Group Evaluations a Week Out from the World Cup

Now that we’ve had some time to see the World Cup teams train and play exhibition matches, we are starting to get a better idea of the relative strengths and weaknesses of each group. Here is how I see things stacking up with under a week to go before we kick this puppy off.

Group A
The run-up to the World Cup has not been impressive for the teams in this group. Germany has played inconsistently, looking good against weaker opponents and struggling against Japan. Costa Rica has been simply abysmal, losing to everyone in sight. Poland has more questions than answers after coach Pawel Janas selected a squad that just doesn’t seem to enjoy playing together. Ecuador remains an enigma, a team that could take advantage of playing in a weak group or could make the group even weaker.

Bottom line: Germany should take advantage of being in a weak group.

Group B
Injuries have been a big story for this group as key players for three of the four teams race against time to gain World Cup fitness. England looked good in the second half of its match against Hungary, but questions remain whether using Michael Owen as a solitary striker until Wayne Rooney returns is the best strategy. Sweden has largely sleepwalked through its exhibition matches, failing to win and showing some defensive weakness. Paraguay has been bolstered by the news that striker Roque Santa Cruz will be ready for the June 10 match against England. Trinidad and Tobago has been beaten by Wales and Slovenia in its last two matches, and might not be able to put up much of a fight against this group’s elite teams.

Bottom Line: Paraguay remains the wild card team in the group. Will they have enough to topple one of the European sides?

Group C
The Group of Death is on a path to live up to expectations. Argentina looked impressive in its win against Angola with Gabriel Heinze and Lionel Messi both showing they are back from injury. Netherlands has gotten the exhibition results with a solid starting 11 but depth remains an issue and the health of midfielder Rafael van der Vaart remains in question. Serbia and Montenegro has come quietly about their training with only a minor controversy when their coach called up his son as a later addition to the team. Ivory Coast has played well in their friendlies but haven’t quite found the winning formula.

Bottom Line: This one will be decided in the final group play matches.

Group D
Portugal has kept under the radar screen choosing to do the bulk of its training in practice rather through exhibition matches. The starters have emerged for the team and on paper look very solid. Mexico has dropped a pair of games against France and the Netherlands. Questions remain about their ability to score and if they are ready to compete with the tournament’s big boys. Iran has turned things on in its friendlies, earning a draw against Croatia and coming back to soundly defeat Bosnia. Angola has struggled defensively and with consistency. The Palancas aren’t looking like an upset caliber team.

Bottom Line: Mexico and Iran will be fighting for second.

Group E
This group is shaping up to be an interesting one. Italy has looked average in its two friendlies and despite proclamations otherwise the domestic league scandals are still hanging over their heads. The Czech Republic has begun to show its age. Will we see a smart, older team or a slow, past its prime side? The United States has not been a world beater in its run-up to the World Cup, but with some timely goals could challenge the two European sides. Ghana has had a lot of controversies in its camp, but on the pitch has shown that it might have the talent to cause some troubles.

Bottom Line: Italy and Czech Republic are the favorites but this group could be wide open if the US or Ghana get an early result.

Group F
Another interesting group when you factor out Brazil. The tournament holders have been having a grand time at their training camp. Despite losing Edmilson, they are in good shape. Croatia remains the best bet behind Brazil and the news out of their camp has been largely positive. Japan looked like world beaters at times against Germany last week, but will they find a formation in time to beef up their offense? Australia remains a team of intrigue and a team that the group favorites are talking about with respect.

Bottom Line: The winner of the Australia-Japan opening group match could put the pressure on Croatia for second place in the group.

Group G
It wouldn’t be a World Cup without turmoil in the French camp, but even with an unpopular coach France has at times displayed a talent that shows a quarter-final spot. Switzerland has had a quieter training camp and showed against Italy that it is isn’t afraid to play a physical game. South Korea continues to train hard, but do they have the talent to win away from Asia? Togo has shown that the minnow label might be tailor made for them.

Bottom Line: You have the youth of the Swiss, the experience of the French and the fitness of the Koreans. Which will be most important?

Group H
Spain has been hit hard by the injury bug in its backline and has had difficulty finishing up top. Expectations for Spain are lower than normal, which might be a good thing. Ukraine has faired well in its friendlies despite missing Andriy Shevchenko and a few others. Tunisia has been solid all the way around and is one of the few teams that can boast of almost complete fitness. Saudi Arabia has not played poorly but just isn’t at the level to advance.

Bottom Line: The tournament’s least compelling group could turn out to be an interesting three-team dogfight.

Your thoughts? What is the hardest group? Easiest group? Most interesting? Least interesting?

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