What do German posters here think their chances are of winning the World Cup held in their own backyard???
Very modest view. Holland has one of the most quality sides in the World. You need to take cautious yet more aggressive mentality, in my opinion. Like myself.
Great Question!! Who will win the next World Cup?? I would love for Holland to win one but If Holland could not win one with Cruff or Van basten or Gullit than I do not know. Man, Holland has and have some of the greatest player but they always come up short.
Portugal had an incredible crop of youngsters in the late 80's/early 90's - be afraid, be......well potential doesn't always equal success. Yugoslavia had an incredible crop of youngsters in the mid 80's - be afraid, be......you get the picture.
Q: Will Germany win the 2006 World Cup? A: No. They have a huge advantage, but with the close proximity of Germany to other countries, other European countries may get some sort of "home field" advantage. BTW, I'm not saying the US will win it, but I think they will make a statement again. Has a team ever won three World Cups in a row? Brazil has a nice shot at it.
Brazil or Germany. Yes, I'm playing it safe and have possibly guaranteed myself at least a 50% chance of guessing correctly.
I think it will be Germany or Brazil. Brazil's line-up will be exciting in four years, but I'll miss Roberto Carlos and Rivaldo in 2006.
No. Brazil will have to wait until 2010 to do it. Brazil in 1962 is the only non-European to win the tournament in Europe.
No one can predict what'll happen in four years. Of course, the host always has a good showing, but that's the only real sure thing. Who, four years ago, thought France was going to self-destruct last summer? Up until the start of the tournament, everyone dismissed Brazil on account of the 98 Final fiasco. I'm not going to guess, because I, like many people who've posted here already, will be wrong.
That's not the attitude to take! I'm sure that Holland will get it all sorted out for qualification. An easier group and you'll be almost guaranteed to get in.
Czhech Rep. could give us trouble. But face it. Holland has been the tournaments best or one of the two or three best a couple of times. But no win.
Right now, I'd take Germany in four years, but of course Brazil is Brazil. Dark horse? How about England? They've played well in Germany the last few years (see 5-1), and Owen will still just be starting to reach his prime.
To be fair, that crop of youngsters got split up when the country did, and some of them did in fact do quite well for themselves - the ones that remained playing for Yugoslavia formed a solid if not spectacular side, and Croatia dazzled in WC '98.
Is Bayern Munich still trying to acquire most of the German squad? The Germans will be even more formidable if they've been playing together daily for years.
I love Germany's chances, but you can't base your decions on WC'02, we don't know who will still be playing internationaly for anyone let alone for Germany in 2006, if you go to www.dfb.de and check out mannschaft 2006 that gives you an idea, but i think euro 2004 will give the better idea. i think the Dutch will do well, but they have a lot to prove, England has a LOT of great young talent, and may be unstopable in 2006. Let's all remeber 2006 is along way off, go look at rosters from 1998 compared to 2002. Wait till 2004, then let the debate begin.
But that is my point - you never know what is going to happen. England's team at the 58 and 62 World Cups would have been far better had they not lost numerous future stars in the Munich air crash. You never know when injury is going to end or reduce a career, and looking to the future based on potential is pure speculation.
To get the thread back on track, I'll answer the original question. Germany should be the definite favorites going in, but hardly prohibitive. I'd rate them: Germany 25% Brasil 20% Argentina 15% France 15% Italy 5% England 5% Spain 5% the rest 10%.
I will not rule out Argentina. We have a good crop of players coming up. But I do not like Bielsa as our head coach. Finally we got rid of that crop of players that has that chance in 94 -98. Saviola, Aimar, Riquelme, Cambiasso, Romanoly and company have to step it up. When I was a kid My dad once told me that no European Country will ever win a World Cup in the Americas or outside their continent. So far he's right on! I expect a European country to win in Germany. It's just a matter of who.
Germany are hosts, but I think we are looking at yet another South America vs Europe final and I'm not confident that Germany can make it that far. I just don't see the same amount of potential for Germany as I see for Brazil, Argentina, England, Holland, and Spain. If I was placing a wager on the World Cup final I think I'd choose Holland and Argentina. 8)