NationStates Jolt Archive

there have been a few threads about the up coming world cup, however i have yet to see a poll ...........

Probably Brazil.

I'd like it to be the Czech Republic.

Our England fans give us a bad name (thugs...mutter...mutter:mad: ).

And I got the Czech Republic in the sweepstake :p :p

Honestly it's hard to say this year. England's got the best team it's had in years but I'm worried that they'll throw out a couple of mediocre performances in the group stage, wind up playing Germany in the first knockout stage and then lose on penalties despite having been 3-0 up at half-time. Despite having a lot of talent the England team usually just doesn't deliver when it really matters.

Still, would be nice to be proved wrong... and if it's ever going to happen again, now's as good a time as any for England to win the world cup again.

Germany will win the final if they get there, otherwise it will be Brazil who lift the cup.

I would love to see England v the Argies as a final...that would be awesome.

I do not think England will reach the Semi Finals....

England hooligans will not be as much a problem as the Poles.

Now if Germany meet Holland....heh :)

I don't see Brazil winning this year. Their preparation has not been good, and their 'stars' are not playing well together. I hope it will be England, but I am prepared for a suprise. (Ivory Coast maybe)

I don't see Brazil winning this year. Their preparation has not been good, and their 'stars' are not playing well together. I hope it will be England, but I am prepared for a suprise. (Ivory Coast maybe)

I sorta agree with you there....Ronaldo is a perfect example....

but


Ronaldinho...d/n/t

I'm going to say France, mainly because I will be in France on July 9th.

I sorta agree with you there....Ronaldo is a perfect example....

but


Ronaldinho...d/n/t

As was proven in the Champions league final stages, Ronaldinho can be marked out of a game. He, by himself, is not a major factor except given dead ball situations. With Barcelona, he is effective because he has Eto'o and Guilly running hell for leather for him, in the Brazilian team who is going to do that?

I'm going to say France, mainly because I will be in France on July 9th.

Like my brother was in Greece during Euro 2004. The bastard. It was 4 days of constant parties and free drinks. :mad:

NEDERLAND!!!!!!

As was proven in the Champions league final stages, Ronaldinho can be marked out of a game. He, by himself, is not a major factor except given dead ball situations. With Barcelona, he is effective because he has Eto'o and Guilly running hell for leather for him, in the Brazilian team who is going to do that?

Not 'fat' Ronaldo thats for sure. That said at least Robinho will run down blind alleys and do outrageously crap tricks like a Denilson of 2002. Still, it means Ronny will have to motivate himself to dribble like he did against Real Madrid a few months ago. That was an awesome goal.

As was proven in the Champions league final stages, Ronaldinho can be marked out of a game. He, by himself, is not a major factor except given dead ball situations. With Barcelona, he is effective because he has Eto'o and Guilly running hell for leather for him, in the Brazilian team who is going to do that?

I don't know which games you were watching....barring the final...you are right...he was marked out of the game...otherwise he was there and scoring or setting up goals...

Don't forget...Brazil get free kicks coz of the their play....charging forwards etc...

I think it'll be an Argentina=Brazil final, unless they meet in the semis (not sure who'll meet whom there)

Nice to see the English here are as hopelessly optimistic, as always.
And, as always, England will let itself down somewhere along the way and fail to perform to expectations.

As for the "USA (hohohohohohoho)" poll option, did you know they're 5th equal(!) in the latest FIFA world rankings? They were 4th in April.
Here's the top ten:
1 Brazil
2 Czech Republic
3 The Netherlands
4 Mexico
5 USA
5 Spain
7 Portugal
8 France
9 Argentina
10 England

Not what I expected at all.

How do they come up with these rankings?

Well, the rankings are (as far as I know) based on results, not who you play...so with the US playing teams that they easily beat (like Grenada, El Salvador etc.) , they get more points, giving them an 'artificially' high position in the rankings...whereas somebody like France is more likely to be playing a team like Spain, Germany, England, or Portugal...making them less likely to get wins.

Wins = points.

Points = a higher ranking.

I think it'll be an Argentina=Brazil final, unless they meet in the semis (not sure who'll meet whom there)

Nice to see the English here are as hopelessly optimistic, as always.
And, as always, England will let itself down somewhere along the way and fail to perform to expectations.

As for the "USA (hohohohohohoho)" poll option, did you know they're 5th equal(!) in the latest FIFA world rankings? They were 4th in April.
Here's the top ten:
1 Brazil
2 Czech Republic
3 The Netherlands
4 Mexico
5 USA
5 Spain
7 Portugal
8 France
9 Argentina
10 England

Not what I expected at all.

How do they come up with these rankings?

Becasue CONCACAF is corrupt

Well, the rankings are (as far as I know) based on results, not who you play...so with the US playing teams that they easily beat (like Grenada, El Salvador etc.) , they get more points, giving them an 'artificially' high position in the rankings...whereas somebody like France is more likely to be playing a team like Spain, Germany, England, or Portugal...making them less likely to get wins.

Wins = points.

Points = a higher ranking.
According to their website, the points awarded do take into consideration the strength of the teams playing.
It's a pretty complicated formula:
world ranking procedures (http://www.fifa.com/en/mens/statistics/rank/procedures/0,2540,3,00.html)
Makes sense - otherwise a team like NZ, say, could rise in the rankings just by playing and beating Samoa every week.

That said, there must be a bit of corruption going on. The rankings are called the "FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking".
And who would gain the most (in terms of advertising $$$) by the USA being one of the top ranked teams in the world?

I'd like it to be the Czech Republic.

Our England fans give us a bad name (thugs...mutter...mutter:mad: ).

And I got the Czech Republic in the sweepstake :p :p
The Czech Republic has too many injuries. I may be a little biased but I think the US is the sleeper team to win it all.

But I like Germany. They played well last time and made it to the finals. Now they play on their home turf. They are going to be tough to beat. 2 MORE DAYS!!!!!!!

The Fifa/Coca Cola rankings bear no relationship whatsoever to the world cup. This thread is about who we think will win the World cup, not about the rankings.

(Which incidentally make as much sence as the WTA rankings where Federer is no 1 and Nadal no 2 despite Nadal having beaten Federer the last three times they played.)

My opinions on who will win the WC are based on watching the teams play in their warm up matches, and on how they performed in qualifying. The USA did well in qualifying (against weak opposition), but have been less than inspiring in their warm ups. Brazil have not shown any decent form lately, Germany have been awful, to put it mildly and Holland failed to impress.

The teams playing well at the moment are Italy, Ukraine, England, Ivory Coast, and Ghana. Other teams I have not seen, so can not comment.

I can't see Ukraine going all the way.
They have one outstanding player, and that's pretty much it.
Shut him down, or if he gets injured, and they're average.


As for Nadal/Federer, Federer rightly claims top-spot. Nadal's only good (make that awesome) on clay. He's average on other surfaces, as his results show.
Federer, on the other hand, is supreme and practically unbeatable on every surface bar clay, and even on that, he's the 2nd best. And that gap is closing, if their last match-up is anything to go by.
Should be a good final if they both go through.


btw, anyone else out there immediately think of Ferro Roche chocolates whenever they see Federer's name? I know I do.

According to their website, the points awarded do take into consideration the strength of the teams playing.
It's a pretty complicated formula:
world ranking procedures (http://www.fifa.com/en/mens/statistics/rank/procedures/0,2540,3,00.html)
Makes sense - otherwise a team like NZ, say, could rise in the rankings just by playing and beating Samoa every week.

That said, there must be a bit of corruption going on. The rankings are called the "FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking".
And who would gain the most (in terms of advertising $$$) by the USA being one of the top ranked teams in the world?

Franch 98/Ronaldo/Nike

I can't see Ukraine going all the way.
They have one outstanding player, and that's pretty much it.
Shut him down, or if he gets injured, and they're average.

The Ukraine's qualifying campaign:

They wwere the first European team to qualify.

08-Oct-05 UKR: ALB 2:2 (1:0) (They had already qualified)
07-Sep-05 UKR: TUR 0:1 (0:0) (They had already qualified)
03-Sep-05 GEO: UKR 1:1 (0:1)
08-Jun-05 GRE: UKR 0:1 (0:0)
04-Jun-05 UKR: KAZ 2:0 (1:0)
30-Mar-05 UKR: DEN 1:0 (0:0)
09-Feb-05 ALB: UKR 0:2 (0:1)
17-Nov-04 TUR: UKR 0:3 (0:2)
13-Oct-04 UKR: GEO 2:0 (1:0)
09-Oct-04 UKR: GRE 1:1 (0:0)
08-Sep-04 KAZ: UKR 1:2 (1:1)
04-Sep-04 DEN: UKR 1:1 (1:0)

Beating Greece in Greece and Turkey in Turkey is a major achievement for any team.

Try this page (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/teams/ukraine/4369148.stm) for a bit more in depth information

Pfft... Greece is nothing and Turkey aren't as good as they used to be.

Germany has already won it by hosting it and luring all that money into the country.

The rest is just soccer and not important.

As for Nadal/Federer, Federer rightly claims top-spot. Nadal's only good (make that awesome) on clay. He's average on other surfaces, as his results show.
Federer, on the other hand, is supreme and practically unbeatable on every surface bar clay, and even on that, he's the 2nd best. And that gap is closing, if their last match-up is anything to go by.
Should be a good final if they both go through.


This would be a good counter argument if two out of the three Nadal victories hadn't been on hard court surfaces, but meh.

It should be a great final indeed.

Pfft... Greece is nothing and Turkey aren't as good as they used to be.

Away from home, I would agree (despite Greece being the reigning European champions). but in their own stadia they are practically invincible.

The Czech Republic has too many injuries. I may be a little biased but I think the US is the sleeper team to win it all.


The U.S. is going to have a hard time making it past the first round, facing the Czech Republic, Italy, and Ghana (arguably the best team in Africa right now).

http://www.studip.uni-goettingen.de/pictures/smile/klatsch.gifDeutschland! Deuschland!http://www.studip.uni-goettingen.de/pictures/smile/klatsch.gif
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/GermanNightmare/GermanFanblock.jpg http://www.buddy-icons.info/img/smile/1455.gifhttp://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/GermanNightmare/GermanFanblock.jpg
http://www.studip.uni-goettingen.de/pictures/smile/klatsch.gifDeutschland! Deutschland!http://www.studip.uni-goettingen.de/pictures/smile/klatsch.gif

The U.S. is going to have a hard time making it past the first round, facing the Czech Republic, Italy, and Ghana (argubly the best team in Africa right now).
Theres no doubt the US has a very hard draw this time. They are going to need alot of luck but you never know. Czechs are a little banged up, Italy has their scandal and Ghana, Im sure about Ghana. They have been playing really well as you mentioned so the US has to be careful with them.

http://www.studip.uni-goettingen.de/pictures/smile/klatsch.gifDeutschland! Deuschland!http://www.studip.uni-goettingen.de/pictures/smile/klatsch.gif
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/GermanNightmare/GermanFanblock.jpg http://www.buddy-icons.info/img/smile/1455.gifhttp://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/GermanNightmare/GermanFanblock.jpg
http://www.studip.uni-goettingen.de/pictures/smile/klatsch.gifDeutschland! Deutschland!http://www.studip.uni-goettingen.de/pictures/smile/klatsch.gif
Sorry. What are you trying to say?
Can't quite work it out...

Somethign about Deu..Deu...Oh! I see! Denmark!! Of course!

Germany! :eek:

I don't see Brazil winning this year. Their preparation has not been good, and their 'stars' are not playing well together. I hope it will be England, but I am prepared for a suprise. (Ivory Coast maybe)

I hope so, I got Ivory Coast & England in the sweep at work.

I did fancy the Dutch this year, but I'm not so confident after our hack job on them the other day.

Canada has their participation ribbon so they're happy. But I really hope the Czechs can pull this one out. If not I'm just feeling it being a England year.

If England do the old "take the lead and sit back in our own box", we are in trouble. Or Rooney is played too early which Sven will probably do.

Brazil maybe, Germany could do it if Lehman continues his Arsenal form, Italy might rally due to the troubles. Spain if they drop Rual have a good chance but will no doubt blow it. Holland have a good a chance as any.

Italy. Perhaps Spain, but I'm going with Italy.

The IRB uses a much more realstitic ranking system but it's way too complicated to explain in detail. The gist of it is that a win against a higher ranking team is worth more than a win against a lower ranked team.

Iran FTW!!

The IRB uses a much more realstitic ranking system but it's way too complicated to explain in detail. The gist of it is that a win against a higher ranking team is worth more than a win against a lower ranked team.
Thats because rugby is 13665times better than Football.

Surely it'll not be italy, but anyway it's missing from the list. :confused:

i guess germany or brazil will be the WC

ciao

Surely it'll not be italy, but anyway it's missing from the list. :confused:

i guess germany or brazil will be the WC

ciao

http://www.world-of-smilies.com/html/images/smilies/sport/wm06wos01.gif

Italy will win it. Quite simply, they have the best defence in the championship, and potentially one of the best attacks.

Italy will win it. Quite simply, they have the best defence in the championship, and potentially one of the best attacks.

And also one of the best abilities to blow up in a mass scandal at some point too, after which they'll say it was a conspiracy against them ;)

And also one of the best abilities to blow up in a mass scandal at some point too, after which they'll say it was a conspiracy against them ;)

Well duh?

Just wait if they go out to a long range shot, it'll be the new ball's fault.:p

Well duh?

Just wait if they go out to a long range shot, it'll be the new ball's fault.:p

LOL, Robinson already has his excuses set out (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/teams/england/5054694.stm) just in case.

LOL, Robinson already has his excuses set out (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/teams/england/5054694.stm) just in case.

I saw that earlier.

You'd almost think that they weren't payed exorbitant sums of money to stop shots wouldn't you?:rolleyes:

I saw that earlier.

You'd almost think that they weren't payed exorbitant sums of money to stop shots wouldn't you?:rolleyes:


From here. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/5054558.stm)

http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/5951/41713766lampard2032lm.jpg

England's players will net £300,000 per player if they lift the World Cup - which is three times the amount Brazil will get, but less than the bonus promised to Spain's players. (The Sun)

So as long as he actually stops them ;)

I don't see Brazil winning this year. Their preparation has not been good, and their 'stars' are not playing well together.

Theres no doubt the US has a very hard draw this time. They are going to need alot of luck but you never know. Czechs are a little banged up, Italy has their scandal and Ghana, Im sure about Ghana. They have been playing really well as you mentioned so the US has to be careful with them.

If the US makes the knock out round (and I certainly hope they do) the first game could be very interesting for me depending on the results of group F. A USA vs Japan match would certainly be exciting as a USAmerican here in Japan. An match with Australia would make things interesting within my work and social circles - lottsa Aussies in both. And a matchup against Brazil... well getting beat in a good game against even a weak Brazil is nothing top be ashamed of, and a win would confirm the US's arrival. :D

And then there's the potential England vs USA matchup that could be lottsa fun. :D

If the US makes the knock out round (and I certainly hope they do) the first game could be very interesting for me depending on the results of group F. A USA vs Japan match would certainly be exciting as a USAmerican here in Japan. An match with Australia would make things interesting within my work and social circles - lottsa Aussies in both. And a matchup against Brazil... well getting beat in a good game against even a weak Brazil is nothing top be ashamed of, and a win would confirm the US's arrival. :D

And then there's the potential England vs USA matchup that could be lottsa fun. :D

Oh god, I want to play the USA so much. 4th in the world indeed. If Rooney played you'd look a joke.