World Cup predictions - first round

[mordhiem]

And as for Suker, just how old is he now? 34? 35? He wasn't good enough for West Ham two seasons ago, so I hardly think he's going to do as well in the World Cup as he fluked in 1998. Croatia were rather fortunate that year, this year the will be shown for what they really are .

[gopher]

World Champ: Argentina (Vamos Vamos Argentina!)
Top Scorer: Batistuta (w00t!)
Group Winners:
A. France
B. Spain
C. Brazil
D. Portugal (was going to be my upset champ choice)
E. Germany
F. Argentina (with a 4-1 victory over the Limeys in Sapporo June 7)
G. Italy
H. Tunisia

As for the matches....perhaps later when I have more time.

[gopher]

Funny how the group picks vary only with group H (besides those nuts who think England over Argentina, but I am sure the gas company noticed the fumes and is sending over a team now).

[Dauphin]

It would be irony if France came second to Senegal in their group and Argentina deliberate lost to Sweden in the final match to come second in the group.

[Jay Bee]

Where are you from, Gopher?

[Giovanni Wine]

Originally posted by JohnIII
Vugrinec is the one from Lecce?

Yup! He plays in Lecce!
Him and Chevanton did pretty well this year, the problem with Vugrinec (as I stated before) is that he plays good only once in a while, but when he's in shape he is really good.

Saluti

[JohnIII]

Gopher: did you see my picks?

[Giovanni Wine]

Originally posted by mordhiem


Had a bit too much to drink Mercator?

On the Italy debate, Nesta and Cannavaro are world class and a front three of Totti, Vieri, Del Piero/Inzaghi will score for fun their midfield is adequate, the lack of a real playmaker and a tough ballwinner (Tommasi and Di Bagio are not top ballwinners IMHO) could scupper them. But look at the draw and you'll see they have a ridiculously easy route to the final (Argentina, France, Brazil and England are in the other half of the draw), only a possible semi with Portugal or Spain could casue problems, but they could comfortably beat them.

Tommasi and Di Biagio are leg-destroyers, they kick everything that is above the grass, they don't care if it is the ball or the leg.
I don't like them.
Somebody like Perrotta, Ambrosini or Conte would have been way better than this two.

Saluti

[Winston]

World Champion: Brazil

Top scorer: Batistuta

Group winners:

A Denmark
B Spain
C Brazil
D Poland
E Republic of Ireland
F England
G Italy
H Russia

A 31-05 13:30 France - Senegal (Seoul) 1-1
A 01-06 11:00 Uruguay - Denmark (Ulsan) 0-2
B 02-06 09:30 Paraguay - South Africa (Busan) 1-1
B 02-06 13:30 Spain - Slovenia (Gwangju) 1-0
C 03-06 11:00 Brazil - Turkey (Ulsan) 2-0
C 04-06 08:30 China PR - Costa Rica (Gwangju) 0-2
D 04-06 13:30 Korea Republic - Poland (Busan) 0-2
D 05-06 11:00 USA - Portugal (Suwon) 1-1
E 01-06 08:30 Republic of Ireland - Cameroon (Niigata) 1-0
E 01-06 13:30 Germany - Saudi Arabia (Sapporo) 0-0
F 02-06 11:30 England - Sweden (Saitama) 2-0
F 02-06 14:30 Argentina - Nigeria (Ibaraki) 1-0
G 03-06 08:30 Croatia - Mexico (Niigata) 1-1
G 03-06 13:30 Italy - Ecuador (Sapporo) 0-0
H 04-06 11:00 Japan - Belgium (Saitama) 0-2
H 05-06 08:30 Russia - Tunisia (Kobe) 1-1

Good job as always Paul.

[gopher]

Originally posted by Jay Bee
Where are you from, Gopher?

From Texas, live in MI, Family is Argentinian. Hating the Brits in football is in my blood

[The Vagabond]

Originally posted by gopher
...besides those nuts who think England over Argentina, ...

There will be no God's hand as in 1986 fo the second time. Therefore England will beat Argentina.

[Zopperoni]

Originally posted by The Vagabond
There will be no God's hand as in 1986 fo the second time. Therefore England will beat Argentina.

And also no Gareth Southgate =)

[gopher]

Originally posted by The Vagabond


There will be no God's hand as in 1986 fo the second time. Therefore England will beat Argentina.

Yeah, well that was for using Sea Marines in the Falklands. It's even.

[Laertes]

All you French fans - time for a re-think. Zidane is out for two games, according to the BBC.

[Kropotkin]

Wount make a difference imho. They will just have to manage with center midfielders like Makelele, Viera and Petit. Those poor frenchmen.