EN World World Cup blog

[johnsemlak]

Can't believe a thread hasn't started on this yet. Less than 5 days till the world's biggest sporting event starts. I just bought a new HD-ready tv in time fore it (not sure if I'll have HD broadcasts here but I"m hoping). So as not to miss matches I'm dusting off my recently unused VCR. (Ironically, I specifically bought it 4 years ago for the 2002 world cup to record matches, and this may be the last time I use it, as I'll certainly have somehthing more modern next time around.)

Any predictions? Can anyone beat Brazil? (I certainly think it's very possible, but I'm a bit stumped as to who will do it).

 

[Chainsaw Mage]

Can't believe a thread hasn't started on this yet. Less than 5 days till the world's biggest sporting event starts.

What?!!?!? Dude, the Superbowl ain't 'till January.

 

[Jdvn1]

Venezuela's going all the way!

Wait, we didn't qualify. Dang.

Brazil is definitely beatable. Argentia, I believe, at a 1-1 record against them during qualifiers. And Argentina isn't quite #2 in the world, so Brazil is definitely beatable. They're good, but I think they've been on the decline since 98.

 

[johnsemlak]

Venezuela's going all the way!

Wait, we didn't qualify. Dang.

Brazil is definitely beatable. Argentia, I believe, at a 1-1 record against them during qualifiers. And Argentina isn't quite #2 in the world, so Brazil is definitely beatable. They're good, but I think they've been on the decline since 98.

Plus there's the frequently-mentioned issue that the tourney's in Europe this time and a European team as won every WC in Europe except in '58. That should give some hope to the strong European teams, which now probably include Italy, Holland, England, and the Czech Rep. (IMHO in that order).

Personally, I'm hoping that a team outside of Europe breaks this trend but we'll see.

 

[Jdvn1]

Wow, I'm a big Italy fan, but you're ranking Italy very favorably.

 

[MavrickWeirdo]

My company was recently bought by Phillips, which is located in Holland.

They set up a Magnavox big screen TV in the cafe, which will show a live streaming internet feed of all of Holland's games (None of the american cable companies had the full coverage they wanted.)

 

[BOZ]

it's because the board is mostly american, and americans are generally culturally stunted when it comes to affairs of the world in general.

i remember when the world cup was hosted in Chicago about 10 years ago, and most of us were like, "Great! What's the world cup?"

 

[Jdvn1]

it's because the board is mostly american, and americans are generally culturally stunted when it comes to affairs of the world in general.

i remember when the world cup was hosted in Chicago about 10 years ago, and most of us were like, "Great! What's the world cup?"

Well, the MLS started, I think, in 97. Soccer is a foreign concept to many.

 

[MonsterMash]

Of course I have to say ENGLAND, but then after that the more likely candidates to win are Germany (home advantage + Germany always do well), Brazil (outstanding attacking team), France and Argentina. Dark horses Italy, Spain.

 

[Klaus]

While everyone's expecting a genius-level performance by Ronaldinho Gaúcho, the one player to keep an eye on is actually Kaká. He's outperformed every other brazilian player during the initial training (even 'warhorse' Cafú, his Milan teammate), and has been the maestro of the team lately.

Also, if you can believe it, Brazil is starting to play better with the reserves Robinho (from Real Madrid) and Juninho Pernambucano (from Olympique de Lyon) than with main players like Ronaldo (still not at 100%) or the laterals (Cafú and Roberto Carlos).

It is a general consensus that the current generation of players is the best since the art-soccer dream team of 1982. But Brazil has never won a Cup when it's considered favorite.

If I have to point at any teams to be runner-ups ( ), I'd point to Portugal (with 2002's champion coach Felipe Scolari) and Japan (Japan almost defeated Germany, in Germany, two weeks ago; coached by soccer living legend Zico).