2010 World Cup Running Thread.

[Boom_70]

With the World Cup starting shortly and SI and ESPN out with their World Cup issues figured I would get the discussion started.

Predictions?

I am rooting for Brazil but think Spain will be taking home the Cup this year.

BTW - great work by Grant Wahl in SI on setting stage.

 

[MileHigh]

Got a feeling ... the Dutch.

 

[PCLoadLetter]

Would love to see the Dutch do it. Not sure they're strong enough at the back, but they definitely have a shot.

I would pick Argentina if they were coached by someone with half a brain. Maradona kills their chances. Inter fanboi rant -- I can't believe he left Cambiasso and Zanetti off the roster.

At the risk of sounding like Master of the Obvious, I lean toward Spain or Brazil, but wouldn't be surprised if Holland or Italy won it.

 

[Batman]

I have no opinion on who will win. But I will say that for four years I've been eagerly awaiting the monthlong parade of freaks known as World Cup fans.

 

[Blitz]

I'm pulling for Mexico, USA and Germany.
The Germans got news that stud captain Michael Ballack will likely miss the Cup after tearing ligaments.
That's gotta hurt after they made the finals and semis in the past two Cups.

 

[Bubbler]

Boom started the World Cup thread? That might be the biggest upset of the entire Cup, though Boom is cool for doing so.

I think its going to be wide open. Until it suffered its injuries, I thought England had a shot because Capello is the first decent manager they've had since Robson. But now I'm not so sure.

It might just be Spain's time. They're long overdue.

I think there's going to be a lot of weirdness. European teams almost always win in European venues, South American teams almost always win in the Americas. The only time the Cup wasn't in either (2002) you had oddballs like South Korea and Turkey challenging for the Cup. Maybe Ivory Coast, Ghana or Nigeria will make a run?

 

[MileHigh]

I agree there could be some weirdness. Also, it will be played in semi-winter conditions, which could make it interesting.

 

[YankeeFan]

Boom started the World Cup thread? That might be the biggest upset of the entire Cup,

My thoughts, exactly.

Not a huge soccer fan, but love the World Cup.

 

[poindexter]

Boom started the World Cup thread? That might be the biggest upset of the entire Cup, though Boom is cool for doing so.

 

[deskslave]

There'll be an African team in at least the quarterfinals, if not the semis. FIFA will make sure of that. I'd put my money on Ghana. The Ivory Coast is strong, but being in a group with Portugal and Brazil will hurt. Even if they survive, they'll be second-round prey, quite possibly for Spain. Ghana gets a relatively easier group and could get England or the USA in the second round.

(If I were a little bolder, I might tip Germany not to get out of the first round ... I might yet do that, but their record is incredibly good.)

As my second team, I'd love to see Holland win, but they won't. They always, always, always self-destruct. Just remember how brilliant they were at Euro 08, and then they went out in the quarters.

England? Not gonna happen. Something always gets in the way. And while the Portsmouth fan side of me enjoyed watching Lampard horribly miss a penalty in the FA Cup final, the England fan side of me cringed more than a little.

Spain? Gonna have to see it to believe it, even after they won Euro 08.

Which leaves ... Brazil. As always.

 

[hondo]

Which match will generate the first riots/stampedes/skinhead beatings and kickings?

 

[Boom_70]

Where does the USA end up?

 

[PCLoadLetter]

Which match will generate the first riots/stampedes/skinhead beatings and kickings?

Next home game for the Philadelphia Eagles.

 

[deskslave]

Where does the USA end up?

Probably second in its group and therefore in the second round. From there, it would depend on their opponent. If they finish second, they'll get the winner of Germany's group. There's not a team in that group they can't beat on their day. Most of the powerhouses are on the other side of the draw. The strongest on the USA's side of the draw are England, Argentina, Germany and France, all of which have probably fatal flaws.

Out of Holland, Brazil, Spain and Italy, a maximum of two will make the semifinals. There could be some epic, epic quarterfinals. (Holland-Brazil and Spain-Italy being the likely matchups.)

 

[wannabeu]

I'm rooting for the Dutch, but I don't think their defense is good enough to win the the cup.

I think the World Cup is as wide open as it has been in a long time. The European and South American teams don't have an advantage because the WC is not being played in their home soil. I think one African team will make it to the semis, and it will be the Ivory Coast.

Spain has a knack for underachieving in the big tournaments and they will have to prove that Euro '08 was not a lucky occurrence. Brazil is not the same Brazil team most people are used to seeing. They lack the offensive flair of Brazilian teams in the past.

England has too many injury concerns and drama surrounding the team. Ballack's injury really hurts Germany.

I think all the really good teams have flaws so I am excited to see a wide open World Cup.

 

[Inky_Wretch]

I'm pulling for Mexico, USA ...

Umm ... WHAT!?!

This is not acceptable. You can't root for rivals in the same qualifying zone.

 

[Football_Bat]

32 teams ... one Cup.

 

[John]

I'm not sure who I'm rooting for. I know I'm supposed to root for the U.S., but I know so little about those guys compared to all the players I see regularly watching EPL and Champions League matches.

More than anything, I want to see Messi put on a show.

 

[Mark2010]

I was leaning toward Germany until Ballack got injured. That will hurt their chances.

Have hunch Italy will go out early, maybe even as early as the first round.

Do like Spain's chances, as well, of course, Brazil. I agree with deskslave that one African nation makes the semis and Ghana might be the best bet.

US should advance out of first round, not sure how much further.

Bold prediction: there will be at least one officiating call (or non-call) that sparks a major firestorm of protest.

 

[JC]

Bold prediction: there will be at least one officiating call (or non-call) that sparks a major firestorm of protest.

and this is different than other World Cups?