WC2006 preliminary draw! (Euro Edition)

Discussion in 'UEFA and Europe' started by metros11, Dec 6, 2003.

  1. metros11

    metros11 Member

    Sep 11, 1999
    Highlands of NJ
    Club:
    New York Red Bulls
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I posted this on another board, but it didn't get much response. Figured I"ll try Here. Feel free to leave your opinion.

    Qualifying is going to be interesting to say the least. A lot of good match ups and old friends reunited. Here is my run down of the groups:

    Group 1:

    Czech Republic
    Netherland
    Romania
    Finland
    FYR Macedonia
    Armenia
    Andorra

    Three top contenders and only 1.5 spots to play for. Throw Finland and Macedonia into the mix stealing a couple of points from the big dogs and you got yourself a fight. Armenia... well at least they're not playing Ukraine again, I figure their campaign will be a success if they're able to finish 4th.

    Group 2:

    Turkey
    Denmark
    Greece
    Ukraine
    Georgia
    Albania
    Kazakhstan

    Did I mention old friends reunited? Yes, Ukraine have seen Greece not that long ago, but forget about that. Who would not want to see Turkey vs. Greece?!? With so much hate between those two you really don't know who to root for. Georgia will be able to provide a couple of upsets, but the real running will be between the top 4. Maybe I'm biased, but was it really logical to place Ukraine in the "D" pot considering they've never placed lower then third in the last four qualifiers? Albania is good for a couple of draws, too bad England is missing from this group. Kazakhstan is a newcomer to UEFA, they will have to learn the hard way.

    Group 3:

    Portugal
    Russia
    Slovakia
    Latvia
    Estonia
    Liechtenstein
    Luxembourg

    Would I really be wrong if I was to consider this to be the easiest group? Switch Slovakia and Latvia and I think this will be the way it will finish. I can only imagine how many napkins it took the Russians and Portuguese to wipe the drool when they saw the draw results.

    Group 4

    France
    Rep. of Ireland
    Switzerland
    Israel
    Cyprus
    Faroe Islands

    The only battle I'm looking forward to is seeing Ireland and Switzerland battling it out for the playoff spot. Maybe Faroe Islands can prove me wrong...... not likely.

    Group 5

    Italy
    Slovenia
    Scotland
    Norway
    Belarus
    Moldova

    Maybe its just me, but for some reason I have no interest in this group, even though there are four good teams and two that could surprise anyone.
    Take your pick, Belarus or Moldova, it don't matter to me.

    Group 6

    England
    Poland
    Austria
    Wales
    Northern Ireland
    Azerbaijan

    The Brits and the Poles reunited at last. Lets see, England are familiar with Poland, Poland are familiar with Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland are familiar with England, who are also familiar with Wales, who are familiar with Poland. Confused yet?!? I'm sure Austria and Azerbaijan are. The only thing that would make this group better is to throw Scotland and Ireland in the mix. Now that would be a group!

    Group 7

    Spain
    Belgium
    Serbia-Montenegro
    Bosnia-Herzegovina
    Lithuania
    San Marino

    Going by historical statistics, Spain will win this group. Belgium and Serbia will have a good run for the playoff, Bosnia will stay right where they are, and Lithuania should declare war on Germany and immediately surrender just so they could be annexed and become good in soccer. Where is San Marino?

    Group 8

    Sweden
    Croatia
    Bulgaria
    Iceland
    Hungary
    Malta

    I would have to say that Sweden, Croatia and Bulgaria are the top dogs. But then again anyone would have told me that. This should be a good group to watch. I wish the Hungarians would come alive, or maybe we could bring the Majestic Magyars back from the dead. Iceland are always tough to beat at home, but otherwise they're only unbeatable at hockey. Now that I think of it, didn't the Mighty Ducks beat them?

    My Top 3 groups to watch:

    Group 6
    Group 2
    Group 1

    In that order.
     
  2. Mefisto

    Mefisto Member

    Feb 13, 2002
    Århus, Denmark
    It is unfair that Turkey will play all the games at home ;)
     
  3. SoccerFan8270

    SoccerFan8270 New Member

    Oct 7, 2003
    Pennsylvania
    Well, they were 3rd place at the last World Cup!
     

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