Curse

I pwnd U · Dec 04, 2009, 11:50 PM // 23:50

Today was the World Cup Draw for the 2010 World Cup. Here are the groups and their rank according to ESPN is in (). FIFA rankings as of Nov 20, 2009 are in []. (Rankings will be updated by FIFA again on Dec 16, 2009) New rankings are in. New rankings are in {}.

Group A
South Africa (65) [86]{85}
Mexico (19) [15] {17}
Uruguay (10) [19] {20}
France (11) [7] {7}

Group B
Argentina (5) [8] {8}
Nigeria (33) [22] {22}
South Korea (42) [52] {52}
Greece (34) [12] {13}

Group C
USA (16) [14] {14}
England (3) [9] {9}
Algeria (46) [28] {26}
Slovenia (36) [33] {31}

Group D
Germany (6) [6] {6}
Australia (22) [21] {21}
Serbia (13) [20] {19}
Ghana (37) [37] {34}

Group E
Netherlands (4) [3] {3}
Denmark (20) [26] {28}
Japan (35) [43] {43}
Cameroon (15) [11] {11}

Group F
Italy (12) [4] {4}
Paraguay (18) [30] {29}
New Zealand (92) [77] {82}
Slovakia (50) [34] {33}

Group G (Group of Death according to ESPN Analyst)
Brazil (1) [2] {2}
Ivory Coast (9) [16] {16}
Portugal (7) [5] {5}
North Korea (91) [84] {86}

Group H
Spain (2) [1] {1}
Switzerland (31) [18] {18}
Honduras (25) [38] {38}
Chile (8) [17] {15}

Let's look at the first round games for the groups. (My picks are in bold)
Group A
South Africa vs Mexico
Uruguay vs France Draw

For Group A I look for Mexico and France to advance. South Africa could come out a surprise a lot of people and are in a favorable group. The big countries could over look them and South Africa could take advantage of it. France has been having a lot of trouble as of late, but I think they will get it together by this summer. Mexico surged late in qualifying to get in and seem to be on a roll. Uruguay had to go to a playoff and beat Costa Rico to assure their birth. I think Mexico goes through along with France if they can get it together.

Group B
Argentina vs Nigeria
Greece vs South Korea

Argentina should win this group easily. The other team to get out of this group is a bit of a toss up. Experts are calling for Nigeria to get out but both Greece and South Korea can pull upsets on Nigeria. I look for Nigeria to just edge out Greece.

Group C
USA vs England
Algeria vs Slovenia Draw

USA and England should advance out of this group easily, with England winning it. The US still needs to get results from Algeria and Slovenia and not overlook them. Hopefully since they play England first they can get it out of the way and focus on the two lesser sides.

Group D
Germany vs Australia
Serbia vs Ghana

I see Ghana and Germany surviving this group, with Germany winning the group. The 2nd spot is a bit of a toss up but with Serbia not having a particularly strong team. Australia had success in qualifying but they may not be used to playing strong European sides like Germany. Australia could squeak past Ghana but I think Ghana will have enough to hold them off.

Group E
Netherlands vs Denmark
Japan vs Cameroon

Netherlands should win this group and have usually done well in the group stages. The second spot for this group is also a toss up. Denmark and Cameroon could both escape this group. Cameroon will need to get a W against Denmark to get out, I don't see a tie being enough as these teams will be locked against each other for the second spot. I look for goal differential to decide who moves on with Holland in this group.

Group F
Italy vs Paraguay
New Zealand vs Slovakia

Italy and Paraguay should move on from this group. These two sides are very strong and New Zealand and Slovakia will not be able to run with them. Should be an easy group for Italy and Paraguay.

Group G
Brazil vs North Korea
Ivory Coast vs Portugal Draw

This has been called the group of death. With 3 very talented teams, who advances is anyone's guess. I am pretty sure that Brazil will advance out and I want to put my money on Portugal going with them. Portugal will need a strong showing from last years player of the year, Christiano Ronaldo. While Nani has been doing a wonderful job filling in from him they need him to be on top of his game. I look for Portugal to squeak by Ivory Coast on goal differential, but don't be surprised to see Ivory Coast advance.

Group H
Spain vs Switzerland
Honduras vs Chile

Spain should win this group easily, even though they showed a bit of weakness in their loss to the US in the Gold Cup I see them being on top of their game and rolling through this group. Chile is a strong South American nation but some analysts have the Swiss moving through. With the Swiss having faced the tough European sides, the analysts see them having enough to beat out Chile. I personally see Chile, the South American qualifying is not exactly a push over either.

So what do you guys think? Who will be advancing from each group and who may be the new World Champion in 2010?

(I will try to remember to update the rankings on Dec. 16th when FIFA updates theres)

Dawn Angelheart · Dec 05, 2009, 01:44 AM // 01:44

I got the point about france, then got too annoyed to keep reading about the world cup.

Cheaters.

scythefromunder · Dec 05, 2009, 01:46 AM // 01:46

Omg soccer. :O

Sir Skullcrasher · Dec 05, 2009, 04:19 AM // 04:19

Soccer are for the devil!!! Shame on you Bobby!!

English Warrior · Dec 05, 2009, 10:38 AM // 10:38

USA and England are in each others position btw, England Spain and Italy basically have a bie.

Kenzo Skunk · Dec 05, 2009, 11:51 AM // 11:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by scythefromunder

Omg soccer. :O

Yes baby! FOOTBALL!

Bobby2 · Dec 05, 2009, 01:27 PM // 13:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sir Skullcrasher

Soccer are for the devil!!! Shame on you Bobby!!

I didn't do shit!

Denmark + Cameroon ftw, I don't need them stinking orange monkeys parading down my street.

I pwnd U · Dec 05, 2009, 06:08 PM // 18:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by English Warrior

USA and England are in each others position btw, England Spain and Italy basically have a bie.

I would even go as far to say Germany has a bye as well. I don't see them struggling in that group.

zelgadissan · Dec 05, 2009, 09:34 PM // 21:34

Man, did France get rewarded for Henry's handball or what?

Also looking forward to the Portugal/Ivory Coast match to see who can flop more, Cristiano or Drogba.

As for the USA, I think we will advance through the group stage to be instantly demolished by Germany.

Morgoth the dark · Dec 05, 2009, 09:55 PM // 21:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by English Warrior

USA and England are in each others position btw, England Spain and Italy basically have a bie.

Slovenia is gonna rape all in it's group

Snograt · Dec 05, 2009, 10:52 PM // 22:52

Heh, you Americans are more confident of England's success than we are. You have beaten us before, you know - and Team USA are far from being the also-rans that they used to be.

The usual tabloid crap has started over here; "best chance to win the cup since '66"

Pfft.

I pwnd U · Dec 06, 2009, 06:39 AM // 06:39

Ya Germany should destroy the US, unless they seem to be off their game a bit.

England is in good shape and are on a roll. I'll be cheering for them AFTER they play the US.

Malice Black · Dec 07, 2009, 04:09 PM // 16:09

2-0 England

We'll take the group without a lose.

Make quarter finals at best.

I pwnd U · Dec 16, 2009, 08:31 PM // 20:31

New rankings updated.