Group E Teams: Successful/Unsucessful WC????

[Edwin Thorne]

For the teams in Group E, what do you think would constitute a good and/or bad WC performance.

Italy
My Prediction: Win Group and Semifinalists
Good: Final 8
Bad: Fail to make it out of Group play

Czech Republic
My Prediction: Fail to Advance
Good: Final 8
Bad:Fail to make it out of Group play

United States
My Prediction: Advance to Round of 16
Good: Final 8
Bad: Earn no points.

Ghana
My Prediction: Fail to Advance.
Good: Earn any points.
Bad: Get routed in 3 games.

[squadra_azzurri]

Italy
My Prediction: Win Group and ATLEAST Semifinalists
Good: Semis is the least they can finish
Bad: knocked out in quarters

Czech Republic
My Prediction: Advance through
Good: Quarters
Bad:Fail to make it out of Group play

United States
My Prediction: fail to go through
Good: round of 16
Bad: Earn no points.

Ghana
My Prediction: Fail to Advance.
Good: Earn any points.
Bad: Get routed in 3 games.

[Champagne Football]

Italy
My Prediction: Win Group and Semifinalists
Good: Final 8
Bad: Fail to make it out of Group play

Czech Republic
My Prediction: Advance to Round of 16
Good: Final 8
Bad:Fail to make it out of Group play

United States
My Prediction: Fail to Advance
Good: Final 16
Bad: Fail to make it out of Group play

Ghana
My Prediction: Fail to Advance.
Good: Earn any points.
Bad: Get routed in 3 games.


You can't just say that earning no points would constitute a "bad WC" for the US. After 2002, they have pressure on them to at least make it out of the group. If they don't do that, I think they will have had a bad WC. Unfortunately, I rate Italy and the Czech Rep ahead of the US.

[Saeyddthe]

OK, I'll play:

Italy
My Prediction: Fail to advance
Good: Quarterfinalists
Bad: Fail to make it out of Group play

Czech Republic
My Prediction: Quarterfinalists
Good: Quarterfinalists
Bad: Fail to make it out of Group play

United States
My Prediction: Quarterfinalists
Good: Round of 16
Bad: Earn no points.

Ghana
My Prediction: Fail to Advance.
Good: Earn any points.
Bad: Get routed in 3 games.

[t.z0n3]

Italy
My Prediction: Fail to move on
Good: Final 16
Bad: Fail to make it out of Group play

Czech Republic
My Prediction: Advance to Semi Finals
Good: Winners
Bad:Fail to make it past last 16

United States
My Prediction: Semi Finals
Good: Final 16
Bad: Fail to make it out of Group play

Ghana
My Prediction: Fail to Advance.
Good: Earn any points.
Bad: Get routed in 3 games.

[squadra_azzurri]

OK, I'll play:

Italy
My Prediction: Fail to advance
Good: Quarterfinalists
Bad: Fail to make it out of Group play

Czech Republic
My Prediction: Quarterfinalists
Good: Quarterfinalists
Bad: Fail to make it out of Group play

United States
My Prediction: Quarterfinalists
Good: Round of 16
Bad: Earn no points.

Ghana
My Prediction: Fail to Advance.
Good: Earn any points.
Bad: Get routed in 3 games.


if your whole family was on the line saeyddthe for who to guess right to advance.. you would honestly pick USA and Czech Republic over Seeded team Azzurri.. as to you tzone

[t.z0n3]

Yes, again, I will. I don't think they'll do it. Czech is simply GOOD, and I think the US will squeak through on goal difference. So ha.:D

[squadra_azzurri]

i can almost guarentee you, if that situation was reality you wouldnt smile nor pick USA over Italy. you say czech is too good.. what makes you think italy isnt??? you know what.. forget it, i guess you dont follow italian soccer anyway, let the thread have its regular purpose

[Saeyddthe]

Let's just put it this way:
If your whole family was on the line, I'd pick Soddom and Gomorrha to advance.

As it is, yes, let's just let the thread commence...

[grandinquisitor28]

Italy
My Prediction: Lose in the Finals to Brazil
Good: As Group Winner-Loss in Semi-Finals, or as runner up loss to Brazil
Bad: Runner Up Loss to Brazil

Czech Republic
My Prediction: Fail to Advance
Good: As Group Winner: Advance to Semi-Finals, as Runner Up loss to Brazil
Bad:Fail to make it out of Group play

United States
My Prediction: Advance to Round of 16
Good: Advance to Semi-Finals (as Group Winner)/Loss to Brazil as Runner Up
Bad: 0 points, bad GD.

Ghana
My Prediction: Fail to Advance.
Good: Loss to Brazil in Round of 16
Bad: Routed by Italy, Czech's, 1 goal loss to US.

[Reycd]

Italy
My Prediction: Lose in the Finals to Brazil
Good: As Group Winner-Loss in Semi-Finals, or as runner up loss to Brazil
Bad: Runner Up Loss to Brazil


They will meet in the second round or in the quarter finals.. its been pre-ordained!


newayz, I'll play
Italy
My Prediction: Finalists
Good: Semis
Bad: Fail to pass round of 16

Czech Republic
My Prediction: Quarterfinals
Good: finish first in the group
Bad: Fail to make it out of Group play

United States
My Prediction: Fail to advance
Good: as long as they finish above Mexico
Bad: Earn no points.

Ghana
My Prediction: Fail to Advance.
Good: Advance to second round
Bad: no points

[Nutty]

Fun thread! I'll leave predictions out of it and just post good/bad results based on talent and fan expectation.

Italy
Good: Semis
Bad: Fail to win group, fail to pass round of 16

Czech Republic
Good: finish first in the group, make it to quarters
Bad: Fail to make it out of Group play

United States
Good: advance to round of 16, or only don't make it on goal differential (close 3rd)
Bad: finish 4th in group

Ghana
Good: advance out of group play, or earn at least 3 points in group play
Bad: earn no points

[squadra_azzurri]

They will meet in the second round or in the quarter finals.. its been pre-ordained!


newayz, I'll play
Italy
My Prediction: Finalists
Good: Semis
Bad: Fail to pass round of 16

Czech Republic
My Prediction: Quarterfinals
Good: finish first in the group
Bad: Fail to make it out of Group play

United States
My Prediction: Fail to advance
Good: as long as they finish above Mexico
Bad: Earn no points.

Ghana
My Prediction: Fail to Advance.
Good: Advance to second round
Bad: no points



I agree with this one 100%

[jcsd]

Italy
Prediction:quarter finals possibly semifinals
Good: semifinals
Bad: last 16

Czech Republic
Prediction: last 16
Good: semifinals, though the way the groups are quarter finals will be a success
Bad: fail to get past group stage

USA
Prediction: fail to get past group stage
Good: last 16 though 4pts will be a minor success
Bad: no points

Ghana
Prediction: bottom of group
Good: 2 or more points
Bad: no points

[dor02]

Italy:

My Prediction: quarter-finals
Good: semi-finals
Bad: fail to advance

Czech Republic:
My Prediction: second round
Good: quarter-finals
Bad: fail to advance

USA:
My prediction: fail to advance
Good: second round
Bad: losing all three matches

Ghana:
My Prediction: bottom of group
Good: getting some points
Bad: get thumped by everyone

[Polar Bear]

They will meet in the second round or in the quarter finals.. its been pre-ordained!


newayz, I'll play
Italy
My Prediction: Finalists
Good: Semis
Bad: Fail to pass round of 16

Czech Republic
My Prediction: Quarterfinals
Good: finish first in the group
Bad: Fail to make it out of Group play

United States
My Prediction: Fail to advance
Good: as long as they finish above Mexico
Bad: Earn no points.

Ghana
My Prediction: Fail to Advance.
Good: Advance to second round
Bad: no points

Check your grid again. Brazil and Italy could only meet in the round of 16 or the final, not the quarter finals. And how in the heck can you possibly think they will beat Brazil? I am not even sure why Italy was given a seed. There are 2 other teams in just this group alone that have higher FIFA rankings! Italy didn't make it beyond the round of 16 in 2002 and only got as far as it did in 1998 because of a ridiculous hand ball bail out. Based on your definition of a bad world cup for Italy, I forsee a bad world cup for Italy. This is a case of an over-seeded top seed.

[GOYA-GOYA]

Check your grid again. Brazil and Italy could only meet in the round of 16 or the final, not the quarter finals. And how in the heck can you possibly think they will beat Brazil? I am not even sure why Italy was given a seed. There are 2 other teams in just this group alone that have higher FIFA rankings! Italy didn't make it beyond the round of 16 in 2002 and only got as far as it did in 1998 because of a ridiculous hand ball bail out. Based on your definition of a bad world cup for Italy, I forsee a bad world cup for Italy. This is a case of an over-seeded top seed.

Take it easy on him gentlemen, he is a Newbie.

[Polar Bear]

Take it easy on him gentlemen, he is a Newbie.

No. Let me have it. Italy is one of the best teams in Europe. The key words there are "one of". Italy won its group convincingly, but the best teams were not in its group. Norway was the best team Italy had to beat and Norway is ranked 37. Scotland is 60. Slovenia is 69. Belarus is 61. And the great and mighty Moldova is 107. Any team that can't qualify against teams of those rankings doesn't deserve to be in the world cup. After all, they only take 32 teams. Granted some will be lower ranked than that because not all regions are equal, but don't tell me that the above teams make up a tough group.

Italy has won more world cups than almost every nation in the world and none of the other teams in their group have won a world cup. However, Italy's last win was in 1982 and the 2 before that were before World War II. Do any non-Italians even remember the world cup in 1982? Times are different, the quality of play is increasing all around the world. Some people seem to think that only the precious 7 teams to have won the world cup before are the only teams of quality. If all you do is watch the Italian leagues, although they play some of the best football in the world, it is easy to miss how good the rest of the world is.

Don't be surprised if Italy is sitting at home while the 2nd stage is starting.

[GOYA-GOYA]

No. Let me have it. Italy is one of the best teams in Europe. The key words there are "one of". Italy won its group convincingly, but the best teams were not in its group. Norway was the best team Italy had to beat and Norway is ranked 37. Scotland is 60. Slovenia is 69. Belarus is 61. And the great and mighty Moldova is 107. Any team that can't qualify against teams of those rankings doesn't deserve to be in the world cup. After all, they only take 32 teams. Granted some will be lower ranked than that because not all regions are equal, but don't tell me that the above teams make up a tough group.

Italy has won more world cups than almost every nation in the world and none of the other teams in their group have won a world cup. However, Italy's last win was in 1982 and the 2 before that were before World War II. Do any non-Italians even remember the world cup in 1982? Times are different, the quality of play is increasing all around the world. Some people seem to think that only the precious 7 teams to have won the world cup before are the only teams of quality. If all you do is watch the Italian leagues, although they play some of the best football in the world, it is easy to miss how good the rest of the world is.

Don't be surprised if Italy is sitting at home while the 2nd stage is starting.

I understand your point, but on BS, you get ripped a new one when you start using the FIFA rankings. Anyone, including us UNMNT supporters, has to admit it is pretty foolish to have us ranked so high in the world. That's all.

[Reycd]

Check your grid again. Brazil and Italy could only meet in the round of 16 or the final, not the quarter finals. And how in the heck can you possibly think they will beat Brazil? I am not even sure why Italy was given a seed. There are 2 other teams in just this group alone that have higher FIFA rankings! Italy didn't make it beyond the round of 16 in 2002 and only got as far as it did in 1998 because of a ridiculous hand ball bail out. Based on your definition of a bad world cup for Italy, I forsee a bad world cup for Italy. This is a case of an over-seeded top seed.


ok, your right I checked the grid again, they would play in the second round or in the final, i think they will play in the second round, I believe Brazil will struggle and pass with 6 points and that Croatia will get the 9 points in the group, but that is my opinion so you can take it for what its worth.

You think Brazil is unbeatable? are you another delusional South American without a team in the WC so you must jump on the Brazil bandwagon? the Italian midfield is the strongest they have had in years and will be a team looking to overcome past WC results and take back the respect they have lost 'cause of those results. Nothing short of making it to the final is a disapointment for their fans, country, and themselves unlike other teams that are just happy to make it to the WC or scrape by the first round to get humiliated in the second..

You forsee a bad WC for Italy? good for you.. it is your prediction and I can respect that. The reason I say its bad if Italy doesnt make it past the round of 16 its because its bad... Italy is a team that is expected to win everytime they step out onto the pitch and duly right they are one of the top 5 teams in the world..

and don't even start with the rankings, its a crock of sh!t rankings and is only good to FIFA and stat lovers throughout the world. Italy did win their group have had a long streak without losing, I rather follow the elo ratings (http://www.eloratings.net/)
which I believe to be more "accurate" and it depicts the Czechs as 5th, Italy as 7th, the US at 13, and Ghana at 58. and you should be more upset about Mexico getting seeded over the US and not Italy..

but in the end those are my predictions and opinions where you did not post yours you ********ing sock