FIFA WORLD CUP 2010

[bunburyist]

Checked for another thread and there doesn't seem to be one, so figured we could do with a World Cup post for general discussion.

Groups are as follows, and you have to say there are some tough groups in there - A, D and G in particular.

Current betting has Brazil and Spain as favourites, with England and Argentina next in line both at 6-1. This is going to be a great tournament, when outside of South America or Europe it always becomes a bit more interesting.

Group A

1 France

2 Mexico

3 South Africa

4 Uruguay

Group B

1 Argentina

2 Greece

3 Nigeria

4 South Korea

Group C

1 Algeria

2 England

3 Slovenia

4 USA

Group D

1 Australia

2 Germany

3 Ghana

4 Serbia

Group E

1 Cameroon

2 Denmark

3 Netherlands

4 Japan

Group F

1 Italy

2 New Zealand

3 Paraguay

4 Slovakia

Group G

1 Brazil

2 Ivory Coast

3 North Korea

4 Portugal

Group H

1 Chile

2 Honduras

3 Spain

4 Switzerland

My prediction is for England, after beating Algeria and the US like ginger step-children, to progress to the finals whipping everyone by a 2 goal margin minimum before coming undone in the final when the team hair stylist goes down with a mysterious illness just before the match. Australia to get half way through the first game before giving up and going home because the going has got too tough.

Outright: Spain

Dark horse: Holland

Surprise team: Uruguay

[KB24]

It's funny because every time a World Cup gets close, we hear here in the US that this is the year for USA Soccer. This is the year that will put US Soccer on the map. Not that anyone expects to win but all we can hope for is a decent showing. I think Donovan's recent experience in Europe will benefit him greatly.

I like the US over England 2-1 but after that who knows. I think either Spain or Brazil will win the whole thing. Also, I'm intrigued by Argentina and how the team will respond to Maradona.

-Patrick

[khomeinist]

Ghana will be sending home England in the second round. Another lovely bit of post-colonial irony, served up World Cup style.

The US team should make the second round, but will likely fail.

Holland or Spain should win. Unless they get sent home on penalties, which is likely.

North Korea is your new champion. Or was that Honduras?

[dicko]

I haven't followed any of the lead up, but will definitly watch plenty of games and get into it.

can any experts here tell me what Australia's chances are? looks like a bloody tough group.

[bunburyist]

Australia is currently 150-1 to take the cup....

They'll do well to get out of that group - Serbia in particlar are a quietly strong team who can turn anyone over.

I love football, it's as good a leveller in terms of sport as anything else. Anyone can beat anyone.

[dicko]

Australia is currently 150-1 to take the cup....

They'll do well to get out of that group - Serbia in particlar are a quietly strong team who can turn anyone over.

I love football, it's as good a leveller in terms of sport as anything else. Anyone can beat anyone.

thanks. yes, there seems to be less buzz here as before the last world cup, although everyone will still support. Interesting point you make about it being a leveller, i guess in such a low scoring sport it only takes one good kick to win it. although presure and quality play seem to win out most times.

can't wait!

[AlexOk]

I'm sorry, but I bet Germany - Australia 3:0.

[Habanos2000]

I'd love to see Germany win it, but with Ballack out, Adler out, Gomez, Klose and Podolski as weak attackers at best, I don't see how that could happen.

I don't want to see Spain win as they have the Euro 2008. If you can believe the rumours a team from Africa should win it, no?

[bunburyist]

virtually without fail World Cups bring stars who don't perform, and grey men who step into the spotlight and tear it up. So for Germany you never know. Bastian Scwhienstieger (best name of all time??) is a top player and should have a good tournament.

As for the African teams South Africa, Ghana and maybe Ivory Coast can do well, but perhaps they don't have the squad depth to go the whole way.

[mazolaman]

Ironically,I reckon Australia could beat Germany,as their style of play could pay off.But Ghana and Serbia could outplay them,you never know though...Italy have defended their way to numerous world cups,and with Cahill,you have a goalscorer.

It's tough to call this time,as no team is really head and shoulders above.

Holland have a potentially great team,as have Spain.The Dutch don't usually play as ateam,and Spain usually bottle it.

Argentina would win it,were it not for Maradonna playing his Old mates.

England are being drowned by hype(from the press)and appear to have forgotten how to play.

Italy don't have decent striker...

Brazil to win.

England Horsey,

Mexico.......Surpriiise......

Group G could literally be the group of death...Any chance of Final of the Koreas???!!!!What odds?

[Morientes50]

Spain will win it or i'm going Van Gogh and will chop off my ear!!

Darkhorse: Denmark

Flop: Italy, England

If Spain doesnt win (and i'm down 1 ear): Brazil or Holland will win it.

[Ken Gargett]

Australia is currently 150-1 to take the cup....

They'll do well to get out of that group - Serbia in particlar are a quietly strong team who can turn anyone over.

I love football, it's as good a leveller in terms of sport as anything else. Anyone can beat anyone.

serbia got beaten by nz a few days ago and we managed to beat holland, two surprises and i know warm up games are not totally indicative but i'd rather be winning them. i think we'll be lucky to progress but who knows. i think we need at least a point from the german game. i have holland in a sweeps so hoping they improve.

i would point that last time we played in england, in emgland, we whipped you three blot i think.

would not mind seeing france get up with a late henry "goal". imagine the bleating.

brazil have to feature surely. and love to see spain get home with the fabulous fab the player of the tournament - so it adds another 10-20 mill to his price for when barcelona finally pry him away from the gunners.

[El Presidente]

North Korea to torpedo US hopes in the second round.

Spain and England final

Both teams choke.

[Ken Gargett]

serbia got beaten by nz a few days ago and we managed to beat holland, two surprises and i know warm up games are not totally indicative but i'd rather be winning them. i think we'll be lucky to progress but who knows. i think we need at least a point from the german game. i have holland in a sweeps so hoping they improve.

i would point that last time we played in england, in emgland, we whipped you three blot i think.

would not mind seeing france get up with a late henry "goal". imagine the bleating.

brazil have to feature surely. and love to see spain get home with the fabulous fab the player of the tournament - so it adds another 10-20 mill to his price for when barcelona finally pry him away from the gunners.

correction - it was denmark not holland that we apparently beat (clearly, my interest in soccer friendly knows no bounds).

[brutusthebuckeye]

Forza Azzurri!!!!

[OZCUBAN]

I hope we do well ,well at least as well as last time ,big order though the group is really tough this time around and a lot more hype

And we don't have the magic of hiddink this time around .

But having said all that good luck boys

Cheers Oz

[MIKA27]

I'm sorry, but I bet Germany - Australia 3:0.

I completely agree Alex. Germany will win and I hope they take the cup.

I equally hope Australia do well and perhaps tie so I'm not left between a rock and a hard place with my loyalties. I reside here in Australia and spent most of my life here but my family are from Vienna and Germany so my heart is with Germany.

[DrunkenMonkey]

It's funny because every time a World Cup gets close, we hear here in the US that this is the year for USA Soccer. This is the year that will put US Soccer on the map.

I think that the 2002 trip to the quarterfinals put them on the map, but I also think this is the best team they've ever had. Got to believe, man! But even if they can just spank England, wouldn't that be fantastic!

Of course, that assumes that they can get through Saturday's friendly against Australia without anyone getting maimed

[bunburyist]

Some interesting games on today after the decent SA-Mexico game and the godawful Uruguay-France match.

Will be interesting to see how Argentina perform, if they come out firing.

England to beat the US and collect a couple hundred years of unpaid taxes.

[khomeinist]

Yes. SA/Mexico was fairly entertaining. Forlan vs. France less so. Uruguay is just not very good. Having a world-class striker with no service from midfield is painful. France? They may find advancing difficult.

Korea? Nice work. Greece has had their fun (Euro 2004). They are welcome to go home.

Argentina/Nigeria. A bit frustrating. Nigeria will be eliminated soon. Argentina needs to do better in back or they will lose in the second round or quarters.

Tottenham versus USA begins soon. I want to say C'MON YOU SPURS but I probably won't. John Terry annoys me too much. Hopefully my fellow Yanks won't get embarrassed too badly.

[bunburyist]

fellow yiddo in the ranks eh?

Firstly, I'll be ordering myself a large portion of humble pie.

Secondly, I'll be wondering where the last 2hrs of my life went. One of the worst games of 'football' I've ever seen. Effort: 6/10. Technical ability: 1/10. Disastrous.

Only way is up for both teams. GD will most likely see who tops the group now. What a bunch of.

[Ken Gargett]

fellow yiddo in the ranks eh?

Firstly, I'll be ordering myself a large portion of humble pie.

Secondly, I'll be wondering where the last 2hrs of my life went. One of the worst games of 'football' I've ever seen. Effort: 6/10. Technical ability: 1/10. Disastrous.

Only way is up for both teams. GD will most likely see who tops the group now. What a bunch of.

it wasn't that bad. look at it this way - your goalie got more of his hands on the ball than any of your backs in the rugby.

[strayvector]

I guess there's a reason why 4 American goalkeepers are first choice for their teams in the Premier League.

[DrunkenMonkey]

fellow yiddo in the ranks eh?

Firstly, I'll be ordering myself a large portion of humble pie.

Secondly, I'll be wondering where the last 2hrs of my life went. One of the worst games of 'football' I've ever seen. Effort: 6/10. Technical ability: 1/10. Disastrous.

Only way is up for both teams. GD will most likely see who tops the group now. What a bunch of.

Did we watch the same match? I thought the Americans played well. Certainly better than most expected of them. I think they ought to be proud of themselves. Of course there are many glaring weaknesses, but they should be in a good position to make it through the group now.

[Alberto_Magnus]

Thumbs up for the US team which almost managed to bring a victory home. But let Rooney, Lampard & co. warm up and they are going to put up a hell of a show. Same goes for Argentina. Did you see what Messi did? Looked like what happened to Rooney. *The* two best strikers around.

Nigeria wasn't that bad, actually them and South Africa have diplayed the most amazing goalkeepers so far.

Martins and Obinna: thumbs up!

South Korea: just amazing. Keep an eye on them.

Greece: sorry lads but you need a generational turn-over. Gekas alone won't do the trick anymore.

Uruguay: needs to find pace. As long as the coach keeps Cavani (Palermo) and Gargano (Napoli) on the bench they won't have that much chance. Forlan needs assistance.

France: boooooooooooring. An outdated team. I can't see them progressing that much in this World Cup.