World Cup 2006 - Hopes and Expectations

Ok, by now, everyone has had a chance to absorb the world cup drawings, and seen which teams are pretty much screwed and which teams got another easy route to victory.

Who are you expecting to see claim victory?

As always, I'm hoping Italy will take it, but I can see Brazil or Czech Republic going far also.

Unfortunately for Italy, they drew into the same pool as the USA. They don't stand a chance.

I'm looking forward to the world cup...it's good in that time between the NFL/NHL playoffs and the MLB playoffs. I'm not going to call any winners because I don't know many of the teams. The USA got a tough draw though...I dunno about our chances. Although they did beat Portugal first round last time...hmm...*scratches chin* You never can tell.

Edit: Woah, the new editing system is neat-o.

WE ALL KNOW ENGLAND WILL REACH THE QUARTERS AND GO OUT ON PENELTIES!!!

happens every major tourno watch out for the czechs, their my dark horses!!

Brazil should ease it, Kaka,Adriano,Ronaldhino,Diego,Lucio,Robinho,Cecinh o................

btw, Italy were unlucky in Japan/Korea, they were cheated out by the refs!!!!!

HAHA HENRY IS STAYING! EAT THAT LOUSY UNITED AND CHELSKI FANS!!!!!

Ya we got a post!

I'm like seriously disappointed at Italy's group, and if we don't break out of the slump we've been in, we're gonna get killed. I think the Czecks are really gonna go far, especially if Nedved decides to play in this World Cup.

When I saw Portugal's group, I was like "Ok draw it for real now?!?". I can't believe the toughest thing they got is Mexico, and although I think Mexico is a decent team, they aren't as much as a power house as Argentina or Netherlands (sucks for Serbia/Montnegro....two in one group), and even Brazil, a team that's literally stacked with players, have the hands down easiest group. I expect a 3 goal difference for each game in that group. Same with France's group, except I think their reign is done.

My hope for this WC: Get Brazil out of the Championship Throne.

Excellent! A world cup thread, well played gentlemen.

OK, just a recap, heres the groups:

World Cup 2006

In the groups, I am expecting victories for:

Group A - Germany.
Group B - Paraguay, Trinidad & Tobago, Sweden. ( )
Group C - Argentina
Group D - Portugal
Group E - Czech Republic
Group F - Brazil
Group G - Korea Republic
Group H - Spain

Overall, there's no doubt in my mind that Brazil will once again be taking the honours this year. I watched them in their qualifiers, and even without their big names, Brazil are still an amazing team, Co-ordinated, skillful and paced.

So, I'll be sitting back at home this year, cold beer, feet up, a plethora of football to get through.

~ Adhamh.

Hope- Australia might suprise
Reality- Australia might draw one game.

Originally Posted by fireball

Hope- Australia might suprise
Reality- Australia might draw one game.

Don't count Australia out so fast there fireball.

The Socceroo's are fired up for this tournament, Tim Cahill will be a player to watch! Read this article - http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/051128/1/5ene.html.

~ Adhamh.

tim cahill aite, but england have gerrard and lampard!!!!

Stevie Gerrard is the best player in the England squad, I love watching the guy play. Just don't win any games, ok?

~ Adhamh.

Brazil is the strongest team, but you never know what's going to happen. Norway is sadlly not included in the world cup, so I will be rooting for Brazil. Germany has the home advantage, but I don't think that will matter much.

Originally Posted by Adhamh

Stevie Gerrard is the best player in the England squad, I love watching the guy play. Just don't win any games, ok?

~ Adhamh.

Ah yes, typical Scotland fan.

Originally Posted by Tetra`s Tracker

Ah yes, typical Scotland fan.

Hey, I can admit Scotland can't cut it. Doesn't particularly bother me to be honest, this is just a little joke that I like. Don't think any worse of me, and don't take it to heart. At the end of the day, England are in.

Anyway, I can't wait. So much football, so little time.

~ Adhamh.

Although I don't expect them to, I hope Netherlands will take the trophy. They have always been my favourite team. I wouldn't mind if Sweden or Brazil got far, either.

I reckon that my team, Australia might surprise as Fireball said. I think they might actually get through a bit and surprise a fair lot of people. Don't know about going to the final, but you can hope.

As for the eventual winners, probably Brazil.

home advantage can do some strange stuff to a team!!! look at south korea last time round! semi-finalists?!!!

Korea were really impressive. Plus the fans, I've never heard anything like that before. They were screaming even when the ball was being kicked around the middle of the park.

I expect to see some good football from the Croatians and the Czechs. They can be my underdogs for the trophy.

~ Adhamh.

I will seriously cry and vow never to watch the world cup matches again if Brazil win YET again. That would be insufferable.

England ... I don't expect much :/ I think the team's the weakest it has been for ages. Beckham and Owen aren't really up to the standards anymore, and even though Lampard, Rooney and Gerrard exist, I don't think they're enough to get to the Semi's ( maybe Quarters .. )

It's not really possible to take guesses at who'll win and who'll be left behind. As the Euro games have showed, for example, surprises do happen ( and I hope they do ^-^ )
Yay! *plays "football's coming home" loudly*

Originally Posted by Anime_Queen

I will seriously cry and vow never to watch the world cup matches again if Brazil win YET again. That would be insufferable.

Are you serious woman?! You don't get much better football when watching Brazil. You should dig up some archive matches from the 70's and 80's, absolute classic footie.

Still, it's always nice to see a break in Brazil's dominance. But you can bet they'll be in the final.

~ Adhamh.