World Cup 2006 draw

[allelish]

GROUP A
Germany
Costa Rica
Poland
Ecuador

GROUP B
England
Paraguay
Trinidad & Tobago
Sweden

GROUP C
Argentina
Ivory Coast
Serbia & Montenegro
Holland

GROUP D
Mexico
Iran
Angola
Portugal

GROUP E
Italy
Ghana
USA
Czech Republic

GROUP F
Brazil
Croatia
Australia
Japan

GROUP G
France
Switzerland
South Korea
Togo
GROUP H
Spain
Ukraine
Tunisia
Saudi Arabia

There she is. The biggest competition in the world. I can't wait.

[xglassjawx]

OK. We don't need a third thread about it haha

[allelish]

Sure we do. Yours focuses on ENgland, matt's on USA... this beast on the whole thing.

Check out groups C and E...groups of death.

[weezer182]

fuck the u.s should switch with mexico... we did matter then mexico in qualifications and they get the easier group:shake:

[somethingyellow]

the US has the strongest group :(.

[allelish]

Group A is a piece of piss.

England should really come first and draw Poland. So England should have a relatively easy route to the quarters

[xglassjawx]

Sure we do.

Hahaha

[Darren McLeod]

Check out groups C and E...groups of death.
E maybe, but C? I mean, Netherlands and Argentina should be able to make it out of there no problem. It's pretty balanced, most groups have two strong teams and two weaker teams... it's not like some draws where there are three ridiculously talented teams in there at once. E is the closest I see, though.

[b e L I E v e]

I sure hope Italy kicks the sorry US team flat on their ass

haha

[Darren McLeod]

And if Italy loses, I hope they don't just blame the refs....


Just kidding ;)

[mat1419]

And if Italy loses, I hope they don't just blame the refs....


Just kidding ;)
with all their chest hair and gold necklaces and pizza...

[xglassjawx]

Group A is a piece of piss.

England should really come first and draw Poland. So England should have a relatively easy route to the quarters

Are you going to be a proud brit and support england?

[Jra1]

hopefully after this World cup the USA gets bumped down into a deserved FIFA ranking not the ridiculous one they have now... 7th? wtf? i'm sorry but the USA isnt the 7th best team in the world

[weezer182]

hopefully after this World cup the USA gets bumped down into a deserved FIFA ranking not the ridiculous one they have now... 7th? wtf? i'm sorry but the USA isnt the 7th best team in the worldranking dont mean anything

[xglassjawx]

hopefully after this World cup the USA gets bumped down into a deserved FIFA ranking not the ridiculous one they have now... 7th? wtf? i'm sorry but the USA isnt the 7th best team in the world

Totally

[wesgemm08]

hopefully after this World cup the USA gets bumped down into a deserved FIFA ranking not the ridiculous one they have now... 7th? wtf? i'm sorry but the USA isnt the 7th best team in the world

well they made it to the quarterfinals of the last world cup and outplayed germany...

[weezer182]

well they made it to the quarterfinals of the last world cup and outplayed germany...this is true

[xglassjawx]

well they made it to the quarterfinals of the last world cup and outplayed germany...

Did they? I don't remember that. Interesting.

Haha i remember when everyone got the morning off from school and work to watch England vs Nigeria in 2002

[somethingyellow]

as an american i still like to see england do well. with the talent that they have they, in my opinion, should be a much better team then they are. They have some of the best talent in the world with players like rooney, gerrard, lampard, owen, beckham just to name a few. id love to see the US and england both go far

[xglassjawx]

id love to see the US and england both go far

Same here, its fun to support other teams in their games just for a laugh as well, i adore the world cup, its just beautiful, i love when its a really wierd time difference in the country its played at as well, its like when else would you be able to watch your country live on tv at like 4 in the morning?

[Jra1]

well they made it to the quarterfinals of the last world cup and outplayed germany...

but other than that... what have they done to deserve a place above the likes of England, Italy, Germany and Portugal?

they made the quater final? great... ever won it?
USA play mediocre teams all through the year, and rake up the points for the FIFA rankings without ever really playing exceptional teams... i mean come on, the toughest game you have is against Mexico; great team and all but theyre no Argentina, Brazil, Italy etc...

[xglassjawx]

but other than that... what have they done to deserve a place above the likes of England, Italy, Germany and Portugal?



Italy!?!

Haha, USA are miiiiiiles better than them, theyre like spain, all potential, but then they fall at the last hurdle(the actual finals themselves)

[Jra1]

but they still continually make the finals

[duffe]

Damn, the group C is the hardest.

[weezer182]

but other than that... what have they done to deserve a place above the likes of England, Italy, Germany and Portugal?

they made the quater final? great... ever won it?
USA play mediocre teams all through the year, and rake up the points for the FIFA rankings without ever really playing exceptional teams... i mean come on, the toughest game you have is against Mexico; great team and all but theyre no Argentina, Brazil, Italy etc...its not the u.s fault who they play. if anything blame fifa not the u.s for their ranking. by the way i wouldnt complain id much rather have englands group then the u.s. the u.s got screwed they should of been placed where mexico is, instead they are in the toughest group

[mat1419]

Italy!?!

Haha, USA are miiiiiiles better than them, theyre like spain, all potential, but then they fall at the last hurdle(the actual finals themselves)
i hope your right about USA better than Italy...

[xglassjawx]

Damn, the group C is the hardest.

England will kick France's ass if we play you ;)

[duffe]

England will kick France's ass if we play you ;)
It's ok because England will finish behind Paraguay and Sweden :D

[somethingyellow]

but other than that... what have they done to deserve a place above the likes of England, Italy, Germany and Portugal?

they made the quater final? great... ever won it?
USA play mediocre teams all through the year, and rake up the points for the FIFA rankings without ever really playing exceptional teams... i mean come on, the toughest game you have is against Mexico; great team and all but theyre no Argentina, Brazil, Italy etc...
yes but we dont lose to denmark 4-1 or northern ireland ;)

[xglassjawx]

It's ok because England will finish behind Paraguay and Sweden :D

Hahaha you wish! This is waaaaaaar.

God football is beautiful. All this friendly rivalry between supporters

[somethingyellow]

Hahaha you wish! This is waaaaaaar.

God football is beautiful. All this friendly rivalry between supporters
haha yes it is. i cant till the WC. Any of you guys in europe going to the WC this year?

[duffe]

Hahaha you wish! This is waaaaaaar.

God football is beautiful. All this friendly rivalry between supporters
This is a friendly war :)

GO FRANCE !!!

[xglassjawx]

yes but we dont lose to denmark 4-1 or northern ireland ;)

And its sooooo depressing that both matches had such large consequences in the history of english football

PS against Denmark, we had david freaking james in goal, putting him in goal is like giving the other team an automatic 5-0 lead for crying out loud

[somethingyellow]

And its sooooo depressing that both matches had such large consequences in the history of english football

PS against Denmark, we had david freaking james in goal, putting him in goal is like giving the other team an automatic 5-0 lead for crying out loud
haha im just joking but yea david james is horrible

[ghostyouare]

Im fucking excited

[xglassjawx]

haha im just joking but yea david james is horrible

And he used to play for west h*m:madfire:

[somethingyellow]

the one thing the US has are really good goalies :bigsmile:

[xglassjawx]

the one thing the US has are really good goalies :bigsmile:

Totally go hahnemann!!!!! We Reading fans have chant for him USA! USA! USA!

[ghostyouare]

We are making back to the quarter, I'm saying we'll lose in the semis.

[somethingyellow]

We are making back to the quarter, I'm saying we'll lose in the semis.
im sure hope we can make it to the semis

[ghostyouare]

im sure hope we can make it to the semis
Man, this is making me so excited and I have to wait like 6 more months.

[weezer182]

Man, this is making me so excited and I have to wait like 6 more months.i love it. nothing better then waking up at 3 in the morning to watch the u.s :bigsmile:

[ghostyouare]

i love it. nothing better then waking up at 3 in the morning to watch the u.s :bigsmile:
I watched around 3/4th of all the games in 02 and I live on the west coast. So the first games were on at 2am and the second ones were on at 4, I can't wait.

[somethingyellow]

I watched around 3/4th of all the games in 02 and I live on the west coast. So the first games were on at 2am and the second ones were on at 4, I can't wait.
im on the west coast too and i agree i cant fucking wait. it doesnt matter what times the games come on ill be up watching :bigsmile:

[weezer182]

I watched around 3/4th of all the games in 02 and I live on the west coast. So the first games were on at 2am and the second ones were on at 4, I can't wait.yea i live on the west coast too and i usually just stayed up instead of going to bed. it makes it that much better, especially when we beat mexico last world cup :). hopefully we can go deep into the tournament

[ghostyouare]

yea i live on the west coast too and i usually just stayed up instead of going to bed. it makes it that much better, especially when we beat mexico last world cup :). hopefully we can go deep into the tournament
Oh ya, I stayed up all night too. I passed out during the Final game I was so sad. Especially since I'm like 80% German.

[ghostyouare]

im on the west coast too and i agree i cant fucking wait. it doesnt matter what times the games come on ill be up watching :bigsmile:
It sounds like there is going to be some sweet AP World cup parties.

[weezer182]

Oh ya, I stayed up all night too. I passed out during the Final game I was so sad. Especially since I'm like 80% German.:( yea we came so close too

[somethingyellow]

It sounds like there is going to be some sweet AP World cup parties.
ohh ya :wow:

[NameTaken69]

i would have liked to see the US in group H

[duffe]

Group A is easy for Germany.

[allelish]

Group A is easy for Germany.
almost...too easy *rubs chin in suspicion*

[Jra1]

We are making back to the quarter, I'm saying we'll lose in the semis.

im sorry but i seriously can't see the US making it out of that group o' death.
England would have trouble in that group, any team would.

[allelish]

im sorry but i seriously can't see the US making it out of that group o' death.
England would have trouble in that group, any team would.
truth. Unless Italy under-achieve again (which i can't see happening).

[b e L I E v e]

Italy!?!

Haha, USA are miiiiiiles better than them, theyre like spain, all potential, but then they fall at the last hurdle(the actual finals themselves)

Dude...youre a good guy...and I like you as a member of AP

But i think you might of been drunk or high when you said that the US is better than Italy...fuck the rankings...look at the schedule...US plays teams worse than my high school freshman squad...

Forza Azzurri

[Jra1]

exactly my point, 7th on paper... but if anyone played teams of the quality they do week in week out they'd be in the top 10

[somethingyellow]

I sure hope Italy kicks the sorry US team flat on their ass

haha
aren't you american?

[b e L I E v e]

exactly my point, 7th on paper... but if anyone played teams of the quality they do week in week out they'd be in the top 10

Italy's team is so strong right now...and this is probably going to be their last chance to win..Vieri is gone after this one (he wont last another 4 years)..as is Totti and Del Piero

[b e L I E v e]

aren't you american?

no

[wesgemm08]

Dude...youre a good guy...and I like you as a member of AP

But i think you might of been drunk or high when you said that the US is better than Italy...fuck the rankings...look at the schedule...US plays teams worse than my high school freshman squad...

Forza Azzurri

ur freshman squad would get raped down to central america or south america and playing kids there in a pickup game

[b e L I E v e]

ur freshman squad would get raped down to central america or south america and playing kids there in a pickup game

you get back to me when you turn that fragment into a sentence

[duffe]

almost...too easy *rubs chin in suspicion*
With a lot of money, everything is easier... :)

[noodledancer]

it'd be nice to see the u.s. do well, but i'm just excited i'm going to have a television this time around!

[somethingyellow]

no
oh i thought u were american

[b e L I E v e]

oh i thought u were american

im guessing you missed the avatar

[somethingyellow]

im guessing you missed the avatar
no i can see it, for some reason i just thought your heritage was italian sorry

[Jra1]

Italy's team is so strong right now...and this is probably going to be their last chance to win..Vieri is gone after this one (he wont last another 4 years)..as is Totti and Del Piero

but Gilardino, Iaquinta, Gattuso (imo the strongest link in the Italy team) and Nesta all will be.

[b e L I E v e]

but Gilardino, Iaquinta, Gattuso (imo the strongest link in the Italy team) and Nesta all will be.

Very true...but the main scoring comes from two out of the three i mentioned previously..

By the way..i do agree with your statement...Gattuso is probably my second favorite on the squad right now..only lead by Vieri...

My second team this year has got to be brazil...i love adriano too much to hate his country

[duffe]

but Gilardino, Iaquinta, Gattuso (imo the strongest link in the Italy team) and Nesta all will be.
And you forgot Toni, this player is fantastic.

[duffe]

Very true...but the main scoring comes from two out of the three i mentioned previously..

By the way..i do agree with your statement...Gattuso is probably my second favorite on the squad right now..only lead by Vieri...

My second team this year has got to be brazil...i love adriano too much to hate his country
I like your usertitle but "FORZA AC MILAN" would be better :)

[wesgemm08]

you get back to me when you turn that fragment into a sentence


ur freshman squad would get raped in central america if you played with kids the same age in a pickup game



..happy

[underthetalking]

Italy better hand the US their own asses. The US dont deserve to be there. They play football not FOOTBALL.

[weezer182]

Italy better hand the US their own asses. The US dont deserve to be there. They play football not FOOTBALL.just because we arent the best team doesnt mean we dont deserve to play. more americans play soccer not football

[underthetalking]

just because we arent the best team doesnt mean we dont deserve to play. more americans play soccer not football

Whats soccer?

[I am all talk]

i hate to break it to you foreigners but no one in America really cares about Soccer. Sorry

[somethingyellow]

Italy better hand the US their own asses. The US dont deserve to be there. They play football not FOOTBALL.
so your saying that the united states shouldnt be in the world cup cuz american football is more popular here?

[itsjdiggity]

:flag:

[underthetalking]

Im saying they shouldnt be there because half their players arent even American. And say by some crazy fluke they won, how many people in this country would give a damn.

[somethingyellow]

Im saying they shouldnt be there because half their players arent even American. And say by some crazy fluke they won, how many people in this country would give a damn.
if half our players arent american what are they? I agree that a lot of people wouldn't care but there are still people that do really care so i don't think that should be a reason to not include us

[Jra1]

the only reason americans don't care about FOOTBALL is because they aren't that good at it, they'd rather stick to games that they made that noone else plays

FOOTBALL is a worldwide internationally competitive sport, including competitions on every continent... can't say the same for American football, baseball etc

[underthetalking]

the only reason americans don't care about FOOTBALL is because they aren't that good at it, they'd rather stick to games that they made that noone else plays

FOOTBALL is a worldwide internationally competitive sport, including competitions on every continent... can't say the same for American football, baseball etc

Bingo

[asianxcore]

the only reason americans don't care about FOOTBALL is because they aren't that good at it, they'd rather stick to games that they made that noone else plays

FOOTBALL is a worldwide internationally competitive sport, including competitions on every continent... can't say the same for American football, baseball etc
Last time I checked "soccer" is americas most player organized sport, as well as fastest growing. It's only time until America will dominate at soccer like everything else ever created.

[underthetalking]

Last time I checked "soccer" is americas most player organized sport, as well as fastest growing. It's only time until America will dominate at soccer like everything else ever created.

What the fuck is soccer?

Just like America dominates at rugby right?

You make it far in one World Cup and now the USA is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Give me a break. America does not give a damn about football. Even after hosting a World Cup in 1994 and making it far into the tournament in 2002, football is as popular as it always has been in the States. Not at all. Your ignorance is painful.

Believe it or not, the US does not have the best baseball team in the world either.

[asianxcore]

What the fuck is soccer?

Just like America dominates at rugby right?

You make it far in one World Cup and now the USA is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Give me a break. America does not give a damn about football. Even after hosting a World Cup in 1994 and making it far into the tournament in 2002, football is as popular as it always has been in the States. Not at all. Your ignorance is painful.

Believe it or not, the US does not have the best baseball team in the world either.
We have one of the best football and basbeall teams in the world. How do you say it is as popular from 2002? The MLS has grown dramatically as a football league. Teams that would normally get run over by EPL teams have givin them a run for their money. The US only lost to England by one goal in a friendly. Your ignorance to accept the US as the domminant country is only going to hurt you more come 06'.

[underthetalking]

We have one of the best football and basbeall teams in the world. How do you say it is as popular from 2002? The MLS has grown dramatically as a football league. Teams that would normally get run over by EPL teams have givin them a run for their money. The US only lost to England by one goal in a friendly. Your ignorance to accept the US as the domminant country is only going to hurt you more come 06'.

The US is not by far the dominent country in any sport, barring American football (since no one else plays it). They do have one of the best baseball teams but the Dominican and Japan are definitely better.

A friendly game and a World Cup game is about as useful as a Spring Training game so you cannot really base much on that. The MLS is a complete joke compared to every other league in the World. And if the US has such a great team, why is everyone flipping shit over the group that they are in?

[asianxcore]

The US is not by far the dominent country in any sport, barring American football (since no one else plays it). They do have one of the best baseball teams but the Dominican and Japan are definitely better.

A friendly game and a World Cup game is about as useful as a Spring Training game so you cannot really base much on that. The MLS is a complete joke compared to every other league in the World. And if the US has such a great team, why is everyone flipping shit over the group that they are in?
Because they have 3 of the top 12 teams in the world in it.

[underthetalking]

Because they have 3 of the top 12 teams in the world in it.

They are a top 12 team. They should be able to handle it right? They are ranked higher than Ghana and Italy.

This is gonna be good.

[selftitled85]

god some people are ignorant...

soccer is growing in america, it is the fastest growing sport right now...

also to whoever said we only rule at sports that no one else plays...you're a fucking idiot...

america if we actually put the best talent we would easily take basketball, golf, and maybe baseball.

the only prob american superathletes have a knack for not playing on the natl team because they dont get all the glory themselves or they just dont want to play on their off time.

[wesgemm08]

The US is not by far the dominent country in any sport, barring American football (since no one else plays it). They do have one of the best baseball teams but the Dominican and Japan are definitely better.

A friendly game and a World Cup game is about as useful as a Spring Training game so you cannot really base much on that. The MLS is a complete joke compared to every other league in the World. And if the US has such a great team, why is everyone flipping shit over the group that they are in?

how is the US not dominate in any sport.. last time I checked the US is always at the top of the olympic medal count for the summer and winter games

[asianxcore]

They are a top 12 team. They should be able to handle it right? They are ranked higher than Ghana and Italy.

This is gonna be good.
Dont pull that whats soccer shit either, you're from fucking conneticut.

[underthetalking]

Dont pull that whats soccer shit either, you're from fucking conneticut.

I live in Connecticut. From Caracas, Venezuela.

[duffe]

Last time I checked "soccer" is americas most player organized sport, as well as fastest growing. It's only time until America will dominate at soccer like everything else ever created.
Hahahahahaha.

[somethingyellow]

Im saying they shouldnt be there because half their players arent even American. And say by some crazy fluke they won, how many people in this country would give a damn.
you still haven't given a reason why the US shouldnt be in the world cup. It is called the qualifiers to see who is worthy enough to play. Are you really gonna sit there and say that the US is not one of the top 32 teams in the world, so yes the US deserves to be there no matter what you say

[allelish]

Bruce Arena is probably the most American name possible. hahahaha.

[Andy]

Brazil is gonna pwn this like noone has ever pwned before.

[xglassjawx]

Bruce Arena is probably the most American name possible. hahahaha.

I'd have thought you'd have said the most american name ever is "bruce overly obese" or something like that knowing you

[Andy]

Here's how I think its gonna end.
1. Brazil
2. Holland
3. Argentina
4. France

[Alex Djaferis]

holland wont get that close i dont think. they dont have the "team first" mentality. they never have. UNLESS their new younger players can bring something new.

[mps]

Here's how I think its gonna end.
1. Brazil
2. Holland
3. Argentina
4. France
Replace Holland with England and you've probably got it right.

[Andy]

England always crack under pressure, thats the way it goes. Sorry.

[mps]

England always crack under pressure, thats the way it goes. Sorry.
England>Holland

[allelish]

I'd have thought you'd have said the most american name ever is "bruce overly obese" or something like that knowing you
hahaha.

Butch corndog is probably the most American name possible.

[allelish]

England always crack under pressure, thats the way it goes. Sorry.
Hopefully. I try, but i just can't support England. I felt like i was the Potugal manager during the penalty shoot-out against England in euro 2004. I almost shit myself.

[Andy]

I was in a pub in York and saw that match. And I was cheering for Portugal the whole game, and belive it or not, I didnt get beat up.

[xglassjawx]

hahaha.

Butch corndog is probably the most American name possible.

Hahahaha

[xglassjawx]

England always crack under pressure, thats the way it goes. Sorry.

Atleast england have the chance to crack under pressure unlike norway who can't even qualify

[mps]

Atleast england have the chance to crack under pressure unlike norway who can't even qualify
PWN!

[xglassjawx]

PWN!

And he pretended not to see it:bigsmile:

[mps]

And he pretended not to see it:bigsmile:
Silly Viking..

[xglassjawx]

Silly Viking..

Hahaha :bigsmile: He probs hates me as well but meh fuck it haha

[allelish]

Atleast england have the chance to crack under pressure unlike norway who can't even qualify
Norway's side is good enough to make the world cup. They're better than alot of the teams in there. After all, they have this little beauty:
http://www.brscn.com/images/spillerprofiler/pedersen.jpg

[asianxcore]

Norway's side is good enough to make the world cup. They're better than alot of the teams in there. After all, they have this little beauty:
http://www.brscn.com/images/spillerprofiler/pedersen.jpg
Andy?

[xglassjawx]

Andy?

Hahaha no its a player for an english club called Blackburn, Morten Gans Pederson

[believethehyph]

the US has the strongest group :(.

Group C could rival

[believethehyph]

[quote=Jra1]but other than that... what have they done to deserve a place above the likes of England, Italy, Germany and Portugal?

they made the quater final? great... ever won it?
USA play mediocre teams all through the year, and rake up the points for the FIFA rankings without ever really playing exceptional teams... /[quote]

My thoughts exactly

[believethehyph]

but other than that... what have they done to deserve a place above the likes of England, Italy, Germany and Portugal?

they made the quater final? great... ever won it?
USA play mediocre teams all through the year, and rake up the points for the FIFA rankings without ever really playing exceptional teams

my views exactly

[believethehyph]

Italy!?!

Haha, USA are miiiiiiles better than them,

Bullshit

[believethehyph]

but Gilardino, Iaquinta, Gattuso (imo the strongest link in the Italy team) and Nesta all will be.

Luca Toni is shit hot atm

As for the USA, I can't see them getting through their group, I don't think it will happen but I could see them finishing bottom of the group.

Me? supporting Holland next year!!

[xglassjawx]

Bullshit

Italy have all the potential but never seem to fare well at major tournements, the probably care to much about their long, greasy, ugly black hair to play well

[Jra1]

Luca Toni is shit hot atm

As for the USA, I can't see them getting through their group, I don't think it will happen but I could see them finishing bottom of the group.

Me? supporting Holland next year!!

fingers crossed

[allelish]

Italy have all the potential but never seem to fare well at major tournements, the probably care to much about their long, greasy, ugly black hair to play well
Did you watch World cup 94? Euro 2000? Finalists at both.

[mps]

Did you watch World cup 94? Euro 2000? Finalists at both.
Haha, yeah I'm sure we all really understood the game back in '94. :thumbsup: :mist1:

[xglassjawx]

Did you watch World cup 94? Euro 2000? Finalists at both.

OK well i cant actually think of a comeback yet but ill get you ha

[allelish]

Haha, yeah I'm sure we all really understood the game back in '94. :thumbsup: :mist1:
speak for yourself n00bzoR. I was into USA '94. I stayed up for the final...staying up was a big deal at the time.

[mps]

speak for yourself n00bzoR. I was into USA '94. I stayed up for the final...staying up was a big deal at the time.
I got the tracksuit.

[ThexQuietxCull]

the us is going to have a hell of a time getting out of their group. i believe italy and the czech are both better teams than the us. forget about power rankings. they mean shit when it comes down to game time. italy has choked somewhat in the past, but i dont think they will here. italy and the czech republic make it out of group e, the us goes home, and either england or holland win it all

[believethehyph]

and either england or holland win it all

Sure, they both have a great chance, but I can't see either winning, one of these getting to the final I could see.

[somethingyellow]

Sure, they both have a great chance, but I can't see either winning, one of these getting to the final I could see.
i agree, both have the talent just can't see them beating brazil but you never know

[xglassjawx]

i agree, both have the talent just can't see them beating brazil but you never know

Pretty much:crytears:

[underthetalking]

God 94...

God Roberto Baggio.

[somethingyellow]

God 94...

God Roberto Baggio.:'(

[underthetalking]

My thoughts exactly. I stared at the TV for a good 20 minutes... my first major heartbreak and I was 8 years old. I had yet to feel a pain like that again until 2001 and 2004.

[Johnny_G]

I love the American bashers who just can't handle the fact that the US is an up and coming team in the world of football. Face it, the US were underdogs to advance in 2002, and they managed to do it, beating a Portugal team who was far more talented. Comparing England to the US is totally unfair... football has dominated England and is the countries #1 passtime, just as it is in many other countries who dominate the sport. Give the US 40 years, I guarantee we are a world power judging by the growth of the sport and the improvment over the past decade. 10 years ago the US wouldn't have been given a chance to gain more than a point out of this group. Now group E is the group of death because the Americans are a dangerous adversary to either Italy or Czech. Ignorant Europeans need to accept that fact that this talented American squad can knock off their precious teams at any given time.

If not played on the European mainland, Brazil would have an easy time with this World Cup. But playing there will surely be a tough obstacle for them to overcome, ie France 98. On talent alone they have the world conquered, but football is a very tough sport to play on the road. Because of this, I think the Germans are the favorite. They have the talent and the backing of millions of supporters who will make it difficult for the opposition. After all, if freaking Korea can advance to the semis on their own turf....

[allelish]

I love the American bashers who just can't handle the fact that the US is an up and coming team in the world of football. Face it, the US were underdogs to advance in 2002, and they managed to do it, beating a Portugal team who was far more talented. Comparing England to the US is totally unfair... football has dominated England and is the countries #1 passtime, just as it is in many other countries who dominate the sport. Give the US 40 years, I guarantee we are a world power judging by the growth of the sport and the improvment over the past decade. 10 years ago the US wouldn't have been given a chance to gain more than a point out of this group. Now group E is the group of death because the Americans are a dangerous adversary to either Italy or Czech. Ignorant Europeans need to accept that fact that this talented American squad can knock off their precious teams at any given time.
i agree with that bit

If not played on the European mainland, Brazil would have an easy time with this World Cup. But playing there will surely be a tough obstacle for them to overcome, ie France 98. On talent alone they have the world conquered, but football is a very tough sport to play on the road. Because of this, I think the Germans are the favorite. They have the talent and the backing of millions of supporters who will make it difficult for the opposition. After all, if freaking Korea can advance to the semis on their own turf....
But not this, Brazil were finalists in 98 but i know what you mean about them being less successful in Europe in general. Germay cannot be classed as "the favourites". You talk of this "talent", but apart from Ballack and Kahn, their players are inferior to about 7 other teams. Of course they have the home advantage, and their group is easy, but i can't see them winning it.

[somethingyellow]

But not this, Brazil were finalists in 98 but i know what you mean about them being less successful in Europe in general. Germay cannot be classed as "the favourites". You talk of this "talent", but apart from Ballack and Kahn, their players are inferior to about 7 other teams. Of course they have the home advantage, and their group is easy, but i can't see them winning it.
definately, there is no way germany are favorites