World Cup 2010

[InnCoggNito]

World Cup Groups

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 G
Brazil
North Korea
Ivory Coast
Portugal

Group H
Spain
Switzerland
Honduras
Chile

I am So Excited for the World Cup.
Out of the Groups, Group G is obviously the best with Brazil, Portugal, and The Ivory COast.
The U.S Should be happy as to where they were placed.
I Honestly Think That The Ivory Coast, With Malouda, Drogba, Kalou will win, or Netherlands With Sneijder, Van De Vart, Van Persie.
Those 2 teams played last world cup and it was an awesome game.
Thoughts?
Predictiions?
I cant wait!

[InnCoggNito]

no other soccer fans in the house?

[Molarmite]

I can't see too many upsets in the first round.

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 G
Brazil
North Korea
Ivory Coast
Portugal

Group H
Spain
Switzerland
Honduras
Chile

[irenz12]

I'm rooting for Italy, Netherlands and Chile.

[Molarmite]

I got Spain over England in the finals.

[Niners]

Out of the European countries, I only see Spain, Portugal, or the Netherlands as teams that have a shot at winning it all. England, Germany, France, and Italy are weaker than usual. USA vs England is going to be a great group match, but of course they will both advance out of that group.
Possible surprise teams: Even though I think they have earned respect as elite teams in the world, Ivory Coast and Ghana will still surprise some of you.
South Africa, Denmark/Japan, and Chile may all be surprise teams in the World Cup.

[Joga Bonito]

Originally Posted by Niners395

Out of the European countries, I only see Spain, Portugal, or the Netherlands as teams that have a shot at winning it all. England, Germany, France, and Italy are weaker than usual. USA vs England is going to be a great group match, but of course they will both advance out of that group.
Possible surprise teams: Even though I think they have earned respect as elite teams in the world, Ivory Coast and Ghana will still surprise some of you.
South Africa, Denmark/Japan, and Chile may all be surprise teams in the World Cup.

Actually, I have to disagree. Spain is of course a very strong team and have proven us wrong by winning their first major trophy back in EURO 2008. However, ask any Portuguese futebol fan and they will tell you that under the current management of Quieroz, Portugal's chances are slim. They had a pretty poor qualifying campaign, but did pull themselves together to beat Bosnia in the play-off round.
Netherlands is another enigma. They have a strong squad yet still have the ability to choke in important matches. 2008 was once again another example of how Hiddink's tactics thwarted the Dutch.
England is actually experiencing some of the best form of their life under Fabio Capello. He has managed to turn around a dismal failure of EURO qualification to an almost flawless WC2010 qualification run. Even though we beat them (Brasil) 2-0 in a friendly in November, both teams were basically using their reserves, so it wasn't really a true test. The only problem for England I feel is their lack of team depth. If the Rooney's and the Gerrard's are injured, their chances are halved.
Germany and Italy also experienced strong qualifying campaigns and with the likes of Francesco Totti returning to the Azzuri side and their typical Italian slyless err luck, they will be forces to reckon with.
But I do agree with you that France is weaker than usual, yet they're probably the only thing standing in the way of Brasil's record sixth WC triumph. If they can survive Group A, Argentina or Germany will await them.
The Group of Death will be an interesting once, with Ivory Coast x Portugal probably the decider. But you can never rule out those Koreans.
As for darkhorses, basically any team can be a surprise in the WC, but African teams such as Ivory Coast and the hosts SA will be sure to put on a show.

[Niners]

Yes the Portugese had a weak run to the world cup, but they pulled it together and even without Cristiano Ronaldo, looked magnificent in the end. Netherlands are always chokers, they can never live up to their expectations. But any year they may break out of that spell, so I will keep saying they are a favorite to win the World Cup.
Capello did very well with England during qualifications, but England hasn't won a world cup since the 60s. England has so many stars, and as we saw with Real Madrid, Capello isn't too good at handling a bunch of superstars at a time.
For Germany, Ballack is no longer the playmaker on that team. He is still the leader, but Arjen Robben will become the center of the German machine. If Robben can handle it and play like he did with Real before he was transferred, then I give Germany a chance to go to the semis. You have no idea what can happen with Italy, they will show up one cup, and dissapear at the next. They have talent, but italians are italians...

[Joga Bonito]

Originally Posted by Niners395

Yes the Portugese had a weak run to the world cup, but they pulled it together and even without Cristiano Ronaldo, looked magnificent in the end.

Magnificent is a strong word. They did manage to defeat the strong Bosnians, but that was only after a string of poor form against teams they should have beat.

Originally Posted by Niners395

Netherlands are always chokers, they can never live up to their expectations. But any year they may break out of that spell, so I will keep saying they are a favorite to win the World Cup.

In that case, Slovenia has just as good a chance to win as Netherlands.

Originally Posted by Niners395

Capello did very well with England during qualifications, but England hasn't won a world cup since the 60s. England has so many stars, and as we saw with Real Madrid, Capello isn't too good at handling a bunch of superstars at a time.

Just because a team hasn't won a trophy since the 60s, doesn't mean they cannot win in this day and age. That means that according to you the top contenders will be Spain, Brazil, and Italy since they have all won major international trophies recently. There is no doubt you can question Capello's methods as England have looked very impressive, unlike teams like Portugal.

Originally Posted by Niners395

For Germany, Ballack is no longer the playmaker on that team. He is still the leader, but Arjen Robben will become the center of the German machine. If Robben can handle it and play like he did with Real before he was transferred, then I give Germany a chance to go to the semis.

Arjejn Robben is Dutch. If he becomes the center of the German team, I may have to shoot myself. He does play for Bayern in Germany, nothing more.

[Niners]

Originally Posted by Joga Bonito

In that case, Slovenia has just as good a chance to win as Netherlands.

Oh yeah, totally, just besides the fact that Netherlands has: Van Persie, Huntelaar, Dirk Kuyt, Van de Vaart, Sneijder, Robben, Bronckhorst...
Netherlands' main problem is their defense, if their defense plays well I don't see why Netherlands can't win the World Cup.

Originally Posted by Joga Bonito

Just because a team hasn't won a trophy since the 60s, doesn't mean they cannot win in this day and age. That means that according to you the top contenders will be Spain, Brazil, and Italy since they have all won major international trophies recently. There is no doubt you can question Capello's methods as England have looked very impressive, unlike teams like Portugal.

It's not just that England hasn't won the trophy since the 60s, but they haven't reached the semi finals since then either. The same goes for the Euro Cup, they came third in 68, but since then have only reached the semi finals once in 1996. I guess though, that if I am arguing that Netherlands will turn it around and become a serious contender for the Cup, then I must agree that England has an equal opportunity. To be honest though, Spain has not really proved themselves yet. Yes, they won Euro 2008, and were no doubt the best team that played in the cup, but they still have not won a world cup, ever. And Italy and Brazil have not just had success recently, they always have success.

Originally Posted by Joga Bonito

Arjejn Robben is Dutch. If he becomes the center of the German team, I may have to shoot myself. He does play for Bayern in Germany, nothing more.

Hahaha wow idk why I said that, that is embarrassing. Although Holland kind of is facing those problems because of Van Nistelroy retiring but nevermind. I still don't see enough strength on the german squad to be a world cup contender.

[Illy Idol]

Put Brazil or England/Ivory Coast as your next champion

Other teams suck (Spain always f*cks up at semi finals at best)

[Joga Bonito]

Originally Posted by Illy Idol

Put Brazil or England/Ivory Coast as your next champion

Other teams suck (Spain always f*cks up at semi finals at best)

I hardly believe Ivory Coast can be the champions...I watched them play today in the African Cup of Nations quarter-final against Algeria (which they lost 2-3 on extra time).

It will be a hard enough challenge to make it out of the group of death.

[Illy Idol]

Believe me they play well enough to win, or deserve...

[Joga Bonito]

Originally Posted by Illy Idol

Believe me they play well enough to win, or deserve...

Mhmm, and just how many matches of theirs do you watch?

Their African Cup of Nations run was pathetic for a team with the "ability to win the World Cup."

I can say North Korea deserve to win the World Cup.

[Niners]

North Korea


It is very unlikely Ivory Coast will win, just because it is difficult to pick them when they are going up against giants like Brazil and Portugal. And if they are lucky enough to advance to the next round(most likely with the second place spot) they will probably play Spain from Group H. Things could not have played out worse for Ivory Coast with such a tough road to the Cup finals, and things seem to be even worse now with their poor showing at the African Cup of Nations. If Ivory Coast had been in an easier group it would be easier to predict them going farther in the cup.
But Ivory Coast are a team that wins with momentum. What is momentum? Winning matches, having the support of your fans, confidence, determination, team chemistry, and giving your opponent uncertainty. It will not be difficult for Ivory Coast to get this momentum back. All they have to do is win some friendlies and change up their formations, and they will get back on track. Ivory Coast can do this, they will advance out of their group, I think Ivory Coast has as good a chance at beating Spain (the most likely winner of Group H) as anyone does.

If Ivory Coast can get of the group stage and past spain, they will have extreme momentum, and then Illy Idol might be right, they may go very far in the cup.