World Cup Groups

[KING HENRY V]

England has the most favourable draw of the lot, Italy's group also seems straightforward yet they always make life difficult for themselves. As mentioned It gets much harder for them after the group stage though

Germany Ghana Serbia is a pretty tricky group for Aus. Unfortunately I don't think Australia will progress, though they are capable of doing so, If they do their most likely opponents will be England which will be somewhat slap happy. I predict most of the black teams to do well, including France, as the comp is in Africa.

[DOC]

teams in bold to go through
Group A
South Africa
Mexico
Uruguay
France
comments: blatter and platini outdone themselves here with the seed being SA. mexico usually do some damage and uruguay will be fired up after missing out on 06. SA looked good in the confed cup as well. France are a shambles and haven't played well in ages.

Group B
Argentina
Nigeria
Korea Republic
Greece
argentina obvious favourites but diego needs to sort out their style or they may not get past the group stage. greeces style suits comps when they quilify so should get a top 2 spot, korea and nigeria possess enough about them to trouble argentina and greece and one may sneek through if they have a good day against the more fancied teams

Group C
England
United States
Algeria
Slovenia
england with a very nice draw but as we saw in the play offs teams can come from no where so they have to make sure they are switched on. us to go through with what on paper looks a decent squad and coming off a good confed and gold cup this season, slovenia the dark horse of the group and algeria just making up the numbers.

Group D
Germany
Australia
Serbia
Ghana
somewhat of a group of death with all 3 teams to fight it out behind germany who will top the group, teams will need to fight for that draw agaist them and make sure they win the other two matches.

Group E
Netherlands
Denmark
Japan
Cameroon
Another tough group to pick who will be runner up after the dutch, Denmark should do it but the flair of the Japanese or the Africans could undo the Europeans.

Group F
Italy
Paraguay
New Zealand
Slovakia
Slovakia showed they can step up when it counts, Paraguay can also make life difficult while if the sheep shaggers get a win on the board anything could happen, most likely Italy and slovakia

Group G
Brazil
Korea DPR
Côte d'Ivoire
Portugal
This one is pretty straight forward, brazil got better as the qualifyers went on and Portugal should step up on the world stage, ivory coast could stael 2nd spot with a win ion what will be the crunch game against Portugal.

Group H
Spain
Switzerland
Honduras
Chile
Chile not to be underestimated but the neutrals will just grab second spot behind a rampant spain who will choke in the semi’s, swiss are my smokey for the cup with players like frei and bennaglio

[Costanza Philosophy]

Group E
Netherlands
Denmark
Japan
Cameroon
Another tough group to pick who will be runner up after the dutch, Denmark should do it but the flair of the Japanese or the Africans could undo the Europeans.

Japan can't win on foreign soil. They will finish rock bottom. I certainly hope they do.

[Con]

Scary for our Socceroos. Germany multiple winner and runner-up whose motto is "keep order", Ghana on their continent and with a certain Chelsea player nick-named 'the beast' (aka Essien) and Serbia whose midfield could tear ours to shreds and win 3-0 or go erratic and lose 0-1. Like Bosnich and Slater, I'm worried our legs have grown old collectively since the high of 2006. Chipperfield and Neill got killed by the speedy Oman forwards.. and pray pray that nothing happens to Schwarzer.. Somehow we have to get one of Pim's 0-0's versus the 'black pearls' of Ghana and stay alive 'til the final group game wth the unpredictable Serbs..

[Costanza Philosophy]

My predictions

Group A
South Africa
Mexico
Uruguay
France
South Africa to be the first host nation to not make the second stage. Mind you, the united states only avoided that by being fortunate to host a tournament where third place was good enough to go through.
As Doc says France are a shambles, but I think they'll get through this group.

Group B
Argentina
Nigeria
South Korea
Greece
Argentina would be everyone's favorite to go through. I'd expect South Korea to push it to the final day but being in Africa should see Nigeria pip them.

Group C
England
United States
Algeria
Slovenia
England seem to have got the easiet group of the lot. On their day the united states can play and after their third group day heroics in the confederations' cup write them off at your peril.

Group D
Germany
Australia
Serbia
Ghana
A difficult group to pick a runner up behind Germany, but if Ghana keeps themselves focused on the football and less concerned with match payments etc. which often affects African teams they'll take some beating.

Group E
Netherlands
Denmark
Japan
Cameroon
Japan to finish rock bottom. Cameroon also runs the risk of off field antics undermining their team and would expect both European nations to progress.

Group F
italy
Paraguay
New Zealand
Slovakia
I don't expect New Zealand to get anything out of this group. Slovakia are the only nation making their first world cup appearance this time around but may give Paraguay a run for their money.

Group G
Brasil
North Korea
Côte d'Ivoire
Portugal
Like Doc said, this one is pretty straight forward, brazil got better as the qualifyers went on and Portugal should step up on the world stage. I'd really like to see North Korea make as many headlines as they did in 1966 but I think they'll be outclassed by Brasil and Portugal. I hope that Côte d'Ivoire fail badly just so dider drogba can go and have a cry. He's a fuçking disgrace.

Group H
Spain
Switzerland
Honduras
Chile
Switzerland went out of the tournament four years ago without conceding a goal. I think they'll win this group in an upset, but Spain to qualify with them

[Costanza Philosophy]

Scary for our Socceroos. Germany multiple winner and runner-up whose motto is "keep order", Ghana on their continent and with a certain Chelsea player nick-named 'the beast' (aka Essien) and Serbia whose midfield could tear ours to shreds and win 3-0 or go erratic and lose 0-1. Like Bosnich and Slater, I'm worried our legs have grown old collectively since the high of 2006. Chipperfield and Neill got killed by the speedy Oman forwards.. and pray pray that nothing happens to Schwarzer.. Somehow we have to get one of Pim's 0-0's versus the 'black pearls' of Ghana and stay alive 'til the final group game wth the unpredictable Serbs..

Germany has never won the world cup.
West Germany however won it three times

[DOC]

Scary for our Socceroos. Germany multiple winner and runner-up whose motto is "keep order", Ghana on their continent and with a certain Chelsea player nick-named 'the beast' (aka Essien) and Serbia whose midfield could tear ours to shreds and win 3-0 or go erratic and lose 0-1. Like Bosnich and Slater, I'm worried our legs have grown old collectively since the high of 2006. Chipperfield and Neill got killed by the speedy Oman forwards.. and pray pray that nothing happens to Schwarzer.. Somehow we have to get one of Pim's 0-0's versus the 'black pearls' of Ghana and stay alive 'til the final group game wth the unpredictable Serbs..

Germany has never won the world cup.
West Germany however won it three times

technically you are correct, but when the country become whole again, the achievements carried over also...

[Bomber]

Hate to say it but I think the Aussies will struggle. Germany and Ghana to go through I would think. Serbia are no pushovers either!

[Hawkesy]

i think the Socceroos are very capable of even topping the group.

[# 9]

i think the Socceroos are very capable of even topping the group.

they are. england are capable of being the team to fold.

[Ubietz]

Group A - South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France

Group B - Argentina, South Korea, Nigeria, Greece

Group C - England, United States, Algeria, Slovenia

Group D - Germany, Australia, Ghana, Serbia

Group E - Netherlands, Japan, Cameroon, Denmark

Group F - Italy (holders), New Zealand, Paraguay, Slovakia

Group G - Brazil, North Korea, Ivory Coast, Portugal

Group H - Spain, Honduras, Chile, Switzerland

[vladimirbeara]

The hardest game against "European Brazilians" Serbia!

[Red-4-Life]

easiest draw = france... fvcking cheating frogs!

might as well advance them to the finals

[marcNRG]

We can get through to next round... It's not a hard group...

[Hawkesy]

We can get through to next round... It's not a hard group...

I agree, Algeria should be easy beats for all teams so just beat USA or draw with them and even goal difference and 3 points will be enough.

[Costanza Philosophy]

Group G - Brazil, North Korea, Ivory Coast, Portugal

Côte d'Iviore

[ruud]

The hardest game against "European Brazilians" Serbia!

what the?

[marcNRG]

Group A - South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France

Group B - Argentina, South Korea, Nigeria, Greece

Group C - England, United States, Algeria, Slovenia

Group D - Germany, Australia, Ghana, Serbia

Group E - Netherlands, Japan, Cameroon, Denmark

Group F - Italy, New Zealand, Paraguay, Slovakia

Group G - Brazil, North Korea, Ivory Coast, Portugal

Group H - Spain, Honduras, Chile, Switzerland


Portugal & France to be eliminated 1st rd...

Ps, teams in bold to go through to 2nd rd....

[Hawkesy]

We can get through to next round... It's not a hard group...

Group C - England, United States, Algeria, Slovenia

:? :? :?

[Piola]

Don't forget to factor in the inevitable favours the African sides will receive from FIFA ala. South Korea in 2002. There's no way RSA will get out of that group without help. The others are all good enough though.

This is the best set of qualified teams in a while, and no group is easy to pick. Surely it's not too much to ask for it to be 'clean'.

[Green_Manalishi]

Germany has never won the world cup.
West Germany however won it three times

A merged club is a new entity and should start at the bottom like everyone else.

Still no logic to that....merged clubs still carry their combined histories, you don't just pick one history, or a new history out of a hat !

[blue moon]

could have been alot worse than the seeded germany for australia, think brazil, england, spain, holland, argentina and italy are better than the jewburners.

[BADA BING]

I honestly believe Greece can steal second position in this group.

The game versus South Korea will be our crunch game.

I think our style of play will catch out Nigeria on the counter.

And at least this time Maradona is coaching which can only be a bonus for us.

i thought South Korea didnt qualify but North Korea did, i could be wrong though

[El Capitano]

2010
Germany
Australia
Serbia
Ghana

2006
Brazil
Australia
Croatia
Japan

As Les Murray has just said, there is no reason for Australia to get knocked in the group stages.

Compare the 2010 group to the 2006 group. 1 heavy weight, 1 Balkan team and 1 developing nation.

Only issue i guess is our ageing/slow defence will be put to the test against Ghana and Germany

[Costanza Philosophy]

i thought South Korea didnt qualify but North Korea did, i could be wrong though

They both did, from the same group, which the South won.

[Paleon Patros Germanos]

I honestly believe Greece can steal second position in this group.

The game versus South Korea will be our crunch game.

I think our style of play will catch out Nigeria on the counter.

And at least this time Maradona is coaching which can only be a bonus for us.

i thought South Korea didnt qualify but North Korea did, i could be wrong though

They both qualified.

[COLOSSUS]

Group A
South Africa
Mexico
Uruguay
France
South Africa are the top seed but also the top pretender. They will NOT get out of this group but rather be the groups whipping boys. Their best hope is a draw against France whom are coming into this competition unconvincing and more likely making up the numbers even though they have the team to win the tournament. Mexico and Uruguay for me although if France turn it on (and thats a big IF), they will get through at the expense of one of the other 2.

Group B
Argentina
Nigeria
Korea Republic
Greece
The Agentines will be expected to top this group easily although they themselves were unconvincing in the qualifiers but have the squad to easily top this group and go very far into the tournament. I think this group is open to any of the 3 teams other than the Koreans. Greece will frustrate all 3 of its opponents and is capable of getting results v all 3 but Rehagel will play a major role in its chances depending on the teams he decides to put out on the park. Nigeria in African conditions will also be hard to beat but i havent seen enough of them to be convinced or unconvinced as yet. The South Koreans are too soft and will be caught on the break with teams like Argentina and Greece and for me they are the only team that i wont give a chance in this group.

Group C
England
United States
Algeria
Slovenia
England are the obvious choice considering their almost perfect qualifying campaign but they as a so called "big" nation have failed so many times to be taken seriously. However, they will qualify out of this group but not before heart palpitations when they are taken to the wire by the US and Slovenia. The US will go through with England depending on how desperate the Algerians will be to beat them because i can see their game with Slovenia being an even one.

Group D
Germany
Australia
Serbia
Ghana
Definately the Group of Death, it couldnt have got any worse for the Aussies, but like in 2006, they showed that they could match it with the best and they will have to be at their absolute best to get through this group. The Serbs while impressive through their qualifying campaign, have never really taken to the big stage of tournaments but are technically gifted enough to finish on top of all 3 of its opponents. Germany while known for its attacking flair and its undiscpilined defence can score more than it concedes but will have to be careful v opponents that are capable of scoring themselves. The Africans from Ghana are the dark horse and i really cant pick any losers let alone winners from this Group, intriguing to say the least.

Group E
Netherlands
Denmark
Japan
Cameroon
A straight forward group that should see the Dutch and the Danes comfortably win throught to the knockout stages.

Group F
Italy
Paraguay
New Zealand
Slovakia
The Italians may feel happy they have such an easy group but they will be in for one heck of a ride when the knockout stages present them much much more. Slovakia and Paraguay are the obvious choice to progress alongside the I-ties with both pretty even teams for me.

Group G
Brazil
Korea DPR
Côte d'Ivoire
Portugal
Probably the 2nd hardest group next to Australias, Brazil wont want to slip with both Portugal and the Ivorians ready to pounce. While the North Koreans will again feel hard done by as they do in everyday life, they posess no nuclear warheads that any of these 3 countries will be scared of. Brazil will qualify with the Ivory Coast pipping the Portugese to the post. Should be a cracker group.

Group H
Spain
Switzerland
Honduras
Chile
Staright forward group with the European Champions to progress with the vikings of Switzerland. Good to see someone like the Hondurans make the final 32 and good to see Chile back there also.

All in all, one would have to be happy with the groups and apart from maybe Groups E,F and H the rest will be anyones guess although the groups mentioned arent a guarantee, thats the beauty of Football, it throws surprises where you least expect them. Bring on 2010 South Africa and Good luck to all teams especially Australia and Greece

[Costanza Philosophy]

the vikings of Switzerland.

[pires7]

If Au$$ie Guu$ was coach we would have a great chance of getting out of this group. I think we can beat Ghana and perhaps snag a draw against Germany or Serbia which may be enough. A sluggish start for Germany might be good for goal difference considerations.

[DOC]

If Au$$ie Guu$ was coach we would have a great chance of getting out of this group. I think we can beat Ghana and perhaps snag a draw against Germany or Serbia which may be enough. A sluggish start for Germany might be good for goal difference considerations.

they put a few past costa rica in 06, with lahm and frings scoring crackers, this german side doesn't have the quality of 06 though, and klose and podolski can't buy a goal atm and ballack is a fading force, but usually lifts for the tri colour... be interesting to see how a few of these german heroes go in their last world cup, may be fired up for it