***Official*** World Cup Prediction Thread

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GasX

Lifer
Feb 8, 2001
29,033
6
81
Important Dates for Round 1:

June 3 - England vs. Paraguay
June 12 - USA vs. Czech Rep.
June 14 - Germany vs. Poland
June 15 - England vs. Trinidad and Tobago
June 17 - USA vs. Italy
June 20 - England vs. Sweden
June 21 - Argentina vs. Holland & Mexico vs. Portugal
June 22 - USA vs. Ghana & Italy vs. Czech Republic

(this list includes all USA games, all England games , and other key round 1 match-ups)
 

blakeatwork

Diamond Member
Jul 18, 2001
4,113
1
81
With Eireland failing to qualify, I'm cheering for everyone but England... I've a sidebet going that England will choke out in the quarters.

I think Netherlands have as good a chance as anyone, with Ruud playing like a man possessed in the Premiership this year.
 

blakeatwork

Diamond Member
Jul 18, 2001
4,113
1
81
Originally posted by: CPA
This American, living on American soil is routing for the good ol' USA. I suggest the rest of you American's do also.


/flamesuit on


[Robin Williams]

Ohhh... just give zem ze ball, can't you see zey are damaged?

{US Team} I got the ball! I got the ball! {/US Team}

[/Robin Williams]

 

CPA

Elite Member
Nov 19, 2001
30,322
4
0
Originally posted by: astrosfan90
Originally posted by: CPA

You have got to be kidding me. Just 4 years ago they made the quarterfinals, and they lost on small lapse on D. They had 3 great scoring opportunities that just missed, and now they won't win 1 game?!? Please. They have arguably the best goalie in the world. Several of their players play in Europe. And all play in an organized club somewhere, unlike 10 years ago.

You guys are dilusional to think that they will get steamrolled. They will beat Ghana, count on it, they will beat Italy, count on it, they probably won't beat the Czechs, but it won't matter.

As for the odds, like any sport the odds fluctuate with the current betting. People, especially Europeans and S Americans underestimate the US in soccer because it's not seen as a big fan-based sport like it is over there. So they bet on the perceived favorites. Hell, Mexico's odds are better than ours but the US has beat them several times over the years and with Mexico's best team. I won't deny Brazil is the team to beat, but the US will hold it's own.

Eh, I think putting the US over Italy is...ambitious. Italy steamrolled Germany not too long ago, and Germany walked all over the US in an exhibition. Granted, the US was fielding a bench team, but regardless, they got spanked.

So, this argument is good for other countries, but not the US?
 

blakeatwork

Diamond Member
Jul 18, 2001
4,113
1
81
Originally posted by: CPA
Originally posted by: astrosfan90
Originally posted by: CPA

You have got to be kidding me. Just 4 years ago they made the quarterfinals, and they lost on small lapse on D. They had 3 great scoring opportunities that just missed, and now they won't win 1 game?!? Please. They have arguably the best goalie in the world. Several of their players play in Europe. And all play in an organized club somewhere, unlike 10 years ago.

You guys are dilusional to think that they will get steamrolled. They will beat Ghana, count on it, they will beat Italy, count on it, they probably won't beat the Czechs, but it won't matter.

As for the odds, like any sport the odds fluctuate with the current betting. People, especially Europeans and S Americans underestimate the US in soccer because it's not seen as a big fan-based sport like it is over there. So they bet on the perceived favorites. Hell, Mexico's odds are better than ours but the US has beat them several times over the years and with Mexico's best team. I won't deny Brazil is the team to beat, but the US will hold it's own.

Eh, I think putting the US over Italy is...ambitious. Italy steamrolled Germany not too long ago, and Germany walked all over the US in an exhibition. Granted, the US was fielding a bench team, but regardless, they got spanked.

So, this argument is good for other countries, but not the US?

Oh lighten up, fer chrissakes! If the US manages to make it through their group, then it can considered mission accomplished, with victories in the knockout phase icing on the cake.

The US is NOT a football powerhouse, though they do have a fine crop of young players, mixed with veterans that have seen international action. The fact of the matter, is that US and Mexico get to qualify through a federation with a dearth of substantial competition, which results in inflated FIFA points earned, and thus, an inflated ranking, based on FIFA's archaic system. I'm interested in seeing how Adu plays in his first World Cup experience, as he can be an exciting player at times, though I think he'd be better off playing in the Primera or Bundesliga.
 

astrosfan90

Golden Member
Mar 17, 2005
1,156
0
0
Originally posted by: blakeatwork

Oh lighten up, fer chrissakes! If the US manages to make it through their group, then it can considered mission accomplished, with victories in the knockout phase icing on the cake.

The US is NOT a football powerhouse, though they do have a fine crop of young players, mixed with veterans that have seen international action. The fact of the matter, is that US and Mexico get to qualify through a federation with a dearth of substantial competition, which results in inflated FIFA points earned, and thus, an inflated ranking, based on FIFA's archaic system. I'm interested in seeing how Adu plays in his first World Cup experience, as he can be an exciting player at times, though I think he'd be better off playing in the Primera or Bundesliga.

This is about where I'm sitting as well.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a card-carrying member of Sam's Army with several caps under my belt and will be on a plane to Germany mid-June. I still like to keep myself grounded in reality, however.

As we saw last World Cup, getting to the second round requires a few things--skill, solid team play, and very importantly, luck. Many good or even great teams get left behind in the group stage simply because of luck--luck drawing a group of death, luck of a 50/50 call not in their favor, luck of a key player landing a disabling injury at the wrong time. Any of those things can have a massive impact on the progress of even the greatest teams.

So to say that the US will undoubtedly make it out of it's group is really, in my opinion, a huge stretch. Granted, if the US plays to their potential and doesn't have any massive bad luck befall them, they have a very good chance to make it to the knockout phase. But even with all of the good things on their side, they have what is likely the most evenly matched group in the cup, where any team there could dominate, and they will really have to be on their game to succeed.


I do find it rather unfortunate though that they will likely face Brazil in the second round should they grab the second seed from their group. Seems like a lot of hard work only to face the near impossible task of beating the Brazilians.


As to whether or not the US is a true powerhouse? No, they are not. They are not on par with teams such as Germany, Italy, France, England, Argentina, Brazil, Holland, and perhaps one or two others. However, they also weren't on par with Portugal in 2002, and they beat them. They weren't on par by a longshot with the runners-up German squad, and yet the US by all rights should have (and almost did) walk away with a win against them in what was in my opinion one of the best and most competitive matches in the entire tournament. So whether or not they are a "powerhouse" is irrelevant. Anything can happen in the World Cup. Last time around "powerhouses" France and Argentina were out long before the underdog US team was.
 

GasX

Lifer
Feb 8, 2001
29,033
6
81
Cool - I have been playing around with some spreadsheets, and it is certainly possible that England could face Argentina in the World Cup Final!

If you want to play with some scenarios or just want a sheed to track results, check out either this or this.

The first one has things spread out accross more sheets while the second packs more info into less real estate. Both a pretty cool though.
 

DVad3r

Diamond Member
Jan 3, 2005
5,340
3
81
England is a padawan team, they shall be destroyed by our new African players that we recruited.
 

GasX

Lifer
Feb 8, 2001
29,033
6
81
Originally posted by: DVad3r
England is a padawan team, they shall be destroyed by our new African players that we recruited.
African Polacks? Boy, if that isn't screaming for some innapropriate humor, I don't know what is!

I am truly looking forward to Poland-Germany and will be rooting for Poland to win. I think they have a real shot at winning the group.
 

spherrod

Diamond Member
Mar 21, 2003
3,897
0
0
www.steveherrod.com
Originally posted by: maddogchen
who's this walcott kid? for engerland?

An Arsenal player - although he hasn't yet played a Premier League game. He was with Southampton in the league below and they sold him to Arsenal for £5m+ in January.

He's lightning quick and can play either centrally or on right/left wing. Very good prospect but Lennon is the better bet to make an impact for England in the World Cup.
 

GasX

Lifer
Feb 8, 2001
29,033
6
81
Good News for England!!

Taken from Times Online:

Positive Rooney winning race against time for World Cup

By Matt Dickinson, Chief Football Correspondent


WAYNE ROONEY?S recovery from a broken metatarsal is progressing so well that the Manchester United striker could play for England as early as the group stage at the World Cup finals.

The upbeat medical bulletin will not only lift Sven-Göran Eriksson?s mood but that of the whole country as it counts down to the tournament. The initial forecast of six weeks? recovery time was met with scepticism, but Rooney, 20, has been told that he could be pulling on his England shirt in time for the third match, against Sweden on June 20, at his present rate of recuperation .

Although it is notoriously hard to predict when players might return from such injuries and while there is a reluctance to heap too much pressure on England?s most important player, Rooney is known to be setting about his recovery work with a growing confidence that he can play a significant role for his country in Germany next month.

That is in stark contrast to his initial despair at Stamford Bridge 13 days ago, when he believed that a fracture to the fourth metatarsal in his right foot had wrecked his chances of going to the finals.

Already free of the protective casing around his foot, Rooney is walking without discomfort and will step up his training next week. He has abandoned the oxygen tent that was supposed to hasten his recovery because it was making him feel nauseous, but, otherwise, the United medical staff are delighted. He sustained one main fracture and another small crack, but recent scans have put Rooney and his doctors in good heart.

While the rest of the England players will head to Portugal on Monday to begin their preparations, Rooney will stay in Manchester to continue his race for fitness. Fifa has said that the striker must travel to Germany with the squad on June 5. The tournament starts four days later.

The optimistic forecasts from Old Trafford may help to explain why Eriksson, who has selected only four forwards, did not pick more cover in attack when he named his 23-man World Cup squad on Monday. While acknowledging that Rooney must still be regarded as fragile, the head coach is working on the basis that he will have a full complement of players by the knockout rounds.

England kick off against Paraguay on June 10 and Rooney has been told to abandon any idea of playing in Frankfurt. The next match, against Trinidad & Tobago in Nuremberg, comes five days later, with Sweden to follow ? more than seven weeks after the striker felt an agonising pain at Stamford Bridge when he went down under a challenge from Paulo Ferreira, the Chelsea defender.

Sir Alex Ferguson, the United manager, has described as ?half-baked? the idea that England could take an 80 per cent fit Rooney to Germany but, with such tantalising signs that he could be back in full training by early June, Eriksson will give him every chance.

Further good news for the departing head coach came from Michael Owen, who expects to play a full part in training next week. While many of his international team-mates will be relaxing with their families in Portugal after a long domestic season, England?s principal goalscorer will be put through strenuous workouts.

The Newcastle United striker has played for only 29 minutes since breaking his fifth metatarsal on New Year?s Eve but his doctors have reassured him that the bone has healed properly and that he simply has to overcome nagging pains as he puts more strain on the outside of his foot.
 

CPA

Elite Member
Nov 19, 2001
30,322
4
0
Originally posted by: blakeatwork
Originally posted by: CPA
Originally posted by: astrosfan90
Originally posted by: CPA

You have got to be kidding me. Just 4 years ago they made the quarterfinals, and they lost on small lapse on D. They had 3 great scoring opportunities that just missed, and now they won't win 1 game?!? Please. They have arguably the best goalie in the world. Several of their players play in Europe. And all play in an organized club somewhere, unlike 10 years ago.

You guys are dilusional to think that they will get steamrolled. They will beat Ghana, count on it, they will beat Italy, count on it, they probably won't beat the Czechs, but it won't matter.

As for the odds, like any sport the odds fluctuate with the current betting. People, especially Europeans and S Americans underestimate the US in soccer because it's not seen as a big fan-based sport like it is over there. So they bet on the perceived favorites. Hell, Mexico's odds are better than ours but the US has beat them several times over the years and with Mexico's best team. I won't deny Brazil is the team to beat, but the US will hold it's own.

Eh, I think putting the US over Italy is...ambitious. Italy steamrolled Germany not too long ago, and Germany walked all over the US in an exhibition. Granted, the US was fielding a bench team, but regardless, they got spanked.

So, this argument is good for other countries, but not the US?

Oh lighten up, fer chrissakes! If the US manages to make it through their group, then it can considered mission accomplished, with victories in the knockout phase icing on the cake.

The US is NOT a football powerhouse, though they do have a fine crop of young players, mixed with veterans that have seen international action. The fact of the matter, is that US and Mexico get to qualify through a federation with a dearth of substantial competition, which results in inflated FIFA points earned, and thus, an inflated ranking, based on FIFA's archaic system. I'm interested in seeing how Adu plays in his first World Cup experience, as he can be an exciting player at times, though I think he'd be better off playing in the Primera or Bundesliga.

Adu is not on the team, IIRC.

And I am laid back, nothing on here really pisses me off....well, unless i go into P&N.
 

kinev

Golden Member
Mar 28, 2005
1,647
30
91
Originally posted by: blakeatwork
Originally posted by: CPA
Originally posted by: astrosfan90
Originally posted by: CPA

You have got to be kidding me. Just 4 years ago they made the quarterfinals, and they lost on small lapse on D. They had 3 great scoring opportunities that just missed, and now they won't win 1 game?!? Please. They have arguably the best goalie in the world. Several of their players play in Europe. And all play in an organized club somewhere, unlike 10 years ago.

You guys are dilusional to think that they will get steamrolled. They will beat Ghana, count on it, they will beat Italy, count on it, they probably won't beat the Czechs, but it won't matter.

As for the odds, like any sport the odds fluctuate with the current betting. People, especially Europeans and S Americans underestimate the US in soccer because it's not seen as a big fan-based sport like it is over there. So they bet on the perceived favorites. Hell, Mexico's odds are better than ours but the US has beat them several times over the years and with Mexico's best team. I won't deny Brazil is the team to beat, but the US will hold it's own.

Eh, I think putting the US over Italy is...ambitious. Italy steamrolled Germany not too long ago, and Germany walked all over the US in an exhibition. Granted, the US was fielding a bench team, but regardless, they got spanked.

So, this argument is good for other countries, but not the US?

Oh lighten up, fer chrissakes! If the US manages to make it through their group, then it can considered mission accomplished, with victories in the knockout phase icing on the cake.

The US is NOT a football powerhouse, though they do have a fine crop of young players, mixed with veterans that have seen international action. The fact of the matter, is that US and Mexico get to qualify through a federation with a dearth of substantial competition, which results in inflated FIFA points earned, and thus, an inflated ranking, based on FIFA's archaic system. I'm interested in seeing how Adu plays in his first World Cup experience, as he can be an exciting player at times, though I think he'd be better off playing in the Primera or Bundesliga.

You just negated your whole argument. Adu isn't on the US team. And for some unkown reason Twellman isn't either. Go fig. I trust Bruce, though.
 

spherrod

Diamond Member
Mar 21, 2003
3,897
0
0
www.steveherrod.com
Originally posted by: Mwilding
Good News for England!!

Taken from Times Online:

Positive Rooney winning race against time for World Cup

By Matt Dickinson, Chief Football Correspondent


WAYNE ROONEY?S recovery from a broken metatarsal is progressing so well that the Manchester United striker could play for England as early as the group stage at the World Cup finals.

The upbeat medical bulletin will not only lift Sven-Göran Eriksson?s mood but that of the whole country as it counts down to the tournament. The initial forecast of six weeks? recovery time was met with scepticism, but Rooney, 20, has been told that he could be pulling on his England shirt in time for the third match, against Sweden on June 20, at his present rate of recuperation .

Although it is notoriously hard to predict when players might return from such injuries and while there is a reluctance to heap too much pressure on England?s most important player, Rooney is known to be setting about his recovery work with a growing confidence that he can play a significant role for his country in Germany next month.

That is in stark contrast to his initial despair at Stamford Bridge 13 days ago, when he believed that a fracture to the fourth metatarsal in his right foot had wrecked his chances of going to the finals.

Already free of the protective casing around his foot, Rooney is walking without discomfort and will step up his training next week. He has abandoned the oxygen tent that was supposed to hasten his recovery because it was making him feel nauseous, but, otherwise, the United medical staff are delighted. He sustained one main fracture and another small crack, but recent scans have put Rooney and his doctors in good heart.

While the rest of the England players will head to Portugal on Monday to begin their preparations, Rooney will stay in Manchester to continue his race for fitness. Fifa has said that the striker must travel to Germany with the squad on June 5. The tournament starts four days later.

The optimistic forecasts from Old Trafford may help to explain why Eriksson, who has selected only four forwards, did not pick more cover in attack when he named his 23-man World Cup squad on Monday. While acknowledging that Rooney must still be regarded as fragile, the head coach is working on the basis that he will have a full complement of players by the knockout rounds.

England kick off against Paraguay on June 10 and Rooney has been told to abandon any idea of playing in Frankfurt. The next match, against Trinidad & Tobago in Nuremberg, comes five days later, with Sweden to follow ? more than seven weeks after the striker felt an agonising pain at Stamford Bridge when he went down under a challenge from Paulo Ferreira, the Chelsea defender.

Sir Alex Ferguson, the United manager, has described as ?half-baked? the idea that England could take an 80 per cent fit Rooney to Germany but, with such tantalising signs that he could be back in full training by early June, Eriksson will give him every chance.

Further good news for the departing head coach came from Michael Owen, who expects to play a full part in training next week. While many of his international team-mates will be relaxing with their families in Portugal after a long domestic season, England?s principal goalscorer will be put through strenuous workouts.

The Newcastle United striker has played for only 29 minutes since breaking his fifth metatarsal on New Year?s Eve but his doctors have reassured him that the bone has healed properly and that he simply has to overcome nagging pains as he puts more strain on the outside of his foot.

that's the best news I've heard in ages!
 

GasX

Lifer
Feb 8, 2001
29,033
6
81
Originally posted by: KMFJD
The US has the best goalkeeper in the world?
Surprised?

I don't know about "best", but he is an elite level player without a doubt.
 

Gooberlx2

Lifer
May 4, 2001
15,381
6
91
Naturally I'll root USA, all the way until Italy beats them. From there I'll root Germany and Italy after them.

I'd like to see Korea do as surprisingly well as they did last time. And I hope to hell the Brazil loses...I dunno why but I've always hated that team.
 

Gooberlx2

Lifer
May 4, 2001
15,381
6
91
Originally posted by: astrosfan90
Originally posted by: Abel007
Is the World Cup going to be aired in HD? I might take a day or 2 off of work to watch Italy vs USA and some other good match-ups.


USA vs Italy is on a Saturday, FYI.

Oh baby! It's a toss up on whether to go down the to local Irish bar or watch it in HD at my home.
 

KMFJD

Lifer
Aug 11, 2005
31,774
50,035
136
Originally posted by: Mwilding
Originally posted by: KMFJD
The US has the best goalkeeper in the world?
Surprised?

I don't know about "best", but he is an elite level player without a doubt.

I was surprised by the 'best' part
 

kinev

Golden Member
Mar 28, 2005
1,647
30
91
Originally posted by: KMFJD
Originally posted by: Mwilding
Originally posted by: KMFJD
The US has the best goalkeeper in the world?
Surprised?

I don't know about "best", but he is an elite level player without a doubt.

I was surprised by the 'best' part

Did you see Keller make those 3 stops in a qualifier last year (Costa Rica or Houduras, I think). The guy is amazing. Too bad he's getting old.
 
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