4-11.03.2015 Group A: Germany, Sweden, China, Brazil Group B: USA, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland Group C: France, Japan, Denmark, Portugal http://svenskfotboll.se/landslag/damer/arkiv/landslag/2014/12/gruppindelning-for-algarve-cup-2015/
Couldn't find information on the format yet, but if Group C was meant to be a weak group which 4 countries could they put in it? Portugal, Iceland, Denmark and...
Have the US played Norway in recent years? While I agree Group A is killer, for the US I think it is good that they are meeting two teams in Norway and Iceland that they haven't played in the last year or so. It seems that we have played Sweden, Brazil and China for quite a bit. Hopefully they can get out of this group ....
The only complaint I have on the balance of the groupings is maybe u switch Switzerland and Brazil. Could be they wanted Norway, Sweden and Denmark in different groups as it is their tournament.
If it comes to broadcasting Eurosport obviously focus on European countries more, so it's good that USA have all three of them in their group.
The question is with the new format how do they decide which two group winners get the first place match...goal difference?
The last time the US played Norway was at the 2012 Algarve, which the US won 2-1. We played Iceland in 2013 Algarve and won 3-0. What is the rationale/rhyme/reason for groups at the Algarve, besides usually putting weaker teams into Group C (which obviously isn't the case here)?
....well except Ellis who will probably use a different #10 in each match as she has so many good ones.
I feel really bad for Portugal who traditionally has a tough time in the C group. This year they r gonna get the tar beat out of them
That's the one silver lining to Brynjarsdottir not playing in NWSL- less opportunities to finish the job she started last year. We need a healthy Lloyd next summer. No more shoulder injuries.
Pretty sure all 12 team in the Algarve Cup would be ok with that, the 15 that quailfied for the WWC but is not in the Algarve Cup would probaly not agree ( and with good reason).
Morgan should cultivate more graciousness and complain less on the pitch. Opponents take all too much delight in chopping her down.