World Cup Bound?

[cmblfc]

Since we are a good ways through WCQ, I would like to know who everyone thinks will finish top 2 in each group and why.

This is what I think:

Group 1-Hard Group, So many teams Deserving
1.Holland
2.Czech Republic

Reason: Both teams have a game in hand against Romania. Holland plays Romania twice still, and Czechs play them once. If Romania does well against them, they have a shot, but I am going to stick with what I have.

Group 2-A slight bit more sorted out than Group 1......Slight.
1.Ukraine
2.Turkey

Reason:If the Ukrainians beat Albania, they should have this group taken care of. They are going to Germany. I think Turkey have more depth and experience than the others, despite not qualifying for EURO 2004. They will edge out Denmark.

Group 3-Another Group much like Group 2
1. Portugal
2.Slovakia

Reason: I think the Russians get the short end of the stick here. Especially if the Slovaks keep playing like they are. Latvia, and Estonia, they are both talented, but I dont think they are ready for the World Cup just yet....maybe in 2008, though.

Group 4-This is the "Death Group"
1.Ireland
2.Israel

Reason:Ireland is on a roll. They will roll into the World Cup, and I think they are one of the top 5 in Europe. I picked Israel over France because I think that France is about to faceplant. I think they are done, their team has been gutted, and I dont think they can survive, especially if the Irish and Israelis are hot. Switzerland, I dont think they can pass out any of these teams. Not that they arent good, just that the tams above them are just that much better.

Group 5-A bit easier to go through than the first 4 groups.
1.Italy
2.Norway

Reason:Italy is the top team in Europe, not because they are my favorite team, but because I really think they are playing better now, more than anyone else. Portugal is the only team that might be playing better than them. Norway, I think they will get the second spot by default. I dont think that Slovenia or Belarus will get it, and I think Scotland finds ways to beat themselves. Norway is playing the 2nd best in this group, so they should get 2nd spot.

Group 6-Very easy group to pick.
1.England
2.Poland

Reason:Well, look at who is in the group......exactly. Both of these teams should run away with each spot.

Group 7-One of the more exciting groups
1.Serbia and Montenegro
2.Lithuania

Reason:Has anyone watched Spain lately? They have talent, but they havent been able to beat anyone. They arent going to Germany this time around. Serbia and Lithuania are both very talented, along with Bosnia, but the Belgians and the Spanish, who should have been the top 2 easily, dont look like they care, and I think that Lithuania will get 2nd spot. My 2nd favorite team is Lithuania, behind Italy, So I follow them closely, and I honestly believe they can pull this off.

Group 8-Finally, we are near the end
1.Sweden
2.Hungary

Reason:Sweden is a great squad, no one will disagree with that. It will come down to the last day, I think, for the 2nd spot. Bulgaria, Croatia, and Hungary are all very talented, and it is hard to choose from them, but I will go with the underdog here.

What does everyone else think?

[Teso Dos Bichos]

...and I think Scotland finds ways to beat themselves.

What does everyone else think?

Thanks for the vote of confidence! :D

[cmblfc]

Believe me, Id love to see the Scots in the WC. Id like to see them finish second right behind Italy. But if they dont get their act together, and fast, they are done.......If they aret already.

[fischetts]

Italy is the top team in Europe, not because they are my favorite team, but because I really think they are playing better now, more than anyone else. Portugal is the only team that might be playing better than them.

Are you kidding me? I couldn't disagree more. Italy has played 60 minutes of inspired football in the past 5 years, and even that couldn't bring them a win. Even us with the most azzurri tinted glasses will admit that.

Unless something dramatic happens, and there is a year and a half until Germany, I foresee an early Italian exit. At least we'll get to see Totti get pelted in the face with a tomato. Maybe not actually, since the public doesn't turn on the team anymore, instead blaming refs or back door deals between teams.

[cmblfc]

Dude, I get it. We sucked at Euro 2004. It was bad. I think we could have played better in 2002, but I dont think our exit was completely our fault. All of those PK losses......well, we should have won those. But I think we are the deepest team in Europe. If we get the right combination (we have a year and a half) we might just do it.

[BSjanitor]

You are right on about Ukraine. They will cruise into 2006. But, I think you are tripping when picking Israel over France. The French have young talent coming up. I also think Spain will get thru their group, probably second, though.

[ronaldinhobr10]

You are right on about Ukraine. They will cruise into 2006. But, I think you are tripping when picking Israel over France. The French have young talent coming up. I also think Spain will get thru their group, probably second, though.


i definitely agree with you

how could u pick lithuaniua over spain??? never
i think spain will qualify for sure

and france will qualify as well....it will be tough now without zidane, but they will IMO
they have MANY young players coming now like mavuba and they will get there but probably wont hurt anyone in the world cup

[Kappa18]

Yea,

right now, Israel is on the bring..there cometing with the top teams, but yet, its hard to get into 2nd, since we got switzerland and we also got another home game with france and an away with Ireland.

Our biggest accomplishment for Israel was that we beat Cyprus with doubles, which usually when we played them since 1992, we use to either lose at there place or tie. This time it was different.

The outcome of whether israel clinches second or not will be heavily dependent on our outcome for the game vs Switzerland, both games vs. Ireland and the home game vs. France.

Our biggest benefit to date is that, if we succeed. Manage a healthy and lucky win, lose a measly 1 game and tie the rest, we would be more than ok, since the last 2 games are against Faroe Island. That is an easy 6 points there....

[cmblfc]

Okay, I understand if you dont think Lithuania will make it. But I am a big fan of them, and I have seen them and Spain play countless times. Lithuania is the stronger team right now. Spain has come out completely flat, they do not look like they even care about qualifying. Watch a Spain game, and you will see. Lithuania is good enough to get 2nd. Spains terrible.

The reason I pick Israel over France is because of how depleted the french are. 6 retirements, and no Cisse, and an unhappy Barthez. I honestly dont know how you recover from that with Ireland, Switzerland, and Israel in your group. Israel I think can do what Kappa 18 says.

[Kappa18]

Okay, I understand if you dont think Lithuania will make it. But I am a big fan of them, and I have seen them and Spain play countless times. Lithuania is the stronger team right now. Spain has come out completely flat, they do not look like they even care about qualifying. Watch a Spain game, and you will see. Lithuania is good enough to get 2nd. Spains terrible.

Lithania can for sure be the surprise team in WC 06, like Latvia was in Euro 04......

Israel played them, but we were down like 2-0 to Lithuania...
than we managed to win 4-2!

I don't know..jewish lukc :cool:

The reason I pick Israel over France is because of how depleted the french are. 6 retirements, and no Cisse, and an unhappy Barthez. I honestly dont know how you recover from that with Ireland, Switzerland, and Israel in your group. Israel I think can do what Kappa 18 says.

The French NT needs youths! There is huge problems in France right now. The youth want to have more freedom and the senior-youths wanna play in the NT. The NT is built with old players and they need to give up on the failed WC 02 and Euro 04 'heros' just because of there success in 98 and 2000.

They need to rebuld there team...

Israel's biggest obstacle is Switzerland. We need a tie in there place. We played them 2-2 at home and we should have won it. It would have bosted us plus give us more confidence.

One key problem that i see with Israel is that there only +3 in Goal Differences. They need more goals, because the same issue of goal difference can haunt them like it did in WC 2002 when we lost in GF to Austria.....

Hopefully the games vs. Faroe Islands can be 5-0 and 2-0!! But Israel will probably not see the net for a good portion of 2005!

[cmblfc]

I really think Cisse's leg injury ruins their shot. Thats the nail in the coffin for a depleted team.

[Rima067]

Okay, I understand if you dont think Lithuania will make it. But I am a big fan of them, and I have seen them and Spain play countless times. Lithuania is the stronger team right now. Spain has come out completely flat, they do not look like they even care about qualifying. Watch a Spain game, and you will see. Lithuania is good enough to get 2nd. Spains terrible.

The reason I pick Israel over France is because of how depleted the french are. 6 retirements, and no Cisse, and an unhappy Barthez. I honestly dont know how you recover from that with Ireland, Switzerland, and Israel in your group. Israel I think can do what Kappa 18 says.


Barthez (and the other senior players, Henry, Pires, Gallas, Silvestre, etc) is unhappy but keeping clean sheets. Our problem is at the other end of the net (and coach!!) - Scoring.

But, I have more faith, with past matches, Trezeguet and Ludovic Guily were both injured and I think they can make a big difference for the team, they are both back now. Even Pedretti.

Honestly, I don't know how much of a difference Cisse has made before, so, I mean, it's not as if we'll miss him like anyone else. Though, I do not discount the difference he can make, but he's not (or has been, specifically) a match turner for the France NT.

Also, here's hoping Dhorasoo gets a nod, he's been great for Milan.

[cmblfc]

Good luck. France need to prove to me they are good enough.

[flem16]

Since we are a good ways through WCQ, I would like to know who everyone thinks will finish top 2 in each group and why.

This is what I think:

Group 1-Hard Group, So many teams Deserving
1.Holland
2.Czech Republic

Group 2-A slight bit more sorted out than Group 1......Slight.
1.Ukraine
2.Turkey

Group 3-Another Group much like Group 2
1. Portugal
2.Slovakia

Group 4-This is the "Death Group"
1.Ireland
2.Israel

Group 5-A bit easier to go through than the first 4 groups.
1.Italy
2.Norway

Group 6-Very easy group to pick.
1.England
2.Poland

Group 7-One of the more exciting groups
1.Serbia and Montenegro
2.Lithuania
they can pull this off.

Group 8-Finally, we are near the end
1.Sweden
2.Hungary

What does everyone else think?

My take based on the groups is as follows:
(Note: Teams in bold qualify for the finals in Germany)

Group 1
1) Netherlands
2) Czech Republic

These two have the most talent in the group and currently have a game up on Romania. I don't see the Czechs nor the Dutch failing to make it again to make it to Germany. The 2nd place finisher from this group will be the strongest 2nd place team and will qualify directly for Germany.

Group 2
1) Ukraine
2) Turkey

Ukraine has a large lead and even though I don't believe they are the best squad in this group I think they will hang on for the top position. Turkey will also find their way to Germany with a victory in the home-and-home playoff. The Turks finished 3rd in WC 2002 and will not be denied another trip to the Finals.

Group 3
1) Portugal
2) Slovakia

Portugal is as good as in in this weak group. It is a toss up between Russia and Slovakia for the 2nd spot but it won't matter as neither team will make it past the home-and-home round for a place in Germany.

Group 4
1) Ireland
2) France

Ireland are playing the best ball in this group and could go a long way in Germany. France, Israel, and Switzerland will be fighting it out for the 2nd spot with the French pulling it together to squeak into the playoff. France will qualify for Germany with victories in the home-and-home playoff.

Group 5
1) Italy
2) Norway

The Italians will walk away with this group while the Norweigans hold off Slovenia for the 2nd spot. No Germany for Norway as they are not strong enough to make it through the home-and-home playoff.

Group 6
1) England
2) Poland

The English are as good as in and so are the Poles. Poland will surprise and qualify for Germany directly as one of the top 2 second place teams.

Group 7
1) Spain
2) Lithuania

Spain are off to a slow start but will pull together enough to place 1st in this weak group. Lithuania and Serbia/Montenegro are equal and this is a toss up for 2nd place. It won't matter as Spain will be the only team from this group that will be playing in Germany.

Group 8
1) Sweden
2) Croatia

Both of these teams are solid, but not spectacular. The Croats will make it to Germany with a victory in the home-and-home playoff.

[SirManchester]

Don't underestimate Romania in the first group....I think they'll pull an upset and go through instead of either Holland or the Czechs.

[cmblfc]

Im not sure that Spain are good enough to win this "weak group". Any of the top 4 teams in this group could be "cinderellas" in WC play. Spain really needs to wake up if they are to qualify.

[Vic#10]

I consider Group 1 to be the group of death. I hope that Romania can find a win in either Holland or the Czech Rep. If they do they can have a chance of qualify. We shall see what the new coach (Piturca) can do

Turkey and Greece did so well, not so long ago. I don’t think that either will qualify. I would love to be proven wrong about Turkey but I can’t see them catching Denmark. The Ukraine has done well and will probably be second in the group.

Group 4 is interesting. Although Ireland is a good team I think their displays in France and Switzerland involved some luck. If Switzerland can regain their composure they can give Ireland a run for their money. France will probably top this group. I don’t think Israel is a contender even though they are a good team.

Spain has surely under performed away from home, in group 7 but without a doubt they will qualify for the world cup. I would not be surprised if they finish first. I can almost guarantee that, if they do finish first, Raul will not be the reason for it.

Sweden will not top Group 8. I have not liked Croatia since the round of 16 in WC 98 but I know when I see a strong team. Croatia beat Sweden in Gothenburg and they will beat them again. Sweden will surely qualify for the World cup but it will be with second place.

[Borruma]

Teams in bold to progress imo:

Group 1 - Czech Republic, Romania
Group 2 - Ukraine, Denmark
Group 3 - Portugal, Russia.
Group 4 - Ireland, France
Group 5 - Italy, Norway
Group 6 - England, Poland
Group 7 - Spain, Serbia\Mont
Group 8 - Sweden, Bulgaria