The Official World Cup 2010 Thread

[pourmeanother]

African nations set up pretty well to advance. I've got my eye on Ivory Coast over Portugal, Ghana is in position, Cameroon, South Africa...

[Sneer]

I really dont think S.A will get out of their group. Mexico are a decent team, whilst France know how to navigate their way to the latter stages even with mediocre displays, they just have that knack... and a nifty pair of hands with Henry.

And i fancy Serbia to get through with Germany.

As for Ivory Coast, i think they're the most impressive of the African nations, i can see them taking Brazil and Portugal to the wire.

[Unknown Soldier]

Originally Posted by pourmeanother

African nations set up pretty well to advance. I've got my eye on Ivory Coast over Portugal, Ghana is in position, Cameroon, South Africa...

Ivory Coast and Ghana are I think the two African teams to watch, as long as they can keep their heads and discipline togeather. Cameroon and Nigeria (both the old guard) have not had a good teams for quite some time and Algeria are just there to make up the numbers. South Africa are nothing special and despite home advantage may well have trouble getting out of their difficult opening group.

[jackhammer]

I just can't bloody wait after the debacle of the Euros. It's been 4 long long years!

[Urban Hat€monger ?]

To be fair Walcott is injury prone, Wright Phillips has done nothing at international level & Lennon blows hot & cold and is very much a confidence player, Crouch has never really done anything against any significant team & Upson doesn't really have a lot of international experience. Barry is solid if unspectacular.

I still think that after England's starting 11 they're pretty weak.

I do think people talk up the South American teams far too much, Rooney is just a good a player as Messi.

[Unknown Soldier]

Originally Posted by Urban Hatemonger

To be fair Walcott is injury prone, Wright Phillips has done nothing at international level & Lennon blows hot & cold and is very much a confidence player, Crouch has never really done anything against any significant team & Upson doesn't really have a lot of international experience. Barry is solid if unspectacular.

I still think that after England's starting 11 they're pretty weak.

I do think people talk up the South American teams far too much, Rooney is just a good a player as Messi.

Its because South America produces players like Messi almost non-stop, most don`t achieve Messi`s international fame because of bad transfers to the wrong clubs, not being able to adapt to the european game, injuries (watch Brazilian league football and you`ll see what I mean) or just transferring to inferior leagues for the money where they don`t develop any further, its almost a non stop gravy train. So if one highly talented Maradona style player falls by the wayside, there is always another one to replace him.

Whereas with Rooney, he`s a talent that comes around in northern european football once in a blue moon, England may well have to wait another decade or more to get another Rooney.

[Urban Hat€monger ?]

Originally Posted by Unknown Soldier

Its because South America produces players like Messi almost non-stop, most don`t achieve Messi`s international fame because of bad transfers to the wrong clubs, not being able to adapt to the european game, injuries (watch Brazilian league football and you`ll see what I mean) or just transferring to inferior leagues for the money where they don`t develop any further, its almost a non stop gravy train. So if one highly talented Maradona style player falls by the wayside, there is always another one to replace him.

Whereas with Rooney, he`s a talent that comes around in northern european football once in a blue moon, England may well have to wait another decade or more to get another Rooney.

England have had Rooney, Gerrard & Lampard in the running for world & european player of the year in the past few seasons. Joe Cole is just as skilful as any Brazilian player and was by far & away England's best player at the last world cup. And a fully fit goal poacher like Michael Owen would walk into any international team.

This is exactly the kind of thing I mean when i say people look at south american teams with far too much reverence. Hell Diego Maradona's favourite player is warming benches at Manchester City right now.

[Unknown Soldier]

Originally Posted by Urban Hatemonger

England have had Rooney, Gerrard & Lampard in the running for world & european player of the year in the past few seasons. Joe Cole is just as skilful as any Brazilian player and was by far & away England's best player at the last world cup. And a fully fit goal poacher like Michael Owen would walk into any international team.

This is exactly the kind of thing I mean when i say people look at south american teams with far too much reverence. Hell Diego Maradona's favourite player is warming benches at Manchester City right now.

Injury is the key word for both Cole and Owen, especially in Owen`s case.

Tevez is just the kind of player that world`ve done better in southern europe as the climate and culture certainly helps. In general south american players just don`t flourish in England, sure there are always going to be exceptions (Juninho at Middlesbrough comes to mind) and they have their flashes of brilliance (Robinho, Tevez etc) but its the Spanish and Italian leagues where they flourish and can produce it week in week out. When you think of great foreign players who have graced the premiership, players such as Bergkamp and Cantona come to mind (western europeans) along with european latins such as Zola and Ronaldo.

At times its hard enough for south american players to adapt to the Spanish and Italian game, let alone to the frantic pace of the Premiership.

[loveissucide]

I wouldn't be surprised if Holland sprung an upset and reached the final,they've been great in qualifying.Another dark horse is Paraguay,who're underrated and very hard to beat.
Who're your dark horses for the tournament?

[Sneer]

The Dutch are always their own worst enemy. Technically they're outstanding, but they just do not have the big match temprement. As far as dark horses go watch out for Serbia. They were so impressive in qualifying and posses some really good players who play for some of the best sides in Europe. Could be another Croatia at '98