2006 FIFA World Cup

[jessexy]

Its that time. starting on Friday with Germany v. Costa Rica. i cant wait. anyone with predications for the tourney or for the US?

[FLAK]

Tourney:

I think it will be between Brasil, England, Argentina, and the Netherlands. England will win, but only if Rooney returns and is hitting top form, besides that its basically Brasil's to lose.

If we are lucky and play to our full potential, the U.S. could make it far, but If the Czech Rep. and Italy are on top it will be almost impossible for us to make it out of the "Group of Death", we would have to take first in the group as well because the 2nd place will almost certainly face Brasil in the next round.

[Sonny]

I'm very excited for the World Cup and the US's chances in Germany. If we split with Italy and the Czechs (assuming win over Ghana) - Should we expect to advance?

[jessexy]

I'm excited also. We need to get 3 points from at least one game. Ghana is not a given for a win. then again, Italy, Czech, and the USA could all beat Ghana 3-0. We need to beat the Italians OR the Czechs to make it to the second round. they will be tough games.

i would be happy to advance. USA could get 1st place in the bracket. they could get 2nd place and face Brazil in the next round. but they could also get last place and be coming home early (this would not be a failure though if they play well). their group is strong and dangerous.

[Brent Burns]

From Yahoo!, here's a picture of an urinal in one of the restrooms in Germany "honoring" 2006 World Cup:



Link to the picture is:

Urine Luck?

(Photo courtesy of AFP/DDP/Marcus Brandt)

[jessexy]

ok, its now time for my picks to die by. i couldnt find that old thread where i made predictions, but here's another shot. For the record, im going to do my picks for the First Round now, then we'll re-visit when the knockout phase begins on the 24th.

Group A-Germany and Poland
Ecuador brings a fight, but Germany is too close to Poland to not capitalize on a pseudo home field advantage that brings. Germans cake walk through, but there is a death match with Poland in game 2.

Group B-Sweden and England
So Rooney is back, but he doesnt start until game 3 when the Lions and the Swedes are already qualified. Sweden wins that one to take the top of the group and the easier game in the Knockout round.

Group C-Holland and Ivory Coast
Argentina disappoints. they have the most firepower and experience, but too many individuals bring the team down. Holland brings a lot of fans over and the Orange overpower every team in the group. Ivory Coast rides the back of Drogba to the second round.

Group D-Portugal and Mexico
Angola gives Portugal (the former colonial ruler of Angola) alot to handle, but Portugal makes it through. Mexico destroys the other two teams. Both are through when they play to a boring draw in game 3.

Group E-Italy and USA
US stuns the Czechs 1-0 in the opener to take the 2nd spot (and a match with Brazil in the second round). Italy dominates everyone to take all 9 points.

Group F-Brazil and Australia
Brazil is Brazil and isnt even troubled yet. Australia fights one out against close relative Croatia and gets a win in their first trip to the World Cup Finals. The Aussies have too many major Euro league players to get nervous and make mistakes.

Group G-France and Switzerland
Boring group. these teams are clearly going through to the next round easily. Korea rode the home crowd last time, but cant handle the pressure this time.

Group H-Ukraine and Spain
another soft group, though Tunisia could get a surprise draw or two. Ukraine destroys the Spanish in the opener to take the group.

[sohotrightnow]

Australia fights one out against close relative Croatia and gets a win in their first trip to the World Cup Finals

Huh?

[Brent Burns]

Group C-Holland and Ivory Coast
Argentina disappoints. they have the most firepower and experience, but too many individuals bring the team down. Holland brings a lot of fans over and the Orange overpower every team in the group. Ivory Coast rides the back of Drogba to the second round.

The mention of the Holland fans famously decked out in Orange is true as I recalled watching a segment from the Turin Olympics about the rabid fans from Holland going to any sporting event regardless of how major or minor the event is. During this time, we have to remember that the Orange would be referred to Holland, not Syracuse nor Burnt Orange of Texas or some kind of Orange from Tennessee (KnoxVegas, you can educate me on the type of Orange your fave college wears).

[Sonny]

(KnoxVegas, you can educate me on the type of Orange your fave college wears).

Tangerine.

[Jolly Roger]

Tangerine.

You can call it anything you want, doesn't change the fact that it's ugly

[Danny Hogan]

Tangerine.

You can call it anything you want, doesn't change the fact that it's ugly

....football on saturday, hunting on sunday, picking up trash on the side of the road the rest of the week.

[jessexy]

Australia fights one out against close relative Croatia and gets a win in their first trip to the World Cup Finals

Huh?

Lots of Croatian refugees fled to Australia throughout history. there are many players of Croatian descent on the Australian roster for the World Cup. In fact, some of the players qualify to play for either Australia or Croatia because of their ancestry (even though you have to choose).

[Sonny]

Could you imagine walking out onto the field tomorrow if you are a German player or coach? The pressure to succeed must be amazing....

[sohotrightnow]

So is every country a close relative of the US then?

[Adam G]

Could you imagine walking out onto the field tomorrow if you are a German player or coach? The pressure to succeed must be amazing....

I'd imagine that feeling would be the case you were the host team in any country in the world besides the US.