While I'm board I might aswell make my predictions. A:(This group could go anyway. Its probably the most open in the tournament. I think France will make it through, but they will struggle. Uruguay could easily pip France or South Africa. 1. France 2. South Africa 3. Uruguay 4. Mexico B (Argenitna should easily top this group, but I bet they will make things hard for themselves. Greece have not been great since they won Euro 2004 and Nigeria are strong going forward. South Korea will also be tricky to overcome.) 1. Argentina 2. Nigeria 3. Greece 4. South Korea C (Its between the US and England for who finishes 1st and 2nd, but keep an eye on Slovenia. Came through a tough group and will make things tough in the group) 1. England 2. USA 3. Slovenia 4. Algeria D (Very tough to call who finishes behind Germany. There will be very little between Serbia, Ghana and Australia. Even though Ghana lost Essien, they still have good players in midfield. I'm going with Serbia because techincally they will be better than the other two and could even give Germany a run. I'm really un-decided about this group). 1. Germany 2. Serbia 3. Australia 4. Ghana E (Group is pretty straight-froward for me, dont like Cameroon at all) 1. Holland 2. Denmark 3. Japan 4. Cameroon F (Italy should top this group, but Paraguay will be tricky) 1. Italy 2. Paraguay 3. Slovakia 4. New Zealand G (With Drogba out, I think Portugal will grab 2nd, but it wont be easy). 1. Brazil 2. Portugal 3. Ivory Coast 4. North Korea H (Tough to call who will get second. I think Chile have the edge though). 1. Spain 2. Chile 3. Switzerland 4. Honduras One thing to consider is that there is always a surprise or two in every big tournament and I think it could come in G, D, B or A.
Africa is doing well with the whole vibe of it. I can tell they are excited to host their first World Cup and I think it's going to be great. I say that every four years (LOL) but there's just something about this one...it'll be unpredictable. There's a couple of patterns in the hosts and winners of the Cup, which I've always found interesting. Except in 1958 where Brazil won the tournament in Sweden, if the tournament is hosted in Europe, a European team wins and visa versa(America). This could have been a reason why it was held in Japan 2002, and now in Africa....to change that up a bit. And every year, except in 1962 when Brazil won twice in a row, the winner alternates from Europe to America. In Germany 2006, Italy won so...if the pattern continues, we are due an American winner. Argentina and Brazil are the American favorites. Maybe some suprises from Mexico or USA? Here are my group stage predictions. I haven't researched how well the teams qualified. Group A Mexico's always strong. Uruguay isn't the same as it used to be. But France will represent Europe in this group and win it. South Africa is a pick that I wouldn't be suprised to lose but the host always makes it to the next round so... 1. France 2. South Africa 3. Mexico 4. Uruguay Group B It would shock me if Argentina doesn't win this group. Messi is the man, we all know lol. But Greece is usually a solid team... 1. Argentina 2. Greece 3. Nigeria 4. Korea Group C Will England finally come close to winning? The birthplace of football hasn't seen a win since hosting the Cup in 1966. USA might suprise some people this year. 1. England 2. USA 3. Algeria 4. Slovenia Group D Don't know much about Serbia or Australia, but Germany is usually a heavyweight. I read a convincing article warning me not to sleep on Ghana lol 1. Germany 2. Ghana 2. Serbia 4. Australia Group E Holland might lose a star player but the Orange Machine will still win out. Denmark is a sentimental favorite of mine cause of an ex-girlfriend :P 1. Holland 2. Denmark 3. Japan 4. Cameroon Group F Italy, the defending champions will win out this one. I'm picking an American team to win second place. 1. Italia 2. Paraguay 3. Slovakia 4. New Zealand Group G What once looked like a powerhouse group, now kind of shapes up. Didier Drogba is a major loss to the Coast. 1. Brazil 2. Portugal 3. Ivory Coast 4. North Korea Group H The casual fans favorite, Spain, goes into the World Cup with high expectaions. This group strikes me as overkill for Spain. Switzerland is a usual solid team. 1. Espana 2. Switzerland 3. Chile 4. Honduras Can't wait til Saturday's Colonial matchup.
A-I don't think France is anything special this year. 1. Uruguay 2. South Africa 3. France 4. Mexico B-I think Argentina will lose to the Netherlands in the Final. Any of those others could get the 2nd spot, so I went with the African team. 1. Argentina 2. Nigeria 3. South Korea 4. Greece C-I think they tie and US wins on Goal Differential. 1. USA 2. England 3. Slovenia 4. Algeria D-Australia was a surprise in 06, they could do it again. 1. Germany 2. Australia 3. Serbia 4. Ghana E-Japan could sneak through. 1. Netherlands 2. Japan 3. Denmark 4. Cameroon F.Seems like the easiest one to pick. 1. Italy 2. Paraguay 3. Slovakia 4. New Zealand G-Portugal doesn't ever seem to pull through. 1. Brazil 2. Ivory Coast 3. Portugal 4. North Korea H-Tough between Chile and Switzerland. Chile did have that Earthquake, could have the New Orleans Saints effect. 1. Spain 2. Chile 3. Switzerland 4. Honduras
IMO Serbia will get out of the group. Then they'll stop giving effort, like they always do. Don't sleep on Slovenia and Novakovic.
I actually really like the look of Serbia. Have a very talented team and I think they will be just that bit better technically than Ghana and Australia. But your right, Serbian or Yugoslavian teams in the past have always had very talented players and usually under-achieved.
I have England vs Brasil and Espana vs Doocheland in the semis... with England over Espana in the final... hah... it'll never happen... but I would go nuts if it did... about 90% of how crazy I'd be when the Phins finally win it all.
Serbia have a good young team. They might be a real threat at the European Championships in 2 years time. Mexico have a good side as well. Technically very good and they should go through. No-one's really talking about the Germans or the Dutch.
http://g.sports.yahoo.com/soccer/wo...ght-yet-stinging-approach-to-t?urn=sow,247015 Argentina seems ready to go.....
My predictions, if anyone gives a rats arse... A 1. Mexico 2. Uruguay 3. France 4. South Africa B 1. Argentina 2. Nigeria 3. South Korea 4. Greece C 1. England 2. USA 3. Slovenia 4. Algeria D 1. Germany 2. Serbia 3. Austrailia 4. Ghana E 1. Netherlands 2. Denmark 3. Japan 4. Cameroon F. 1. Italy 2. Paraguay 3. Slovakia 4. New Zealand G 1. Brazil 2. Portugal 3. Ivory Coast 4. North Korea H 1. Spain 2. Chile 3. Switzerland 4. Honduras
a bunch of politicians are ruining the proceedings. Just shut up and bring up Shakira to shake her ***.
Here are the bets I have placed so far 1. $10 on Italy winning the cup (13-1) 2. $10 on Portugal winning the cup (29-1) 3. $10 on USA scoring 7 or more goals (6-1) 4. $10 on Italy leading at half and beating Paraguay (3-1) 5. $10 Mexico winning Group A (4.5-1) 6. $10 Portugal winning Group G (3.75-1) 7. $10 Cameroon as the furthest advancing African team (5-1)
It's all about the work rate with the Serbs. Trust me, I'm half Serbian. Not saying that I am lazy when asked to work hard but I know many who are.
The nerves are starting to kick in. Uruguay plays today! I won't be able to sleep. The last time we were in it, 8 years ago, I was 8. I remember all of the games, but its not like now. So this is my first REAL WC.
Have to say, I was disappointed with Uruguay in 2002. For the attacking talent you guys had, you should have done better, especially wioth France doing so poorly that year. But hopefully you guys do much better this year.
Opening match live on ESPN....rooting for home country to keep the WC opening match winning streak alive and well. go S. Africa, beat Mexico!
Not if they were the Home Country (unless facing USA of course)....personally, like the idea of the winning streak more than rooting against Mexico.
**** Mexico. And France, too. For that blatent hand ball against Ireland that cost them a World Cup berth. (I'm Irish)
ESPN3 http://espn.go.com/espn3/index or myP2P http://www.myp2p.eu/competition.php?competitionid=&part=sports&discipline=worldcup2010
i'm so aggravated that my internet carrier doesn't support espn3.com http://www.atdhe.net/20150/watch-south-africa-vs-mexico good link
Dang, SA on break-away and it hits the post (89th min).....agggghhhhhhhhhhhhhh! that was the chance...perfect play by SA Goalie to boot it down the pitch..basically a one on one with Mex keeper and a pass low and to the left hits the post....dang. Game ends 1-1 tie.....welcome to soccer, the worlds sporting equivalent of tongue kissing your great-grandmother!!! yuck!
Good start to the WC! I am not sure if US citizens can watch but on cbc.ca there is excellent live streaming. CBC is a major network here Canadian Broadcasting Corp. They had excellent coverage of the olympics too but again not sure if the stream is available to you guys in the US. atdhe.net is the next best thing as mentioned above.
I thought it was pretty nice of the Officials to allow Blanco to wheel his wheelchair onto the pitch. weird game. The first half was dominated by mexico...then a flurry in the last 3 minutes...then the second half starts and Mexico is in quick sand. They give up the goal..and then almost give up another one..get the equalizer and then almost give it right back. Nice offside call on that first goal South Africa. lol