I expect that Italy will advance, and I picked them to win the group even though they sometimes don't look too focused in the first round of tournaments. I don't know who will join them - Czechs or US. Any of the 3 could win the group, although I don't expect the US to win it. To me, the Czechs and the US are both wild cards here - either could play just ok and get knocked out or could play very well and finish 2nd - or even first. I don't expect much from Ghana. They have some very good players but not enough, certainly not in this group.
Really? Well thats news to me, I mean its not like he plays for the richest, most popular club team in the world.
i think the problem is the question is who will win the group, NOT who do you THINK will win the group. Clearly the Italians and Czech are on a whole nother level or two better then the US at the least. The USA can pull off an upset and sneak into the next round, but the question was who will win the group. when the usa beats out czech its understandable, but italy too? that just shows the legitimacy of this poll
That's exactly what happened four years ago and that's why people are optimistic this time around. BUT this will be a very different World Cup than 2002 and the US is 0-5 in World Cups played in Europe against European teams. quick refresher: 1-2 to Austria 0-1 to Italy 1-5 to Czechs 0-2 to Germany 0-1 to Yugoslavia A win, a tie and a bad loss won't get the U.S. through this year.
But the U.S. has a much deeper and talented team than in previous years. I think two ties and a win is also realistic, and they will probably get 2nd in the group.
Hopefully we'll catch the Italians on a bad day, which happens to them often in the group stages of these tournaments. Maybe the combining of so many talented "galacticos" will have the same affect it has on Real Madrid....too many big egos that clash and fail. The Czech's are loaded, and to get the ball past their world class keeper will be difficult considering the poor finishing of the US recently. Still, the US is usually the fittest team playing and hopefully they will play with cohesion and tenacity and upset somebody to advance, or maybe even win the group, so they avoid playing Brasil in knockout round. Pray for US!!
This is a complete misconception. I went back to the 1970 World Cup and Italy has lost a grand total of three games in the first round, which isn't exactly that "often." If U.S. or Czech or Ghana fans are pinning their hopes on that bull shit theory, then they will be mistaken. 2002 Italy 2:0 Ecuador Italy 1:2 Croatia Italy 1:1 Mexico 1998 Italy 2:2 Chile Italy 3:0 Cameroon Italy 2:1 Austria 1994 Italy 0:1 Ireland Italy 1:1 Norway Italy 1:1 Mexico 1990 Italy 1:0 Austria Italy 1:0 USA Italy 2:0 Czechoslovakia 1986 Italy 1:1 Bulgaria Italy 1:1 Argentina Italy 3:2 Korea 1982 Italy 0:0 Poland Italy 1:1 Peru Italy 1:1 Cameroon 1978 Italy 2:1 France Italy 3:1 Hungary Italy 1:0 Argentina 1974 Italy 3:1 Haiti Italy 1:1 Argentina Italy 1:2 Poland 1970 Italy 1:0 Sweden Italy 0:0 Uruguay Italy 0:0 Israel
Or maybe they're just a fan and are voting with their heart. Is there something wrong with that, or can only everyone else root for their favorite teams?
buwahaha 1) Hopefully is the key word, and Italy doesnt have many if any bad days 2) They are no Real Madrid, whole different class of a team right now, should never be compared to Real unless you are talking about history. 3) Yes the Czech Republic is loaded, atleast a USMNT fan noticed there are two mega-super clubs in this group (other than the US of course, lol) 4) Fitness level doesnt really matter it gets thrown out the window, because some of the squads players get more rest than the others, some are still in form from the end of their seasons, or fatigued because of being in season. 5) Italy and Czech are clearly a few classes better than the USA, US can get thru with an upset tho. and if anyone refers to how highly ranked the US is, its because the Fifa governing body sees the opportunity to gain from the US being successful. The USA has no "number 1" sport, so if they can get some fans they will be making lots of money. So dont get to hyped up on the rankings folks
Didn't any of you see the Czechs in the qualifiers. Ruud Van Horsyface and the rest of the Netherlanders smoked them twice. Granted, the Netherlands are awesome(my World Cup pic), but are we really supposed to be intimidated by a team which considers Milan Baros one of it's best players?
Unless someone breaks into the Italian team's hotel and switches their hair care products around, I can't see anyone beating them in group play; in fact, I'm not sure anyone in Group E will score on them. If you made an all-star team based on the 4 teams in this group, solely based on individual talent, I think you'd have 7-9 Italians. This is not to say they're unbeatable, just that they have far and away the most talent.
I can't wait to see Mexico vs Holland in Psv stadium it will be Mexico's last tune up game before the world cup what a game that will be Borgetti up against Rudd Van..
I don't believe there's a rating system out there that ranks the Italians ahead of the Czechs. FIFA, ELO and all of the others I've seen agree that results over the last 4 years or so have been stronger for the Czechs than they have been for the Italians. Sure the Italians have been much better historically, but last I checked Paolo Rossi and Roberto Baggio aren't playing for them this time around, so whatever happened 24 years ago and 12 years ago doesn't have much relevance.
It should be Italy to win the group. The US can possibly squeak by into second, but I have some doubts about that going up against the Czechs. The tourney is in Europe where Da Bruce cannot quite seem to figure out how to beat top European squads, and there are two of them they have to beat--not forgetting Ghana who we should be able to beat. We can get some draws against Italy and Czechs, but we will have to be playing lights out. But, who really knows?! Play the games, then we'll see.
alot of your fellow American followers do I see some of them in the Mexican forums! wonder why you have a yellow card..
I think some people here are thinking of 4 teams in the vacuum... Year 2006 belongs to European teams....they will simply steamroll most of the weaker or average opponents from Asia, Africa, Concacaf and even South America... The result of this poll is definately biased because the Czechs are not getting that much point here....obviously some wishful thinking is reflected here.... To me, it is not a group of death.....those who call it a "group of death" have already admitted inner fear of the opponents....
The results of the poll are what they are because this is an American board and we have more than our fair share of zealots voting. This is not the group of death, but it is definitely the 2nd hardest group out there. If the US can pull an upset against Czech Republic, we might just skate through on goal differential for 2nd place.
Like I said before this poll is rigged by American fans I have nothing against them I mean I think America has a good team but me being a Mexico fan I am not blinded I know how good and tall the czecks are I would keep the ball low on that team because in the air their dangerous!
AHAHAAHA.. the americans over the czechs eh!! oh well..i guess everyone SHOULD be able to dream! especially those DANG americanos! watch them catch dead last! lol
You're in for a surprise when your beloved team loses to Iran and you guys will be sent home early......again