I'll give it a shot:

Group A: France, Denmark, Senegal, Uruguay
France should take this one

Group B: Spain, Slovenia, Paraguay, South Africa
Spain takes this one

Group C: Brazil, Turkey, China, Costa Rica
Easy victory for Brazil

Group D: Korea, Poland, Usa, Portugal
Portugal gets my vote, altough Poland can be a menace

Group E: Germany, Saudi Arabia, Ireland, Cameroon
Will be a hard struggle between Germany and Cameroon, a struggle which I think Cameroon will end up on top of (but don't forget that Germany generally starts out weak and then becomes better with each game

Group F: The group of death: Argentina, Nigeria, England, Sweden
Very hard to predict since there aren't a single easily won game here. My vote goes to Argentina, with England as a close runner up (btw, the 2nd team in this group will meet the 1st team in France's group in the round of 16)

Group G: Italy, Croatia, Mexico, Ecuador
Italy should take this one, but Croatia is a serious threat

Group H: Japan, Belgium, Russia, Tunisia
Hard to tell since there isn't a "decent" team among them (no team ranked above 20). My guess goes to Russia however

Any comments?

I think you're predictions are well done.
Maybe Japan could win Group H, it's hard to determine how good they are.

belgium shall win in group H

Russia will win Group H! Second place will be contested between Belgium and Tunisia. That's my guess (quite biased, I suppose :D )

Now, if we could only get someone to vote for Tunisia....

I think Belgium will win their group because they do have a decent team and qualified top from their group.

Group A - France
Group B - Spain
Group C - Brazil
Group D - Portugal
Group E - Ireland
Group F - England (not just because I am English but mostly)
Group G - Italy (My tip to win the whole thing)
Group H - Japan (home field advantage)

Group A: France, Denmark, Senegal, Uruguay

France easily

Group B: Spain, Slovenia, Paraguay, South Africa

Spain

Group C: Brazil, Turkey, China, Costa Rica

Brazil

Group D: Korea, Poland, Usa, Portugal

Portugal

Group E: Germany, Saudi Arabia, Ireland, Cameroon

Germany

Group F: The group of death: Argentina, Nigeria, England, Sweden

ouch...ENGLAND! no, argentina'll probably win

Group G: Italy, Croatia, Mexico, Ecuador

Croatia

Group H: Japan, Belgium, Russia, Tunisia

Belgium

we belgians are now going for the 7th time in a row to the WC
thats something amazing but it would be better if we get for this time in the second round.there is now VERY much pressure on the belgian team and i hope now they get in the second round.
and the dutch people around here,for once in your life support belgium ok?

I dunno about group B, paraguay has played somewhat well before, probably right about G :( , but few expected mexico to get to the second stage during the last cup what with being against netherlands, belgium. Sadly, Italy and croatia will both probably leave the mexicans in the dust.

Group A: France

Group B: Spain

Group C: Brazil

Group D: Portugal

Group E: Ireland

Group F: Argentina

Group G: Italy

Group H: Belgium

As for the actual cup itself, I reckon Spain might just be in with a chance this year. I think the surprise of the tournement will be Ireland, I can see them getting to the semi's.

france, very good team but they are getting old.

paraguay, spain will have there ups and downs and make one or two bad games while paraguay with a good defence line will make three good performances.

brazil, they can´t fail in that group no matter how bad they play.

portugal, too good for poland.

ireland, it looks like germany doesn´t have any self confident while ireland are playing well as a team.

argentina, tough group but argentina has a superb team. sweden will be last.

italy, impressive squad and a quite easy group

japan, will fight like samurai while belgium will collapse like they did in 2000 and the russians will have problems with thier nerves.

Group A: France

Group B: Spain

Group C: Brazil

Group D: Portugal

Group E: Germany

Group F: Sweden

Group G: Croatia

Group H: Belgium

Group A: France
Group B: Spain
Group C: Brazil
Group D: Portugal
Group E: Ireland
Group F: England
Group G: Italy
Group H: Belgium

I wanted to see USA vs. Saudi Arabia :(

I wanted to see USA vs. Saudi Arabia
What about USA vs Iraq? Or USA vs Iran/North Korea? Anway we should all be happy with England vs Argentina. Also I will put money on England and Germany meeting if they both get through. I mean what sort of tournament would it be if we didn't lose on penalties to the Germans? probably the 1966 world cup.

OK, I think it's boring just to put the winners in, so I'll put 2nd place and the play-off predictions too (even though it's slightly OT).

A: 1st France - easy
2nd Senegal - finalists of the African Nations (I think), and have a good first XI

B: 1st Spain - good squad in an easy group
2nd Paraguay - although hammered by England in a friendly, probably second best team.

C: 1st Brazil - easy
2nd Turkey - but seriously, what a stupid group!

D: 1st Portugal - but it will be tough
2nd Poland - exile Nigerian Olisadebe should get them through.

E: Ireland :p. No, seriously.
1st Cameroon - will win this easily, I think. They won the African Nations in style and won't have any problems with a weak German side
2nd Ireland - Germany really are bad

F (ah - how nice the lots came out, eh):
1st Argentina - will probably take this one
2nd England - but will have a tough time with Nigeria.

G: 1st Italy - have quite an easy group, and Croatia are not as good as they were in '98
2nd Croatia - but good enough to get through in this group

H: What a stupid, silly group!
1st Belgium - will probably take this one
2nd Japan - playing as hosts do have some influence

This means the last 16 will be:
Cameroon beat Paraguay - Cameroon won't have problems here
France beat England (or Nigeria) - France still have most of their '98 squad left
Argentina beat Senegal - Senegal aren't that good
Spain beat Ireland - although Spain always miss out in World Cups, they'll beat the Irishmen
Italy beat Poland - Poland can't really do much here
Brazil hammer Japan - no comment
Belgium beat Turkey - a stupid 2nd round game. Think of what we could have had (ie Nigeria vs Sweden, two much better teams)
Portugal beat Croatia - Figo will do the Croatians in with his left foot.

Quarter-finals, then:
France beat Brazil - again
Italy beat Cameroon - sorry, but Italian defense should clear up this one
Portugal beat Spain - finally, Spain's World Cup jinx will show through, and they will lose 0-4.
Argentina beat Belgium - go figure.

Semi-finals:
Portugal beat Italy - Figo, Rui Costa & Co. will run through the Italian defense
Argentina beat France - got to defend South American honour

Final:
ARGENTINA will beat Portugal in the final. Very good squad from back to front and not at all prone to injuries.

Again, sorry if this is slightly Off topic.

[b]Group A : France
Group B : Spain screws (it always does), so Paraguay.
Group C : Brazil
Group D : Portugal
Group E : Germany
Group F/DEATH GROUP : Argentina
Group G : Croatia
Group H : Belgium

Group A: France
Group B: Spain
Group C:Brasil
Group D: Portugal
Group E: Cameroon
Group F:Argentina
Group G: Italy
Group H: Russia

As people here all think France will win, I bet that it will loose and Denmark will take the place (already happened this in one of the past European Cup).

Group A France & Denmark

Group B Spain & Paraquay, but expect South Africa to challenge hard

Group C Brazil & Turkey. Never underestimate the Turks, they have the ability to be this years Croatia.

Group D Portugal & USA

Group E Ireland & Cameroon. Ireland are a team on top form and have the ability to do extremely well.

Group F Haha! England & Argentina, not in that order though.

Group G Italy & Croatia

Group H Japan & Russia. Beware! Japan are going to be the World Cup shockers this year, with new rules in place to stamp out physical football the Japanesse will show what they are well capable of...

Overall Winner France, Italy or Argentina

I surely hope Argentina doesn't take it.
I hate them! :mad: :mad: :mad:

Originally posted by IceBlaZe
I surely hope Argentina doesn't take it.
I hate them! :mad: :mad: :mad:

Why? :confused:
Because you like Brazil or for some other reason?

Conspiracy theory:

Doesn't it strike you as suspicious that Japan both got such an easy group and such a (relatively) easy play off opponent if they win that group (most likely Turkey):rolleyes:

Well, the easy group they got was because they were seeded (!!)
just like South Korea (!?!), the play-off opponent was just pure luck, I guess. But if Japan come second they'll play Brazil, so it evens out. (if they win, though - aaargh!)

group A : the Netherlands
group B : Holland
group C : Nederland
group D : NL
group E : HOL
group F : Niederlande
group G : Pays-Bas
group H : the Low Countries

:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :aargh3: :aargh3: :blush:

Group A
1. France
2. Denmark

Group B
1. Spain
2. Paraguay

Group C
1. Brazil
2. Turkey

Group D
1. Portugal
2. Poland

Group E
1. Cameroon
2. Germany

Group F
1. Argentina
2. England

Group G
1.Italy
2. Croatia

Group H
1. Japan
2. Belgium

And then:

Cameroon - Paraguay = Cameroon
France - England = France
Argentina - Denmark = Argentina
Spain - Germany = Spain
Italy - Poland = Italy
Brazil - Belgium = Brazil
Japan - Turkey = Japan
Portugal - Croatia = Portugal

Then

France - Brazil = France
Italy - Cameroon = Italy
Spain - Portugal = Spain
Argentina - Japan = Argentina

Then

Italy - Spain = Italy
Argentina - France = Agrentina

Final

Italy - Argentina = ITALY

I think Italy will win because they have best defence in the whole world (Nesta, Cannavaro, Panucci, Maldini and 2 great goalkeepers - Buffon and Toldo) and great attackers (Totti, Del Piero, Inzaghi, Vieri and Montella).
FORZA ITALIA

I won't bore you with the easy predictions, just that I also think Japan will come out 1st in their division, then fight hard and also beat the Turks before probably losing to either Argentina or England (no shame in that!).

Their team is seriously under-rated, I think. Besides the fact that teamwork is practically a national religion there, support for soccer in Japan has grown considerably since the last world cup. They also have a couple of world-class players, especially Nakata, and very good coaches.

Would anyone like to rethink their predictions for England now it seems that Steven Gerrard is definitely not going and Kieron Dyer will also miss out?

Originally posted by germanos
group A : the Netherlands
group B : Holland
group C : Nederland
group D : NL
group E : HOL
group F : Niederlande
group G : Pays-Bas
group H : the Low Countries


Get over it, it saves us from much irritation over those idiots that are always too lazy to work so hard that they will actually win. It's always so that holland had such a great team with such great players and they really had the opportunity to win, the truth is that they will never win with these players. They just don't have the right spirit.

Originally posted by duke o' york
Would anyone like to rethink their predictions for England now it seems that Steven Gerrard is definitely not going and Kieron Dyer will also miss out?

Not really...It wouldn't affect other nations as much but the media make a huge deal out of these things. Theres no reason why we cannot do well without them...

Would anyone like to rethink their predictions for England now it seems that Steven Gerrard is definitely not going and Kieron Dyer will also miss out?
I think they will do even better. Not because the players brought in are better, far from it, but because this will make us the under-dogs. No-one will expect that much from us now, even our own media. If we qualify from our group then the pressure will be off and we can start to play with more confident. With Sven as the manger hopefully this will mean playing better football. Also if we get to the quarter-finals or higher we will be playing teams far superior to us, for example France, Italy, Portugal etc. That will only make us more under-dogs.

Originally posted by Dell:
Theres no reason why we cannot do well without them...

Off the top of my head, Nicky Butt is one damned good reason why we won't do as well. Hargreaves I'm unsure of though but these are the only two defensive midfielders we've got now.

Originally posted by Mr President:
No-one will expect that much from us now, even our own media. If we qualify from our group then the pressure will be off and we can start to play with more confident.

And this is the British press we're talking about? :lol: They may not be confident beforehand but as soon as we even manage to score a goal then they'll be leaping up and down and comparing the team to the '66 winners. You don't really grasp the nature of the redtops when it comes to this sort of thing. The media don't care if we win or lose, and if we go out in a similar manner to that in which we did last time then there'll probably be a heck of a lot more copy written than if we'd won.

I'm not sure about our team.I think japan will be quite a hard nut to crap since they are playing at home (and they do have a decent team) ,and Russia sure won't be easy neither.I hope they'll make the second round (not sure) ,but i won't hope to much because i did that already at the previous cup. :(

i doubt they will get trough the second round though ,even if it's "only" against Turkey.Belgium lost ahainst Turkey at the previous cup. (but then again ,they arn't that bad neither)

We miss some good player's this year ,so it could be tough.

But in General ,for the small country that is Belgium we got a quite decent team.Can't compare it to the U.S ,they are 150times bigger but we would still beat them by 3-0 :D .

Originally posted by philippe
and the dutch people around here,for once in your life support belgium ok?
For what reason? Everybody should support their own country and when Holland is not in competition I don't support any team in particular.

Originally posted by TheDuckOfFlanders
I think japan will be quite a hard nut to crap

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Ahh, thank you for my chuckle of the day, Duck!

Cheers :beer:

Originally posted by goodbye_mr_bond


:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Ahh, thank you for my chuckle of the day, Duck!

Cheers :beer:
at least they have nakata and that arsenal guy... and a quite easy group.

Originally posted by IceBlaZe
I surely hope Argentina doesn't take it.
I hate them! :mad: :mad: :mad:


Why do yuo hate us??:confused:

Originally posted by Kublai-Khan



Why do yuo hate us??:confused:

My mother is Brazilian, and we have a tradition in the family to watch Brazil win the WC :D

And Argentina sucks... I don't know why, but I don't like them.
Maybe it has to do with the *cough* Final against England *cough* game.

Originally posted by IceBlaZe


My mother is Brazilian, and we have a tradition in the family to watch Brazil win the WC :D

And Argentina sucks... I don't know why, but I don't like them.
Maybe it has to do with the *cough* Final against England *cough* game.

The hand of God?:D


Argentina rocks more than Brasil : P
We would conquer you if you werent 4 times more populated.

Anyway, I really like Brazil.
It is the only country that is helping us in our crisis.

*cough* Final against England *cough* game
It was the semi-final in the 1986 world cup. I should know because there has been so many world cup programmes on British TV at the moment.
It is the only country that is helping us in our crisis.
The IMF would be helping if you didn't stop stupidly printing money, but thats for another thread.

Nice to see posts from all over the world here - but not many from Americans it seems, despite the number of them who post elsewhere on the site and the fact that their country's team is taking part.

What do the Yanks think of all this? Does anyone over there care about the tournament?

I've heard a lot of people say the game would be ruined if the US really started to get as serious about it as they are about basketball, baseball etc - not sure myself - what do you lot think? Would the huge amount of resources they could commit to it lead to better players/games or something much worse?

've heard a lot of people say the game would be ruined if the US really started to get as serious
It would be ruined from a European point of view because at the moment we have the most of the power. Although football truly is a global sport the biggest club competition has to be the Champions League. If America became interested then with their money the focus would shift to them. The would be benefits though, like America not having to wait for the olympics to get behind a national sports team.

[I've heard a lot of people say the game would be ruined if the US really started to get as serious about it as they are about basketball, baseball etc - not sure myself - what do you lot think? Would the huge amount of resources they could commit to it lead to better players/games or something much worse?


All the rich US teams will in that case probably buy al the best players of the world. Now, all South American players move to Europe. I guess that in the US-soccer-lover-case even European top players will be bought by the Americans and the rich German, Spanish, Italian and English teams will not be able to compete anymore. The US is such a large and rich country; it could probably fill a UEFA cup and Champions League on their own!

Originally posted by MrPresident

It was the semi-final in the 1986 world cup. I should know because there has been so many world cup programmes on British TV at the moment.

The IMF would be helping if you didn't stop stupidly printing money, but thats for another thread.

That is an analysis worth of George Bush JR, in fact it is not even a big issue in our relationship with the imf.
But if you really want to discuss this, that is for another thread.

Quote: "All the rich US teams will in that case probably buy al the best players of the world. Now, all South American players move to Europe. I guess that in the US-soccer-lover-case even European top players will be bought by the Americans and the rich German, Spanish, Italian and English teams will not be able to compete anymore. The US is such a large and rich country; it could probably fill a UEFA cup and Champions League on their own!"


From a purely football ppoint of view that would be amazing - think of the quality of the games you might end up watching and the stadia available - what an atmosphere! - like a cup final every week. But could you stand yet another cultural expression being swallowed up by the US?

Can you imagine the terrible Hollywood films they'd turn out - with football instead of baseball/ice hockey etc as the subject (think Mighty Ducks, Field of Dreams etc etc) - that would be the worst part!

Yes, and watching good games would be impossible for most Europeans, who'se football is in their tradition (hours, flying distance, hearing american sport broadcasters *shivers*).
:rolleyes:

Indeed - "gee, whada grade game of saaker thad waas!"

Anyone for Kevin Costner playing Geoff Hurst in the famous 1966 USA v West Germany World Cup final?

From a purely football ppoint of view that would be amazing - think of the quality of the games you might end up watching and the stadia available - what an atmosphere! - like a cup final every week.

Yes, it would indeed. But how will you feel the moment you realize that no English team will ever win the CL anymore? It would probably be the same like how I felt when I realised that Ajax is the last Dutch team that has won such a prize! On the other hand, you are absolutely right about the great games with only superstars in it; that would be great!

Originally posted by Rodgers
I've heard a lot of people say the game would be ruined if the US really started to get as serious about it as they are about basketball, baseball etc - not sure myself - what do you lot think? Would the huge amount of resources they could commit to it lead to better players/games or something much worse?

I don't think all good players would move to the U.S.. Although America is the biggest economy in the world, it's not that much bigger than (the whole of!) Europe, that everybody would move away. Also the economic power of the clubs is not necessarily connected to the countries economic power, Spain is a good example for that.
But I wouldn't like an 'americanization' of the sport. The way sport is dealt with in America is nothing I can identify with. I certainly couldn't be a fan of an artificial team called after some stupid animal that gets moved to another city every five years...

Now the Champions League... well I don't like that already. It is far less interesting than the classic European Cup. But I wouldn't mind some American teams playing there. With the amount of money that is in the game now it shouldn't be a problem to make an intercontinental championship out of it.

And even if most of the good players would go away, be it to America our East Asia, that doesn't have to be the end of European football. Look at South America, although their best players go to Europe they are still very passionate about their (still interesting) leagues.

Originally posted by Hitro

I don't think all good players would move to the U.S.. Although America is the biggest economy in the world, it's not that much bigger than (the whole of!) Europe, that everybody would move away. Also the economic power of the clubs is not necessarily connected to the countries economic power, Spain is a good example for that.
But I wouldn't like an 'americanization' of the sport. The way sport is dealt with in America is nothing I can identify with. I certainly couldn't be a fan of an artificial team called after some stupid animal that gets moved to another city every five years...

Now the Champions League... well I don't like that already. It is far less interesting than the classic European Cup. But I wouldn't mind some American teams playing there. With the amount of money that is in the game now it shouldn't be a problem to make an intercontinental championship out of it.

And even if most of the good players would go away, be it to America our East Asia, that doesn't have to be the end of European football. Look at South America, although their best players go to Europe they are still very passionate about their (still interesting) leagues.

I second that! :goodjob:

I third it!

I think the rest of you were over reacting, not all players are motivated by money and American teams wouldn't be allowed to enter the Champions league anyway. If America started their own rival competition then it would just be an American version of the FA cup and would be unlikely to be as popular as the CL.

Godd players like to play against good players so they may not be so easily bribed to join American teams. Finally Spain are a great example of a country that doesn't have loads of money yet it probably has the best football team in the world at the moment.

Just an idea but would anyone want to set up a mini competition to see who can predict the correct results for the world cup. I know one site thats free to enter and would allow some of us to create a mini league to see who's predictions are the most accurate. Or someone could suggest another site that we could have a competition on.

Heres the link to a competition site that you can enter into if you want. If anyone joins it, then post your ID and I will create a mini league and add you to it.

http://www.arbee.co.uk/worldcup/index.php

I think that's a very good idea, but you should post a new thread about it.
I'll definetely join. :D

OKay then I will start a new thread. Preferably we would find abetter site but the one I gave a link to, should be okay.

Gawddammit! I just realised that I will have to pay a handsome amount of money to see the entire world cup:mad: (about 25$, would have been 50, but a friend and I decided we will split it)

Some months ago we were promised that "all the important games" would be broadcast on the non-cable channels. So, I will miss a few unimportant games, I thought, not good, but not a big deal either. Here are some of the games thought unimportant enough to be showed exclusevly (sp) on cabel:

Portugal - Poland (probably the game that decides this group)
Cameroon - Germany (likewise)
Argentina - England (likewise)
Three games in the round of 16:eek:
One quarterfinal:eek: :eek:
The game for third prize:eek:

Now, does any of these games seem unimportant to you? The realy laughable part is that we have some "insurance." If Sweden reaches the round of 16/quarterfinal/semifiale/final, a non-cable station will of course show it (hooray, like that's ever gonna happen)

EDIT: I seem to have got a bit overreacted...the final will be shown to everyone, as will both the semi-finals, all the other matches were correct though

buy cable and you have no problem.

buy cable and you have no problem.

Yeah, that's what I'm gonna do, It just hurt a bit when I realised that I would have to.

"How Brazil will win its fifth World Cup:

Brazil 3 X 1 Turkey
Brazil 4 X 0 China
Brazil 2 X 0 Costa Rica
Brazil 5 X 1 Japan
Brazil 3 X 0 France (REVENGE!)
Brazil 3 X 2 Argentina (Mwahahaha!)
Brazil 1 X 0 Italy
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP"

Yes, I know its not going to happen but i like to dream............................................. .....

Most of the people here don't really care about the sport enough for it to have any substantial impact on the world stage. I'm sure a lot of people will end up watching the WC, but soccer just isn't exciting to the average American sports fan. I doubt any substantial portion of the American public even knew of, much less watched yesterday's game against the Dutch.

A shame, because it's a great game and a ton of fun to play. Things may change in the future what with all of the kids growing up playing, but I doubt MLS will ever come close to even the NHL in terms of popularity...

but soccer just isn't exciting to the average American sports fan.
Yeah I don't think they will be thrilled at the propects of sitting in a freezing cold stadium to watch a boring nil-nil draw between two rubbish teams. The things I do for football.
Gawddammit! I just realised that I will have to pay a handsome amount of money to see the entire world cup
In England the WC is part of football's crown jewels, also included is the FA cup final. Any matches included have to be shown on terrestial channels(avaible to anyone with a TV and a license fee).

Originally posted by Lord_Vetinari
Gawddammit! I just realised that I will have to pay a handsome amount of money to see the entire world cup (about 25$, would have been 50, but a friend and I decided we will split it)


Well, at least you can see most of the games. Here in Norway, one broadcaster suddenly decided to drop out and we were left with satellite, just like you (aargh!), and then we got to pay, oh, I don't know, at least 100 $ if we want to watch (but we can spy on the Swedish television, of course, but that's the same problem). And lots of people can't get the channel they're showing it on, because they can't have cable and satellite at the same time :eek:.

Oh well - back to the radio, I guess (the games go in my school-time anyway).

Group A:
1. France
2. Denmark
3. Uruguay
4. Senegal

Group B:
1. Spain
2. Paraguay
3. Slovenia
4. South-Africa

Group C:
1. Brazil
2. Turkey
3. China
4. Costa Rica

Group D:
1. Portugal
2. Poland
3. USA
4. South-Korea

Group E:
1. Germany
2. Cameroon
3. Ireland
4. Saudi Arabia

Group F:
1. Argentina
2. England
3. Nigeria
4. Sweden

Group G:
1. Italy
2. Mexico
3. Croatia
4. Ecuador

Group H:
1. Belgium
2. Russia
3. Japan
4. Tunisia

Originally posted by willemvanoranje

Group H:
1. Belgium
2. Russia
3. Japan
4. Tunisia
thx for putting belgium n1!

Originally posted by Rodgers
From a purely football ppoint of view that would be amazing - think of the quality of the games you might end up watching and the stadia available - what an atmosphere! - like a cup final every week. But could you stand yet another cultural expression being swallowed up by the US?


Oh no. I think it would be the most boring competition around. It's said before: Championsleague sucks! The games are boring, almost no goals, no action....I'd hate it.

Originally posted by philippe

thx for putting belgium n1!
;)

Originally posted by NY Hoya
...but I doubt MLS will ever come close to even the NHL in terms of popularity...

Actually--and someone correct me if I'm wrong--I have the impression that the NHL wasn't very big in the States (except in some of the north-eastern cities like Detroit, NY, Boston) until 10-20 years ago. Definitely not in the south--Florida, TExas, etc. LA might have had a team, but they didn't really have much of a fan base until Gretzky went down. The NHL is huge now due to some savvy marketing, much like the NBA btw.

AGUANTE ARGENTINA CARAJO!!!!

This is our World Cup!!! We´ll win it. No doubt.


ARGENTINA ARGENTINA ARGENTINA

You only need to predict the winners of each group in this thread...I don't think Argentina will win everyone else's groups as well. ;)

Originally posted by NY Hoya
Most of the people here don't really care about the sport enough for it to have any substantial impact on the world stage. I'm sure a lot of people will end up watching the WC, but soccer just isn't exciting to the average American sports fan. I doubt any substantial portion of the American public even knew of, much less watched yesterday's game against the Dutch.

A shame, because it's a great game and a ton of fun to play. Things may change in the future what with all of the kids growing up playing, but I doubt MLS will ever come close to even the NHL in terms of popularity...

That is because the US team sucks.

Group A: Senegal
Group B: Spain
Group C: Brazil
Group D: Portugal
Group E: Cameroon
Group F: Nigeria
Group G: Italy
Group H: Tunisia: Only because nobody else picked em' :D

I'm hoping for some upsets with Nigeria and Senegal beating the other teams. Nigeria will have a tough time, though.

I hope we have good game between England and Argetina, like last WC. That was a great game between the two.

Cameroon has a good chance of winning. Brazil no problem. Italy will have a tough time with Croatia who played really well in the last WC. But I'm predicting Italy to take the WC.

In this order

[B]Group A:
1. Senegal
2. France

Group B:
1. Spain
2. Paraguay

Group C:
1. Brazil
2. Costa Rica

Group D:
1. Portugal
2. South-Korea

Group E:
1. Germany
2. Cameroon

Group F:
1. Argentina
2. Sweden

Group G:
1. Italy
2. Mexico

Group H:
1. Belgium
3. Japan

¡Y que viva Costa Rica!Costa Rica 2-1 Turkey

OK so I'm cheating really as each team now has only one group match to play but for what it's worth


A Denmark
B Spain
C Brazil
D USA (!!!!!)
E CAmeroon
F England
G Italy
H Japan (!!!!!!)