Group A Discussion/Predictions

Group A
Germany, Costa Rica, Poland, Ecuador

09-Jun-06 GER:CRC
09-Jun-06 POL:ECU
14-Jun-06 GER:POL
15-Jun-06 ECU:CRC
20-Jun-06 ECU:GER
20-Jun-06 CRC:POL

Group A
Germany, Costa Rica, Poland, Ecuador

09-Jun-06 GER 1:0CRC
09-Jun-06 POL 1:1 ECU
14-Jun-06 GER 2:0 POL
15-Jun-06 ECU 1:0 CRC
20-Jun-06 ECU 1:1GER
20-Jun-06 CRC 0:1 POL

One of the poorest groups IMO. you would have to fancy the 2 european teams to progress as Ecuador or costa rica have done little in past tournaments. I fancy the poles to sneak top spot. Big pressure on Klinsman if Germany dont win the first game well - then the heat will really be on. Will be supporting Germany mind you so hope im wrong.

With home advantage Germany should coast through this group. Poland should be strong enough for second place as Costa Rica and Ecuador hardly have the players to set the tournament alight.

Ballack will miss the opener against Costa Rica. Germany look a very average side without him. I wouldn't be surprised if Costa Rica got a draw out of the game.

I reckon Germany, Italy and Czechs are making stuff up. Ballack, Gattuso and Nedved & Baros will all be playing the first games.

I wouldn't expect any surprises in this group - unless you count Costa Rica possibly snatching third ahead of Ecuador. It might tak Germany until the second half to open up against Costa Rica today, but I'd fancy them to win about 3-0 in the end. There'll be fierce rivalry in the Polish game ad the Poles are capable of upsetting them, but I'd take the Germans to win and then seal the full 9 points by letting some of the reserves scrape past Ecuador in the final game.

Ecuador only ever seem to get points at home in Cloud City where no-one else can breathe. The Poles should make amends for a disastrous 2002 by qualifying (virtually on home soil) for the second round where they will promptly capitulate to England. The Germans could rack up a few goals in the early stages between Ballack, Podolski and Klose. On seeding (which should go more to plan than in 2002), they'd meet Sweden in the 2nd Round followed by a right ding-dong with the Argies in the quarters.

And if it all goes to pot for the Germans, I will sit back and sneer that it was all down to the heinous error of not picking the force of nature that is Didi Hamann!

No one was gonna predict that result......
2 fantastic goals but can't see Germany going anywhere with the state of their defense

well 4-2,they won fairly handy in the end but their defence was shocking.
cant see them getting past the 1/4 finals after that performance

Reckon Poland will win 2-1 in the next game.

Originally Posted by The Stars

well 4-2,they won fairly handy in the end but their defence was shocking.
cant see them getting past the 1/4 finals after that performance

Honestly il be surprised if they get past the second round with that performance....id say itl be Germany v Sweden second round and larsson and Ibrahimavic will cause them all sorts of trouble

Pretty poor defending from Germany today. Hard to judge them without Ballack but they look like they're going to be punished by a decent strikeforce. What a goal from Frings.

Ecuador looked short on skill but were well organised. Terrible tactics by the Polish manager. 4-5-1 in a must win game. Zurawski was totally isolated. Looks like Germany will be first and Ecuador second at this rate. I'm looking forward to seeing some better teams in action tomorrow.

German defence is atrocious but I noticed even back in the Confed Cup that they seem to be scoring alot more freely this past year. The whole "if you score 3 we'll score 4" kinda craic. Defo semi final material IMO

Very surprised with how poor Poland were and how fluid and physical Ecuador were. Looks like second place for Ecuador now which means they'll play England in the second round.

Originally Posted by bluemovie

Looks like second place for Ecuador now which means they'll play England in the second round.

Or first! They just beat Costa Rica 3-0, giving the a GD of +5 vs Germany's +3.

England could have their work cut out against either of these.

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Or first! They just beat Costa Rica 3-0, giving the a GD of +5 vs Germany's +3.

England could have their work cut out against either of these.

I think Ecuador will get a draw from Germany. Germany will be going all out to avoid England and can see Ecudor scoring on the break against the Germans attempted offside trap.

Ecuador to top the group and England v Germany last 16

Judging by the performances so far Ecuador have a real chance of beating Germany. I don't think the Germans will have enough to beat Ecuador.

2 sleepers today:

20-Jun-06 ECU:GER
20-Jun-06 CRC:POL

Originally Posted by Metrostars

20-Jun-06 CRC:POL

A lot of Polish pride at stake here.