Soccer World Cup Group E: May 2006

The FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 LOGO

I Came across the interesting tit bit of info on the Logo used for this year's Soccer World Cup: I'm quoting from the above linked site:

'The 2006 FIFA World Cup logo was unveiled on 19 Nov 2002. The
logo depicts three laughing faces in yellow, blue and green forming the symbol
'006' and inviting the world to a party for the next World Cup. The slogan in
English translates as 'Friends invite the world' (Die Welt zu Gast bei
Freunden). According to World Cup organizing committee president Franz
Beckenbauer the logo should be referred to as 'the celebrating faces of
football' and aims to convey the message that Germany will be a welcoming and
friendly host. 'We believe that the new emblem perfectly expresses our
philosophy of having a buoyant, cheerful and carefree tournament in 2006," the
former German coach and playing legend added. 'Everybody knows that we're good
at organising but we wanted to convey an other, warmer and friendlier image of
Germany.'' "

Updated Sports betting Odds for World Cup Group E

As one of my interests is sports betting. I made my first ever sports wager on the FIFA World Cup 1998 in France. I made a killing in 2002 at the local betting hall across from my Varsity Res. I bet against the then included South African team. Spain oblivarated them; and that is where it all started. The USA team made me money when I decided to take the long-shot bet that they would win and go to the top 16. They did not dissapoint. So, for your enjoyment, I found a site that has a collection of sport betting services for your disposal. Out of Group E, I would put my money on the under dogs: Ghana. Expect a upset.

Updated Odds

USA's World Cup hopes - Stillborn?

Some American soccer analysts named FIFA World Cup Group E the Group of Death. Obviously a very American thing to say. This group only has two very strong contenders for the top honours. And once again. The Americans are the first to complain. USA and Ghana are not yet on the standards of Czech Republic and Italy. Even if the USA is ranked higher in the FIFA world rankings: They lack stability in defence and the experience of the lower ranked Italians. Thus they have no need to complain. A draw is a draw. No matter what group the USA team landed in, the competition would have been tough. I do feel sorry for the USA -- they showed promise in 2002, but this year they lack some of the past strong talent. In 2002 the got through to the top 16 to everybody's surprise. Unlike in 2002, opponents will be ready for them, and they will not sneak up on good teams.

Ghana are newcomers to the competition and like other African teams are rather unknown competitors. They could cause a stir in their first game against Italy, since Italians are slow starters in competitions. Last summer Italy could have been written off, but they've up-ed their game lately. If Italy play attacking football they can advance deep into the competition, given high levels of early motivation. This would all depend on whom they will be using for their early games: Will they warm up the top guns, or will they rally up the second team against the USA and Ghana? If they play the way they have in the past two major meets, they could become victims of the group stage.

Czech Republic. This is probably their last outing. The super stars that have led this team are playing in their last World Cup. Italy might be the stronger team right now. This all bring more sad news for the USA. The chances of glory are slimmer than in 2006 - yet - do not under estimate their new players looking for the ever present sposorship dollars. Heros gets rewarded with huge endorsement deals.

Taking a particular interest in soccer

I find the world cup facinating. Soccer, being the global game that it is, really brings the world together through sport. The world cup is a spectacle wathed by 2.1 billion viewers around the world and the USA are really goming to the fold. People live and breathe soccer in Ghana, are passionate about it in Italy and Chec Republic will fight wars over it! The competition is going to be tough with three of the 15 teams in one group!

Italy - Soccer World Cup Profile

Soccer World Cup participations: 15 (1934, 1938, 1950, 1954, 1962, 1966, 1970, 1974, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002)

Soccer World Cup honours: World champions (1934, 1938, 1982)

Continental Titles: European champions (1968)

First International: Italy 6 - 2 France (Milan, Italy; 15 May 1910)

Largest win: Italy 9 - 0 USA (Brentford, England; 2 August 1948)

Worst defeat: Hungary 7 - 1 Italy (Budapest, Hungary; 6 April 1924)

European Championship Appearances: 6 (First in 1968) Best result Winners, 1968

World Cup Record:

1930 - Did not enter

1934 - Champions

1938 - Champions

1950 - Round 1

1954 - Round 1

1958 - Did not qualify

1962 - Round 1

1966 - Round 1

1970 - Runners-up

1974 - Round 1

1978 - Fourth place

1982 - Champions

1986 - Round 2

1990 - Third place

1994 - Runners-up

1998 - Quarter-finals

2002 - Round 2

2006 - Qualified

2006 Team:

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon, Morgan De Sanctis, Angelo Peruzzi, Flavio Roma

Defenders: Andrea Barzagli, Fabio Cannavaro, Giorgio Chiellini, Marco Materazzi, Alessandro Nesta, Massimo Oddo, Cristian Zaccardo, Gianluca Zambrotta

Midfielders: Manuele Blasi, Mauro Camoranesi, Daniele De Rossi, Mauro Esposito, Gennaro Ivan Gattuso, Fabio Grosso, Andrea PirloForwards: Antonio Cassano, Alessandro Del Piero, Alberto Gilardino, Vincenzo Iaquinta, Luca Toni, Francesco Totti, Christian Vieri

World Cup Group E - Group of Torture?

Group E could rightfully be called the group of death. Well that is according to the USA soccer press. Ghana is ranked 50 in the world rankings as of early 2006 and has drawn three teams in the world top 12 to play against. Do not rule Ghana out however. The Czech Republic, second in the world rankings can leve a serious dent on the Africans. The USA holds the number 6 position and Italy, number 12.

To add further pressure to group E, no team will want to finish second, since that team will have to play the winner of Group F, which will almost certainly be Brazil.

With two rookie teams in the 2006 Soccer World Cup Group E, this group will be torture. Czech Republic and Ghana has not featured in the World Cup Final tourmanent. Czech Republic was, however part of the former Czechoslovakia who last featured in the 1990 Tourmanent in Italy.

The U.S. team is at its fifth consecutive World Cup. They actually won the first ever World Cup game in 1930, but their proudest moment as a soccer nation came in 1950 when they beat England to bring forth their first ever World Cup defeat. The team made headlines in 2002 when they beat Portugal on the way to the quarterfinals and have sincemoved up the world rankings steadily. I personally would not ever forget that game since I made a bunch of money of that particular game. I made a killing on the sports betting front. Ah, the good days! Okay back to my editorial...

If you only take history and reputation in cosideration, Italy would be the runaway victor. They won three titles, the last in 1982. Italy was the favourites when they hosted the 1990 World Cup, but lost to Argentina in the semifinals. This does not mean they are up in the money these days: The team hasn't managed to reach potential, disappointing at the last two major tournaments.

This group is up for grabs by any of the three favourite teams. My guess is that Czech may take it based on odds available. Strange Fact: Italy, USA and Czechoslovakia were in the same group in 1990! Italy came up tops against the two and the Czechs beat the USA, 5-1.