ummmm........
Extremely normal.
Ah. I was thinking it was a group that was difficult to predict because all the teams were very closely matched.
WC 2006: Group E
- Thread starter Red Door
- Start date
ummmm........
Extremely normal.
Well, you could have a group of mediocre teams that are tough to pick as well. Like second place in group F . . .
While with group C I understand the point that those are four very good teams, a betting man would easily pick Argentina and Netherlands as the most probable teams to advance . . .
While with group C I understand the point that those are four very good teams, a betting man would easily pick Argentina and Netherlands as the most probable teams to advance . . .
Guerra y Paz
Chieftain
Guerra y Paz
Chieftain
josephstalin
Kremlin Highlander
Italy will likely win the group, while US will be ripped by Chech so they will claim the second spot. It is the toughest group to advance out of though.
Syntherio
Prince
Just a week ago, I would have said "Of course Italy and the Chech Rep will advance to the Round of 16", but that has changed:
Without the injured Gattuso, Zambrotta and (maybe) without Nesta, Italys Defense is in ruins. IMO they cannot live without a strong defence, and so I doubt they will play as good, as they are expected. But if Nestas injury isn´t that bad, he will bring the needed stability to the team. And one hint: everyone should fear Luca Toni.
With Rosicky, Nedved, Koller and Baros the Chech team has the best offensive in Europe, imo. But Baros didn´t trained last wednesday and is maybe injured - I don´t know it for certain. Koller has recently recovered, but is he already fit enough?
The USA have a good team and with Reyna and Donovan two very good players. But this duo is no match to Totti/Del Piero or Nedved/Rosicky. The USA will have NO chance, if the described problems in the Italian and Chech teams aren´t that critical.
I see with Kuffour and Gyan two topplayer in the team from Ghana, but I don´t know their teamwork. I am not sure about Ghanas chances - maybe they can profit from the weakness of the other teams, but I doubt they will proceed to the next round.
Without the injured Gattuso, Zambrotta and (maybe) without Nesta, Italys Defense is in ruins. IMO they cannot live without a strong defence, and so I doubt they will play as good, as they are expected. But if Nestas injury isn´t that bad, he will bring the needed stability to the team. And one hint: everyone should fear Luca Toni.
With Rosicky, Nedved, Koller and Baros the Chech team has the best offensive in Europe, imo. But Baros didn´t trained last wednesday and is maybe injured - I don´t know it for certain. Koller has recently recovered, but is he already fit enough?
The USA have a good team and with Reyna and Donovan two very good players. But this duo is no match to Totti/Del Piero or Nedved/Rosicky. The USA will have NO chance, if the described problems in the Italian and Chech teams aren´t that critical.
I see with Kuffour and Gyan two topplayer in the team from Ghana, but I don´t know their teamwork. I am not sure about Ghanas chances - maybe they can profit from the weakness of the other teams, but I doubt they will proceed to the next round.
mucco
Warlord
IMO this is a very balanced group, and all teams have a chance to qualify. If you only watch the roster, it should be clear that Italy is much stronger than the other 3 teams, with the Chech above USA and Ghana. But Italy is in bad shape and has some important injuries, like Zambrotta, Gattuso, Totti and Nesta. The last two could play the first game, but they're still recovering from injuries and won't play at their potential. Without one of the defenders, the most defensive midfielder, and the most talented player, suffering the absence of the only good right defender in the roster, Italy will likely have some serious defending issues, so I expect them to have a hard time in the group. Furthermore, they aren't probably concentrated enough, because of the mess there is in italian football at the moment.
Czech Republic has some great players, and did well in Portugal 2 years ago, but most of the stars are old: Nedved won't play at the levels of some years ago. I think this team is a bit overrated, overall. At the contrary, USA look fine and could be the surprise of the group and of the entire WC, because now they're quite experienced, some players are skillful, and they have less pressure. IMO they're going to the next round.
Ghana is a mystery, I think they have a stronger lineup than Czech Republic and USA, with most of the main players doing fine in the european leagues. They could be a serious challenge, but they may as well fail miserably, like many other African teams before. If they were in an easier group they could have a good chance to pass.
My guess:
1. Italy 5 pts.
2. USA 5 pts.
3. Czech Republic 4 pts.
4 Ghana 1 pt.
Czech Republic has some great players, and did well in Portugal 2 years ago, but most of the stars are old: Nedved won't play at the levels of some years ago. I think this team is a bit overrated, overall. At the contrary, USA look fine and could be the surprise of the group and of the entire WC, because now they're quite experienced, some players are skillful, and they have less pressure. IMO they're going to the next round.
Ghana is a mystery, I think they have a stronger lineup than Czech Republic and USA, with most of the main players doing fine in the european leagues. They could be a serious challenge, but they may as well fail miserably, like many other African teams before. If they were in an easier group they could have a good chance to pass.
My guess:
1. Italy 5 pts.
2. USA 5 pts.
3. Czech Republic 4 pts.
4 Ghana 1 pt.
This is certainly the 2nd group of death, and I'm foreseeing Italy out.
We'll win with overrated Ghana (we always overrate our first opponents cos we fear to understimate them)
Then, relaxed from the victory, we'll lose to USA, who are really underrated because everyone here expects any possible surprise just from Ghana
And then, we're obliged to win with the Czechs, already qualified, who will force us to a 0:0 and thus out of the tournament
We'll win with overrated Ghana (we always overrate our first opponents cos we fear to understimate them)
Then, relaxed from the victory, we'll lose to USA, who are really underrated because everyone here expects any possible surprise just from Ghana
And then, we're obliged to win with the Czechs, already qualified, who will force us to a 0:0 and thus out of the tournament
Hitro
Feistus Raclettus
I think the really overrated team in that group is the Czech Republic.
Olorin0222
Maia
Reports during the England-Paraguay match were indicating that Baros would sit out the US game at least.
Winner
Diverse in Unity
Hitro said:
We shall see.
Unfortunatelly, it looks like that half of our "stars" are injured, so I think we will be very lucky if we beat the US on Monday.
Winner
Diverse in Unity
AlCosta15 said:
If it was ice-hockey, I'd agree with you, but in football, I think Czechs are those overly confident, something like "US? Err... who? They play football? Since when?" I hope our team won't take this lightly.
ThERat
Deity
wow, I must clearly have had too much 
, I predicted both 0:0 for the opening games of this group.
Personally Czech is my favorite team, if they manage to play on the same level as 2004. I do hope that Baros scores like he did then. Czech was the best team in Euro04 until they met that anti-soccer team Greece and lost Nedved during the game.
My prediction for this group might seem crazy but I see Czech and USA making it to the next round.
, I predicted both 0:0 for the opening games of this group.Personally Czech is my favorite team, if they manage to play on the same level as 2004. I do hope that Baros scores like he did then. Czech was the best team in Euro04 until they met that anti-soccer team Greece and lost Nedved during the game.
My prediction for this group might seem crazy but I see Czech and USA making it to the next round.
