The World Cup

[Eoin Monaghan]

The World Cup draw has taken place and here it is:

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 of Death)
Group H: Spain, Switzerland, Honduras, Chile

So Group G looks quite interesting and England have an easy group aswell.


Group A Match Date Venue Results
1 11 June Johannesburg A1 - A2
2 11 June Cape Town A3 - A4
17 16 June Tshwane/Pretoria A1 - A3
18 17 June Polokwane A4 - A2
33 22 June Rustenburg A2 - A3
34 22 June Mangaung/Bloemfontein A4 - A1

Group B Match Date Venue Results
3 12 June Johannesburg B1 - B2
4 12 June Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth B3 - B4
19 17 June Mangaung/Bloemfontein B4 - B2
20 17 June Johannesburg B1 - B3
35 22 June Durban B2 - B3
36 22 June Polokwane B4 - B1

Group C Match Date Venue Results
5 12 June Rustenburg C1 - C2
6 13 June Polokwane C3 - C4
22 18 June Johannesburg C4 - C2
23 18 June Cape Town C1 - C3
37 23 June Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth C4 - C1
38 23 June Tshwane/Pretoria C2 - C3

Group D Match Date Venue Results
7 13 June Durban D1 - D2
8 13 June Tshwane/Pretoria D3 - D4
21 18 June Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth D1 - D3
24 19 June Rustenburg D4 - D2
39 23 June Johannesburg D4 - D1
40 23 June Nelspruit D2 - D3

Group E Match Date Venue Results
9 14 June Johannesburg E1 - E2
10 14 June Mangaung/Bloemfontein E3 - E4
25 19 June Durban E1 - E3
26 19 June Tshwane/Pretoria E4 - E2
43 24 June Rustenburg E2 - E3
44 24 June Cape Town E4 - E1

Group F Match Date Venue Results
11 14 June Cape Town F1 - F2
12 15 June Rustenburg F3 - F4
27 20 June Mangaung/Bloemfontein F4 - F2
28 20 June Nelspruit F1 - F3
41 24 June Johannesburg F4 - F1
42 24 June Polokwane F2 - F3

Group G Match Date Venue Results
13 15 June Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth G3 - G4
14 15 June Johannesburg G1 - G2
29 20 June Johannesburg G1 - G3
30 21 June Cape Town G4 - G2
45 25 June Durban G4 - G1
46 25 June Nelspruit G2 - G3

Group H Match Date Venue Results
15 16 June Nelspruit H3 - H4
16 16 June Durban H1 - H2
31 21 June Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth H4 - H2
32 21 June Johannesburg H1 - H3
47 25 June Tshwane/Pretoria H4 - H1
48 25 June Mangaung/Bloemfontein H2 - H3

My top 3:

1. USA
2. Germany
3. Brazil
32. France

But the question is, who do you think will win next year's World Cup?

[Michael Wallace]

Dunno about winner, but I reckon England will finish second in their group (possibly after screwing up their first game against the Americans) and then lose to the Germans in the last 16. On penalties.

[Alec Rivers]

I swear I didn't look at the votes (or vote, as it turns out) before selecting mine, but the first voter and I both chose Spain. lol

[Eoin Monaghan]

USA are always my favourite team in any competition, then Germany.

But I think Spain will win it.

[James Doohan]

Its between Spain and Brazil, simples

[Eoin Monaghan]

Its between Spain and Brazil, simples

Depends if they don't meet beforehand.

Full prediction:

Winners: Spain
Runners-up: Brazil
3rd: Germany
4th: France (yes I do think they'll do well, they always do anyway)
England will come: quarters
Shock team: Slovenia
Shock result: USA beat England
Top scorer: Torres
Player of the tournament: Xavi
Most reds in a match: 3
Most yellows in a match: 11
Most goals in a match (1 team): 6
Most goals in a match (combined): 9
Surprise star: Some African dude
Dud team: Italy
Dud player: Cristiano Ronaldo
Best:
European team: Spain
South American:Brazil
North American: Mexico
African: Ivory Coast
Asian: North Korea

Ooh, the excitement!

[Dinos Sfyris]

Hmmm... who voted for Greece?

I'll be watching most games with some degree of interest, but will display critical enthusiasm during the USA games since THIS is the first World Cup there has EVER been since I learnt of Larsen's existence. A momentous occasion if e'er there were one.

[Davy Affleck]

5 live have already working out that England will play either Holland or Brazil in the semi-final. The arrogance and assumptions of English superiority sets them up for a mighty fall every time - hopefully.
Sales of USA, Slovenia & Algeria strips will reach an all time high in the sports shops up here.

[Andy Thomson]

I've rooted for the USA for the past few World Cups - which they have qualified for and we have not.

But I think England will be very pleased with their draw, which should see them safely through to the second round. I think it's hard to find a real standout team in the tournament this year and really any of 10 or 12 teams is capable of winning. But if England can get their goalkeeping problem sorted I think they have a real good chance.

[Martin Smith]

My tip is Brazil, as they've got most of the style of the classic teams, but so much more substance under Dunga. He's instilled a real discipline and concentration into them. Spain, England and Italy are among the ther obvious favourites, wheareas another half a dozen teams (especially the Netherlands, Argentina and Germany) are in with a chance. I feel sorry for the Ivory Coast getting a nightmare draw 2 tournaments running, they and Australia were my dark horse tips.

[Liam Tiernan]

Any team that comes through the "Group of Death" usually tends to do well, so I'm going for Portugal or Brazil. I have a feeling that this may be Portugals year.

[Matthew Green]

I like Denmark as an outsider and Wesley Sneijder as star player.

Plus am I the only Englishman in England who hates the way England fans get during tournaments and can't wait till they go out on penalties in the QFs?

[Steve Durney]

Spain are far and away the best at the moment, so are my favourites to win. But anything can happen on the day, and England have a great chance considering we've got the likes of Beckham, Rooney, Gerrard, Lampard, Terry, Walcott and Gibbs (ok, my Arsenal bias may be creeping in there!). Not sure of our possible route yet, but if we can avoid Spain then I think England can get to the final. Have been saying for a couple of years that Ivory Coast are a good each way bet. Would back them to knock out Winker's team.

[Marc Meakin]

A year ago I had a dream that England beat Spain 3-2 in the World Cup final and Joe Cole Scored the winner in extra time.
FWIW I think this is the most open finals for years and only Spain stand out for me.

[Hugh Binnie]

But if England can get their goalkeeping problem sorted I think they have a real good chance.

Don't forget their "bottling it when it really matters" problem, too.

[Andy Wilson]

England have been bubbling up to this world cup for a long time. With a solid man in charge and an exceptional playing staff, i really expect them to have a go and if i'm honest, i'm rooting for them. Gutted we're (Ireland) not there.

[Martin Bishop]

Holding a world cup in the middle of winter, with games possibly affected by the wind and rain, should suit England's playing style perfectly. Therefore, I picked Germany.

[Steve Durney]

Spain are far and away the best at the moment, so are my favourites to win. But anything can happen on the day, and England have a great chance considering we've got the likes of Beckham, Rooney, Gerrard, Lampard, Terry, Walcott and Gibbs (ok, my Arsenal bias may be creeping in there!). Not sure of our possible route yet, but if we can avoid Spain then I think England can get to the final. Have been saying for a couple of years that Ivory Coast are a good each way bet. Would back them to knock out Winker's team.

I've seen a the structure of the draw now and, assuming England and Spain both win their groups, they won't meet until the final.

If it goes to form, I reckon Englands route will be:

Rof16: Ghana/Australlia/Serbia (too close to call!)
QF: France
SF: Brazil
F: Spain

Should be semi's at least! Of course, no tournament ever goes to form, but think England have a strong chance of reaching the final this time.

[Gavin Chipper]

Are Ireland in it? Their effort didn't seem to get any coverage.

[Craig Beevers]

Spain? Are we assuming they play the worst possible opposition with zero defensive capabilities in each round then? Not going to happen again. They're a typical flair team that looks far better than they actually are. Even against England B where they were handed the ball on a plate all game they still created little aside from some hilariously bad defending and when England fluked a few passes together they looked far more threatening.

Brazil are by far the favourites.

[Steve Durney]

Spain? Are we assuming they play the worst possible opposition with zero defensive capabilities in each round then? Not going to happen again. They're a typical flair team that looks far better than they actually are. Even against England B where they were handed the ball on a plate all game they still created little aside from some hilariously bad defending and when England fluked a few passes together they looked far more threatening.

Brazil are by far the favourites.

I think Spain are justifiably the favourites for several reasons. They're currently world ranked number 1, are the reining European champions, won all 10 group games in qualifying, have lost just once in their last 42 games (an out-of-character 2-0 reverse to the US) including a 35 game unbeaten run which equalled Brazils all-time record. During that run they beat England twice, current world champions Italy twice, WC runners up France, Germany and Russia. During that time they also set a world record of 15 wins in a row. They boast four of the best midfielders in the world in Fabregas, Xavi, Villa and Iniesta, not to mention the likes of Casillas, Torres, Puyol and Ramos. Any tournament can throw up unexpected results, and there are at least four or fives teams who could win this world cup, but I don't really see how anybody could be seen as favourites ahead of Spain at the moment. Brazil only won half of their 18 group games (though admittedly a much tougher group) and their squad doesn't look anything special to me. I'd even expect England to get past them more often than not.

[David Roe]

Clearly, it's going to be the team with most Burnley players in it. Which is Cameroon.

[Steve Durney]

Clearly, it's going to be the team with most Burnley players in it. Which is Cameroon.

Cameroon have got a great chance. Because Alex Song plays for them!

[Craig Beevers]

Spain? Are we assuming they play the worst possible opposition with zero defensive capabilities in each round then? Not going to happen again. They're a typical flair team that looks far better than they actually are. Even against England B where they were handed the ball on a plate all game they still created little aside from some hilariously bad defending and when England fluked a few passes together they looked far more threatening.

Brazil are by far the favourites.

I think Spain are justifiably the favourites for several reasons. They're currently world ranked number 1, are the reining European champions, won all 10 group games in qualifying, have lost just once in their last 42 games (an out-of-character 2-0 reverse to the US) including a 35 game unbeaten run which equalled Brazils all-time record. During that run they beat England twice, current world champions Italy twice, WC runners up France, Germany and Russia. During that time they also set a world record of 15 wins in a row. They boast four of the best midfielders in the world in Fabregas, Xavi, Villa and Iniesta, not to mention the likes of Casillas, Torres, Puyol and Ramos. Any tournament can throw up unexpected results, and there are at least four or fives teams who could win this world cup, but I don't really see how anybody could be seen as favourites ahead of Spain at the moment. Brazil only won half of their 18 group games (though admittedly a much tougher group) and their squad doesn't look anything special to me. I'd even expect England to get past them more often than not.

When was the last time Spain played decent opposition in a meaningful game? Friendlies suit them because they're a flair side who bottle it and don't like teams getting in and about them. Germany were mediocre and wide open which suits Spain perfectly - a traditional Germany side would have beaten them. They needed penalties to get past Italy. The rest of the teams they faced in Euro 2008 were rank shite. Similar story with their qualifying groups. Spain have yet to show they're any different to past World Cups, which is why they can not be considered favourites.

Brazil on the other hand have a completely different nature. They pretty much always drop shedloads of points in qualifying. But you know they'll raise their game for the World Cup. You know that whether they've got lots of over-rated hyped up European football players or not they'll still have more than enough talent there to win and they know how to win.

Certain teams will always get results way above the perception. Brazil are kinda like that sometimes, Germany is the main one. You have to adjust for that severely when you consider favourites. Spain is one of those teams that gets results way below the perception. Look good on paper, flair style, doesn't win you World Cups though barring the very occasional special side.

[Josh Overhill]

Brazil have to be the favourites, but I personally wouldn't be surprised if Argentina suddenly came good when it matters most. Not saying they'll win it, or make the final, but they cannot be under-estimated at all, and probably will exceed most people's expectations of them, they certainly have the class to be able to do so. But Spain will almost certainly go far, they have way too many top quality players not to.

As for England, the draw was only made on Friday and Lampard and Defoe are already practicing missing penalties...