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So here's the group breakdowns:

Group A: South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France
Group B: Argentina, South Korea, Nigeria, Greece
Group C: England, USA, Algeria, Slovenia
Group D: Germany, Australia, Ghana, Serbia
Group E: Netherlands, Japan, Cameroon, Denmark
Group F: Italy, New Zealand, Paraguay, Slovakia
Group G: Brazil, Korea DPR, Ivory Coast, Portugal
Group H: Spain, Honduras, Chile, Switzerland

So what looks like the good picks out of each group? Is there a "group of death" this year?

Looks like ours isn't too terrible, yeah?

That's about all I've got.

We look to be in good position to get through unless some obscene breakdown occurs. Slovenia was fight it out with Russia to get in and Algeria had a playoff against Egypt, so yes its not too terrible.

Group G is the most interesting one, Korea will go home early... but any of the others could go through.

D could be awkward for Australia too.

I think England did alwright there. You Yanks better get ready for an arse tumpin lol.

I think England have a very good chance of getting through the group stages this time round.

So is it two teams from each group make it to the next round? If so the Eagles have a good shot of making to 2nd round at least.


GG

My predictions for group winners:

Group A: France, Uruguay
Group B: Argentina, Nigeria
Group C: England, USA
Group D: England, Ghana
Group E: Netherlands, Cameroon
Group F: Italy, Slovakia
Group G: Brazil, Portugal
Group H: Spain, Chile

generalgrog wrote:So is it two teams from each group make it to the next round? If so the Eagles have a good shot of making to 2nd round at least.


GG

Yes, and agreed.

In theory it's better to finish top of your group as then you play a team who finished second in another group.... which should be a weaker team.. but isn't always.

I wouldn't be too surprised if the USA got through to the third round even, whilst they currently lack a "star" player who can turn a game in one move, I think they do seem to have a good team ethic and work rate which stands them in good stead, better every tournament.

I still think Spain will do it, although *gasp of shock* I want England to do it.

I know I'll get someone crappy in the sweepstake at work though...

youngblood wrote:My predictions for group winners:

Group A: France, Uruguay
Group B: Argentina, Nigeria
Group C: England, USA
Group D: England, Ghana
Group E: Netherlands, Cameroon
Group F: Italy, Slovakia
Group G: Brazil, Portugal
Group H: Spain, Chile

Probably about right, but I'd be surprised if England win group C and group D.......

InyokaMadoda wrote:

youngblood wrote:My predictions for group winners:

Group A: France, Uruguay
Group B: Argentina, Nigeria
Group C: England, USA
Group D: England, Ghana
Group E: Netherlands, Cameroon
Group F: Italy, Slovakia
Group G: Brazil, Portugal
Group H: Spain, Chile

Probably about right, but I'd be surprised if England win group C and group D.......

They're some really talented blokes. Nix England for Group D and put Germany instead.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

reds8n wrote:

I wouldn't be too surprised if the USA got through to the third round even, whilst they currently lack a "star" player who can turn a game in one move, I think they do seem to have a good team ethic and work rate which stands them in good stead, better every tournament.

For the most part that's true, but we've got some very... young players that seem to play poorly for very long stretches of games. I'm talking to you, Joze Altidore!

Aside from being in the group adjacent to Germany who we should avoid by whipping American, Algerian and Slovenian arse, it all looks relatively straight forward. I think Brazil loom in the semis (assuming Brazil get that far, they were knocked out in the quarters last time around). Here's hoping France fall flat on their faces

Flashman wrote:Aside from being in the group adjacent to Germany who we should avoid by whipping American, Algerian and Slovenian arse, it all looks relatively straight forward. I think Brazil loom in the semis (assuming Brazil get that far, they were knocked out in the quarters last time around). Here's hoping France fall flat on their faces

Brazil's out early, that's my prediction. I hope France does well and they should. For those that have actually played soccer/footie, Henry's actions were nothing.

I think it would be cool if France won the whole thing!

GG

generalgrog wrote:I think it would be cool if France won the whole thing!

GG

*bans GG*

Yes, we English take a very dim view of people who use a hand to assist in the scoring of a goal. See 1986!

What i want to know is, where this terribly unfair stereotype came from that England fans are "arrogant"

I used to argue with the Scottish, Welsh and Irish lot at work, obviously the Royal Marines have a rather hefty influx of people in from all over the place....

Anyway, some of them (a few were in my camp admittedly) would say that England are "arrogant" and always think "they" will win, and i would counter this with the fact that we "know" we are useless!

Does any Englishman with half a brain honestly think that England are "awesome" and that England actually have a chance of victory?

I mean, lets be realistic, maybe just maybe they have an outside chance... but seriously. Its very bloody unlikely.

My argument with my Scottish/Welsh/Irish chums was always that England fans are not arrogant, we just think that we are ever so slightly less gak than they are!

Anyway, Ill obviously have Brazil or Spain to win, with either Argentina or the cloggies as on outsider.

England? Not a sniff.

Flashman wrote:Yes, we English take a very dim view of people who use a hand to assist in the scoring of a goal. See 1986!

Get miffed at the officials for not doing their job. Henry is a class player with some great skills.

Maradona on the other hand... (pun intended)

mattyrm wrote:What i want to know is, where this terribly unfair stereotype came from that England fans are "arrogant"

It must have something to do with all that tea, and crumpets you consume during a match. And don't forget the pinky raise.

GG

mattyrm wrote:

My argument with my Scottish/Welsh/Irish chums was always that England fans are not arrogant, we just think that we are ever so slightly less gak than they are!

, yeah.. this.

This just in, USA vs England to kick things off! June 12th 2010. It's gonna get interesting around here on the OT next summer.

GG

@ Mattyrm - Yes, England fans aren't arrogant just incredibly optimistic (even though we know deep down we will go out on penalties in the quarters).

@ Youngblood - The officials can't see everything that goes on. I'm not a massive fan of Robbie Fowler (former Liverpool striker), but he once persuaded a referee not to award a penalty in his favour on the grounds he didn't believe he had been fouled. All players should be capable of this level of honesty.

generalgrog wrote:This just in, USA vs England to kick things off! June 12th 2010. It's gonna get interesting around here on the OT next summer.

GG

Yessir! I am prepping myself on all the downfalls of english football. BTW, it was very interesting to see ole' Steve McManaman ESPN 2 for the coverage.

generalgrog wrote:This just in, USA vs England to kick things off! June 12th 2010. It's gonna get interesting around here on the OT next summer.

GG

Only for about two hours, after which all American Dakka members will concede that the English have to be good for something aside from helping out during a war.

Pretty much the entirely of my World Cup experience is from watching a couple of games during the last one. I was in London for a few days , on honeymoon. My wife and I watched a couple of games (Trinidad and Sweden, IIRC?) at the Wellington pub, at Waterloo station. It was quite a bit of fun. Good crowd. I particularly enjoyed the singing.

To behonest I dont think england will go that far because where gak its as simple as that but here on dakka England vs USA is like a deby match and whoever wins deseves it. MAYTHE BEST MAN WIN

Here are my picks:

Group A
France, Uruguay

Group B
Argentina, Nigeria

Group C
England, USA

Group D
Germany, Ghana

Group E
Netherlands, Cameroon

Group F
Italy, Slovakia

Group G
Brazil, Portugal

Group H
Spain, Chile

Well, i think the English and the Americans are both going to be happy because barring either team sucking even more than usual, they should both go through!

mattyrm wrote:Well, i think the English and the Americans are both going to be happy because barring either team sucking even more than usual, they should both go through!

I would not write Slovenia off altogether. They have potential too be a pain in the arse, particularly if England have one of their pre-Capello off days. Remember we played them this year and although it was a friendly, we didn't exactly thrash them.

yeah i havent wrote them off altogether, hence i added "barring either team sucking even more than usual"

Im aware they could cause an upset, but it would be an upset.

Im pretty sure that England and the USA are favorites in almost all circles for the group win, though ive not checked the bookies.