Which Underdog Team Will Be A Surprise?

[jec1]

still a long way to go but UKRAINE has impressed me alot i pick them to be the greece of the world cup :)

[Hrvat]

The only match I watched them was Greece-Ukraine and wasn't a bit impressed. I don't expect much from them, they could end up like Poland or Croatia in WC '02 who were also impressive during qualifiers. Ševčenko can decide a match by himself but I find most of their players rather limited. They have a certain potential, but I give them 1/8 finals tops.

[Sinter]

1 player can only carry a team so long. If anything I'd put my money on an African team to shake things up some.

[Carrot]

I don't know if you'd consider them an underdog, per se, but people always forget about Sweden.
They have a bunch of solid, well-tested players on their squad right now, the team has done well recently in group stages of tough groups in big competitions (they won the group of death in WC 2002, won the group with Denmark and Italy in Euro 2004), have looked solid enough in qualifying thus far, and will probably fly under the radar.

[scaryice]

Ukraine 2006 = Poland 2002

Qualified early with ease, led by a prolific striker, will disappoint and fail to advance from the group stage.

[schafer]

I don't know if you'd consider them an underdog, per se, but people always forget about Sweden.
They have a bunch of solid, well-tested players on their squad right now, the team has done well recently in group stages of tough groups in big competitions (they won the group of death in WC 2002, won the group with Denmark and Italy in Euro 2004), have looked solid enough in qualifying thus far, and will probably fly under the radar.

I agree, Sweden, based on current form and Euro 2004, is definitely a team to watch out for. They have a top-class attacking trio of Ljungberg, Larsson, and Ibrahimovic, not to mention Wilhelmsson, and they aren't exactly poor at the back. Isaksson was also very impressive at the Euros, particularly against Italy, but I haven't seen enough of him at club level to make a real judgement.

[Popol Vuh]

Czech Republic

[hanul21]

Czech Republic

i have to disagree with you.. they're not really underdogs, they just havent been lucky in qualifying for World Cups

[MassachusettsRef]

Ukraine 2006 = Poland 2002

Qualified early with ease, led by a prolific striker, will disappoint and fail to advance from the group stage.I agree wholeheartedly with this post. And I say this as someone who was touting Poland as a potential semifinal team around this time in 2001 (thankfully, the boards crashed and there's no record of those predictions).

I'd say Serbia will be the biggest surprise, though I'm not sure you can really count them as an underdog.

The draw, of course, matters greatly, as all 4 of these teams could meet previously, so I reserve the right to amend these picks in December. But, if I were to pick a final four right now for next year, I'd say:

Brazil
Netherlands
Germany
Serbia

Either I'll be a genius next summer, or wishing that by 2009 there's no record of this pick.

[Canadian_Supporter]

i have to disagree with you.. they're not really underdogs, they just havent been lucky in qualifying for World Cups

Do you mean unlucky?

:)

[Fulhamfc3]

If they qualify Ghana will be a suprise team. Ghana have done some great things in qualifying so far and they also have some quality players like Essien. They will also have a tough Pre WC because they play in the African Nations Cup and that will help them alot.

[Riker]

I like Ukraine chances. Please, they have nothing to do with Poland, except the fact both clinched a spot way early.
I could see them making the quarterfinals.

I also like Sweden as someone mentioned.

Some african dude will probably make some noise. But it's kind of hard to predict which one will be.

But overall I think this WC will not have many surprise. Both Brazil and Germany will make the final four. The other two might be Holland, Argentina, France, Czech Rep, Italy, England...And, that's about it.

[scaryice]

I'm going to go with Australia, if they qualify. They have some great players playing for good teams, and one of the best coaches in the world. I think they'll at least advance from the group stage.

[DemmahoM]

I'm hoping KSA will suprise us all next year. :)


After 2002 we really can't do much worse :D

[jec1]

australia has a good chance

[Toon³]

If they qualify I think Denmark will do very well.

[Sinter]

The Aussies won't qualify so :)

Michael Eissen isn't leading Ghana anywhere but 3 and out.

Sweden isn't an underdog in my books. I'd expect them to make it out of the group stage, in most cases.

[PirateJohn]

I'm hoping KSA will suprise us all next year. :)They sure surprised us in '02! ;)

[Popol Vuh]

They sure surprised us in '02! ;)that's right :D

[marcin79]

I think that Ireland will be hard to beat (as always) if they qualify. Last 8 is my prediction.

Or Swedes.