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[Total Members Voted:]

Brazil

15 (42.9%)

Germany

5 (14.3%)

Italy

0 (0%)

France

1 (2.9%)

England

2 (5.7%)

United States

2 (5.7%)

Netherlands

1 (2.9%)

Sweden

0 (0%)

Argentina

3 (8.6%)

Czech Republic

2 (5.7%)

Portugal

2 (5.7%)

Other

2 (5.7%)

Total Members Voted: 25

Voting closed: June 15, 2006, 05:14:09 PM

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[CLR James]

My pick is Brazil, only Brazil

[prfsr]

For people who know more than I do about this: Who (other than Brazil) has a realistic shot at the Cup? England? Argentina?

-P

[LosingNow]

England always has a realistic shot..but they never deliver. I enjoy watching Brazil (who doesnt) but, for fun, I am pickin England.

I will not be surprised if US (despite being in a tough group) has a good run.

[dextrous]

How's Germany doing? Is Kahn dropped?

[squarecut]

voted for Brazil my favorite . Don't know much about the current form of other teams.

[vincent]

Since I am a keen follower of football (living in continental Europe you do not have other choice):

- Brazil is of course always a favourite.They won last time when they were not even expected to qualify which they almost did not.

- France and Germany are very good indeed.

- Argentina is a dark horse.

- England of course has no chance.

[justforkix]

Other than the usual suspects mentioned in the previous posts, Italy's D always keeps them in most games. Flair of Netherlands and Portugal may take them deep into the tourney. Don't underestimate the Dzech rep. They're really good....

Spain is really good, but always falter at the big stage. England is all hype with no stuff.

IMO, Group E (Italy, US, Czech) and Group F (Brazil, Croatia, Japan) are the strongest grps.

Looking fwd to those 2-3 surprises in the early stages a la Senegal 

[Cover Point]

is it true that US is the 4th ranked team in the world?

[pieterSAN]

Brazil is a fantastic team but I think European teams have to be favored in Germany.

Germany has a good chance if Ballack stays fit. Great keepers in Lehmann and Kahn.

France I think will be relying on Henry and I don't think they are favorites.

Netherlands - incredibly talented young side with a few clutch experienced players and coach Van Basten. Will be dissapointed if they don't make the semis.

Argentina - Talented but tempermental. Riquelme and Messi are players to watch. Someone is guaranteed to bollocks things up for them by diving and getting sent off. Could have problems in a tough group.

Italy - Will struggle in a one of the tougher groups. I think the Americans will at least tie them and they are likely to go out in the group stage.

England - Will play great football but tends to choke in clutch matches because they play a riskier style where the don't hold the ball long enough.

Czech Republic - Winners.

[feverpitch]

England of course has no chance.

I hope I don't have to eat my words, but I couldn't help smiling as I read your above statement. I'm reminded of Gary Lineker's famous word's after yet another semi final penalty shootout loss suffered by England [this time in 1996, Euro Cup, on home soil, when football was supposed to have "come home"]: "In football, there are 2 sides of 11 players, and in the end, Germany always wins!"

Well, the Germans don't win that many these days, but the English do always lose! And what a bunch of whiney, sour, losers they are — in the beginning, they always have the best squad... then there is the inevitable broken metatarsals for their celebrity-fratboy-flavour-of-the-year... ultimately when they lose to a better side, its because either the referees are always favouring the weaker nations because of FIFA's blinkered notion of democratisation of the game, or the victors from warmer climates are triksy [as Gollum might put it] — ie, they 'dive', cheat and indulge in black-magic [including quicksilver ball skills that the english lads dont possess, but we're not to mention that]... while 'our' lads are always 'honest', hard working jolly good fellows — and great players... and they play[ed] well in defeat - which is not what can be attributed to their victors [and that can apply to the Germans too, for after all, the English play more 'attractive' football than the 'dour' Germans]

Like I said... for me, there is no better sight in a WC than England being made to bite the dust by a humbler side, and the English commentators/pundits on ESPN/DD spending hours trying to either justify the loss or finding fault with the food, opponents, refereeing, ground, climate... ball(s)... ... ...

Three cheers for creative and attractive soccer!
Down with the English!

[CLR James]

Good to see you back at your rabble rousing best. Where were you all this while Fever?

[dhruvdeepak]

the two teams I back are Germany and Spain. I have always enjoyed watching Germany play for some reason, I like their brand of football. Playing at home, I think they can be strong contenders to usurp Brazil's throne.
Spain havent delivered yet on the big stage and they are my dark horses to cause some upsets. With class guys like Raul and Casillas leading the way I think they can go to the final stages of this tournament

[colonel]

brazil, only brazil.

yet, keep an eye out for argentina - if they climb out of the group of death courtesy riquelme, messi, tevez etc,they just might shock you. somehow, however, they have to make aimar play and use his superb creativity.

[pieterSAN]

Other than the usual suspects mentioned in the previous posts, Italy's D always keeps them in most games. Flair of Netherlands and Portugal may take them deep into the tourney. Don't underestimate the Dzech rep. They're really good....

Spain is really good, but always falter at the big stage. England is all hype with no stuff.

IMO, Group E (Italy, US, Czech) and Group F (Brazil, Croatia, Japan) are the strongest grps.

Looking fwd to those 2-3 surprises in the early stages a la Senegal 

Group E is unbelievably strong. I have seen tough groups before but this one takes the cake. I would put Italy, US and Ghana at the same level and expect Czech Republic to win the group.

Group C is almost as strong - Argentina, Netherlands and Ivory Coast. Serbia and Montenegro won their qualifying group and they might spring a surprise.

Group F...I am going to say that Brazil and Australia should go through. Croatia is a decent team but should not pose too many problems.

[justforkix]

Group E is unbelievably strong. I have seen tough groups before but this one takes the cake. I would put Italy, US and Ghana at the same level and expect Czech Republic to win the group.

Yup. when I saw the groupings come out, I saw Grp E and thought HOLY CRAP !!!!! 

I'm rooting for Ghana and Czech in this grp 

Group C is almost as strong - Argentina, Netherlands and Ivory Coast. Serbia and Montenegro won their qualifying group and they might spring a surprise.

Hmmm. I don't much about Ivory Coast and Serbia. Are they good ? I guess Ivory Coast eliminated Cameron or was that Ghana ?

Group F...I am going to say that Brazil and Australia should go through. Croatia is a decent team but should not pose too many problems.

But Croatia play with a lot of heart, I kind of like them. I think they were paired with Brazil last WC too and caused them quite a few probs. Also, Japan is pretty good. Thatz why I considered this grp to be as strong as the Czech grp.

[toney]

jiet, I dont think Group F will be a cakewalk for Brazil. I dont know how to predict it but a tough opener against Croatia is not the ideal choice for Brazil. They build their game up towards the final and if they need a big effort against the quick and very entertaining Croatians followed by a physical game against the Aussies (is Viduka playing? Kewell, one of my favourites from EPL  is doubtful) and a tricky game against Japan, I feel they will falter. Maybe, I am looking negatively.

For me, the tournament finishes with Brazil's exit. I still remember that awful 1990 game where Caniggia put the lucky Argentinians through. I hate that sick feeling and am hoping that it never happens anytime soon.

[pieterSAN]

Hmmm. I don't much about Ivory Coast and Serbia. Are they good ? I guess Ivory Coast eliminated Cameron or was that Ghana ?

Ivory Coast is one of the better African teams and will provide a challenge to the teams they play. indeed they edge out Cameroon to get to through qualifying. I know less about Serbia and Montenegro but they topped their group ahead of Sweden I think.

Jiet, I dont think Group F will be a cakewalk for Brazil. I dont know how to predict it but a tough opener against Croatia is not the ideal choice for Brazil. They build their game up towards the final and if they need a big effort against the quick and very entertaining Croatians followed by a physical game against the Aussies (is Viduka playing? Kewell, one of my favourites from EPL  is doubtful) and a tricky game against Japan, I feel they will falter. Maybe, I am looking negatively.

I think that Croatia does not have the range to trouble Brazil too much. Also Croatia have struggled to score in the warm-ups. Croatia will be hoping that Prso can take advantage of the aging defense that Brazil will start with. Japan flatters to deceive in my opinion, although I have not watched them recently.

I don't think any of the groups are easy but Brazil are at a different level and should do fine. Australia are also  a good team but Croatia can give them problems. It's tough to call these - remember Greece won the Euro and they are not in the WC (although I did predict that). I just feel that this group is unlikely to be as close as Group C or Group E.

For me, the tournament finishes with Brazil's exit. I still remember that awful 1990 game where Caniggia put the lucky Argentinians through. I hate that sick feeling and am hoping that it never happens anytime soon.

Please toney don't stop watching when Brazil goes out...we all love Brazil but there are other teams that play beautiful and entertaining soccer. They may not be able showcase dribbling skill as often but give them a chance to show some nice passing and neat turns. 

Let's hope that the stars are fit. Players like Henry, Robben, Van der Vaart, Schwiensteiger, Rosicky, Galasek, Ballack, Joe Cole, Rooney, Deco, Figo, Viera, Essien can entertain us even if Brazil is not playing.

And there are more that I have not mentioned and still more that I have yet to see. 

[Blwe_torch]

Not to forget, Ivory Coast has one of the Stars of this World Cup....Didier Drogba.

is it true that US is the 4th ranked team in the world?

Currently USA is ranked 5th in FIFA ranking.

[Blwe_torch]

I hope Japan does well this time!

[justforkix]

Looks like only jiet and I think Czech will WIN it all

[Blwe_torch]

The Czechs will certainly do well.

[pieterSAN]

Looks like only jiet and I think Czech will WIN it all

And the best part is that they play exciting football - not the boring machine like football that Germany or Greece is known for.

[Blwe_torch]

Germany since Klinsmann and Matthaeus days have never played boring football anymore.
Today, they are brilliant!

[pieterSAN]

Blwe,

I agree that they are playing with more flair these days. Their defence is suspect and the don't seem to produce as many players whose instinct is to play hold the ball.

That said, let's see how they shape up against teams of greater repute.

[dhruvdeepak]

great start to the WC. an extremely exxciting game between Germany and Costa Rica, followed by a surprisingly (for me at least) solid show of defense by Ecuador vs Polska. Poland I thought were a bit unlucky to go 2-0, especially with the shots they came up with at the fag end of the game, but for 85 minutes Ecuador stonewalled them and deserved to win.

[dhruvdeepak]

another thing i found interesting was that the Ecuador players were doing the same thing snapping their wrists like the Indian cricketers did when Jaffer got to his 200. what's up with that?

[Blwe_torch]

Blwe,

I agree that they are playing with more flair these days. Their defence is suspect and the don't seem to produce as many players whose instinct is to play hold the ball.

That said, let's see how they shape up against teams of greater repute.

I remember Thomas Hassler, a great ball-playerof the late nineties.
This current team looks rather inexperienced without Michael Ballack. And, I was not impressed by Jens Lehmann's goalkeeping. The original is better any day!
Kahn would have done a better job yesterday, I believe.
This Lahm, Miroslav Klose and  Lukas Podolski are very very impressive.
Off late Germany is playing attacking football, thanks to Klinsmann.
The game had the most goals of an opening match since the World Cup began in 1930. Germany stayed true to its style under coach Juergen Klinsmann - creating many chances, scoring goals and playing recklessly in the defence.

[feverpitch]

Blwe,

I agree that they are playing with more flair these days. Their defence is suspect and the don't seem to produce as many players whose instinct is to play hold the ball.

That said, let's see how they shape up against teams of greater repute.

The problem with Klinsmann's Germany is that they 'sound' like imitation Brazil. IE, suspect defense, a decent goalie who seems to have left his club form at Highbury and looks like Carlos of 86 vintage or Felix of 70 vintage, and a lot of men in attack with little imagination or flair of the Brazilians... give them a half decent opponent, and I'd like to see how they play...

[Blwe_torch]

Blwe,

I agree that they are playing with more flair these days. Their defence is suspect and the don't seem to produce as many players whose instinct is to play hold the ball.

That said, let's see how they shape up against teams of greater repute.

The problem with Klinsmann's Germany is that they 'sound' like imitation Brazil. IE, suspect defense, a decent goalie who seems to have left his club form at Highbury and looks like Carlos of 86 vintage or Felix of 70 vintage, and a lot of men in attack with little imagination or flair of the Brazilians... give them a half decent opponent, and I'd like to see how they play...

Very nicely put Fever.
But, they missed Ballack, their main play-maker...and they are, by and large aware of their drawbacks, that is, inexperienced defense.
But I believe this team with Ballack, is not going to limp out, as they did in 1994, with an aging team in their 0-3 loss against Croatia.
Last time, they carried themselves to the Final, with an unimpressive team. This one looks more optimistic.
Also, the last time Germany won their openning match scoring 4 goals ( 4-1 against Yugoslavia in 1990), they won the World Cup!

[feverpitch]

Blwe,

I agree that they are playing with more flair these days. Their defence is suspect and the don't seem to produce as many players whose instinct is to play hold the ball.

That said, let's see how they shape up against teams of greater repute.

The problem with Klinsmann's Germany is that they 'sound' like imitation Brazil. IE, suspect defense, a decent goalie who seems to have left his club form at Highbury and looks like Carlos of 86 vintage or Felix of 70 vintage, and a lot of men in attack with little imagination or flair of the Brazilians... give them a half decent opponent, and I'd like to see how they play...

Very nicely put Fever.
But, they missed Ballack, their main play-maker...and they are, by and large aware of their drawbacks, that is, inexperienced defense.
But I believe this team with Ballack, is not going to limp out, as they did in 1994, with an aging team in their 0-3 loss against Croatia.
Last time, they carried themselves to the Final, with an unimpressive team. This one looks more optimistic.
Also, the last time Germany won their openning match scoring 4 goals ( 4-1 against Yugoslavia in 1990), they won the World Cup!

Numerology apart, this is what I most fear about the world cup... for the poorer a german team, the better chance it has of reaching the final, and maybe even win it... its a crying shame, really... esp since these days they seem to have trawled the lower depths of mediocrity in every respect... even in team selection... look at the two towering titanics in defense... they ship in goals at a rate faster than the trans atlantic liner shipped in water... and didi hamaan is cooling heels at home...

[Blwe_torch]

Blwe,

I agree that they are playing with more flair these days. Their defence is suspect and the don't seem to produce as many players whose instinct is to play hold the ball.

That said, let's see how they shape up against teams of greater repute.

The problem with Klinsmann's Germany is that they 'sound' like imitation Brazil. IE, suspect defense, a decent goalie who seems to have left his club form at Highbury and looks like Carlos of 86 vintage or Felix of 70 vintage, and a lot of men in attack with little imagination or flair of the Brazilians... give them a half decent opponent, and I'd like to see how they play...

Very nicely put Fever.
But, they missed Ballack, their main play-maker...and they are, by and large aware of their drawbacks, that is, inexperienced defense.
But I believe this team with Ballack, is not going to limp out, as they did in 1994, with an aging team in their 0-3 loss against Croatia.
Last time, they carried themselves to the Final, with an unimpressive team. This one looks more optimistic.
Also, the last time Germany won their openning match scoring 4 goals ( 4-1 against Yugoslavia in 1990), they won the World Cup!

Numerology apart, this is what I most fear about the world cup... for the poorer a german team, the better chance it has of reaching the final, and maybe even win it... its a crying shame, really... esp since these days they seem to have trawled the lower depths of mediocrity in every respect... even in team selection... look at the two towering titanics in defense... they ship in goals at a rate faster than the trans atlantic liner shipped in water... and didi hamaan is cooling heels at home...

Klinsmann must have been suffering from Chappel- fever