We(Uruguay) got stuck with South Africa, France, and Mexico. VERY tough group for us. South Africa is the host, France is France(although we tied 0-0 in the '02 World Cup), and Mexico is a tough team.
Media always has to make a Group of Death and they all say G Yes it's a tough group but not a group of Death. If Korea was not there and either Mexico or USA drew that group then yes that would be a group of death Italy has one of the easier draws and should qualify to the round of 16
That was my toughest choice. I debated France but they were not impressive by barely beating Ireland[and questionable] so I went with the host country.
As bad as that French team is, I think they still come out of that group. Even though they were awful against Ireland, they still got through and I dont think they will play as bad as that in South Africa.
Group A: South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France Group B: Argentina, Nigeria, South Korea, Greece Group C: England, United States, Algeria, Slovenia Group D: Germany, Australia, Serbia, Ghana Group E: Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon Group F: Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, Slovakia Group G: Brazil, North Korea, Ivory Coast, Portugal Group H: Spain, Switzerland, Honduras, Chile Hardest to pick was group D. Any of the 4 teams could easily make it out.
Group A: South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France Group B: Argentina, Nigeria, South Korea, Greece Group C: England, United States, Algeria, Slovenia Group D: Germany, Australia, Serbia, Ghana Group E: Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon Group F: Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, Slovakia Group G: Brazil, North Korea, Ivory Coast, Portugal Group H: Spain, Switzerland, Honduras, Chile Welcome to the World Cup North Korea... LOL... Group Difficulty (from toughest to easiest) B (really any team could advance) G (three good teams does not make a group of death) E (Holland the powerhouse but any of the other three could advance) A (RSA will really have their hands full, but I wouldn't be surprised to seem them advance as the host team seem to always do) .... D F C (England got off easy after pulling USA) H (Spain's group is a walkover for the defending champs) Really think the top four are much harder to predict than the bottom four Now then... at what stage will England lose on penalty kicks?
pretty much this This is the best draw for us that I can remember. Anyone see the match between Everton & Tottenham? It was tied, and the spurs had a PK at the end of the match. Jermain Defoe, a member of the England's MNT took the PK against Tim Howard, Everton's keeper and our very own USMNT keeper. Howard denied Defoe the goal, and it made serious headlines. Much of the British media was foreshadowing our upcoming WC match saying "Howard stops Defoe!" and using this as a storyline for next year. I even read that some Everton fans were shouting "USA! USA!" although i find that somewhat hard to believe. I personally think they made a mountain out of a molehill, but it was fun conjecture for a bit. Defoe did score a goal earlier in the match, but it was pretty much indefensible by Howard as it was on a great service. Freddie Ljungberg had been rumored to return to the Gunners on loan - this speculation had been happening stateside for months. Apparently Freddie is over in the UK right now, met with Wenger, and Freddie left telling the press he won't be playing for Arsenal. If I had to guess, Wenger said as politely as possible, that there wasn't really a spot for him on the team where he'd get decent playing time. And so ends months of speculation that Ljungberg was going back to Arsenal.
Arshavin is really stepping up in VP's absence. What does everyone think of the Donovan loan to Everton? Enough to help keep them out of the Relegation zone through the end of the season? Will he make an impact at all? What would you like to see Donovan do in the EPL?
Beautiful strike by Denilson today. I wish him and Diaby were consistent players. If they were, it would be amazing.
Anyone watch the Argentina Catalunya match. It was awesome seeing an entire stadium hate one person so much, that being Higauin.
I still have the Estudiantes/Barcelona game on the DVR. Not even excited to watch it, actually. I know the score and have seen the scoring highlights, but it didn't sound like an "exciting" game except for the very end.
Liverpool bombs out of the FA Cup, love it. They have nothing to play for except a top 4 finish and it's only January, lol. Going to be even tougher with Torres out for 6 weeks.
Surprised no-one has actually made reference to the Euro 2012 draw that took place yesterday. Some interesting groups were drawn. Group A: Germany, Turkey, Austria, Belgium, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan Group B: Russia, Slovakia, Republic of Ireland, FYR Macedonia, Armenia, Andorra Group C: Italy, Serbia, Northern Ireland, Slovenia, Estonia, Faroe Islands Group D: France, Romania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Belarus, Albania, Luxembourg Group E: Holland, Sweden, Finland, Hungary, Moldova, San Marino Group F: Croatia, Greece, Israel, Latvia, Georgia, Malta Group G: England, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Wales, Montenegro Group H: Portugal, Denmark, Norway, Cyprus, Iceland Group I: Spain, Czech Republic, Scotland, Lithuania, Liechtenstein
Decent draw for us , we have been on a downer for 2 or 3 years hopefully with a new manager and some good young players coming through we can make a push for 2nd place. Spain will win our group by a mile but its 4 good trips (plus a freindly V Sweden )
Its a nice draw for you guys, but for Ireland, I would have preferred to play some more teams from Western Europe. Opponents from eastern Europe are usually more tricky.
Nasty injury to Aaron Ramsey last night. No malice involved just clumsy tackle at speed. Thankfully (if you can call it that) Arsenal have experience with this type of injury so that will help Aaron who would also have seen Eduardo first hand and know there is light at the end of the tunnel. Early report is that it's a clean break. Would post the link but on new phone and haven't mastered it fully yet but search you tube if you want to see it (not as gruesome as Eduardo's). On a better note it was a good performance and mental strength after incident makes me believe we will be contending the title at the end.
Lets just hope Ramsey doesn't come back a shell of the former player he was like Eduardo has. Wegner is pissed because along with Diaby thats three broken legs in less than four years I think. Coincidence? What makes the Ramsey injury so bad is that it could put an end to his progression as a young player and at best will severely delay it. Also Maurice Edu scoring in the 90th to win the old firm
I think that being so young he wont have as much fear when/if he comes back - I think Eduardo is still in that transition mode for English football - he hadn't been in the league long when it happened. I think Rangers have the league sown up now
Was Capello even gonna call him had he stayed healthy? Had a good season with Milan last year, but hasn't been as impressive this year so far
What a comeback last night from Aresnal. Never seen it coming as Barca were coasting. Sets the 2nd leg up nicely in the Nou Camp. Also really looking forward to the return leg of the Man U vs Bayern tie. Both are poised very nicely.
Bendtner with the late winner! http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xctgmx_arsenal-1-0-wolverhampton_sport