I would go for Italy, although I'm a England fan. Germany: the defence is a big problem for the Germans. England: The lions is a different team without Ronney. Japan and South Korea: Probably they won't play as good as they did 4 years ago (knocked out from the quater final?) Spain: Spain may give us a surprise this year
i think that if the USA makes it past the initial grouping, i think that they'll have enough momentum to do some damage. That said, i dont think that they will win the WC, BUT i guess we'll see in a few days...
The U.S. has a #5 world ranking...They are actually favored to beat Italy...This isn't the U.S.A. or Italy of the past....First game against Czech Repub will tell a lot...If they win, they are money....I see Brasil as always going to the finals.... U.S.A....got a terrible break on the bracket though, with the Czechs (#2 world ranking) and Italy in the same draw...by far the strongest of all the brackets.... Thank you for creating this thread.... and Thank God for the World Cup! P.S.....Germans suprised everyone in 2002....They will be tough to beat at home.
Rooney is a hell of a player and I watched him week in and week out playing for the Mighty Red Devils of Manchester, but you can't say England aren't gonna win it if he doesn't play...Look at their team, Pretty good goalkeeper in Paul Robinson, I think the best defense in the world...G. Neville John Terry Rio Ferdinand Ashley Cole......Than their midfield, again one of the strongest in the world....Beckham Lampard Gerrard J.Cole....Than upfront Owen and Rooney.... England can win the World Cup without Wayne, but we won't know what that's like because he is going to be fit!!!
It is no doubt that they have the strongest midfield in the world, but there is a little problem for Lampard and Gerrard as they both like to go forward...which means no defensive midfield....Moreover, A. Cole and Owen both back from long term injury, they need 100% fit and in top form in order to play well.
What will decide the winner as in all the years past is the stamena of the team. THey need to get along and check the egos at the door. LIfe is bigger than them, if they can get there dumbass' around that it will make for a great viewing. If not, we'll see alot if upsets..........but really wont be upsets, more like personally defeats.
The Italian team has obviously been training hard: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2134291888758683378&q=italian+soccer+team
Very funny Rob, but the true master of the fake are the Brasilian team. They fall even when there on the floor......though the italian team is a strong second.
Call me crazy, but living in the U.S....I think I'm pulling for the U.S...It's a pleasant suprise to see them actually have a semi-real shot at this thing...Its about time the U.S. caught up with the rest of the world, and realized the american football isn't the only sport...and that soccer rules in the world community... Pulling for poland also, because a real good friend (who I am going to watch Poland-Equador with), his dad (who is also watching with us) played in World Cup for the Polish national team in the 70's... oh, and down with Brasil!
Most probably Brazil will win again. Why? - Because of the motivational power of its fans, as shown here in a recent game against Turkey... Image Unavailable, Please Login
I thought I posted in this thread but apparently not. I want Holland to win, my roots I guess.still trying to find a holand jersey or shirt or something
Theres a bunch of stuff here man, if you don't mind paying for S&H http://www.soccer.com/IWCatSectionView.process?IWAction=Load&Merchant_Id=1&Section_Id=1835&Sort=Product_Name
Dino Excellent choice of team. Try looking for a local Dutch store in this list. http://www.thehollandring.com/shopsCANADA.shtml or if nothing local call one in a nearby province to see if they have any tshirts. Or order from here: http://www.dutchmarket.com/scwc2006shirts.html (Chatham Ont) Gerrit
I've seen lots of Holland jersey's, shirts etc at the usual sports stores (Sport Check, Sports Experts etc).
