Group A: Our Infallible Prediction

January 15th, 2006 | by: WC Bob |

The popular choice among pundits is that Group A is Germany’s for the taking. The host nation gets to play a Poland side it has never lost to and a pair of teams in Ecuador and Costa Rica that are far from powerhouses.

At World Cup Blog we gave up being popular back in middle school.

But in this case, we tip our caps to the pundits. Germany will win Group A and it will do so without breaking a sweat. Yes, we know that this German team has not exactly demonstrated great form and we know that the host nation will be feeling a lot of pressure, but the key component in this equation is “host nation.”

Germany will have the benefit of home cooking and officiating, but it won’t really need it.

After opening up with a Costa Rica side that struggled in qualifying out of a weaker than usual CONCACAF region, the Germans will play their toughest foe in the group Poland. The Poles will be pumped to erase their miserable on and off the pitch history against Germany, but I don’t think they will be able to overcome a crowd in Dortmund that will be even more pumped.

With two wins under its belt, Germany will rest some of its players against an Ecuador side that is nearly unbeatable at home when it is playing more than a mile above sea level, but is merely average when there is oxygen in the air.

Germany goes through and will be joined by Poland. You didn’t hear it here first.

International Football News – World Cup Blog RSS Feed

Maciej

My prediction is slightly different. Though German team seems to be first, I wouldn’t be so sure that it will be fast and easy way for them. The truth is that Germany always played very efficiently in tournaments, however Jurgen Klinsmann has just finished to build a team. Just at the beggining he was very heavily critcized for his strategy.
Personally, I realize that Germany seems to be safe bet but I wouldn’t be so sure.
Also you mentioned their”host” status which is helpful in this kind of tournament (see: South Korea 4 years ago) but there is one more issue: Nordrhein Westfalen is one of the “Lands” with huge Polish minority so that it is not said that during that match most of fans will be supporting “home” team.
Finally, I have different opinion about Ecuador – they will make a suprise! Frankly I’ ve got no knowledge of Costarica but if they play in World Cup tournament it means that they deserved it.
To sum up, it’s not that easy group as it may seem.

Rgds

Maciej
http://www.worldcupzone.blogspot.com Ade Lamidi

I have to agree with Maciej. The beauty of the World Cup is that it throws up a lot of surprises and I will definitely fancy Ecuador upsetting either the Germans or Polish. Costa Rica also qualified from a tough South America group so I wouldn’t right them off either.
http://www.flyingchef.co.uk London Sam the Caterer

German teams always do well and i personally do not think they will let themselves down this year. They are like a well oiled machine in tournaments but their only downfall is Klinsmann inexperience as a manager, much of which he can make up for as a great player. We will have to see but i say Germany top with Poland close second maybe on goal difference.
Carlos Huezo

I beleive Germany will make it on top of the group, however you should not write off sides like Costa Rica, who have been in 3 World Cups now, and have victories against Scotland and Sweden under their belt. Not a Costa Rican, but know well the CONCACAF teams.

From El Salvador
http://www.worldcupblog.org/world-cup-2006/infallible-predictions.html Infallible Predictions – FIFA World Cup 2006 – World Cup 2006 Blog

[...] Group A [...]
Bidemi

1. Germany

2. Poland (on goal difference)
Luke Devonald

As an England fan lord knows how much I’d love to sit here and say Germany are gonna slip up but I’m afraid I just can’t see it happening.

However, Poland have always been a strong consistent outfit. While I find the accusation that Ecaudor can only win when choking their opponents in high altitude stadiums is slightly harsh as they have a lot of talented players and seem an organised team.

Like you guys, I’ve seen precious little of Costa Rica hopefully they’ll cause an upset.

Lets just hope the likes of Poland and Ecaudor prove everyone wrong and make this an exciting and intense group.

My prediction:

Germany
Ecaudor
Poland
Costa Rica

Taking no risks as you see.

Enjoy the world cup,
Luke Devonald
http://www.worldcupblog.org/world-cup-2006/group-h-our-infallible-prediction.html Group H: Our Infallible Prediction – FIFA World Cup 2006 – World Cup 2006 Blog

[...] Group A [...]
http://www.worldcupblog.org/world-cup-2006/group-f-our-infallible-predictions.html Group F: Our Infallible Predictions – FIFA World Cup 2006 – World Cup 2006 Blog

[...] Group A [...]
http://www.worldcupblog.org/world-cup-2006/group-d-our-infallible-prediction.html Group D: Our Infallible Prediction – FIFA World Cup 2006 – World Cup 2006 Blog

[...] Group A [...]
http://www.worldcupblog.org/world-cup-2006/group-c-our-infallible-prediction.html Group C: Our Infallible Prediction – FIFA World Cup 2006 – World Cup 2006 Blog

[...] Group A [...]
Cajun Nick

This is a very sensible group that will play out to expectations.

Costa Rica isn’t the best team in ConCaCaf, which isn’t exactly filled with good clubs.

Ecuador won’t like the German climate.

Poland will play it safe – meaning dull football.

The only problem for Germany will be looking over at Group B and getting a little distracted by anticipating a Germany v England match in the knock-out stages.

Germany – 1st
Poland – 2nd
Louie

i think you are all going to be suprised by the final standings. Costa Rica has some great players, with great experience. They are the only team in History to beat Mexico in mexico city. brazil or argentina has never done it. They are fast and well coached.

1. Germany
2.Costa Rica
3.poland
4.Ecuador
HurrikaneDIABLO

I think Cajun Nick has it right. Costa Rica only qualified because there had to be another team besides the U.S. and Mexico teams. Costa Rica just happened to be good enough to be third and beat the rest of the teams.
Louie

ok… Hurri… costa rica’s road to the WC was shaky but only in the beginning. You have to remember, they beat Mexico twice and sealed the spot by beating the US. The US just beat poland 1-0, how can you say that they are not that great. I think they will advance. Polans is good, but they understimate the Ticos..
Spideroger

Costa Rica will take the opener against them Germs and advance to the next leg by beating Ecuador and tying to Polland, the Polish will take it to round two by beating Germany and Ecuador, mark my words!

Tico at heart!!!