Pick your 16 WC second rounders

[punishment]

Top 2 from each team go to the 2nd round.

TEAM A
Germany
Poland
Costa Rica
Ecuador

TEAM B
England
Sweden
Trinidad & Tobago
Paraguay

TEAM C
Ivory Coast
Netherlands
Serbia-Montenegro
Argentina

TEAM D
Angola
Iran
Portugal
Mexico

TEAM E
Ghana
Italy
Czech Republic
United States

TEAM F
Japan
Croatia
Australia
Brazil

TEAM G
Togo
South Korea
France
Switzerland

TEAM H
Tunisia
Saudi Arabia
Ukraine
Spain

 

[punishment]

My picks:

A: 1. Germany 2. Poland
B: 1. England 2. Paraguay
C. 1. Argentina 2. Serbia-Montenegro
D: 1. Portugal 2. Mexico
E: 1. Czech Republic 2. Italy
F: 1. Brazil 2. Croatia
G: 1. Switzerland 2. France
F: 1. Spain 2. Tunisia

 

[isotopes]

Germany Costa Rica
England Sweden
Argentina Netherlands
Portugal Mexico
Italy US
Brazil Japan
France South Korea
Spain Ukraine

 

[irishwavend]

A: Germany, Ecuador
B: England, Sweden
C: Argentina, Netherlands
D: Portugal, Mexico
E: Czechs, US
F: Brazil, Croatia
G: France, Togo
H: Spain, Tunisia

 

[omissionrock]

Ukraine is going to win it all the way. This might be the first year ever for them, but Ukraine is going to the WC finals to play USA.

 

[punishment]

Ukraine is going to win it all the way. This might be the first year ever for them, but Ukraine is going to the WC finals to play USA.

I wanted to pick Ukraine to get to the second round. But, first time entrants dont' really do that well. Although it is odd that many of the countries that were a part of the Soviet Union are doing very well now that they are independent. I know they did well in qualifying, but I went with the odds on this one. Tunisia did poorly last time, but I think they are the best African team this year. Ghana would be next in line. But Ghana is in that group of death with the Czechs, Italy and USA.

 

[Folsteam_Ahead]

ivory coast is supposed to be the best african team this year. although thats kind of pointless considering all asian, north american, central american, caribbean, pacific islander, and african teams are doomed. the euro and south american powers always get the top bids so their almost guaranteed to the quarters. look at brazil's group: australia, japan, and croatia. croatia is the only decent of the other three. plus brazil plays the runner up of the usa group which will be either italy or usa giving them a free trip to the semis (italy wont win the group bc of lingering injuries and the scandals surrounding the team).

 

[grobelsk]

A: Germany, Equador
B: England, Paraguay
C: Argentina, Ivory Coast
D: Mexico, Iran
E: Italy, Czech
F: Brazil, Croatia
G: France, S. Korea
H: Spain, Ukraine

I cant wait for this to begin, the WC is the best sporting event in the world........but how can a game against Italy be considered a free trip to the semis, with the scandals or not? they are a favorite for a lot of people.......plus Brazil has issues on defense (since their defenders play so far up field and agressive) and ronaldo is a bit banged up not to mention they have a hole at left striker...they arent as invincible as they seem........tough group draw for the US Though

 

[Folsteam_Ahead]

italy has many unknowns due to injury. totti himself has said the team may be cursed. it's on the front page of the team's espn site. they may be able to weather the storm but i wouldnt put any money on them. that's why i said it's a toss up between the us and italy for runner up in the group. ghana has a good chance too since their middle field is very solid and have a defender from roma. but inexperience at this level could hurt them, as discussed previously with some other teams.

 

[wrigley1]

Germany
Costa Rica

England
Sweden

Argentina
Netherlands

Portugal
Mexico

Italy
United States

Brazil
Croatia

France
South Korea

Ukraine
Spain

 

[irishwavend]

Ivory Coast may be good, but there are two things going against them...They have to play Holland who is highly underrated in their group and they tend to get a lot of yellow cards, which will be a big factor for them. So far, so good! My call on Ecuador looks like it might have been a nice pick!

 

[punishment]

Ivory Coast may be good, but there are two things going against them...They have to play Holland who is highly underrated in their group and they tend to get a lot of yellow cards, which will be a big factor for them. So far, so good! My call on Ecuador looks like it might have been a nice pick!

Good call on Ecuador. Poland let me down. I can't see Poland qualifying out of that group now while still having to play Germany. I was actually surprised because I thought Ecuador was the weakest of the South American nations.

I just hope that North America has a good showing again.

 

[irishwavend]

Ivory Coast got hosed....The US is ranked 5th in the world and Mexico is 4th, so we should definitely be represented well. Trinidad & Tobago also did alright considering they lost a player. Despite my extreme hate for Iran, however, I hope they beat Mexico. Doubtful, though.

 

[jiggafini19]

Punishment, what are your thoughts on Argentina? Are they the favorite right now? A win today over the Netherlands should secure their position as favorite.

 

[irishwavend]

A win over Holland is going to be difficult. Robben is looking good and if Van Nistelroy comes on, Argentina better watch out. It is very tough to tell this year...there are some really good teams.

 

[punishment]

Punishment, what are your thoughts on Argentina? Are they the favorite right now? A win today over the Netherlands should secure their position as favorite.

Argentina has played much better than most people believed they would. I think Spain has emerged as the favorite, but most people are hesitant to pick first time winners. (The world cup, in its 17 tournaments, has only been won by Germany, Italy, England, France, Brazil and Argentina.)

Most people would probably still pick Brazil as the favorite, as any one of their starters could be the best player on most other teams. I know people think Brazil has played poorly, but Brazil has a tendency to play down to other teams' level. They usually turn it on in the elimination rounds.

I think Spain has been the best team, but Brazil is probably still the favorite.

And another thing to keep in mind, is that only once has a team from the Americas won a WC in Europe, and that was in '58.