Ok, having seen the groups, I'll be rooting as usual for Korea to advance even though they're not at their best. At least they're in a fairly calm group. Likewise, I'm glad Colombia is in a fairly even group … expect them to advance with Cote d'Ivoire.
As for others, sorry US but you're done for. Too many strong teams in that group, there's just no chance.
Gather around. It's the dud's take on the draw.
Group A: Easy enough for Brazil, I expect them to win all their group games. Any of the others can finish second, although I think it'll be Mexico.
Group B: Wow. Just wow. Whoever wins in Chile vs Netherlands is taking the second spot here. I have a feeling it's gonna be Spain and Chile. Group exit for last year's finalists. I don't think their defence will be able to cope with Alexis and co.
Group C: Colombia and Japan. I'm rooting for Ivory Coast, but Japan have turned on the style in the past few years.
Group D: First, Italy. For second, I'll put England, just because even after all the consternation, the English do consistently manage to get past the group stages of the World Cup. Uruguay have the same problem as the Dutch, if you can keep Cavani and Suarez quiet, you have a good chance of beating them.
Group E: France and Ecuador. Lucky lucky French.
Group F: Argentina and Bosnia. Again, will be rooting for Nigeria.
Group G: Germany and Portugal. Despite all the huffing and puffing in qualifying, Portugal always bring the goods to the main stage. I'm pegging the Yanks to finish bottom in this one.
Group H: Belgium and Russia. Lucky lucky Russkies.
Group B - I have a feeling the Dutch midfield is too strong for Chile to handle. My guess is Spain and the Dutch will go through
Group C - Japan might even top the group looking at how good they are playing recent times
Group D - Dude your an England supporter? Coz I am highly doubtful England will scrap through especially with Uruguay in the group.
Group F - I make it a point not to write off African teams in the WC. Every WC one team just pops out of nowhere and ruin the party for others. Hope Nigeria does something similar!
Group G - This group is GOOD! I am more interested in Germany's talent being showcased this WC. Would be very interesting to watch
I'm personally rooting for Argentina to win it, but I think Brazil will take it this year…
My predictions:
Group A: Brazil, Mexico
Group B: Spain or Netherlands (not both) and Chile
Group C: Colombia and Greece
Group D:Uruguay and Italy
Group E: France and Ecuador
Group F: Argentina and Nigeria
Group G: Germany and I'm hoping Ghana might pull through
Group H: Korea and Belgium
First of all the ceremony sucked…i know i know it`s always like that but without the boobs it would have been unwatchable^^
The drawing was funny with that old Uruguay dude dropping the ball, hehe. Old people :)
So my predictions for the groups are:
Group A: Brasil and Croatia (it will be a taff group, but Brasil isnt allowed to lose(but they wont will all games) and Mexico will be strong but Croatia will advance in my opinion)
Group B: Spain and Chile (Netherlands will have another drama after the 2012, but thats just because Chile is also so strong and will use the almost home advantage) Group C: **Japan and Ivory Coast** (will be a gruop with a lot of 0:0 and 1:1 results,and i wouldnt be surprised when Columbia may advance instead of Ivory Coast)
Group D: Italy and Uruguay (seems to be the group with the strongest names, but England ain`t that strong and so it will be a clearresult in the end…Uruguay vs England will be the all-deciding match)
Group E: France and Switzerland (boring group and every other result would be shocking, but more because how much weaker switzerland or france than actually are)
Group F: Argentinia and Bosnien (will be a hard match between Bosnien and Nigeria…i like both teams, so whoever might advance has to show in the direct confrontration their will power)
Group G: Germany and Portugal (also a strong group but for Germany it has to be the first place..all three opponents they played in the last years and won against. Too bad for Ghana and the USA, that Porugal is damned to advance in their former colony…in other groups they both wouzld have had chancees to advance)
Group H:Belgium and Russia (but i definitely hope for South Korea to kick Russia out)
I am relieved to see that Italy should have no real issues with advancing, but the US…
I think they'll surprise everyone and squeak by with Germany.
Italy, Italy and always Italy. Make it 5 please!
In Loving Memory of Toraish, Rex Avium: http://apforums.net/showthread.php?t=40786 | 3DS Friend Code: 3196-4274-7836
@Toraish:
You'll even lose to Ghana. Mark my words. :P
Probably. :(
@Nex:
Probably. :(
You did four years ago. It was pretty sad, really, I was rooting for both teams back then because they had played such an inspiring tournament, but obviously only one could advance. Ghana was probably my favourite because, you know, it's a tiny African country, but it was bittersweet nevertheless.
And it's happening all over again =.=
@Nex:
I am relieved to see that Italy should have no real issues with advancing
They're in a tough group, and need only one result, or two, going against them.
And I know everyone is writing off England, but we'll do well to remember that they came with a creditable draw against Brazil in the Maracana. I'm still rooting them to make it past the groups.
There is some part of me wanting England to qualify further. But after Germany's 3rd team defeated England that day, i have no hope for England.
I'm going. Saved about 8 grand so far hopefully should be enough. Hope I don't get mugged haha. Going to be awesome
My friends who care more about this than I do are actually pleased with England's draw. They say that it will either entice England to up their game right from the start, or be defeated quickly and not raise any hopes.
Brazil's squad for the WC:
Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Toronto FC), Jefferson (Botafogo), Victor (Atletico Mineiro)
Defenders: David Luiz (Chelsea), Dante (Bayern Munich), Thiago Silva (Paris Saint-Germain), Henrique (Napoli), Maicon (Roma), Dani Alves (Barcelona), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Maxwell (Paris Saint-Germain)
Midfielders: Luiz Gustavo (Wolfsburg), Paulinho (Tottenham), Fernandinho (Manchester City), Ramires (Chelsea), Oscar (Chelsea), Willian (Chelsea), Hernanes (Inter Milan)
Strikers: Hulk (Zenit St. Petersburg), Bernard (Shakhtar Donetsk), Neymar (Barcelona), Jo (Atletico Mineiro), Fred (Fluminense)
No Kaka unsurprisingly but would have loved to see him play there…
In the sweepstakes I did with my friends, I got Uruguay. Pretty happy with that.
Now I have even more invested in Uruguay advancing from their group, over and above quieting the ridiculous claims of the English media.
_"_Now! This is it! Now is the time to choose! Die and be free of pain or live and fight your sorrow! Now is the time to shape your stories! Your fate is in your hands!" - Auron
Germany and South Korea announced their squads today too. No real surprises I think. Not in the mood for linking anything though, Wikipedia knows best 
In the sweepstakes I did with my friends, I got Uruguay. Pretty happy with that.
Now I have even more invested in Uruguay advancing from their group, over and above quieting the ridiculous claims of the English media.
Uruguay is a good team, the team was in the 3° place in the last World Cup.
Well, Forlán is awesome.
When AP used to be good:
NEVER FORGET !!
_"_Now! This is it! Now is the time to choose! Die and be free of pain or live and fight your sorrow! Now is the time to shape your stories! Your fate is in your hands!" - Auron
I don't keep tabs, but is the US going?
I don't keep tabs, but is the US going?
Yep they are hooked up with Germany, Portugal and Ghana. Would be a miracle if they make it to the knockouts.
Looking at the Germany team, although he might not play many games I am happy to see Klose included in the list. He is a goal away from equaling the all time goal record of World Cups.
I am actually personally hoping that Germany takes it this year. Otherwise, it's the first World Cup in a while in which I have NO CLUE who could win.
And no, I refuse to expect Brazil to win, that's the boring outcome.
@Steven:
In the World Cup, yes, but in a difficult pool.
Ah. Oh well, hopefully we'll get another cool, knuckle-biter comeback:
Shame, though. In men's soccer we're thought of as the tagalongs, but in women's soccer we're one of the top teams. Except nobody ever thinks about the Women's World Cup.
I am actually personally hoping that Germany takes it this year. Otherwise, it's the first World Cup in a while in which I have NO CLUE who could win.
And no, I refuse to expect Brazil to win, that's the boring outcome.
Germany, Brazil, Spain, Italy automatically fall into the favorites criteria.
Germany definitely has the team to win it. Their substitutes could actually form a team and could pose a serious challenge to the other teams. Same with Spain but unfortunately they have become a little predictable in their style.
I'm not sure if Forlan is playing for them anymore tbh, he was a great player though.
It's all about the Suarez and the Cavani now.
I loved seeing Forlan play in the last World Cup. If he's still as good as back then- or at least 80% of that- it will be yet another sight to behold.
Other than him I cannot wait to see Pirlo play his beautiful football. And that's just two of the teams. There's so much more I'm looking forward to.
I loved seeing Forlan play in the last World Cup. If he's still as good as back then- or at least 80% of that- it will be yet another sight to behold.
Other than him I cannot wait to see Pirlo play his beautiful football. And that's just two of the teams. There's so much more I'm looking forward to.
Yeah, a front line of Suarez, Cavani and Forlan would be something to behold.
Pirlo has been my favourite footballer for years, he's definitely the thinking man's footballer.
I'm interested to see how some of the new generation of Italian internationals do, particularly Insigne.
We'll also get to see if Belgium's golden generation can take a seat at the top table after all the hype.
Rooting for Germany, of course but i won't get my hopes up.
Had to have a re-draw of the WC sweepstakes I'm doing with my friends, and I've ended up with Nigeria.
The best thing to be said for the Nigeria team is that their manager is nicknamed "Big Boss" like in MGS.
Unfortunately, that's not really that helpful on the football side of things.
No Rossi in Italy's WC squad. What were they even thinking! Not even in the squad?! Come on!!
“When you’re accustomed to privilege, equality feels like oppression."
I enjoyed the 2010 and 2011 world cups, so hopefully this one will be good too
Lalala lalala lala
FMA 03> FMA Brotherhood
Of course the question now is: Will there be vuvuzelas?
I enjoyed the 2010 and 2011 world cups, so hopefully this one will be good too
Lalala lalala lala
There was no football World Cup in 2011, I wonder what you're talking about.
In Loving Memory of Toraish, Rex Avium: http://apforums.net/showthread.php?t=40786 | 3DS Friend Code: 3196-4274-7836
Are you implying there's no such thing as women's soccer? cracks knuckles
Wait, they're held with a different schedule? I was under the impression that they were later the same year… e_e
Memory playing tricks with me, never mind. I even followed the headlines pretty closely back then because our national team's players were blogging about it a lot.
In Loving Memory of Toraish, Rex Avium: http://apforums.net/showthread.php?t=40786 | 3DS Friend Code: 3196-4274-7836
Were any reasons given for this decision? Otherwise it's just outright stupid to leave him at home. -_-
Not very sure but unless until there is a major injury problem there shouldn't a reason to exclude him from the squad.
On other news, it is confirmed that Falcao will be missing the WC due to injury.
Rossi was out with injury late in the season, but he got matchfit at the end of the season I believe. He even missed out on the last WC because of an injury. This guy cant catch a break :(
Are you implying there's no such thing as women's soccer? cracks knuckles
Wait, they're held with a different schedule? I was under the impression that they were later the same year… e_e
Memory playing tricks with me, never mind. I even followed the headlines pretty closely back then because our national team's players were blogging about it a lot.
Dryish, you're thinking of the Women's Sub-20 Cup which was in 2010 in Germany. I also followed it pretty closely since I was in South Korea at the time and one of the last matches was South Korea vs. Colombia, so I was definitely invested in that match.
How do you spend 11 billion dollars on soccer venues? I wish I was making that number up.
How?
Everything's Eventual…
How do you spend 11 billion dollars on soccer venues? I wish I was making that number up.
How?
Well, Joseph Platini needs to have a cushion made of pure 100 notes. He has a really delicate back. We wouldn't want him to hurt himself. I mean, Hurting someone in the name of money gained through a sport? Hahaha, what are we? Animals?
Working thru some stuff. Dunno how long i will be here.
So who's everyones picks?
Due to getting Nigeria, Algeria and Ghana in my sweepstake with my friends I'm obligated to purchase one of their shirts.
Ghana win, hands down.
!
Rooting for the Dutch as always. Orange is my colour. Uruguay and Ghana are probably the underdogs that I'll watch too, they've both gotten my sympathy.
And Brazil's always Brazil, but supporting them is a bit like supporting Barcelona was a couple of years ago. A guilty pleasure. :P
Well, Joseph Platini needs to have a cushion made of pure 100 notes. He has a really delicate back. We wouldn't want him to hurt himself. I mean, Hurting someone in the name of money gained through a sport? Hahaha, what are we? Animals?
Money doesn't seem that comfortable to lie on plus it's filthy.
But what would I know? I'm poor.
I think Germany is going to win.
I'm rooting for Belgium, Spain, Germany in that order. And Ghana and Ivory Coast too.
I have faith in England, they have a pretty good squad and they won a decent 3-0 against Peru. Let's see how they play in their next friendlies. I still can't believe Italy couldn't even beet Ireland; I had no idea that they were any good.
If Germany manages to reach the half finals, i'm completely satisfied. But att the moment i don't really have much trust in that team.
But that may be mainly because i still don't and will never like Löw as coach.
Still rooting for them and all …
SPAIN! As a Barcelona fan, I am inclined to support a similar style with a little more added/needed defensive balance of Spain's gameplay. I don't think Xavi would get to play in the next WC and this trophy would be a good farewell for a player of his stature.
Nobody has hopes on Argentina? :ninja: Well they aren't a well balanced team considering the ridiculous forward line and their less than impressive defense but they actually have a pretty decent chance.
Germany has a good squad but I am not sure to what extent they will all be utilized. If they could all click perfectly well I couldn't think of any opponent team that can withstand their flank counters.
I wouldn't mind seeing Brazil or Italy take the title. Brazil in particular needs to deliver some first-class football after the piss-poor performances they showed in '06 and '10.
Frankly, after seeing Brasil and Spain give not so stellar performances in the confederations cup, I kind of don't want either of them to win it. Probably why I'm hoping on Germany since I don't know of many other teams capable of going for it this year.
I also have the very slight hope, the very impossible hope, that Uruguay goes far just for the sake of a second Maracanazo. I would love that SOO MUCH. Even though the country probably wouldn't and people would probably die … nevermind, that'd be awful.
But really, bottom line is that I would be way more hyped if new teams made it far and won it. There's teams that traditionally do really well (eg. Netherlands) and could go far, and I'd like to see them win it more than a previous champion.
