what 2 Euro teams would you want?

[mickhayafe]

Germany
Ukraine
Netherlands
Poland
England
Croatia
Italy
Portugal
Sweden
Serbia and Montenegro
France
-----------------------
spain
switzerland
norway
slovakia
turkey
czech

these are the Euro teams, with 3 of the bottom 6 going to qualify, IF we get drawn with 2 of these teams who would you want it to be? (not necessarily the worst teams)

France
Italy

would be a top choice for me. all in all I'ld say that the Euros look pretty strong this time around.

[england66]

Germany
Ukraine
Netherlands
Poland
England
Croatia
Italy
Portugal
Sweden
Serbia and Montenegro
France
-----------------------
spain
switzerland
norway
slovakia
turkey
czech

all in all I'ld say that the Euros look pretty strong this time around.


just about like they do in every World Cup....especially the ones played in europe....but for the USA I would choose.....turkey (as small as the USA in M/F....and slovakia.....as an aside ...I hope the Netherlands is not drawn into Brazils group....as I would like the Dutch to knock Brazil out (they will) in the round of 16 or the 1/4 's....

[ty webb]

I don't like our chances against any of these European sides. I don't think we match up well with the eastern europeans at all. Ukraine, S&M, Croatia, Poland, would all be tough.

I think Brazil vs. Holland sounds like a Semi or a Final to me (I think Brazil wins this one 3 - 2 like in WC 1994).

I will go with the Swiss and the Norwegians, but that would mean we get Brazil or Argentina as the top seed of the group. But, any group I can imagine will be tough to get out of.

[sidefootsitter]

Turkey, if it qualifies, will be playing at home.

Not a good choice.

[flash1316]

Turkey, if it qualifies, will be playing at home.

Not a good choice.
True statement

[mickhayafe]

Turkey, if it qualifies, will be playing at home.

Not a good choice.

Definitely, didn't think of this before, but you are right on.

[Shaydee]

Serbia & Montenegro and Croatia

which of course won't happen so I'll say S+M (:eek: :D) and France

[BenC1357]

Remember, we have to be drawn in with one of the seeded teams.

S&M because they don't score many goals. Sure they haven't been giving up many, but I'll take my chances at a low scoring game any day versus the possibility of a shootout against teams like France and Spain.
I'll take Italy as our top seed, for the same reasons as above. They are notorious for falling flat on their faces, so I'll take my chances there. Plus if they play calcio, we can steal a goal or a 0-0 draw.

My ideal group (IF we got drawn into a group with two Euro teams) would be Italy, S&M and an African new commer.

Teams we need to avoid: Germany (obvious), Portugal (revenge factor), Turkey (as stated, pretty much at home), and the big guns like England, France, Spain, Netherlands.
Of course that all changes if the reward for getting one of the very strong seeded teams is that we get two weaker teams with them.

[FC Tallavana]

Germany
Ukraine
Netherlands
Poland
England
Croatia
Italy
Portugal
Sweden
Serbia and Montenegro
France
-----------------------
spain
switzerland
norway
slovakia
turkey
czech

these are the Euro teams, with 3 of the bottom 6 going to qualify, IF we get drawn with 2 of these teams who would you want it to be? (not necessarily the worst teams)

France
Italy

would be a top choice for me. all in all I'ld say that the Euros look pretty strong this time around.

France and Italy are likely to be seeded aren't they???

I would go with...Netherlands & Poland.

Let's face it, we are gonna face at least one traditional power no matter what group we're in. So, we might as well face a favorite. Why? Because if we we make it through the group we won't have to face them again for awhile. Another reason I choose the Netherlands is because we have played them a couple of times recently and are familiar with their player/tactics. While it was only a friendly, we were a Hejduk away from getting a draw on their soil last year.

I pick Poland because it is another team we are aware of and should not have any fear (read bunker) of playing.

[bltleo]

.

Teams we need to avoid: Germany (obvious), Portugal (revenge factor), Turkey (as stated, pretty much at home), and the big guns like England, France, Spain, Netherlands.
.


spain has not qualified yet....they play play off against Slovakia..

It is obvious that USA would like to avoid GERMANY:)....I also don´t want to have USA in our group..

Holland, England - hm.... Germany and USA we both don´t want to have them in our group...

Portugal: as USMNT fan I ´m not worry about USA-Portugal games...you can make it..

France - hm they are not so strong as they used to be....should be no problem for USA....

Czech Republic - if they qualify?..Hm would be interesting to watch how these two countries plays against each other.....I think they have never had chance to play against each other.....also first try?? Would be good test for both....both have similar style of soccer play.. Czech play against Norwey in the play off.....

Slovakia - the same as for Czech...would be nice to watch USA-Slovakia game....such a game was never in the history ...Slovakia will play first time in the WC if they qualify.... for these who don´t know: Slovakia was part of Czechoslovakia...so they actually already played soccer and were successfull in the past..

Turkey? Well they still have not qualified....they play play off as well..

the only biggest rivals I don´t want in USA group is Holland and Germany and ENGLAND......


bltleo
GERMANY

[cleansheetbsc]

I prefer Luxombourg and Faroe Islands.

Spain hasn't played well in a long time when it counts. France has had better form as of late.

Basically keep me away from the hosts (2 of the 3 most recent cups not hosted by the US, we have been grouped with the host nation), let someone else play them. Also Holland and England I would prefer to miss.

[AGF Aarhus]

I'll assume that one of the Euro's we draw is a seeded team and the other is not, as that is the most likey scenerio.

Seeded: I want Germany. I know they're at home, but this team is God-awful. Their defense is in worse shape than ours. There is also a lot of pressure building on the Germans, and I could easily see a situation where Klinsman goes into the Cup fighting with the Bundesliga managers and His Highness the Supreme Leader of German Football Kaiser Beckenbaurer, as well as his players, and the young kids he throws into the back just buckle under the pressure. Hell, they buckle under pressure from Northern Ireland, so why not us?

Unseeded: Stating the obvious, a weaker team. That could be Switzerland, S&M, Slovakia or Norway. Of the un-seeded teams, I would want to avoid the Ukraine at all costs. I don't know if the Dutch will be seeded or not, but I also want no part of them.

[bltleo]

I'll

Seeded: I want Germany. I know they're at home, but this team is God-awful. Their defense is in worse shape than ours. There is also a lot of pressure building on the Germans, and I could easily see a situation where Klinsman goes into the Cup fighting with the Bundesliga managers and His Highness the Supreme Leader of German Football Kaiser Beckenbaurer, as well as his players, and the young kids he throws into the back just buckle under the pressure. Hell, they buckle under pressure from Northern Ireland, so why not us?

.


oh, first American who want Germany....thank you for nice words to german team:)...it is better for us when many underestimate our team.....

to our supreme Leader of german soccer Kaiser Beckbenbauer - he might be not satisfied about current situation in german soccer, but he has never told that Germany has no chance....he only asked Klinsman for more cooperation with Bundesliga managers....it is no fight..just support for german soccer from Kaiser Franz...Of course we are under big pressure, because the fact that we play home give us a lot of pressure.....we all wish to win the Cup...

I would be not so negatiave about german team, despite we are not best now..and our defense is really terrible.....but you never know:)

bltleo
GERMANY

[russ]

Remember, we have to be drawn in with one of the seeded teams.


I'll take Italy as our top seed, for the same reasons as above. They are notorious for falling flat on their faces, so I'll take my chances there. Plus if they play calcio, we can steal a goal or a 0-0 draw.

My ideal group (IF we got drawn into a group with two Euro teams) would be Italy, S&M and an African new commer.




They always play calcio :) ,but when they get hyperdefensive it's cattenaccio.Having said that,I wouldn't mind them being our seed.

[AGF Aarhus]

to our supreme Leader of german soccer Kaiser Beckbenbauer - he might be not satisfied about current situation in german soccer, but he has never told that Germany has no chance....he only asked Klinsman for more cooperation with Bundesliga managers....it is no fight..just support for german soccer from Kaiser Franz...Of course we are under big pressure, because the fact that we play home give us a lot of pressure.....we all wish to win the Cup...

Well of course he's not going to come out and say Germany has not chance. But the increasingly public infighting is a distraction, and a distraction for a young, and let's face it, not very good team.

I'll bet you anything that Klinsman would much rather not have Kaiser Franz's 'support' and would be much happier if he would shut up and let him do his job.

[bltleo]

I'll bet you anything that Klinsman would much rather not have Kaiser Franz's 'support' and would be much happier if he would shut up and let him do his job.

everyone would like to have Kaiser Franz´s support......I wish myself he could
coach german national team...but he was already coach of german national team,won WC and he has higher goals working for german and international soccer....but I wish he could coach our team again....our Kaiser FRANZ!!

bltleo
Germany

[AGF Aarhus]

Bltleo,

What you regard as 'support' I regard as meddling, and I suspect that Klinsman sees it the same why. The very fact that the Kaiser was so successful is exactly the problem. So long as he keeps running his mouth, Klinsman does not have the authority he needs to do his job. Beckenbauer becomes a rival center of influence and power, and this undermines the coach's authority. The result is disunity and chaos, which is exactly why I want to face Germany in the first round (well, that and the fact that they aren't very good).

[bltleo]

Bltleo,

What you regard as 'support' I regard as meddling, and I suspect that Klinsman sees it the same why. The very fact that the Kaiser was so successful is exactly the problem. So long as he keeps running his mouth, Klinsman does not have the authority he needs to do his job. Beckenbauer becomes a rival center of influence and power, and this undermines the coach's authority. The result is disunity and chaos, which is exactly why I want to face Germany in the first round (well, that and the fact that they aren't very good).

Franz is big authority in german soccer...even Kaiser...yes Beckenbauer might be a bit rival center of influence and power..and he has this power and influence....it is Franz´s job that we got WC to Germany ...he was fighting so much for organizing WC in Germany....he presented Germany in the best way...of course he wants we win this cup....and looking at the recent results of german team make him a bit annoyed.....he knows that with the current team we can not win the WC...and it is his goal....and he wants that Germany win the Cup....so he makes pressure....on Klinsmann, on players, on managers etc.....

If I were USA I would not like to meet Germany in first round.....
I support your team, so be a bit nicer to me:).....It will be catastrophe if we Germany will not survive first round....wow, catastrophe....It can not happen!! and it will not happen

bltleo
GERMANY

[Davids26]

With only 14 Euro teams qualifying, I believe their will be 2 groups with only one Euro team in them. Like in '02 Group C had Brazil, Turkey, Costa Rica, and China. I believe their was only one like that in '02, but their will be two this time.

Just saying theirs a higher probability this time around we might only face one euro team.

[bltleo]

just about like they do in every World Cup....especially the ones played in europe....but for the USA I would choose.....turkey (as small as the USA in M/F....and slovakia.....as an aside ...I hope the Netherlands is not drawn into Brazils group....as I would like the Dutch to knock Brazil out (they will) in the round of 16 or the 1/4 's....


I think many Americans already mentioned Slovakia....I join to this opinion....USA and Slovakia in one group....Turkey? Hm..not sure why you have choosen Turkey...maybe you could explain us it here....

Holland is special....I think no one will have them in their group.....
But I know, I have feeling that Germany will meet Holland but not in first round:)..a bit later..

and England66, I hope we don´t have England in our grup....please NO
and please NO England for USA as well....o.k...you should promisse me this:)

England will survive first round....the rest I don´t know.....
bltleo
Germany