Speak for yourself. I don't think the U.S. team is better than Italy's, but they ARE better than the Czech Republic. The Czech Republic has done NOTHING on the world stage in sixteen years!
The Czechs are not what they were two or three years ago, with Nedved at his pinnacle, but they are better than the USA. Come on. And as for the Czechs doing nothing in the last 16 years, did they not reach the semifinals of the last Euro Cup and the finals of Euro 96? Is that worse than the USA has done in that time period? Perhaps you were just talking about the Czechs achievements in the WCs, or lack thereof; however, it would be a big mistake to ignore their results in European play.
Ah good one. I don't think the players or coaches misunderestimate us. The fans of Italy and the Czech republic might, but the coaches and players have seen the results and have watched film. My feeling is the group will go like this. 1)Italy wins all 3 games 2)Ghana loses all 3 games 3)US and Czech republic draw. So Italy will advance, and the dreaded goal differential will determine whether the US or Czech Republic joins them. The US's last game is against the Ghana, while Italy and the Czech republic battle it out. My guess is that the an already ousted Ghana team will put up less of a fight than an already qualified Italy. The US will have a general idea how many goals they'll have to score, and they'll get it done.
It's really hard to compare the two, because they play in completely different parts of the world. The US won the CONCACAF regional championship, and finished first in CONCACAF world cup qualifying. NOT MEXICO, a team European fans show a lot more respect to. Obviously the competition is of a different level in the Euro Championships. If you were to write down the lineups on paper you'd say the Czechs have a better team than the US. The US always seems to play better than the sum of its parts. Compare the lineups from the WC02 Portugal and US squads. That really shouldn't have been close, but the US was up 3-0 until that beautiful Jeff Agoos own-goal brought Portugal back into the game. Look at the lineups from the Germany-US quarterfinal showdown. The talent gap on the field should have been obvious. Even Franz Beckenbauer admits the US outplayed Germany in that game, though. How does this happen repeatedly with the US squad? The coach is a genius motivator, that's why.
*bows* thank you, thank you. Dangerous assumption. Poland was already eliminated when we faced them four years ago. Granted, the Donovan goal that was stolen by the Chinese ref in the fifth minute COMPLETELY changed the complexion of the match, no one could say that the Poles layed down and died. They played hard, as I would expect a team as good as Poland. Still, were it not for that stolen goal, that immediately preceeded Poland's second goal, it could very well have been a very different result.
I would agree with much of what you said. As is generally the case, it will be difficult to compare nations that are not in the same confederation, especially when one of the nations doesn't form part of UEFA or CONMEBOL. So maybe that is a valid point. However, I think that no one will have qualms with me saying that the European Cup is a higher-quality tourney than the Gold Cup; and it is also true that the Czechs have faired pretty well in the Euro Cup. That is why they receive the respect they do. However, at the same rate, the "Czech Republic" do deserve some criticism for failing to have qualified for the WC until now. Funny you should mention Mexico, because I think you are generally correct in saying that the Europeans generally do show more respect toward them than to the US. I don't know that I speak for everyone, but I suspect the reason behind that is that Mexico traditionally do better in the WC than the USA. I know that the recent meetings between the USA and Mexico have been mainly dominated by the Americans; however, this is not common knowledge around the world. The world remembers World Cups, and outside of 2002, the United States have rarely made noise whereas Mexico generally tend to get out of their group. The Amercican fans want to take 2002 and make it the standard for American performance in the Cup; but they must remember that everyone remembers 1998 just as well. The US did well to get out the their group in 1994, only to meet up with Brazil; however, every home nation advances out of group stage. Finally, in 1990, they went three and out. Therefore, when you look at recent WC history, it is not shocking that the USA will not receive the respect that their fans would like. However, I am positive that if they put up a good showing in Germany, and can get out of the group stage, many fans will start to reform their opinions on the US as a footballing nation. I would suspect that you would see a trend of more American players being bought up by clubs in the three major leagues (Italy, England, and Spain) consequently increasing the profile of the American game. Conversely, a poor showing in Germany will relegate the US in many's view. 2002 will be looked at as more of an aberration than anything else. But getting back to the original issue, basing my opinion primarily on the strength of the players, I still believe the Czechs are better than the Americans. Further, the Czechs, as the Americans, also have been greater than the sum of their parts. I firmly believe that they were the best team in Euro 2004, and were unfortunate to go out due to the Nedved injury.
1. USA: "Speed" 2. Czech: "Strengh" 3. Italy: "Name Brand*" It's like Versace pants VS Levis pants they're both pants! 4. Ghana: "Newbies" and thats my final answer, no ands, ifs, or buts. nada zilp zero *Italian fans mistake name brand with talent. if they were that talented why haven't they won a WC since 1982 or a EUFA championship since 1968?
Some americans are so arrogant... now we dont have any talent sure...and the usa is so fast?,i dont get how they have never EVER beated any of the other teams in this group being so fast, they must be so talented then... yeah go ahead compare fried potatoes with lasagna... Yeah we have done nothing since 1982?? 1990 3rd place 1994 2nd place 1998 quarters 2000euro 2nd place and dont say this is nothing cuz americans brag about quarters of 2002 lol
That is just stupid talk. Holland have never won a World Cup, does that make their chances any worse coming into this tournament? You can't go on past results, and you sure as hell can't say Italy isn't talented. If the US is so talented, why have we never won a World Cup? (Granted I don't believe this argument) For me the Italians and USA go through, Nedved has an awful tournament and we are able to manage a win againts the Czechs and Ghana. Don't knock me, my opinion changes every day and tomorrow I will think the Czechs will win the World Cup
AMAPO probably went a little overboard with his analogy, but he has a point with the idea that most Italian fans (I would say most European fans, and maybe even most fans everywhere) tend to look at who the strongest team is "on paper" (ie the "brand name" teams with the "brand name" players) and forget that the game is played out on the field where that doesn't always matter.
1.Italy---will be more determined than ever from the scandel in italy, and will have to prove that italy still have respect in the world, in these dark times. I think italy will finally play like a team, and not but up with any bullshit. 2.U.s. 3.Ghana 4.Czechs
I never said anything about holland, in my opinion they'll make all the way to 3/4 place match this year. I never said USA's strengh is it's talent. I say USA and Czech Republic advance. In my opinion Italy isn't what it used to be in the 80's.
No Comment!! , I'll just wait for 17th June, and see what you're going to say then (When Italy kicks USA's ass on the field ).
then why are italy favored to win the group? i love how you predict things.....usa "speed", czechs "strength"................amazing
1. Italy 2. USA In America, USA is a big team, for me better than Mexico, so that's why im gonna give them the chance to be 2nd in their group, of course they are not gonna beat Italy
probably the same crap you'll say about USA kicking Italy's ass. lets see now.. USA bribed officials. FIFA has it against Italy. Italy's #1 Brand Name player was out for the game. Italy didn't care about that game, and they're so awesome that they want a challenge. etc... there are always excuses for failure. by-the-way what was your point?
I'd normally say that the USA wouldn't have enough quality to match the Italians, but for some reason I have a weird feeling that the Italians have some seriously bad karma surrounding this campaign and have "capitulate" written all over them. A sucker punch could see them drop their bundle against any of these teams. Or they may just walk through the group. Either way, on paper they easily have the most quality out of all the teams in this group. And lets face it, Ghana are unknown quantities, like most African teams, inconsistency, tactical naivety and a lack of European styled discipline and organisation could be their undoing. You never really know what you're gonna get with African teams. The Czech's, from what I've seen of them, will give the USA some serious problems in midfield and attack. They have the ability and quality to dominate midfield and possession - not just against the USA but a lot of teams at this world cup - and Nedved playing well is a serious concern. But I don't think their backs cope with pace as well as they should. I do think they have enough quality to get over the USA but the USA will definitely create chances, and anything is possible. I don't think the USA should try and battle the Czech's for possession in midfield, they may get ran ragged. Use pace out wide and hit very fast on the counter and I can envisage the USA getting a result against the Czech's. The problem for the USA here IMO is that Italy and the Czechs are 2 very classy sides with lots of quality in key positions, they both revel in midfield battles, and perhaps more importantly are very well versed in playing quality opposition, often. Outside of friendlies - and correct me if I'm wrong - I don't get the impression the USA have as much experience at playing an array of top quality sides, and may have trouble putting the ball on the ground and playing it against these two sides. A lot of non-Euro teams at this world cup would find that group very difficult. Regardless, a win against Ghana and a point out of the other 2 games may be enough for the USA, and there's no reason why they shouldn't back themselves to find a way to open a can of whoopass.
i don't think italy will have any excuses, every team in the group is good, yet you fail to see that being a italy hater!
AND the rest of all groups except Brasil. Look at the roster and not FIFA's rankings. It is sooo frustrating to read this type of cheerleading. I'm a US fan first but I can't relish the demise of Italy as so many are doing here. Its only one player implicated, the team will not fall apart. If it did, it would be a shame, not something for anyone to relish. I'm glad there are US fans cheering but there is a greater good.....
Rightio. No, actually, what? I'm not a fan of the US, Italy, the Czech's or Ghana, and I'm not cheerleading anyone.
excuse me? me Italy hater? they were my favorite team in the 80's then they started sucking ass, then USA came up... anyway, I love Pizza too much to hate Italy. Thank You Italia for inventing Pizza PS: just cause I don't think Italy will go through doesn't mean I'm an Italy hater... do you hate USA cause' you think they won't advance?