World Cup...Germany 2006 - Page 6

Iplayboard · #51 04-26-2006, 05:24 AM

One other thing about Germany. While it is true they got second in the last World Cup, look who they defeated in the knockout stages to get there.

Paraguay, United States, Korea.

Granted it is not their fault that almost all the other big name teams lost, but that is not likely to happen again. Especially considering this World Cup is being played on European soil and most of the African powerhouses didn't qualify. I don't expect to see any "Koreas" in the semis. Nor do I expect all 5 continents to be represented in the quarterfinals as was the case last time.

clayftknight · #52 04-26-2006, 06:32 AM

on neutral ground i agree Germany would not be up to the job, (although that was also the case last time)

But to put Argentina, Italy and England above Holland is a mistake..............I'm fairly sure that on neutral ground Holland would be the most feared European side right now.

clayftknight · #53 04-26-2006, 06:35 AM

I agree with this, we will see all the big europeans lining up to have their day against Brazil, and the rest of the world will struggle.

clayftknight · #54 04-26-2006, 06:40 AM

Good summary....especially the last line [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Corny I know but Brazil will have to lose it, no-one can beat them unless they have a nightmare game.

After winning their group, they will have the worst of Italy/Czech, then Spain in the last 8........then England or Argentina in the Semi, then Germany or Holland or France or Italy or Czech in the final...........so they will all get their chance to beat Brazil, I still don't think any of them will.

clayftknight · #55 04-26-2006, 06:46 AM

Portugal beat Holland?! hahahahahaha

holland and Argentina will both win their last 16 matches with their fingers up their noses.

Fallen Hero · #56 04-26-2006, 08:17 AM

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Portugal beat Holland?! hahahahahaha

[/ QUOTE ]

Holland was the easiest game Portugal had in the last euro cup. Portugal's team got even better since then. Holland would have to show some massive improvement to be a favourite.

PS: Brazil is overrated, they're the biggest favourites but they're still overrated.

Spaderess · #57 04-26-2006, 11:11 AM

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Don't rule out Sweden at all.

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Unfortunatley we have too many injuries on key players. With all players healthy, Sweden could very well finish in the top four. We don't have the depth that the larger nations do.

That said, I think the Euorpean teams will dominate even more than usual. Brazil will probably win and Argentina will do well, but I don't see any Asian, African, North American doing well this time.

I'm also a bit suprised that Spain isn't mentioned. This might just be their year.

./Spaderess

daveymck · #58 04-26-2006, 12:11 PM

I still think we have a decent chance, our top 11 players can potentially beat any team in the world but we may have injuries in key positions and as previously stated Sven isnt the most imaginative of managers during the key tactics wise.

No reason why we cant beat the Argies if/when play Brazil will be more key to whether we can win it.

clayftknight · #59 04-26-2006, 12:24 PM

Well, going on the voting so far it's a Brazil v USA final !

What would that do for the sport over there?

Silent A · #60 04-26-2006, 01:05 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Holland was the easiest game Portugal had in the last euro cup. Portugal's team got even better since then. Holland would have to show some massive improvement to be a favourite.

PS: Brazil is overrated, they're the biggest favourites but they're still overrated.

[/ QUOTE ]

Don't put too much emphasis on a single game, from a tournament in which the Dutch didn't play well, and where Portugal were playing at home. And even then it was only 2-1.

As for improvement, didn't you notice the way Holland breezed through the preliminaries in a pretty good group (other teams currently ranked 2, 25, 49 - no other group in Europe had 3 teams in the top 30)? Portugal qualified in a much easier group (next teams 37, 43, 69).