World Cup 2006 Groups Announced

[Beamer]

Originally posted by Cats_eye

That was the best team I have ever seen. Falcao, Junior, Eder, Socretis, Zico and so many superstars. They revulationized Samba Football. One touch Football at her best. Everyone could play almost at every position. Imagine that. If is was not for Paola Rossi they would have surely hold the cup. The loss still lingers in my heart.

They had a one glaring problem but a huge one nonetheless. It was their keeper. He was terrible and somewhat responsible for their demise. Also, defenders were pretty suspect. Italy had the famous Dino Zoff !

[Beamer]

Also in '82 cup, Germany and Austria ( the german brethens ) totally conspired to make sure Algeria didn't go through. Algeria actually beat Germany in the group level. I don't remember the score line of that Germnay-Austria match, but whatever it was, the outcome made sure Algeria didn't get through.

Argentina is also guilty of a "patano" match in '78 WC ( which they won at home ) to make sure Brazil couldn't advance. Argentina beat Chile 6-0 in that utter shameful game. I saw videos of it in '80s and trust me, some of the goals that Chile gave up was comedic and hated Argentina always for that.

[oracle]

Ever since Cameroon ( the shining light of that year) failed to beat England in 1990, you know Italia 90, i hesitated to throw in my lot with the brown or black people.:P
So now i go for genuine underdogs. Like Bangladesh.

For this WC here is my prediction. With genuine underdog in brackets:

A- Germany;Costa Rica (Ecuador)
B-Paraguay;Sweden (England)Yes, no typo here, England is always an underdog in WC.
C-Argentina;Holland(Ivory Coast)
D-Mexico;Portugal(iran)
E-Italy;USA(Czech Rep)
F-Brazil;Croatia(Australia)
G- France;S Korea(Togo)
H-Spain;Ukraine(Tunisia)

I will root for Paraguay but it will be Holland all the way this time.

Edited on, December 12, 2005, 9:31 PM GMT, by oracle.

[Tigers_eye]

My wish list of qualifiers:

GROUP A: Germany, Poland

GROUP B: Sweden, England

GROUP C: Argentina, Holland

GROUP D: Portugal, Iran (Mexico)

GROUP E: Italy, Czech Republic, (USA)

GROUP F: Brazil, Croatia (Japan)

GROUP G: France, South Korea

GROUP H: Spain, Tunisia

That makes at least 5 teams and at most 6 teams outside Europe making it to the second round. I highly doubt it though.

[fab]

I will probably end up supporting the most economically weak country in each group (i.e. the most poorest country). Except for Group F of course, it's not often we get to support Australia in the football WC..

[PoorFan]

Here is my choice of second round.

GROUP A　Germany Ecuador
GROUP B　England Sweden
GROUP C　Argentina Holland
GROUP D　Mexico Portugal
GROUP E　Italy Czech Republic
GROUP F Brazil Croatia
GROUP G France Switzerland
GROUP H Spain Ukraine

None of asia and africa will be able to make in second round!

[thebest]

Here is my well thought(?):P prediction. In braces the other contender and my reason for the chomok

Group A: Germany, Poland (Costarica)
Group B: Sweden England
Group C: Argentina, Holland ( Serbia)
Group D: Potugal, Mexico (Iran , I wish)
Group E: Czech, Ghana (Italy as they are slow starter of any Tourny)
Group F: Brazil, Japan (Croatia/ Ausas equal chance of Japan)
Group G: France, Korea
Group H: Ukraine, Tunesia (Spain has big match stage fobia, the real underachiver)

Edited on, December 13, 2005, 8:09 AM GMT, by thebest.
Reason: grammer

[Banglatiger84]

Originally posted by Beamer
Also in '82 cup, Germany and Austria ( the german brethens ) totally conspired to make sure Algeria didn't go through. Algeria actually beat Germany in the group level. I don't remember the score line of that Germnay-Austria match, but whatever it was, the outcome made sure Algeria didn't get through.

Argentina is also guilty of a "patano" match in '78 WC ( which they won at home ) to make sure Brazil couldn't advance. Argentina beat Chile 6-0 in that utter shameful game. I saw videos of it in '80s and trust me, some of the goals that Chile gave up was comedic and hated Argentina always for that.

In the first case, the scenario was that Germany needed ot beat Austria exactly 1-0. If it was more than that Austria would lose out, and if it was draw or austria win, germany would lose. So Germany scored inside 10 minutes, after that they both played out a drab match hell-bent on not scoring.

In 2nd case, it was Peru and not Chile.

Also the Peruvian GK was born in the same argentinian city where match was held and apparently had strong"ties" with his birthplace

[Beamer]

Thanks for the correction Banglatiger84. It was indeed Peru, and not Chile. But, readers get my point.