bolton they did alrite last two wc's and are supposed to have a way better team now. USA probably will do ok and lets face it there is no reason why they shouldnt. but heres hoping they dont.Italy are supposed to be poor. England could do well if rooney is on fire and they get a bit of steam under them. France as above are bein overlooked completely....brazil and germany looked poor before last wc and didnt do too badly. you would have to say both teams are possible semi finalists this time out. brazil have the players and germany bein at home will count for a lot when push comes to shove. agree with above as well bout the early rounds bein too much of a formality. kinda ruins it a bit tbh. still should be good tho.at least matches will be on at normal hours and wont have to endure watchin games with people who have no interest at all in it like last time!!!!!!
few posts questioning other peoples opinions here. fact is very few people will have the same opinion about world cup winners. personally i think it's very hard to look beyond brazil, argentina and Italy. England might do well but they'll be under so much pressure they'll bottle and go out at Q/F's. I'm going for Italy to win it. There isnt any other team in europe that i think could win it. I think brazil could meet Argentina in the semi's - with the Argies winning into the final.
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