World Cup 2006

Kaka' is better than Robinho.

When Emerson, Kaka' and Ronaldinho are going to be taking up the midfield positions, among other good players like Gilberto Silva, how can you even possibly say England have a better midfield than Brazil?

I don't even think any team in the world has as good a midfield as that.

I wouldn't even dare to talk about favorites, because everytime there's a favorite, that team ends up either dissapointing completely or not getting close to meeting the expectations. As the tournament develops I always end up rooting for the underdog teams, because nobody even thought they would qualify to the next round, and they end up teaching the favorites a lesson on how to play football.

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- MEXICO 1986
FAVORITES WHO DISSAPOINTED: Italy
SURPRISE TEAM OF UNDERDOGS: Belgium, Argentina

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- ITALY 1990
FAVORITES WHO DISSAPOINTED: Holland, Brasil, Argentina (the team sucked even though they luckly got to the final thanks to Goycochea)
SURPRISE TEAM OF UNDERDOGS: Cameroon

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- USA 1994
FAVORITES WHO DISSAPOINTED: Colombia.
SURPRISE TEAM OF UNDERDOGS: Bulgaria, Romania, Sweden.

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- FRANCE 1998
FAVORITES WHO DISSAPOINTED: Spain.
SURPRISE TEAM OF UNDERDOGS: Croatia.

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- KOREA / JAPAN 2002
FAVORITES WHO DISSAPOINTED: Portugal, Argentina, France, Italy.
SURPRISE TEAM OF UNDERDOGS: Turkey, USA.

For the players England have got, England should be doing far far better.

Sven may have only lost one game that matters, and that is a very good record that not many managers can boast, but England never look like they're gonna turn it on when it's needed - and I put it down to Sven's motivation and the fact that I dont think the players know what they're doing anymore.

Allardyce for England.

Brazil 2002
Portgual 2004

They mattered more than N Ireland.
There is more than one. NI was the first qualifing match he'd lost. Mainly thanks to Beckham and his 94th minute free kick against Greece.

[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]The Mir@cle wrote: [/QUOTENAME]Absolute favourite: Brasil

Dangerous outsiders: Spain, France, Mexico, Argentina, The Netherlands.
[/QUOTE]


Mexico dangerous, common just because they won the Sub-17 World cup doesnt mean anything.

[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Serry... wrote: [/QUOTENAME]USA? Are you talking about football... oh pardon... soccer? No, I ain't sure USA win it... Germany or Brazil[/QUOTE]


Yeam im talking about soccer. Germany got lucky againts USA in 2002. But i dont know about Germany. From Europe I would say Czech Republic, Africa Ghana, South America Brazil, and North America USA.

The U.S. soccer team might not be top class but it's better than many people think. However it turns out to be that it's a team that depends too much on Landon Donovan.

england? - not a chance
scotland? - this one splits my sides
brazil (only team to win the world cup away from their home continent - but difficult to do
germany - home advantage


my own personal call? - Spain/Portugal
- although i'd sacrifice my right arm for Ireland to win it wonce in my lifetime

note - the following countries have all won it at home:-
argentina, germany, england, france, uruguay,

[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]greaserkat wrote: [/QUOTENAME][QUOTE][QUOTENAME]The Mir@cle wrote: [/QUOTENAME]Absolute favourite: Brasil

Dangerous outsiders: Spain, France, Mexico, Argentina, The Netherlands.
[/QUOTE]


Mexico dangerous, common just because they won the Sub-17 World cup doesnt mean anything. [/QUOTE]

They played very well during the Confederation Cup... Don't underestimate their strength.

[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Mr.Jingles wrote: [/QUOTENAME]USA 1994
FAVORITES WHO DISSAPOINTED: Colombia.[/QUOTE]

Yeah... remember the guy who scored the own goal, and what happened to him right after he got off the airplane when he arrived back at home?

If Germany has a remote chance in '06, they need some younger blood. They just can't keep up with the faster-paced teams. Might I add, they were a complete disgrace at Euro last year. One goal in three games. Pathetic.

Germany has now quite few new young and exciting players- Podolski in attack (Poland-born), midfilder from Bayern (I'm not attemting to spell it... red-hair) and few others- Klinsman as a coach did a lot IMO- but unfortunately they still depend too much on Ballack- if he struggles, German team struggle...

Germany is not strong enough.. They were blown away by Holland a few weeks ago. Well, the game ended in a 2-2 draw but it should have been 6-2.

I think Roman Abramovich should use his money to bribe the British Govt. to give those in the Chelsea squad who need it, UK citizenship - then England might win it ;-)

Fenderek -I'll be down in London on Oct 25th for the Dream Theater gig at Hammersmith - I'll bring some tissues for you, so you can dry your eyes after we have beaten Poland ;-)

Yep, bring them. But I don't think I'd cry too much as we'll qualify ANYWAY, even if we lost... But you may need'em... :)
Mir@cle- I think Netherlands are among hot favs on this tournament- great team, Van Basten's doing a decent job... Man, I remeber him playing in like 1988... Those were the days... I always liked Dutch team, don't know why...

The early 70's Dutch team with Cruyff, Neeskens and Rep was fantastic.