World Cup 2006 Draw (4 Viewers)

[baggio]

Group C is nice, but Group E gets my vote for this WC's Group of Death. I don't think anyone, save maybe Brazil or Argentina, can guarantee their placement relative to a dark hourse U.S. NT. Laugh all you want, but that's a team that can be readily underestimated for their team play versus their individuals ... and these days team play seems to mean a lot more than individuals in NT competitions. I expect the US to create an upset vs. Italy or the Czech Republic.

And Italy or the Czech Republic are pretty solid.

Poor Ghana. I hope they like schnitzel.

Completely agree Swagster. Group E is the group of death, but for some reason I think the Italians are better off recognising that label from the outset, rather than getting there and finding out first hand, like they did in Euro 2004. God, the way Trappatoni spoke leading up to the Euro, he reeked off arrogance. I still remember how Fiore had criticised Camo's inclusion in the Italian NT, and had said he certainly wouldnt be sitting around on the bench, during the knockout stages. All this before a ball had even been kicked.

 

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[Maher]

italy and the checks can go thru , the same for holland and argentina

 

[Maher]

group A :germany and poland
group B : sweden and england
Group C Argentina and Holland
Group D Mexico and Portugal
Group E Italy and Czech Republic
Group F Brazil and Croatia
Group G France and Switzerland
Group H Spain and Ukraine

 

[Azzurri7]

World Cup: Smicer snubs Italy
Saturday 10 December, 2005
Czech Vladimir Smicer suggests that Italy aren’t the best team in Group E, while Ghana Coach Ratomir Djukovic warns they will shock the Azzurri.

“Ghana are the most dangerous team in the group,” said former Liverpool midfielder Smicer after yesterday’s World Cup draw pitted the Czech Republic, USA and Ghana against Italy.

“We already know Italy well and have played them relatively recently with some balanced encounters, so we shouldn’t be surprised by them. What’s worse is, if we don’t top the standings, then we’ll face Brazil in the second round.”

The Azzurri will open their account on June 12 against Ghana, who are taking part in their first ever World Cup Finals and eager to make an impression.

“We’ll fight until the final whistle to get by and, if we reach the next stage, it will be like being crowned World Champions. I don’t think we can top the group, but we will certainly give it a go and aim to qualify,” assured boss Djukovic.

“The favourites may well be Italy and the Czech Republic, but we’ll spring a few surprises. Some of our players have gained important experience in Italy and know their style well. This won’t be the most decisive factor, however, as we all have time to study our opponents over the next seven months.”

Some of Ghana's top players - such as Roma's Samuel Kuffour (pictured), Udinese's Sulley Ali Muntari and former Juventus midfielder Stephen Appiah - are familiar faces in Serie A. They can also count on Chelsea summer signing Michael Essien.

 

[Bozi]

italy should not take ghana too lightly,they have a few descent players but if they approach the group correctly theu should top it.
if the czechs finish second and play brazil they may just cause an upset,the brazillians have struggled against some of the big,physical,european teams(like norway)and the czechs could well be the right team to knock brazil off their balance

 

[Eddy]

World Cup: Smicer snubs Italy
Saturday 10 December, 2005
Czech Vladimir Smicer suggests that Italy aren’t the best team in Group E, while Ghana Coach Ratomir Djukovic warns they will shock the Azzurri.

“Ghana are the most dangerous team in the group,” said former Liverpool midfielder Smicer after yesterday’s World Cup draw pitted the Czech Republic, USA and Ghana against Italy.

“We already know Italy well and have played them relatively recently with some balanced encounters, so we shouldn’t be surprised by them. What’s worse is, if we don’t top the standings, then we’ll face Brazil in the second round.”

The Azzurri will open their account on June 12 against Ghana, who are taking part in their first ever World Cup Finals and eager to make an impression.

“We’ll fight until the final whistle to get by and, if we reach the next stage, it will be like being crowned World Champions. I don’t think we can top the group, but we will certainly give it a go and aim to qualify,” assured boss Djukovic.

“The favourites may well be Italy and the Czech Republic, but we’ll spring a few surprises. Some of our players have gained important experience in Italy and know their style well. This won’t be the most decisive factor, however, as we all have time to study our opponents over the next seven months.”

Some of Ghana's top players - such as Roma's Samuel Kuffour (pictured), Udinese's Sulley Ali Muntari and former Juventus midfielder Stephen Appiah - are familiar faces in Serie A. They can also count on Chelsea summer signing Michael Essien.

bring the action bitch

 

[giovanotti]

World Cup: Smicer snubs Italy
Saturday 10 December, 2005
Czech Vladimir Smicer suggests that Italy aren’t the best team in Group E, while Ghana Coach Ratomir Djukovic warns they will shock the Azzurri.

“Ghana are the most dangerous team in the group,” said former Liverpool midfielder Smicer after yesterday’s World Cup draw pitted the Czech Republic, USA and Ghana against Italy.

“We already know Italy well and have played them relatively recently with some balanced encounters, so we shouldn’t be surprised by them. What’s worse is, if we don’t top the standings, then we’ll face Brazil in the second round.”

The Azzurri will open their account on June 12 against Ghana, who are taking part in their first ever World Cup Finals and eager to make an impression.

“We’ll fight until the final whistle to get by and, if we reach the next stage, it will be like being crowned World Champions. I don’t think we can top the group, but we will certainly give it a go and aim to qualify,” assured boss Djukovic.

“The favourites may well be Italy and the Czech Republic, but we’ll spring a few surprises. Some of our players have gained important experience in Italy and know their style well. This won’t be the most decisive factor, however, as we all have time to study our opponents over the next seven months.”

Some of Ghana's top players - such as Roma's Samuel Kuffour (pictured), Udinese's Sulley Ali Muntari and former Juventus midfielder Stephen Appiah - are familiar faces in Serie A. They can also count on Chelsea summer signing Michael Essien.

So everyone want to give a headache to Azzurri...well I think it won't happen,Lippi knows the way out.

 

[JCK]

So everyone want to give a headache to Azzurri...well I think it won't happen,Lippi knows the way out.

Do you support Italy or S&M?

 

[Holygr4le]

PREDICTION:

Group A - W: Germany RU: Poland
Group B - W: Sweden RU: England
Group C - W: Netherlands RU: Cote d´Ivoir
Group D - W: Portugal RU: Mexico
Group E - W: USA RU: Italy
Group F - W: Brazil RU: Croatia
Group G - W: France RU: Korea
Group H - W: Spain RU: Ukraine

-------------------------------------------------

Match 1 - Germany vs England
Match 2 - Netherlands vs Mexico
Match 3 - Sweden vs Poland
Match 4 - Portugal vs Cote d´Ivoir
Match 5 - USA vs Croatia
Match 6 - France vs Ukraine
Match 7 - Brazil vs Italy
Match 8 - Spain vs Korea

-------------------------------------------------

QF1 - Germany vs Netherlands
QF2 - USA vs France
QF3 - Sweden vs Cote d´Ivoir
QF4 - Italy vs Spain

-------------------------------------------------

SF1 - Netherlands vs USA
SF2 - Italy vs Sweden

-------------------------------------------------

FINAL - Netherlands vs Italy

WC WINNERS 2006 - ITALY

 

[peckface]

PREDICTION:
SF2 - Italy vs Sweden

I reaaally want to avoid this match. Italy is probably the one team that can stop our attack and still has enough quality to score 2-3 goals versus us. England will probably be tough to penetrate as well, though their midfield doesn't work as good with the defence as Italy's plus Ferdinand has made several mistakes the last few utd games.

 

[Slagathor]

I'm going to have to go with this:

PREDICTION:

Group A - W: Germany RU: Poland
Group B - W: Sweden RU: England
Group C - W: Ivory Coast RU: Netherlands
Group D - W: Portugal RU: Mexico
Group E - W: Czech Republic RU: Italy
Group F - W: Brazil RU: Australia
Group G - W: Switzerland RU: France
Group H - W: Spain RU: Tunisia

-------------------------------------------------

Match 1 - Germany vs England
Match 2 - Ivory Coast vs Mexico
Match 3 - Sweden vs Poland
Match 4 - Portugal vs Netherlands
Match 5 - Czech Republic vs Australia
Match 6 - Switzerland vs Tunisia
Match 7 - Brazil vs Italy
Match 8 - Spain vs France

-------------------------------------------------

QF1 - England vs Ivory Coast
QF2 - Czech Republic vs Switzerland
QF3 - Sweden vs Netherlands
QF4 - Brazil vs France

-------------------------------------------------

SF1 - England vs Czech Republic
SF2 - Netherlands vs France

-------------------------------------------------

FINAL - England vs Netherlands

WC WINNERS 2006 - NETHERLANDS

 

[JCK]

Everyone is ruling out Germany so early, I see them going far in this cup.

 

[giovanotti]

Forza Azzurri!!!Let's go for the title!!!:thumbs:

 

[baggio]

Everyone is ruling out Germany so early, I see them going far in this cup.

Germany will make the semis. Argentina will make the semis. England will make the semis. Brazil will not. And if Italy makes it past the group stage, they might get past everyone.

Dark horses:
Sweden
Czech Republic
Netherlands
Australia (as giant killers)


Underachievers in my opinion will be:
France
Spain

 

[giovanotti]

Germany will make the semis. Argentina will make the semis. England will make the semis. Brazil will not. And if Italy makes it past the group stage, they might get past everyone.
Dark horses:
Sweden
Czech Republic
Netherlands
Australia (as giant killers)


Underachievers in my opinion will be:
France
Spain

I hope so baggio!!!

 

[Seven]

I'm going to have to go with this:

PREDICTION:

Group A - W: Germany RU: Poland
Group B - W: Sweden RU: England
Group C - W: Ivory Coast RU: Netherlands
Group D - W: Portugal RU: Mexico
Group E - W: Czech Republic RU: Italy
Group F - W: Brazil RU: Australia
Group G - W: Switzerland RU: France
Group H - W: Spain RU: Tunisia

-------------------------------------------------

Match 1 - Germany vs England
Match 2 - Ivory Coast vs Mexico
Match 3 - Sweden vs Poland
Match 4 - Portugal vs Netherlands
Match 5 - Czech Republic vs Australia
Match 6 - Switzerland vs Tunisia
Match 7 - Brazil vs Italy
Match 8 - Spain vs France

-------------------------------------------------

QF1 - England vs Ivory Coast
QF2 - Czech Republic vs Switzerland
QF3 - Sweden vs Netherlands
QF4 - Brazil vs France

-------------------------------------------------

SF1 - England vs Czech Republic
SF2 - Netherlands vs France

-------------------------------------------------

FINAL - England vs Netherlands

WC WINNERS 2006 - NETHERLANDS

Looks like the Netherlands would have an easy road that way.

 

[giovanotti]

I'm going to have to go with this:

PREDICTION:

Group A - W: Germany RU: Poland
Group B - W: Sweden RU: England
Group C - W: Ivory Coast RU: Netherlands
Group D - W: Portugal RU: Mexico
Group E - W: Czech Republic RU: Italy
Group F - W: Brazil RU: Australia
Group G - W: Switzerland RU: France
Group H - W: Spain RU: Tunisia

-------------------------------------------------

Match 1 - Germany vs England
Match 2 - Ivory Coast vs Mexico
Match 3 - Sweden vs Poland
Match 4 - Portugal vs Netherlands
Match 5 - Czech Republic vs Australia
Match 6 - Switzerland vs Tunisia
Match 7 - Brazil vs Italy
Match 8 - Spain vs France

-------------------------------------------------

QF1 - England vs Ivory Coast
QF2 - Czech Republic vs Switzerland
QF3 - Sweden vs Netherlands
QF4 - Brazil vs France

-------------------------------------------------

SF1 - England vs Czech Republic
SF2 - Netherlands vs France

-------------------------------------------------

FINAL - England vs Netherlands

WC WINNERS 2006 - NETHERLANDS

I doubt that France is able to beat Brasil!!!

 

[swag]

I plugged my thoughts into the BBC Sport WC calculator, and it spat out Brazil over the Czech Republic in the final. I really must be in a generous mood with those guys (the Czechs in particular that is, but both, really).

 

[Azzurri7]

bring the action bitch

Exactly.

 

[Slagathor]

Everyone is ruling out Germany so early, I see them going far in this cup.

You can't expect a Dutchman to predict a German win over England

Looks like the Netherlands would have an easy road that way.

Well that's pretty much the only way we could make it. Nations we *must* avoid are: Italy, Brazil, Czech Republic

I doubt that France is able to beat Brasil!!!

Brazil have a habit of choking on European territory and I expect the likes of Henry, Trezeguet and Zidane to tear them apart.