World Cup 2006
 

The greatest sporting event in the world the FIFA World cup will begin in Germany on June 9th 2006 and end on July 9th 2006.

Group (A)
Germany/ Costa Rica/ Poland/ Ecuador

Group (B)

England/ Paraguay/ Trinidad & Tobago/ Sweden

Group (C)

Argentina/ Cote d'voire/ Serbia & Montenegro/ Netherlands

Group (D)

Mexico / Iran / Angola / Portugal

Group (E)

Italy / Ghana/ USA/ Czech Republic

Group (F)

Brasil / Croatia / Austria /Japan

Group (G)

France / Switzerland / Korea Republic / Toga

Group (H)

Spain / Ukraine / Tunisia / Saudia Arabia

For some reason, I didn't realize that the Final was so late this year! The last one, I watched from a hospital bed!

Yes, it's sad that we areso America-centric in our sports tastes that we don't realize how important the World Cup actually is as both a sports and social phenomenon. I was living in Pasadena,CA when the World Cup finals were hed in the Rose Bowl. The celebration afterwards was mindboggling. The streets were literally filled with people---from from sidewalk to lanes--from all over the world! It was beautiful!

I know what you mean - I've been to qualifying matches at Chicago, Columbus, and RFK. They know how to do soccer! :D Need I state that I usually sit with Sam's Army? No wonder they call it the Beautiful Game!

I've been into soccer for ages, but have never been to a World Cup Game. I feel shame. *hangs head*

I have been playing since the age of 6 my father was stationed in Germany so I grew up watching Hamburg SV, and Bayer Munich play but it wasn't until the national teams of Uruguay and Argentina came to play a couple of friendly warmup games that I was swept away in the futbol madness. I remember being a child in 82 when Brasil came to play a friendly against Duisburg seeing the game in person I just couldn't believe the skill level of Brasil just awesome.

I just watched USA beat Latvia last night. They're going to be in a tough group against Italy, Czech Republic and Ghana. There may be hope for the USA, as Czech Republic has lots of injuries and Italy is caught up in a domestic calcio scandal.

Ahhh, futbol. It is truly the Beautiful Game. :)

The USA is in a difficult Group but I believe they have a real chance of making it into the semifinals and I'm not just saying that b/c I'm an American. The talent level of the USA has risen to a respectable level b/c of players getting experience by playing in European leagues and MLS clubs playing friendlys against the likes of Arsenal and Barcelona (which just won the European champions cup).

Where are the "Indominatable Lions of Cameroon? I don't get into soccer but they were fun to watch.

Pridictions.
 

Brasil is the odds on favorite (unbelieveable ball control ) and Germany playing @ home is always a difficult team to beat (these guys have awesome physical training sessions) but once again I'm picking Argentina (these guys has the heart of a lion and never say quit attitude)

Teams to watch out for Ghana, England , USA, Korea, Iran.

I don't think the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon made it into the Cup this time 'round. I agree; they were fun to watch.

USA has tremendous depth in the team this time; let's see how far they can make it. Besides, I can stare and drool over Landon Donovan. ;)

Yeah back in the early to mid 1990s (from 1990-1994) they were something to see along w/ Nigeria.

PS
No Cameroon didn't make it this time I quess the run ended when 40 + year old Roger Milla retired.

I hope that we don't become laughing stocks like we did in '98. We got bonked in '98. We scored one effing goal thoughout that World Cup. If we put on the same performance as we did in 1998, there will be some not so happy sports press members. The reason why I said some was because a whole lot of people don't give a rat's tail about soccer.

Here's Who I will pick to advance:

Group A
Germany
Poland

Group B
England
Sweden

Group C
Argentina
The Netherlands

Group D
Mexico
Portugal

Group E
Italy
Czech Republic

Group F
Brazil
Croatia

Group G
France
South Korea

Group H
Spain
Ukraine

I think that the US has a chance, but I don't think that they will advance.

I agree w/most of your picks

http://www.thefootballwiki.com/image...land_crest.gifhttp://www.jjb.co.uk/england/img/kit...owen_large.jpg http://www.carling.com/media/player_...image-7225.jpg

I'm obligated to cheer for Mexico.

I was wondering what happened to Michael Owen.

I expect him to be fit for the opener against Paraguay this Saturday. The guy is an awesome player. He just didn't fit with the Spanish style football.

On another note, not excited about England's crop of goalkeepers. Between Robinson, Kirkland and James, not very confident they can perform during crunch time. then you have Green injured.

Has any one group been labeled "the Group of Doom" yet?

There has not been a group labeled as the group of death yet...but I believe group (D) w/ Mexico, Iran, Angola and Portugal will be a hard group.

Group C is tougher: Argentina, Netherlands, Ivory Coast and Serbia

Go Portugal
 

I have to cheer for Portugal and a little cheer for the US also.. :)

The reason I picked group (D) as the hardest group is b/c it's hard to pick who will advance from the group...in group C I believe that Argentina and the Dutch will easily advance.

I knew that the US was going to get screwed. If they don't win against Italy. We might as well throw in the towel.

Japan just literally choked at the end, blowing a 1-0 lead in the last ten minutes.

David Beckham looked so hot on Saturday!

I'm cheering for the U.S. and England.

The U.S choked big time, they came into this year's cup w/ an inflated ego and didn't show up when it was time to play.

Brasil looked good but allowed to many shots on goal in the second half...also Ronaldo has to got lose a few pounds.

Looks like it's the end of the line for the USA..Ghana 2 USA 1 the USA team is just soft.. next up for Ghana is Brasil and w/ the team speed of Ghana they may just upset Brasil.

I saw most of the USA-Ghana match. The USA simply lacked the confidence and will at times. The US player I was most impressed with was Clint Demsey, who exhibited that agressiveness and lack of hesitancy. The USA needs more agressive offensive sets and willingness to take risks--they did this from time to time when it was too late and the Ghanahians were hunkered back on defense. I think Argentina is very strong and poised, even though I like the style of the French squad. The Brazilians have the best talent but not the best team right now, it seems.

Brasil play today changed my mind... overall they may just have the best team I base that on Brasil play on offense and defense. Ghana played a hell of a game today they just couldn't find the back of the net.

By far the best (most exciting) match I've seen has been the France-Spain game. The first half showed the more offensive nature of these matches and it was intense at times. I'm so happy the French won--I didn't want Zidane to go out without playing in another marquis matchup with Brasil. And I'm a fan of Henry also.

Kind of reminds me of 98 when Zidane got a red card.

Today Argentina v Germany should be a great game...I'm going w/ Argentina .




















Argentina was robbed in 1990 when they played Germany in the World Cup finals.

Argentina blew the game! Dang!

Germany's conditioning couple w/ some bad coaching on the part of Argentina made it a bad second half for Argentina.

Damn it, England lost. :(

:D "Allons enfants de la patrie, le jour de gloire est arrivee..."Vive la France! Yes, I'm very happ that France won. They flat out outplayed the purveyors of the "beautiful game." They were quicker to the ball, aggressive, and deft of foot, and they were better prepared. In fact, one could see that Brasil was hesitant(intimidated?) in playing their more free-wheeling style, knowing that France could make them pay with their quicknes and savvy. I'm so glad that Zidane's saga continues! He'll go down as one of soccer's all-time greats.

This World Cup has had it's share of upsets England , Argentina and Brasil all are out....Germany and Italy should be a dog fight today. I'll go w/ Germany only b/c the game is in Germany....but since I have been wrong on all my picks Italy will win.

It's looking like 1998 all over again.

Why isn't the Germany v Italy game on television.

It will be France v Italy in the finals on Sunday...it should be a great game both teams hit their stride as the World Cup went on.

I'm really looking forward to the game. It is this World Cup's marquis matchup:they have similar styles.

World Cup ...
 

I live in a small city in Germany called Schweinfurt and let me tell you that Germans don't play when it comes to soccer. I know Americans can be a bit fanatic when it comes to baseball and American football but Germans will kill for soccer. When they were eliminated from the World Cup the Germans I work with called out sick the next day, they were in the streets crying and I thought some of them were going to have to seek professional help. The way some of them were acting you would have thought their lives depended on whether they won or not. My next door neighbors are German and they were extremely upset- I started to go over to their house and ask them if they needed to talk! :D