I think this will be the most defensive and boring group fo the WC. Italy will made it (common its too easy), I dont know if first seed or second though. And then Paraguay should qualify too, it depends on how they handle games and the luck they have, they could end being the first seed above Italy or end up being eliminated, dont forget Slovakia is also a disciplined defensive team that can give some trouble, they have important players like Skrtel and Hamsik. Anyway my predictions: Paraguay --> 7 points Italy --> 5 points Slovakia --> 3 points New Zealeand --> 1 points
lol group of death.. literally group of death.. I think I'll fall a sleep watching these teams play. Italy, lackluster team, but I just can't see other 3 teams giving them trouble... 2nd place should go to Paraguay..but Slovakia?? 1. Italy 2. Slovakia 3. Paraguay 4. New Zealand
Agree with this order, Italy are sending a bad team possibly without Cassano, Paraguay have dropped a level recently but both teams should still be through. Slovakia and New Zealand will impress but won't compete.
Italy-Paraguay: 0-1 or 1-2 Italy-New Zealand: 3:2 Italy-Slovakia: 1-3 Slovakia-Paraguay: 1-1 Slovakia-New Zealand: 2-1 Paraguay-New Zealand: 1-0 1. Slovakia: 7 2. Paraguay: 7 3. Italy: 3 4. New Zealand: 0 Even if Italy advances to the Round of 16 they will get destroyed by Cameroon or Holland. BTW, I'm an Italy supporter.
Sorry, but as lackluster as this Italy side will be, it will be difficult for anyone to "destroy" them. They will be a tough out as always.
I think both teams that advance in this group (Italy and Paraguay, in whichever order) are going no further than the Round of 16. Holland and a Le Guen-coached Cameroon will take care of them.
Italy Slovakia Paraguay New Zealand Italy will field a very old team this world cup, still they have the experiance to win this group, they will make it tough for themselves. Lets not forget they lost to Egypt in the Confederations Cup and only beat New Zealand 4-3 in a friendly last year. Italy will win the group, win there round of 16 match and crash out in the quarters, thus forcing Lippi to finally step down
I want to believe this, but the way Italia have been... Let's just say my hopes aren't high. I fully support the boys, but I'm not expecting a repeat of 2006 - not by a long shot. I'll be clutching a bottle of Jack Daniels and not expecting much, lol.
I believe Lippi is stepping down whatever the result at he World Cup. I do see Paragwaj winning this group, but can't see Italy not advancing.
Italy may not be playing well, but the draw was kind to us and I think we should still top the group... Slovakia to make it through as well on the back of Marek Hamsik.
Slovakia will cause a lot of trouble, mark my words. Marek Hamsik and Co. are a good defensive team. They will advance.
I've just binned a post that a) had little to do with the thread topic b) was unnecessarily provocative Please keep your posts within the terms established for the WC forums.
Cameroon ain't destroying anybody. Sure they have Eto'o, Makoun and Emana to form a solid core, but there defense is poor outside of Assou-Ekoto. Cameroon managed 0 shots on target vs Italy in a friendly back in March, and that was a makeshift Italian squad experimenting with a 3-4-2-1. I see Denmark edging Cameroon. Holland otoh can destroy Italy by evidence of their Euro 2008 performance, but I doubt that as well. The way I see it Italy 1:1 Paraguay (Italy cancel out an early goal by Paraguay) Italy 3:0 NZ (Comfortable win) Italy 1:0 Slovakia (Goal off a set piece late in the 1st half) Paraguay 2:1 Slovakia Paraguay 2:0 NZ Slovakia 2:0 NZ Italy - 7pts (+4 GD) Paraguay - 7pts (+3GD) Slovakia - 3pts NZ - 0pts Italy beats Denmark 2-1 Paraguay stuns Holland on penalties after 1-1 draw.
Slovakia have the easiest road in this group. That's going to help them. I think you need to look at these games in order. Round One: Italy : Paraguay NZ : Slovakia Slovakia are likely to beat NZ yes? If Italy beats Paraguay, or ties Paraguay, Paraguay will be under huge pressure to beat Slovakia in round two. Whereas Slovakia will be able to play for the tie. Round Two: Paraguay : Slovakia Italy : NZ We assume that Italy beats NZ. (Italy probably beats Paraguay in round one.) With a win and two ties, Slovakia go through, and they get the easiest team in the group in their first match. Paraguay will have to push for the win in round two, which should give Slovakia plenty of counter attacking opportunities. I'm not saying it's a done deal, or Slovakia have it in the bag or any such thing. I'm saying that Slovakia have the easiest path through to round two in this group. They are a well organized side. They have a few players with some serious skills. It looks good for them. Paraguay by contrast are likely to lose their first match. Then they will have to beat Slovakia, or they have to count on beating NZ by more than Slovakia did, and count on Italy beating Slovakia. Italy are likely to beat Slovakia, but might take it easy if they win their first two games. Which is another point that helps Slovakia. If Italy get two wins in their opening games, and if Slovakia beat Paraguay, then when they play each other, they will already know they are going through. Of course, Italy would then be motivated to whup Slovakia for the top spot. Hmmmmmm. And for full disclosure, I hope that Slovakia goes through, so this might be wishful thinking on my part. If I could have my fantasy outcome in this group, Slovakia would win the group (way unlikely), and Paraguay would come in second. (The combination is so unlikely as to be fantasy only.) In any case, it's not that I dislike Paraguay, and if they beat Slovakia and go through, I'll be rooting for them. GO USA!! GO SLOVAKIA!! - Mark
Something to consider is that both Paraguay and Italy are teams that rarely show their power in friendlies. I wouldn't put too much weight on what they have shown during the practice games. They are teams that have moved from being very defensive in the 80s and 90s, to being more possession-oriented and capable of keeping a steady attack. Matter of fact, I'd say Paraguay's strongest line is the attack and weakest is the defense, now. While Italy is solid in the middle and not so much at the back. Both teams opt for pressing instead of zonal marking, too.
Wrong my friend, both attack and defense are quite strong. Paraguay's weakest link is clearly the middle.
As it was a random draw (with predetermined pots) of course such a group can happen. How is that group an indication for a fixed draw? I would rather suspect a fixed draw if all the time all groups were equal.
Italy-Paraguay: 1-1 Italy-New Zealand: 5:1 Italy-Slovakia: 6-0 Slovakia-Paraguay: 0-4 Slovakia-New Zealand: 0-0 Paraguay-New Zealand: 2-0 Italy 7 Paraguay 7 New Zealand 1 Slovakia 1
As an Italy supporter, you're dreaming if you think that we put 11 combined past Slovakia and New Zealand. First, it's never been in our style to run up those types of scores. Second, this is a very poor Italy side; probably our worst since '86.
Italy don't run up those types of scores - True This is a very poor Italy side, probably the worst since 1986 - True But, Group F is also one of the easiest in the tournament (the average FIFA ranking of Group F is well below that of the other groups). Hence, I think it is still possible for Italy to scrap through with 7, 6 or 5 points, with score-lines like 1-1, 2-0 or 1-0, respectively.