It might be a little early...ahh its never too early.. Look at the following amazing stats: Team in the WC Championship match 1950: Brazil 1954: Germany 1958: Brazil 1962: Brazil 1966: Germany 1970: Brazil 1974: Germany 1978: Neither (Though Brazil was 3rd) 1982: Germany 1986: Germany 1990: Germany 1994: Brazil 1998: Brazil 2002: Brazil & Germany Considering that since 1950, either Brazil and/or Germany have been in every World Cup title Match (except 1978) how many here think its a pretty good chance that this repeats in 2006. I think its practically a no brainer and as a matter of fact if Brazil is placed on the other side of the Bracket than Germany I think we will get a Brazil x Germany Part II. Especially with the youth that is coming out of Brazil right now (Kaka 20, Robinho 18, Diego 17 etc... added to the not so old Ronaldinho Gaucho, Ronaldo etc...)
Well, I think that one of them is highly likely to make it. But since Germany are hosting and should be better than in 2002 and Brazil should as well and I'm jumping on the "Robinho and Diego are going to be bigger than Ronaldo and Zidane if not Pele and Maradona" bandwagon, I'll vote for a rematch of the 2002 final.
The 2002 German team reminded me of their 1986 team. Germany has nothing to show for in 1986, but still managed to be in the Final. They won the WC in 1990.
Germany hosting on their own field. They will get all the close calls. I already have them penciled into the final.
Germany and Brazil are definitely the top contenders to reach the final. Other contenders would be Holland (if we qualify this time) who do well on German turf, France and maybe England and Spain.
Don't expect the other two semifinalists (S. Korea and Turkey) to repeat those performances. I'm hoping against hope that Germany does not make the final. Germany has done more than any other country to contribute to the dour style of play that too often has prevailed since the mid-80's than any other nation. On the other hand, with a young Ronaldinho and a young Kleberson, a decent goalie (Marcos) and the seemingly boundless supply of young talent unique to them, Brazil reaching the finals is certainly foreseeable.
Yes, Germany had nothing. I hate Germany with a passion and it pained me to see them in the final. The sad thing is that they are hosting and will probably have an improved squad. If they get Holland in an elimination match, they'll lose. Again they are nothing special.... I really don't like Brazil, but hey everyone's gotta hand it to them, they have a great team. One of them will probably make it, but I'll be hoping for otherwise PS- big teams to make a splash: Holland and U.S.
>>PS- big teams to make a splash: Holland and U.S.>> I hope the US makes a splash BUT I wouldnt call them a BIG team. Nowhere in the World even in the US is the US considered a BIG boy in soccer. The respect still isnt there, most countries will count the US 8th place finish at the WC as a typical one time WC surprise. Believe me when I say that the media around the world wont be picking the US to be in any final 4. (Unless they kick some major a$$ in the next few years).
yea I worded that wrong, I meant they would be one of the big teams when the World Cup was all said and done. The problem we have is we get no competition in any local competitions, I mean our bigges challenge is Mexico yawn
Very interesting that, with one exception, either Germany or Brazil have played the final since 1950. AND that with one exception they've never met in the finals. They're almost complementary. Any theories why?
They have the biggest populations of any of the countries where football is the number 1 sport. Even when Germany was split east & west it was still true. why they've only ever met once is something of a mystery though.
Someone else posted a theory on why one of them are nearly always in the final. As for a theory on why they've only met once, I don't know. As for which ONE will be in the final, look at the following correlations -- the LOCATION of the WC is in parentheses. 1950: Brazil (Brazil) 1954: Germany (Switzerland) 1958: Brazil (Sweden) 1962: Brazil (Chile) 1966: Germany (England) 1970: Brazil (Mexico) 1974: Germany (Germany) 1978: Neither (Argentina) 1982: Germany (Spain) 1986: Germany (Mexico) 1990: Germany (Italy) 1994: Brazil (USA) 1998: Brazil (France) 2002: Brazil & Germany (J/K) 5 out of the 7 times it's been in Europe, Germany has been in the final and 2 out of 7 times outside of Europe. The exact reverse is true for Brazil -- 5 out of 7 times it's been outside of Europe, Brazil has been in the final and 2 out of 7 when it's been in Europe. My vote goes to Germany to be in the final (not against Brazil).
I'm going to be controversial and say neither, and then there won't be a Nike-sponsored bukkake over Ronaldinho. There's no reason to this, but I'm going to say it'll be a Holland vs. England final.
quote: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally posted by bocatuna Whopee ! Another thread about Brazil. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- And Ronaldinho steps up to take the free kick...>>> Excellent Noobie...we knew that that is what bothers him about Brazil....haha...
What ? I was celebrating the fact that there is another wonderful thread about Brazil, and let me take this opportunity to congradulate you, SoccerScout, on behalf of all BS for this thread, which is propably the finest of them all. It is such a worthwhile topic. Nobody can accuse you of scraping the barrel when it comes to Brazilian related topics. I'm sure you've got plenty more thread ideas up your sleeve. The anticipation is almost unbearable.
Interesting, the results of this poll so far are almost exactly like the pre WC 2002 polls were: Nobody believed in Brazil. And we all know what happened. I have never been so optimistic as with the Brazilian National team as the 2006 squad. Its going to be a machine. Oh and Bocatuna, I write about Brazilian soccer because there is so much to write about. When your nation is the alltime and current greatest soccer nation in the World its only natural to write about them. Sorry, I'll try to get some material on the soccer team of Iceland or Ghana if that will make you happier...
Is not that they don't believe in Brazil's great results is just people here are jealous about Brazil. Most here aren't real soccer fans.