World Cup Groups

[CuseFan10]

Interested to see who you guys that follow soccer think will advance in the groups? I'll post my in the AM, as I'm tired now but figured I'd toss this thread up.

[benrik]

I'll do it now. I've got nothing else to do.

Group A -- (1) Germany and (2) Poland

This is a weak group that Germany should have no trouble winning. I suppose second will come down to Poland and Ecuador but I'll take Poland.

Group B -- (1) Sweden and (2) England

It's easy to say these two will make it though but the England/Sweden game will determine who has to face Germany in the next round.

Group C -- (1) Netherlands and (2) Argentina

This is a very tough one to predict. Realistically any combination of two could progress. If Argentina doesn't go on than I think Serbia and Montenegro do but I'll go with the two heavyweights.

Group D -- (1) Portugal and (2) Iran

I don't know about Mexico. Losses, albeit in France and Holland, this week dont help and Iran can score goals. I'm sure there is some value is Iran progressing too.

Group E -- (1) Italy and (2) Czech Republic

Ghana has no chance here and I'd be suprised if they scored a goal. USA is ranked way too high by Fifa and they will go out early here. I don't think they could beat either Italy or the Czech Republic.

Group F -- (1) Brazil and (2) Japan

Again, any combination of these teams could progress but I think everyone is in agreement that Brazil will be one. It might come down to goal differential in the group and Japan has Brazil last when Brazil may not be going all out.

Group G -- (1) France and (2) Switzerland

France is the class of this group but it's between Switzerland and South Korea for second. Head to head I give the advantage to Switzerland in what will be like a home game.

Group H -- (1) Spain and (2) Ukraine

I don't know much about these teams but apparently Tunisia isn't that bad so they could battle for the top two spots as well.



Well, take it for what it's worth. I'm not an expert but I'm pretty confident I picked 14/16 ... maybe just not in the right positions.

[CuseFan10]

The US ranking makes me laugh to benrik. I dont know the exact system they use but obviously it nees to be changed since US is ranked ahead of Germany.

Ridiculous.

[CuseFan10]

Group A - Germany and Poland. Both have distinct homefield advantages over the other squads with Germany actually playing at home and the Poles playing in a strong home atmosphere. That advantage plus Dudek in goal for the Poles is the difference here IMO.

Group B - England and Sweden. Obvious choices here as the English are a deep, talented, team and the Swedes can score in bunches led by Ibrahimovic, Larsson, and LJunberg.

Group C - Netherlands and Argentina. Two more obvious picks as they are 2 of the 5 best teams in the world on paper, but this group will be a dogfight IMO. Serbia and Montenegro's stout defensive philosophy could lead them to 3 ties and if they get some scoring they could move on. Ivory Coast is talented but probably overmatched.

Group D - Portugal and Mexico. Portgual should have smooth sailing through this crap grouping, and while I don't think Mexico is all that good I still can't see Iran advancing ahead of them here.

Group E - Czech Republic and Italy. Cut and dry IMO here. The US could advance assuming the BURY Ghana and get through by goal differential somehow, but the #5 ranking is simply not justififed for this team and the Czechs and Italians are solid.

Group F - Brazil and Croatia. Will Brazil give up a goal in this group? Croats to advance over the Aussies IMO. Either way Czech Republic torpedos one of them in the second round.

Group G - France and Switzerland. France should win this group with relative ease, but then again look what happened 4 years ago when they didn't even score a goal. South Korea advanced 4 years ago on the home field advantage and while they are competitive, I'll take the Swiss as a little bit of a darkhorse here.

Group H - Spain and Ukraine. The Spanish are always fun to watch since you never know which team will show up, but this grouping looks pretty easy. The Ukraine plays solid D and should get by Tunisia and the Saudis to move on.

[Horatio]

I am like Flyers Fan in the NBA here; I personally would rather watch grass grow than watch soccer.In fact I think I DO watch the grass grow when I watch soccer, maybe that is my problem.
However, I am gonna take a couple of units and bet according to the guidance offered herein.From rading the above, seems Germany is a definite.Will figure out the second and third after another day or so...thanks and GL guys!

I think Corey is into this as well. :gulp:

[Portista]

Group A
Germany should have no problem advancing first in this easy group, followed by the Polish who will just slighty grab the second spot.
Germany and Poland to advance.

Group B
Sweden will grab first in this group, followed by England even with a incomplete roster.
Sweden and England to advance.


Group C
Netherlands and Argentina are both favorites to get out of this group but I feel this group will come down to goal aggregate on deciding who finishes first. Serbia will put up a good fight with their tight defence but it won't be enough to get out of the group in my opinion.
Netherlands and Argentina to advance.

Group D
Portugal went undefeated in qualifiers and I believe the same will happen in this group. Second place will come down to Angola and Mexico.
Portugal and Angola to advance.

Group E
In this group I think the Italians will fail once again as they did in Euro 2004, just too many things going on right now in Italy for them to strictly focus on this tournament. Czech Republic will finish first in this group and I'll take an upset, USA just barely making second.
Czech Republic and USA to advance.

Group F
Brazil the defending champions should not have a problem getting first in this group. The toughest is deciding second as I think both Australia and Croatia are very evenly matched sides.
Brazil and Australia to advance.

Group G
France with the in form Henry should breeze through this group but don't leave out the underrated Swiss, this is their time to prove themselves.
France and Switzerland to advance.

Group H
Spain are always a dangerous team to play against and I expect the same in this group, Ukraine will have no problem taking the second spot.
Spain and Ukraine to advance.

[benrik]

Portista -- you have Iran finishing last in group D eh? I have a feeling they could challenge for second. My boss seems to think Mexico might win the group but i think Portugal takes it with Mexico battling for second. IMO that's a very tough group to call second to fourth.

[FlyersFan]

Originally posted by Horatio
I am like Flyers Fan in the NBA here; I personally would rather watch grass grow than watch soccer.In fact I think I DO watch the grass grow when I watch soccer

LMFAO........

[Horatio]

just hope I do as well as you do in the NBA despite your antipathy to the game!!

:gulp: :yeah:

[CuseFan10]

I am starting to thikn the Italians might choke aswell.

Angola? Haven't seen that as a pick in awhile. I can't see Iran finishing last in that group either, but who knows?