EN World World Cup blog

[jonesy]

So, four games left, and France is not liking where they are right now. Any predictions?

I predict France won't score.

There are currently four undefeated teams:
Germany, Portugal, Brazil, and Spain. That speaks very highly for these teams.

And I am really surprised, and pleased, to see Spain in that group.

 

[johnsemlak]

I predict France won't score.

I've been predicting that France would break out of the Anemic play that's dogged them since 2002 but every time they seem to confound me. It's just unbelievable that a team with such talent as Henri-arguably the World's best striker, Zidane, Trezeguey (sorry, spelling) can't score.

In tonight's match France are presented with a Togo team that are 0-2, have conceded 4 goals to 1, and are in the midst of disasterous player/organization relations. Failing to win, let alone score, should be unthinkable. But they might surprise me, yet again.

 

[johnsemlak]

My round of 16 picks

OK, the Group phase is over. France snuck in with their first WC win in 8 years, and Switzerland top their group in impressive form, it has to be said. Perhaps not the toughest of groups, maybe.

Here's my picks for the Round of Sixteen:

Germany over Sweden. Sweden never seem to get flogged so this one will be tight I think, possibly going to penalties even. I'd say maybe 2-1 AET.

Argentina over Mexico. I'm rooting for Mexico but Argentina is tooooo much. Could be a walkover. I'll predict 2-0.

Equador over England. This is the toughest pick IMO. England have looked paltry so far but many people think they can play better. Equador looked awesome until they got thrashed by Germany in a dead rubber. My guess is they lost it a bit after conceding their first goal of the WC, but they should learn from that and play England tough. 1-0.

Holland over Portugual. Whoa, OK, this might be the toughest pick actually. Great Holland team vs the solid Portuguese coached by one of the best. This one goes to penalties.

Italy over Australia. Go Socceroos, but I just can't see this happening. Italy have weathered the storm of their domestic scandal. Both of these teams are underappreciated IMO. Australia have looked good but so far their only actual win is against Japan. Anway, I'll predict 1-0.

Swizerland over Ukraine. Swizerland's solid win over South Korea is more impressive than anything Ukraine acheived in their group, IMO. Switzerland have been quite good in what is probably a very weak group. I'd say they'll win here but will probably get smothered in the quarters by Italy. Not sure about the score (I never get those right anyway) I'll put 1-0 because I think it's close, but Switzerland haven't conceded so far (that is an impressive stat, incidentally).

Brazil over Ghana. I'm rooting for the Black Stars. Like Australia, that won't help them much, esp without Essian. 3-1.

Spain over France I'm waiting for France's talent-laden team to wake from it's slumber. Still, with Spain's form versus France's form it's difficult to see them win here. I'd say this one might be decided in part a Barthez blunder. 2-0.

 

[Jdvn1]

I predict France won't score.

Against Togo? I honestly don't believe you thought that was going to happen.

And I am really surprised, and pleased, to see Spain in that group.

Me too! Though, the tougher games are coming up now.

I can't wait to see if Ghana is going to pull something out of their hat of tricks.

 

[Jdvn1]

Germany over Sweden. Sweden never seem to get flogged so this one will be tight I think, possibly going to penalties even. I'd say maybe 2-1 AET.

Argentina over Mexico. I'm rooting for Mexico but Argentina is tooooo much. Could be a walkover. I'll predict 2-0.

I think these are no-brainers. It's possible Sweden and Mexico could play excellent football and Germany and Argentina to fall on their faces, but they're really strong teams. I don't see that happening.

Plus, both teams have been impressive so far.

Equador over England.

Had Equador been in a tougher group, I wouldn't have expected them to make round 2. As such, I can't expect them to go very far. Then again, I haven't been following Equador. I'm still rooting for England. When England's on, they're on.

Holland over Portugual. Whoa, OK, this might be the toughest pick actually. Great Holland team vs the solid Portuguese coached by one of the best. This one goes to penalties.

Maybe this one and the Equador-England game will go to golden goal (or do they do penalty kicks?)? This is a close game to call, but I'd have to go with Portugal here.

Italy over Australia.

Okay, Australia has played excellent football, but Italy's my favorite team, hands down. I don't think they're going all the way, but I'll root for them as long as they last. They're a solid team with a lot of color, and good calcio basics (did you like how I used the Italian term there?). Plus, Italy fought hard in, I think, the hardest group of the first round. Go Italy!

Swizerland over Ukraine.

Brazil over Ghana.

Yep. Though, Ghana's got to be the most interesting team of the second round. FIFA ranking of 48? Wow. And they snuck past two of the top 5 teams in the world? Whoa.

Spain over France.

France is loaded with talent, but so is Spain. I mean, both top-10 teams. C'mon. This will probably be the best game to watch--two first class teams going head to head. I'm surprised you can call this so easily, because I can't at all. And, I like both teams, so I can't be biased about this as much. How about this? I've been reading a Spanish author who's really cool, so I'll call Spain. But... I really like crepes. Too close to call.

 

[johnsemlak]

Had Equador been in a tougher group, I wouldn't have expected them to make round 2. As such, I can't expect them to go very far. Then again, I haven't been following Equador. I'm still rooting for England. When England's on, they're on.

Remember England also played in a weak group, weaker than Equador IMO. Germany is tougher than sweden (at home, at any rate); Costa Rica is tougher than T&T; and Poland are probably at least as good as Paraguay. Equador look a lot better than Paraguay, and played better in qualifiying. Given that England only just beat Paraguay, I'd say that bodes well for Equador.

That said, England have a great team thsi year so they might raise their game in the knockout stages.
.

France is loaded with talent, but so is Spain. I mean, both top-10 teams. C'mon. This will probably be the best game to watch--two first class teams going head to head. I'm surprised you can call this so easily, because I can't at all. And, I like both teams, so I can't be biased about this as much. How about this? I've been reading a Spanish author who's really cool, so I'll call Spain. But... I really like crepes. Too close to call.

Well, I won't know if it's easy to call until we have the result, but based on current form it seems clear cut--France have looked less than impressive while Spain have been nearly perfect. Also, France really struggled in qualification for the WC. But again, France has loads of talent and they might rise to the occasion.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I was dissapointed with the American team's lack of aggression, and Bruce Arena's refusal to pump up the offense early in the games. The group we were in, we should have tried to strike early, score, THEN play defense...

But the officiating has been so BAD...not just that call that got the Black Stars their game-winning PK, either. That same game saw a yellow card for a hand ball near the sidelines. WHAT?

Its one thing to be consistently bad, but so many games have featured inconsistently bad reffing- what, REALLY is the difference between a late tackle from behind that gets a card and one that doesn't? And when was the last time you saw 3 players ejected from a game?

AAAAAAaaaaaaaanyway...

I'm hoping to see good things from Ghana- I love underdogs. Argentina & Portugal have looked good and should do well too.

And I'm expecting France to fall over in their Brie & Champaigne...they really haven't looked that good.

 

[Spud]

If its a deliberate hand ball ita yellow card, no matter where the offense is. Having said that the reffing has been a bit dodgy in places, Graham Poll in particular. Many football fans in the Uk find it shocking that he is regarded as the best ref in england.

England should beat Ecuador, even with the swede in charge. Sweden will be too strong for Germany, even on home soil.

 

[Jupp]

Swizerland over Ukraine. Swizerland's solid win over South Korea is more impressive than anything Ukraine acheived in their group, IMO. Switzerland have been quite good in what is probably a very weak group. I'd say they'll win here but will probably get smothered in the quarters by Italy. Not sure about the score (I never get those right anyway) I'll put 1-0 because I think it's close, but Switzerland haven't conceded so far (that is an impressive stat, incidentally).

Since yesterday evening Switzerland is acting really crazy, for Swiss standards anyway. I think some folks will party through to the Switzerland-Ukraine match. I really, really hope they make it to the quarter finals so they can play against Italy And the Swiss LOVE playing against Italy. They have not won too many times against them but the matches have always been exciting and they always managed to poke them and make their lives hard during those 90min. I think it's going to be one big event, even if we might loose in the end.

 

[Klaus]

I hope Ghana doesn't use their usual trick of violence. It's the single most violent team in the Cup, with a record of faults and cards.

But Brazil's coach, Parreira, started his career coaching Ghana almost 30 years ago, so he's somewhat familiar with their play style.

And I pray that he uses the substitutes and keeps old-timers Cafu, Roberto Carlos, Emerson and not-so-efficient Zé ROberto and Adriano on the bench.