amacpher Posted December 10, 2005 Share Posted December 10, 2005 quote:Originally posted by Gian-Luca That "easy" group for Costa Rica in 2002 included the teams that finished 1st and 3rd in the 2002 World Cup. The fact that Turkey (who has done nothing since world cup 2002) got through that group shows how easy it was. Yeah, you had to concede first-place to Brasil, but most nations that finished third-place in the other 7 groups in WC'02 would have easily qualified from that group. Remember too that Turkey beat nobody to get to the semis... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devioustrevor Posted December 10, 2005 Share Posted December 10, 2005 My Predictions (right 'em down) Group A Germany Costa Rica Group B England Sweden Group C Netherlands Argentina Group D Portugal Mexico Group E Czech Republic Italy Group F Brazil Croatia Group G South Korea Switzerland Group H Spain Ukraine Round of 16 Sweden over Germany Mexico over Netherlands Czech Republic over Croatia Ukraine over South Korea England over Costa Rica Portugal over Argentina Italy over Brazil <-- Yep, that's right. I can really see the Azzuri stepping up for this one Spain over Switzerland Quarter Finals Sweden over Mexico Czech Republic over Ukraine England over Portugal Italy over Spain Semi Finals Sweden over Czech Republic England over Italy 3rc Place Match Italy over Czech Republic Finals England over Sweden** **-Strangely enough, before today's draw I wouldn't have picked England to win the World Cup. Strange. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jeffery S. Posted December 10, 2005 Share Posted December 10, 2005 One way to analyze the top seeds and favourites is to look for weaknesses. All of them have them, though some are surer than others in more aspects of play. This is where you could argue that Brazil could be weak where Roberto Carlos is playing (left back), but since he always went forwards anyways, his off-form would not affect the team so greatly Where else are they suspect? Everything else is intact, Adriano with Ronaldo, Ronaldinho behind them, strong mids, centre backs, keeper, free kicks, physical strenght, aerial game, used to being in Europe. A team that deserves to be the favourite. I think all the rest have little problems. Holland does not have the striking they once did, at least on a club level Ruud is not as strong, nor Mackaay, and then they are relying on some young players who may not be ready; anyways, a team with competitive lapses, a cliche they have not dispelled. Argentina, if they go with Messi, an 18 year old, are also perhaps overly reliant on youthful saviours and unsure about who to strike with. A good chunk of the rest of the squad is getting on in years. You get the feeling they are not as dangerous and can be controlled if you stay concentrated. England, in my opinion, is a strong squad, well compensated except perhaps the right back, but perhaps is lacking in real playmaking -though the mids can score at least- and the keeping is still suspect, at least I am not willing to admit it has been solved yet. Spain is solid, knows how to handle the ball, but lacks that physical edge, Xavi and Raul are injured and could not make it back or be still unfit, and the striking is suspect (Morientes will have to get more than the brace of today to prove he is back). Italy also may be unsure who to strike with, you should go with Toni but in the end he lacks the international experience. Del Piero is having a good year, Totti not so much, and after recent club results there is the impression that the classic hard defending is not as tough as it once was. Mexico, with most of the players in clubs at home, is a team that may have problems adjusting to Europe, the least comfortable team of the top seeded nations in terms of what being in Germany will mean. France has not made the transition from the great champions they were to the present, odd since their clubs are doing well. But why aren't they willing to rely on the stars of Lyon instead of reviving a terribly off-form Zidane? Portugal is also a side that has reached a sort of peak. They do not have those great natural strikers in spite of Pauleta scoring here and there, Simao, but neither are even top 20 in the world (nor is Gomes). Figo is ageing and probably should not play, Ronaldo should replace him and Deco (who amazingly did not start all games at the Eurocup) should run the midfield backed by strong holding types (Maniche). They have good backs and good keeping. Once again, the only real question is in goal-getting. Germany has to be respected as they are at home, but their friendly results have not been good, it is no advantage to not play competitive matches because you are the host. Their Eurocup was a bit sad in fact. I think they are badly coached, and not even they think they can get far in their Cup. So I think that Brazil has to come through on their side of the draw, and maybe it is quite close between the sides like Holland, England, Argentina on the other side. For the sake of the Cup itself, I would love to see something different, like England against Brazil in the final For a surprise quarter or semi-finalist, how about no surprises this time around? I say we will have no surprises at all in the last 8 this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zacRWE Posted December 10, 2005 Share Posted December 10, 2005 quote:Originally posted by amacpher The fact that Turkey (who has done nothing since world cup 2002) got through that group shows how easy it was. Yeah, you had to concede first-place to Brasil, but most nations that finished third-place in the other 7 groups in WC'02 would have easily qualified from that group. Remember too that Turkey beat nobody to get to the semis... who did they play after the group stage em route to the third place match? i forget. their group consisted of Brazil, Costa Rica, China and Turkey.. no? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amacpher Posted December 10, 2005 Share Posted December 10, 2005 quote:Originally posted by zacRWE who did they play after the group stage em route to the third place match? i forget. their group consisted of Brazil, Costa Rica, China and Turkey.. no? Right. And it was Japan and Senegal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gian-Luca Posted December 11, 2005 Share Posted December 11, 2005 And your point is what, that Japan at home & an upstart Senegal team that had eliminated France & Sweden were also crap teams? I guess by that logic everyone in the World Cup is crap except Brazil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeta Posted December 11, 2005 Share Posted December 11, 2005 Boy, the Yanks can not be happy with that draw. Not at all. Hell, I don't think CONCACAF could can't be happy with that draw either. Mexico could very well be the only team to go through and if they do they'll probably get either Holland or Argentina. Very nice. You'll note that I'm calling Poland for 2nd in group A. (Something about having to beat out Costa Rica for 2nd. Playing in Germany in front of tens of thousands of Polish fans, that sort of thing). Think Japan/Korea isn't going to be repeated this go around. Not at all. Whoever goes through to the final is going to very much earn it, group stage notwithstanding (Germany!). About the only real surprise I can envision is Holland actualy accomplishing something and making a real run of it. Course they might have to beat the hosts to do it, but there you are. Tough road for England to go very deep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.