Welcome to the LSF's first ever shot at World Cup coverage! We're calling it "The World Cup Roundup," and we're counting the posts in Zulu (one of the many official languages of South Africa). So, what better way to start off our first ever World Cup Coverage than to make some crazy predictions on the eve of the world's most popular sporting event? Shall we decide which two teams will come out of each group? Let's begin:
Group A: South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, and France.
Coming out: France and Mexico
I'm not sure if there is much debate here. While there has never been a host team eliminated in the group round, not many are pulling out hope for Bafana Bafana. Uruguay may be sneaky, and will advance if they can beat El Tri, but I think our picks are safe.
Group B: Argentina, South Korea, Nigeria, and Greece.
Coming out: Argentina and South Korea.
Okay, so we're going against the grain here. Argentina is kind of a lock with Messi, Tevez, and their coach's promise to run naked if they win the Cup. Otherwise, Nigeria is in a state of flux, and Greece barely qualified after missing the last Cup. Can South Korea and their recent 27 game winning streak lead them to get out of the groups?
Group C: England, US, Algeria, Slovenia
Coming out: England and US
Can I pick it any other way? I think this is a way more competitive group than people are giving it credit for. England and the US are going to throw down on Saturday morning (we'll be live at Silky's drinking American beer), and our whole country is pumped. Algeria will be in their first Cup since '86 and barely made it. Slovenia is underrated, shocked Russia, and is the sneaky team that could mess things up in our group.
Group D: Germany, Austrailia, Serbia, and Ghana.
Coming out: Germany and Serbia.
Again, we may be straying away from the "real media" here. Germany finished 3rd last time around, and should be a lock in this group. The second team escaping is harder. The Aussies moved to the Asia Football Confederation to get an easier path to quaifying, so that's lame. Ghana doesn't have much outside of Essien, despite going to round 2 last year. Meanwhile, Serbia finished even above France (and the hand of the frog) in qualifying, and may just be scrappy enough to surprise us.
Group E: Netherlands, Denmark, Cameroon, and Japan.
Coming out: Netherlands and Japan.
Wow, now we're really stepping out. Netherlands is a winner. While they don't have the hardware to prove it, they an pound out wins with the best of them. The Danes, desite shocking Sweden and Portugal, barely made it in, and may have their best soccer behind them. Cameroon has Eto'o, but not much more. Meanwhile, Japan has huge expectations back home and is led by former Celtic hero Shunsuke Nakamura. I'm pulling for them.
Group F: Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, and Slovakia.
Coming out: Italy and Paraguay.
The defending champs may be older, but getting out of the group round should be a breeze, especially with this draw. The battle for second is really between Paraguay and Slovakia, but I think Paraguay's best ever qualifying run shows they have the talent to move forward.
Group G: Brazil, North Korea, Ivory Coast, and Portugal.
Coming out: Brazil and Portugal.
This is the group of death? Brazil is, as always, odds on favorites to win the whole thing (they won't). North Korea is kind of an unknown, but how good could they be? Drogba may not be fit for Ivory Coast, and that, combined with this draw, will probably spell death in round one. Portugal should have Ronaldo back (right?), and Andrew would have me believe that he will easily lead them out of this group of death.
Group H: Spain, Switzerland, Honduras, and Chile.
Coming out: Spain and Chile.
Spain should be an easy in, despite somehow losing to the US in the Confederations Cup. Meanwhile, the Swiss recently loss to Luxembourg at home, Honduras really qualified on a wing and a prayer, and Chile is the second best team in all of South America. They may even be able to challenge the Spanish for the top spot.
So there are my picks. Let me know what you think.
Enjoy the Word Cup, and enjoy our long suffering coverage of it!
-- Sent from my Palm Prē
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