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.
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.
posted by Rockerfella02 at
8:34 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home