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ORIGINAL: warspite1

ORIGINAL: terje439

Two of you pick Germany...They never start off too good, just good enough to get through the initial round, THEN the machinery starts going. Just saying [;)]

warspite1

That's normally Italy's modus operandi - 1982 being the most extreme example - they were rubbish in the group stage!

Would you believe you have to go back to 1986 for the last time (West) Germany did not win their initial group?!?!?!

But they never played well despite winning the group. I still place my money on Portugal
Italy is just plain dull (no offence), 90mins of 10 man defence...

Brazil
Spain
Ivory Coast
England
France
Argentina
Germany
Belgium

ORIGINAL: terje439

ORIGINAL: warspite1

ORIGINAL: terje439

Two of you pick Germany...They never start off too good, just good enough to get through the initial round, THEN the machinery starts going. Just saying [;)]

warspite1

That's normally Italy's modus operandi - 1982 being the most extreme example - they were rubbish in the group stage!

Would you believe you have to go back to 1986 for the last time (West) Germany did not win their initial group?!?!?!

But they never played well despite winning the group. I still place my money on Portugal
Italy is just plain dull (no offence), 90mins of 10 man defence...

warspite1

But we were asked to pick out choices to finish top of their group - not who plays the best football [;)]

ORIGINAL: th1207

Brazil
Spain
Ivory Coast
England
France
Argentina
Germany
Belgium

warspite1

ENGLAND??? You mocketh us surely? [:D]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

ORIGINAL: terje439

ORIGINAL: warspite1


warspite1

That's normally Italy's modus operandi - 1982 being the most extreme example - they were rubbish in the group stage!

Would you believe you have to go back to 1986 for the last time (West) Germany did not win their initial group?!?!?!

But they never played well despite winning the group. I still place my money on Portugal
Italy is just plain dull (no offence), 90mins of 10 man defence...

warspite1

But we were asked to pick out choices to finish top of their group - not who plays the best football [;)]

True true, Liverpool only ended 2nd after all. Good football does not mean alot anymore [:(]

Group A: Brazil
Group B: Netherlands
Group C: Greece
Group D: Italy
Group E: Switzerland
Group F: Argentina
Group G: Portugal
Group H: Belgium

The Swiss are similar to the Belgians. Small country, but some young gifted players. The French... err, they had basically imploded in South Africa [:D] This is not anymore the 1998 generation. They are way toooo decadent. They had their chance and did not miss it though and that's what matters [8D]

Group A: Brazil
Group B: Spain
Group C: Colombia
Group D: Italy
Group E: France
Group F: Argentina
Group G: Germany
Group H: Russia

Group A: Brazil (If Brazil can't manage to win this group by themselves then the referees are going to do it for them)
Group B: Spain
Group C: Greece
Group D: England
Group E: Switzerland
Group F: Argentina
Group G: Germany
Group H: Russia

I reserve the right to change my mind until the tournament begins.

Sorry I can not participate as there are no half naked pictures of Brazilian women in any of this.

ORIGINAL: rogo727

What is everyone's picks for group winners?

A- Brazil
B- Spain
C- Ivory Coast
D- Italy
E- France (on goal difference ahead of the Swiss)
F- Argentina
G- Germany
H- Belgium

Given the 8 groups, this is what we can say about the Round of 16. Groups are basically paired: A-B, C-D, E-F, G-H. The first of a group plays vs the second of the other group. Something like this:

In fact this is the full table:

ORIGINAL: warspite1

Only one country has won the tournament outside of their own continent. On that basis a South American victory seems most likely. If so then Brazil or Argentina would be the most sensible guesses. A European country? I doubt it personally.

Instead, I am going to have a little wager on an African winner. You never know, a lot of stranger things have happened in football..... like Spurs keeping the same manager for more than 5 minutes. I'm sure that happened once.

It's not likely this year, but I think it's likely we (or at least the young uns amongst us) will see an African winner. Ghana weren't bad at the last one were they? This time round I think the likely outcome is a Brazil vs Argentina (or Spain) with a Brazil win.

I can see England limping through the group stage on four points (win vs Costa Rica, draw against Uruguay and cock all from the Italy game). A narrow win over the Ivory Coast will then be followed by a trouncing at the hands of Brazil. Wayne Rooney will be predictably pants despite someone describing him as a top, top player. He will run around a lot though, as well as going a rather startling shade of red. Joe Hart will do what English goalkeepers do these days and gift an equaliser to Uruguay.

Here's a question for those who will be following the tournament... Aside from your own nation, who would you like to see do well?

For my part, I'd like to see Ghana do well. No idea why.

ORIGINAL: Dixie

Here's a question for those who will be following the tournament... Aside from your own nation, who would you like to see do well?

For my part, I'd like to see Ghana do well. No idea why.

To me it's easy: the team which plays the most beautiful football aka offensive football. Perhaps football owes a WC to Holland. The poor guys have failed the few chances they had: 70s and last WC.

Beckenbauer had said on the 90s IIRC that the football future is Africa. Not sure they are producing enough talent yet. Isolate jewels appear (like Liberian Weah 2 decades ago) but they need more of this + backed by other strong reliable players.

Interesting question.

Because of 1974 and 1978 I always have a soft spot for Holland. Provided they don't resort to the tactics they employed in the final four years ago, then my "second team" is always Holland.

Otherwise, I generally go for the underdog in every match.

I just hope for a good tournament.

ORIGINAL: rogo727

What are the chances USA will do good? No one is picking them and my soccer friends say they are in the group of death.

I'm afraid it's going to be really really tough [:(] Germany and Portugal should be grabbing the two seats available. But of course nothing is written in stone [:)]

If this World Cup had been Europes turn I would have stuck my neck right out and said Belguim will win. Still rate them as the real dark horses of the competition.

ORIGINAL: typhoon

If this World Cup had been Europes turn I would have stuck my neck right out and said Belguim will win. Still rate them as the real dark horses of the competition.

Warspite1

Belgium has seemingly come from nowhere to produce a load of extremely talented footballers - much better than their 80's squad. Good enough to win a World Cup? Possibly, but not this time round.

ORIGINAL: TulliusDetritus

ORIGINAL: rogo727

What are the chances USA will do good? No one is picking them and my soccer friends say they are in the group of death.

I'm afraid it's going to be really really tough [:(] Germany and Portugal should be grabbing the two seats available. But of course nothing is written in stone [:)]

It's the toughest group of the tournament. I think that any of the four from the group could be expected to qualify from a different group. As is though, I wouldn't be surprised to see the US finish 4th. I'd like them to qualify (with Ghana) not least because it would dump Portugal out which would make Ronaldo cry. [:D]