With the World Cup just a few weeks away, the sense of anticipation that grips the universe is starting to build again. The tournament is a world wide phenomenon. This year I will try to bring to you the most thorough and interesting preview of the competition as possible, including insights from students, teachers and a few ex-footballers. I gathered an esteemed panel of students from Huddersfield New College Michael Handscomb, Jamie Eccles and Manvir Dhada, teachers Alan Brook and Nick Keddy, along with a few names you might find familiar with England sides of yester-year. Of course, the main focus is my very own preview of the World Cup itself, the competitors and how I feel all 32 sides will fair.
So then, you may expect me to start with England, but no, I’m not that biased. Group A doesn’t exactly look that exciting on paper, and to be honest it probably won’t be that exciting in the flesh either. Lets face it, France shouldn’t be there, but I won’t get hung up on that. Mexico are a very much improved team, which shone through at the last tournament, and I can’t see Uruguay or South Africa having much to offer. Lets face it, the latter is only there because they’re the hosts, but if Benni McCarthy sets the world alight I’ll eat my words. So, France & Mexico for me here.
Again, Group B, not looking a spectacle of entertainment. Under Diego Maradona Argentina have become a much poorer side, even with the flair of Messi and Tevez upfront. I can’t say I’d be quaking in my boots should England have to face them. Nigeria are a team that a World Cup wouldn’t be right without, they’re just sort of, there really. They have a few recognisable players, such as Obafemi Martins and Yakubu, but nothing to shout home about. Korea Republic look a decent team, a few players in there who are quite handy to have around, and usually fair pretty well at the big tournaments. Premiership talent such as Lee Chung-Yong and Park Ji-Sung make them appealing to progress. Finally, Greece. Hmmm, former Euro 2004 champions, yes it’s still hard to believe. Not all that anymore and I can’t see them offering much here. Unfortunately, Argentina will go through relatively untroubled and I believe Korea Republic will join them.
Now then, England. Nailed on World Cup winners (yeh right.) Not the toughest of groups if you look at it, and Capello’s men should cruise through, but we don’t exactly do it that way. I can’t say either Algeria or Slovenia worry me too much quite frankly. USA are a decent little outfit and have some quality running through their team. Players like Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Tim Howard and Freddy Adu. Plus they showed they were no pushovers at last summers Confederations Cup. So, pretty simply, England & USA to qualify from Group C.
Group D really does look an interesting one. Germany have to be seen as clear favourites, hopefully anyway. I don’t fancy facing them in Round 2. They always pull through on the big occasions, well except the odd World War but that’s beside the point. But the battle for second will be intriguing. Australia have some good players. Harry Kewell, Tim Cahill, Lucas Neill, Mark Schwarzer and Mark Bresciano just to name a few. Serbia will be a tough nut to crack, literally. Nemanja Vidic and Branislav Ivanovic at the back isn’t something I’d want to come up against, but Wayne Rooney might just have to. Ghana really impressed in 2006 but I don’t think they’ll have as good time of it this time around. Michael Essien is the one shining light amongst a team who may have already had their moment in the sun. Germany will top the group and I’m going to go for the work rate of Serbia to just pip the Aussies into second.
Group E is another one of those ‘lets just get this done with groups’. Netherlands look pretty comfortable in there, always fun to watch but always end up failing, even funner. Denmark have an annoying habit of always turning up once every four years, doing pretty much nothing and sloping back off to Scandanavia. Not my favourite team in the world. I could say the same about Japan, not a team who are considered ‘attractive’ but better than the Danes. Cameroon have a decent shout, Samuel Eto’o will always be a threat and that’s why I fancy Cameroon to join Netherlands in progressing.
In Group F, well, wow....Well, erm, no actually. Italy, couldn’t sit down and watch a more boring but effective side really. Players who will do anything to fall on the grass, yet always scramble through game after game, and end up World Champions! And unfortunately it appears they will win the group. I mean, New Zealand. They’re here mainly because Australia are now too good for Oceania. Slovakia are not the most feared opposition in the world and neither are Paraguay, with Roque Santa Cruz the only recogniseable figure. Fortunately for the South Americans, the other two sides besides Italy are so bad, they’ll go through with the current holders.
Now Group G is something to look forward to, nope, no sarcasm this time. Brazil. Have to love them. Robinho, Ronaldinho, Dani Alves, Lucio, Kleberson....ok I went too far. Anyway you get the point. They’re joined by Portugal. England’s nemesis. Cristiano Ronaldo aside, they aren’t what they once were. They’d probably still beat us, it’s tradition after all. I really fancy Ivory Coast here though. Didier Drogba upfront will give the others something to worry about, and Aruna Dindane of course. But poor North Korea, I doubt this was exactly what they wanted. Brazil will qualify for me, and to be controversial, I reckon Ivory Coast will join them. Cya Portugal.
Last but not least, Group H. Spain will walk it, end of discussion. Seriously though, they’re my favourites by a mile. Torres, Villa, Silva, Iniesta, Xavi, Puyol and Casillas. Cesc Fabregas doesn’t even make the first team for gods sake. Switzerland, hmmm, just remember what I said about Denmark. Not the team I want to watch to be honest. Honduras could be underated. With Wilson Palacios at the heart of things, I could see them being a surprise. Chile don’t fuss me either. I’d like to name you some of their players to look out for, but I don’t know any, so therefore I won’t. Spain will walk the group, and I’ll go out on a limb and say Honduras will be joining them.
The Panelists View
Who do you think will win the World Cup?
Jamie Eccles: Spain
Michael Handscomb: Brazil
Alan Brook: Spain
Nick Keddy: Spain
Me: Spain
Gareth Southgate: Spain
Who do you think will be the best player?
Jamie Eccles: Xavi
Michael Handscomb: Wayne Rooney
Alan Brook: Lionel Messi
Nick Keddy: Cesc Fabregas
Me: Andres Iniesta
Gareth Southgate: Lionel Messi
Who do you think will be the surprise team of the tournament?
Jamie Eccles: Algeria
Michael Handscomb: Ivory Coast
Alan Brook: Ivory Coast
Nick Keddy: USA
Me: Honduras
Gareth Southgate: France
Who do you think will be the top goalscorer in the tournament?
Jamie Eccles: David Villa
Michael Handscomb: Wayne Rooney
Alan Brook: Fernando Torres
Nick Keddy: Fernando Torres
(No Spanish bias from the Business department!)
Me: Miroslav Klose
Gareth Southgate: David Villa
How far do you think England will progress?
Jamie Eccles: Semi-Finals
Michael Handscomb: Quarter-Finals
Alan Brook: Semi-Finals
Nick Keddy: To the airport in South Africa. Optimistic as ever Nick.
Me: Semi-Finals
Gareth Southgate: Quarter-Finals
(Bit of optimism goes a long way…)
So then, you may expect me to start with England, but no, I’m not that biased. Group A doesn’t exactly look that exciting on paper, and to be honest it probably won’t be that exciting in the flesh either. Lets face it, France shouldn’t be there, but I won’t get hung up on that. Mexico are a very much improved team, which shone through at the last tournament, and I can’t see Uruguay or South Africa having much to offer. Lets face it, the latter is only there because they’re the hosts, but if Benni McCarthy sets the world alight I’ll eat my words. So, France & Mexico for me here.
Again, Group B, not looking a spectacle of entertainment. Under Diego Maradona Argentina have become a much poorer side, even with the flair of Messi and Tevez upfront. I can’t say I’d be quaking in my boots should England have to face them. Nigeria are a team that a World Cup wouldn’t be right without, they’re just sort of, there really. They have a few recognisable players, such as Obafemi Martins and Yakubu, but nothing to shout home about. Korea Republic look a decent team, a few players in there who are quite handy to have around, and usually fair pretty well at the big tournaments. Premiership talent such as Lee Chung-Yong and Park Ji-Sung make them appealing to progress. Finally, Greece. Hmmm, former Euro 2004 champions, yes it’s still hard to believe. Not all that anymore and I can’t see them offering much here. Unfortunately, Argentina will go through relatively untroubled and I believe Korea Republic will join them.
Now then, England. Nailed on World Cup winners (yeh right.) Not the toughest of groups if you look at it, and Capello’s men should cruise through, but we don’t exactly do it that way. I can’t say either Algeria or Slovenia worry me too much quite frankly. USA are a decent little outfit and have some quality running through their team. Players like Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Tim Howard and Freddy Adu. Plus they showed they were no pushovers at last summers Confederations Cup. So, pretty simply, England & USA to qualify from Group C.
Group D really does look an interesting one. Germany have to be seen as clear favourites, hopefully anyway. I don’t fancy facing them in Round 2. They always pull through on the big occasions, well except the odd World War but that’s beside the point. But the battle for second will be intriguing. Australia have some good players. Harry Kewell, Tim Cahill, Lucas Neill, Mark Schwarzer and Mark Bresciano just to name a few. Serbia will be a tough nut to crack, literally. Nemanja Vidic and Branislav Ivanovic at the back isn’t something I’d want to come up against, but Wayne Rooney might just have to. Ghana really impressed in 2006 but I don’t think they’ll have as good time of it this time around. Michael Essien is the one shining light amongst a team who may have already had their moment in the sun. Germany will top the group and I’m going to go for the work rate of Serbia to just pip the Aussies into second.
Group E is another one of those ‘lets just get this done with groups’. Netherlands look pretty comfortable in there, always fun to watch but always end up failing, even funner. Denmark have an annoying habit of always turning up once every four years, doing pretty much nothing and sloping back off to Scandanavia. Not my favourite team in the world. I could say the same about Japan, not a team who are considered ‘attractive’ but better than the Danes. Cameroon have a decent shout, Samuel Eto’o will always be a threat and that’s why I fancy Cameroon to join Netherlands in progressing.
In Group F, well, wow....Well, erm, no actually. Italy, couldn’t sit down and watch a more boring but effective side really. Players who will do anything to fall on the grass, yet always scramble through game after game, and end up World Champions! And unfortunately it appears they will win the group. I mean, New Zealand. They’re here mainly because Australia are now too good for Oceania. Slovakia are not the most feared opposition in the world and neither are Paraguay, with Roque Santa Cruz the only recogniseable figure. Fortunately for the South Americans, the other two sides besides Italy are so bad, they’ll go through with the current holders.
Now Group G is something to look forward to, nope, no sarcasm this time. Brazil. Have to love them. Robinho, Ronaldinho, Dani Alves, Lucio, Kleberson....ok I went too far. Anyway you get the point. They’re joined by Portugal. England’s nemesis. Cristiano Ronaldo aside, they aren’t what they once were. They’d probably still beat us, it’s tradition after all. I really fancy Ivory Coast here though. Didier Drogba upfront will give the others something to worry about, and Aruna Dindane of course. But poor North Korea, I doubt this was exactly what they wanted. Brazil will qualify for me, and to be controversial, I reckon Ivory Coast will join them. Cya Portugal.
Last but not least, Group H. Spain will walk it, end of discussion. Seriously though, they’re my favourites by a mile. Torres, Villa, Silva, Iniesta, Xavi, Puyol and Casillas. Cesc Fabregas doesn’t even make the first team for gods sake. Switzerland, hmmm, just remember what I said about Denmark. Not the team I want to watch to be honest. Honduras could be underated. With Wilson Palacios at the heart of things, I could see them being a surprise. Chile don’t fuss me either. I’d like to name you some of their players to look out for, but I don’t know any, so therefore I won’t. Spain will walk the group, and I’ll go out on a limb and say Honduras will be joining them.
The Panelists View
Who do you think will win the World Cup?
Jamie Eccles: Spain
Michael Handscomb: Brazil
Alan Brook: Spain
Nick Keddy: Spain
Me: Spain
Gareth Southgate: Spain
Who do you think will be the best player?
Jamie Eccles: Xavi
Michael Handscomb: Wayne Rooney
Alan Brook: Lionel Messi
Nick Keddy: Cesc Fabregas
Me: Andres Iniesta
Gareth Southgate: Lionel Messi
Who do you think will be the surprise team of the tournament?
Jamie Eccles: Algeria
Michael Handscomb: Ivory Coast
Alan Brook: Ivory Coast
Nick Keddy: USA
Me: Honduras
Gareth Southgate: France
Who do you think will be the top goalscorer in the tournament?
Jamie Eccles: David Villa
Michael Handscomb: Wayne Rooney
Alan Brook: Fernando Torres
Nick Keddy: Fernando Torres
(No Spanish bias from the Business department!)
Me: Miroslav Klose
Gareth Southgate: David Villa
How far do you think England will progress?
Jamie Eccles: Semi-Finals
Michael Handscomb: Quarter-Finals
Alan Brook: Semi-Finals
Nick Keddy: To the airport in South Africa. Optimistic as ever Nick.
Me: Semi-Finals
Gareth Southgate: Quarter-Finals
(Bit of optimism goes a long way…)
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