Some World Cup Predictions are Better than Others

i hope ivery cost or gahna win the worl cup in my wildest dream ., but if not one of them i want halland to win and i think they have a talented team this year teams that i dont want to win germany that play ugly soccer brazil too much the game will be borning to watch if they keep on winning italy too much pride ego dont want them to win…, other than holland france should win if they play well

No big deal. Pele has probably picked Upper Volta to make the semi-finals.

And that doesn’t even exist anymore.

Posted from  United States

Does picking AFTER the results are known count? Just kidding!

Posted from  United States

It’s going to be all about POLAND!!!

Posted from  United States

Here is my one and only “right” prediction: http://fo.reca.st/wm.php?u=kickitlikeme

And Russia will be the champion in 2010! Abramovitch just should start to buy the new national team :-).

hey nice one! you people love the russians, don’t you? so much attention towards us recently, even though we’re not “in it”. well, we love you too, for now… but Russia will grow stronger - “football wise”. Our football is growing (now just walletwise, but skillwise too), and that’s a fact!

Posted from  Russian Federation

CONCACAF IS A JOKE ….SEE HOW THEY ARE ALL ELIMINATED IN THE FIRST ROUND

Posted from  United States

Mexico is CONCACAF! They will pass the group stage.

Posted from  Russian Federation

who really knows…

recently in Canada, while during the Stanley Cup playoofs, a monkey corretly predicted the final two teams: which would have been equivalent to picking a Portugal - Ecuador final…

point being, who knows.

Posted from  Canada

Bob! You couldn’t have seen ALL of the predictions because I just finished the group ones!!! Since I don’t want to burden you with having to look them all up and guess where I stand, here is the only one you will need (I don’t usually NOT brag about my picks):

Group F Predictions by Dave Hamilton

Advancing: BRASIL and CROATIA

BRASIL There is only one thing anyone needs to know if genuinely interested in knowing, seeing, or joyfully experiencing the beauty of “jogo bonito” (the beautiful game): Seleção! “The Selected” comprise a group of chosen football excellence which is non pareil, and known to most of the world as the Brasilian national football team. The Brasilians have achieved the “penta,” or five world championships — two more than any other team — and have done so with a tradition molded by an assemblage of some of the greatest players who have ever lived, names like Pele, Ademir, Vava, Santos D., the tragic Garrincha, Rivaldo, Zico, Rivaldo, Romario, Dunga, Rivelino, Jairzinho, Socrates, Bebeto and many more. And the pipeline never runs dry. One last thing: understand that Brasil holds the Copa America, World Cup, and Confederation’s Cup trophies concurrently, and there’s a reason for that. Enough of the history lesson. This year’s Seleção also features, not coincidentally, the best all-around football player ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH: Ronaldinho, who is coming off engineering another success at last month’s Champions League final. The consummate smiling midfielder/striker does it all: dribbles, passes, free kicks, penalties, corners, marks, intercepts, scores, directs, crosses, chips, jinks and above all dazzles at will. The Auriverdes created and patented “jogo bonito” long ago, and this year’s bumper crop of excellence may be the best ever! Clearly, however, one man cannot guarantee another championship at this level, but Ronaldinho’s reinforcements once again appear to comprise a cruel and unfair joke on the rest of the soccer world. The great Ronaldo, winner of the 2002 World Cup Golden Boot as the top scorer in that tournament, is back in the front along with rapacious and physical goal predator Adriano. And arguably the best young talent among strikers –and perhaps the next great Brasilian forward — Robinho, will surely get plenty of scintillating minutes from his coach, Carlos Alberto Parreira, who himself guided Brasil to the World Cup title in 1994. Fred, of Olympique Lyon, is the least-known of the strikers, but has exceptional physical skills and is a very intelligent player who hasn’t yet reached his prime. The midfield, especially if one includes Ronaldinho there, is stacked with unbelievable skill – so much so that one of the most creative and exciting players of all time (when younger and healthy), Juninho, has been relegated to the bench. But one readily understands Parreira’s dilemma. Kaka is also a bonafide superstar who can, and will, wow the crowds in Germany as part of an unrelenting attack that has somehow almost rendered the concept of defense meaningless, if such a notion can be seriously considered. The undisputed king of Brasilian soccer, Pele, has expressed some concern about this phenomenon, but not to worry with Emerson solid as a rock in the middle and a wily veteran as well who can also trigger thrusts along with Kaka and Ronaldinho. On the left flank next to Emerson will be another tough cookie who can play defense when necessary, Ze Roberto. Assuming that baffled and beleaguered opponents luck or stumble through the middle of Brasil’s attacking chaos, what waits them will not be pleasant at all. Lucio is as tough as they come and also – you guessed it – makes speedy attacking runs of his own across the field. And every serious student of the sport is aware of left back Roberto Carlos, whose attacks down the flank are legendary. Additionally, Carlos’ free kicks remain as good as any in the game. On the opposite side, the more defensive-minded Juan prowls at will. Aggressive, quick and smart, Juan can cover in case the 36-year-old captain of the Seleção, the great Cafu, fails to live up to his latest boast that he “will be the best right back of the tournament.” There is no shortage of confidence on this team, and the last defender, keeper Dida, will be as stingy in Germany as he regularly is in the San Siro with Italian power AC Milan. The agile shot-stopper is among the best, as befits the world’s best side. In the unlikely event the reserves will be called upon to do much more than mop-up duty, the cast is much more imposing than most of the teams in the tournament. But I was admittedly quite disappointed that one of my all-time favorites, Rocque Junior, and Ailton, who deserved a shot at the Seleção in the twilight of a superb career, did not make the squad. Joining Juninho in a loaded “B-midfield” with impeccable pedigree are Mineiro, a national hero who just finished winning a championship at home and who replaced the injured Edmilson; holding player deluxe Gilberto Silva; and offensive ace Ricardinho, who has 18 caps, including four at the 2002 Cup. Further back are found Cicinho, a hard tackler cast as a defender, but who in reality likes to burst down the wing; central defender Luisao; and surprise choices Cris, a solid player at Lyon, and Gilberto. Backup keepers are Julio Cesar and Rogerio Ceni. So what can opponents do? Lackluster sides like Japan can opt to push their defenses up and crowd the Brasilian attack. Or they may decide on all-out attacks — puny as most may be — provided they aren’t victims of classic Brasilian “keep-away.” Cafu and Carlos may not be able to burst up the wings against certain teams like they could years ago, but that won’t hurt them on the defensive end. I don’t buy the argument that quick forwards alone can confuse the central defense. If any team does stand a chance against the Seleção, it will have to be organized, disciplined, and patient, and able to disrupt attacks (the ones they can see coming anyway) with appreciable regularity. I don’t see Brasil losing to, or drawing with, anyone. Seleção!

CROATIA will provide the most competition for Brasil in the group, but that isn’t expected to be robust. Striker Dado Prso, a player I personally like, and Darijo Srna coming in from the right flank should menace Australian and Japanese netting as a minimum and provide enough of a spark, along with a determined defense led by Juve’s Robert Kovac in the back, to move forward to the knockout stage.

AUSTRALIA returns to Germany, the scene of its last World Cup final appearance – in 1974! Although the Socceroos are a trendy pick to advance to the round of 16 largely because of mastermind Guus Hiddink, pundits should bear in mind that coaches are not allowed to play on the pitch. Harry Kewell and Tim Cahill appear to be the best threats the Aussies can offer, and veteran goalminder mark Schwarzer will have some bright moments, but this side isn’t ready to advance anywhere — except maybe to the nearest beer garden.

JAPAN might be entertaining, with all of Brasilian head coach Zico’s freaky formations. He runs a 4-2-2-2 that forms an odd midfield square with Shinji Ono, who flopped in Europe, and Shunsuke Nakamura at the front. Both are given remarkable freedom to break up the square in quest of advantageous positions elsewhere (not very disciplined actually, and Zico got in trouble during Cup preparations with a 3-6-1 set). Hidetoshi Nakata runs a depleted midfield, and after unfortunate recent injuries, strikers are virtually non-existent. An early exit is foreseen.

Posted from  United States

England will win this world cup in a final battle against Argentina

Posted from  Canada

i lay my bets on England and then mebe Spain… lets see

Posted from  India

U.S.A I NOT GOD OF A SOCCER TEAM THEY ACTUALLY REALLY SUCK AND I THINK THAT ONE DAY MEXICO WILL WIN THEM AND THEN THE U.S WILL GET WHAT THEY DISURVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!OR IF NOT BRAZILWILL KICK THERE BUT,CAUSE THE ARE BETTER AND UNITE STATES IS CORNY

Reggaeboyz are going all the way to South Africa*.