Germany second favorites to win World Cup
It doesn’t seem that long ago when everyone had all but written off Germany’s chances of winning the World Cup. Klinsmann couldn’t coach and surf at the same time, the defense was more vulnerable then the Maginot Line, and some players were really lacking in the World Cup willy department. But with a metatarsal break here, a Jens Lehmann penalty kick save there and some money being wagered everywhere, suddenly Germany is now second favorite to win the whole enchilada. That is according to BetandWin, Germany’s largest private bookmaker, which has the home team with 8-1 odds, second only to Brazil’s 4-1 odds.
England’s odds have gone from 7.5-1 to 8.5-1 after Wayne Rooney’s little mishap. Italy are 9-1 and Argentina 10-1.
Obviously Germany will benefit from playing on its home soil, but will that advantage be enough to lift a team that otherwise couldn’t possibly be considered the second best in the tournament? I guess we’ll find out in about a month.
One thing that is for sure, even with Brazil the consensus favorite, this World Cup is going to be wide open and could be won by any number of teams. I didn’t think it could be possible but I am more excited about it now than ever before and I’ve been blogging about this thing since the Dark Ages back in December. I have a feeling this is going to be a tournament for the ages.
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Comments
By Mike | May 2nd, 2006 at 10:17 am 
I don’t think it will help Germany, being on home soil. There just isn’t any depth of talent in the squad.
Posted from 
United States
By Josh | May 2nd, 2006 at 10:49 am Well, if Deutschland were #2, that would make me feel better about the humiliation of a US 4-1 loss to them back in March. And I know the US 11 were not what it will be in June, but still…
Posted from United States
By Bense | May 2nd, 2006 at 11:24 am The talent is the last thing I worry about. There are loads of talent, but what happens on the pitch, is another story.
Given everything will go without terror or violence, this’ll be a WC to remember.
Posted from United States
By World Cup 2006 News- World Cup 2006 Germany Soccer Blog | May 2nd, 2006 at 11:31 am [...] According to Bob over at WCB chances are that Germany might win the World Cup at least regarding the odds. Our largest private bookmaker (sadly most of them are federal ones) has Klinsmann´s team with 8-1 placed 2nd and Brazil with 4-1 at the top position. Flattering, thank you. [...]
Posted from 
Germany
By Ahmad | May 3rd, 2006 at 6:58 am The article did not mention anything about the Netherlands. I think Netherlands are the second favourites.
Posted from 
Lebanon
By Pedro P | May 3rd, 2006 at 10:05 am There are 2 things to be taken into consideration: this WC is in Europe and at this momment several european teams, with not such a low level, want to prove something:
GER won 3 times, now plays home and wants to wash away the criticism and show themselves as champions.
ITA is an all time champ and haven’t done anything special in the past 2 (EC04, WC02) big competitions.
HOL wants to consolidate their form and get back on the winning scene. And nothing would be sweeter than beating Germany in Germany, for them.
SPA will try to get a fair referee again… 
POR went runners-up in the last EC and want to show the world the EC04 cup should have been theirs.
FRA wants to wash away the poor exhibition from 2002, when they were reigning champs.
ENG… Yeah… They always want it too badly and that’s why they never got it (again)…
Now that Sven is sure to go, they don’t even have somebody to put the blame…
CZE also want to prove that they deserve the #2, in the ever loved rankings, plus they do have a top level class football that sonner or later will get them a cup, eventually.
CRO wants to repeat the 98 dream or even more.
S&M also want to put themselves in the world as a football strong nation, or big one…
The americans… In 94 Brazil won with a not at all classy team - Dunga and Branco were closer to be a thik stone wall, rather than a pair of midfielders (excellent free kick goal from Branco, I think, against HOL). But they still won. It had been 24 years since their last victory and they were desperate. In 98 they were very weak but still went to the final and in 2002, they were said to be death in the begining, but they won… So, this year everybody is expecting them to win… Maybe they won’t. ARG is a big question mark and so is Mexico.
I don’t see Germany winning, though… Not this time… 
But I do foresee a very good tournament. Let’s hope one for the ages, as mr Bob says…
Posted from 
Netherlands
By Paul | May 8th, 2006 at 1:11 pm deaire me,
germany wont win.
netherlands wont win.
US defo wont win, ever.
and as mush as it saddens me witht he squad announced today its highly unlikely england will have a sniff either.
its all about Brazil and argentina with the unstopable Lional Messi.
Posted from 
United Kingdom
By Todd Utah | May 12th, 2006 at 4:06 pm Paul I could not agree with you more about Argentina and Brasil. Everyone thinks Argentina is weakened because of their two loses in the freindly but that was not even close to there startiing back four on defense as there coach has been using the friendlies to decide on the fringe players. Brasil is Brasil and I think that the only way those two dont meet in the finals is if one of them slips up in the group play and takes second and then they would play sooner. I also think that the leading scorer for the tournament will be Tevez. With all of the defense keying on Riqulme and Messi there will be some openings for Tevez and Crespo. And dont forget about Aimar!
Posted from United States
By Oxygen | May 18th, 2006 at 7:39 pm u know what?? Portugal will win.. no other team in europe can compete with them.. german is a joke, no players no nothing, just ballack, your time is over. England lose always against us..Netherlands?? who da fuck are they??spain??lol, another joke.. italy? good team but they can´t do nothing..only chezk republic can do something more..the final will be Portugal against Argentina.. and then nobody knows…
Posted from 
Portugal
By sotya | June 20th, 2006 at 12:02 am Spain is definitely going to win the world cup this year- this is the triple- Champions League, UEFA and World Cup- you’ll see!!!
Posted from 
Spain
By Bruno | June 28th, 2006 at 12:24 am So…the 8 better teams are selected and my country also PORTUGAL.
But i still go to Argentina - Brazil in the final, and Brazil will win.
Portugal will pass England, but will lose with Brazil in the semi-final.
Next match: England have great players, but they are all INDIVIDUAL STARS. Ericksson havent’got the strength to impose more union and share skills between players.
Go Portugal
Posted from Portugal
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