Friday, December 09, 2005

World Cup Finals Draw (with Incredibly Early Predictions!)


The World Cup Finals draw just wrapped up about an hour ago, and I've had enough time to sit back and analyze what just took place. Here's my first reaction: the United States just got screwed. I don't know if there's any other way to put it, because that is precisely what has happened.

The draw in full, with predictions (in bold):

Group A
Germany
Costa Rica
Poland
Ecuador

Group B
England
Paraguay
Trinidad & Tobago
Sweden

Group C
Argentina
Cote d'Ivoire
The Netherlands
Serbia & Montenegro

Group D
Mexico
Iran
Angola
Portugal

Group E
Italy
Ghana
United States
Czech Republic

Group F
Brazil
Croatia
Australia
Japan

Group G
France
Switzerland
South Korea
Togo

Group H
Spain
Ukraine
Tunisia
Saudi Arabia

Round of 16:
Germany vs. Sweden
Argentina vs. Mexico
Italy vs. Croatia
France vs. Ukraine
England vs. Poland
The Netherlands vs. Portugal
Brazil vs. Czech Republic
Spain vs. South Korea

Quarterfinals:
Germany vs. Argentina
Italy vs. France
England vs. The Netherlands
Brazil vs. Spain

Semifinals:
Italy vs. Argentina
Brazil vs. England

Final:
Brazil vs. Argentina

Groups Ranked by Difficulty
1. Group C
2. Group E
3. Group F
4. Group B
5. Group A
6. Group D
7. Group G
8. Group H

For those of you wondering, the U.S. will play the Czech Republic first, on June 12th in Gelsenkirchen (a hugely important match), then Italy five days later in Kaiserslautern, and end with Ghana on the 22nd in Nuremburg.

All three of the teams drawn with the U.S. in Group E are very difficult, even Ghana. Ghana's midfield tandem of Michael Essien (Chelsea) and Stephan Appiah (formerly of Juventus, now of Fenerbahce) will give the Americans fits. Italy's strengths go without saying, and the Czech Republic, while not quite the force they once were, can still call on the services of players like Thomas Rosicky (Borussia Dortmund), Pavel Nedved (Juventus), and GK Petr Cech (Chelsea). It will be tough to get even three points from this group. Bruce Arena's got a real job on his hands now, but I certainly with them all the luck in the world. If they do advance, the United States will fear no one remaining in the tournament, that much I can tell you.

As the World Cup Finals approach, I will have complete coverage right here on the blog, so those of you into soccer, you know where to go. Of course, Richie Grant and I will have a full breakdown of the World Cup draw on this coming Wednesday's Soccer Fix at 10 am on Sports 56 WHBQ.

When all is said and done, Brazil will win, because they have too much talent not to.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Is there any chance that the US will add Memphis soccer legend, Joshua Putnam to its team before the World Cup? They could use Josh's athleticism on the back line.

Peter said...

Unthinkable.