Just for Sport

Note: This post originally appeared on March 22, 2006.

I love the World Cup, and I’ve been excited about it for quite some time. Watching the international competition of the Olympics and the World Baseball Classic only gets me more excited for it. Like or not, (and you should, you American snob) soccer fans are the most passionate in the world, especially when it comes to the World Cup. It is the biggest sporting event in just about every nation, just not this one. Hopefully, when June rolls around, our guys will receive some support, and Kornheiser and Wilbon will be forced to admit that soccer matters. Anyway, here are some early predictions.

Group A

Germany

Costa Rica

Ecuador

Poland

Struggling Germany gets a break with their group, as none of the others are legitimate contenders. Costa Rica has a chance to be a “Bracket Buster,” but not much more than that.

Group B

England

Trinidad & Tobago

Sweden

Paraguay

England gets an easy pass as well. I see overachieving Sweden not even making it.

Group C

Serbia & Montenegro

Argentina

Netherlands

Ivory Coast

This is my big surprise. S&M only allowed one goal during qualifying. Argentina is one of the favorites, but I’m predicting upset.

Group D

Mexico

Portugal

Angola

Iran

Mexico’s got a lot going for them, and Portugal should be able to take out the weaker teams.

Group E

USA
Italy

Czech Republic

Ghana

Italy’s been in a slump, and the United States is coming on strong. Expectations are high, and I think this team can meet them.

Group F

Brazil

Japan

Croatia

Australia

Japan unfortunately has to share a group with Brazil, which means they must beat a good Croatia team to advance.

Group G

South Korea

France

Togo

Switzerland

South Korea did great as the hosts in ’02, and I believe they will build on that success.

Group H

Spain

Ukraine

Saudi Arabia

Tunisia

This is pretty much the weakest group, with Spain being the weakest group winner.

Round of Sixteen

49 - 1A (Germany) v. 2B (Trinidad & Tobago) – Germany, 2-1

I really didn’t see Germany advancing past this point, except that their matchups work really well for them.

50 - 1C (Serbia & Montenegro) v. 2D (Portugal) – Serbia & Montenegro, 2-0

This one’s pretty much a no-brainer as well. Portugal advances by default, and S&M pitches them a shutout.

51 - 1B (England) v. 2A (Costa Rica) – England, 3

-1

Tempting to pick Costa Rica, but the stars for England won’t let it happen.

52 - 1D (Mexico) v. 2C (Argentina) – Mexico, 3-2 (shootout)

It’s not that I don’t like Argentina. I just think Mexico is better than they ever have been.

53 - 1E (USA) v. 2F (Japan) – USA, 3-1

This will be a huge hurdle for the US, but Japan is streaky. Playing Brazil in Group Play will have worn them down.

54 - 1G (South Korea) v. 2H (Ukraine) – South Korea, 4-1

South Korea continues their success against a weaker team.

55 - 1F (Brazil) v. 2E (Italy) – Brazil, 2-1

A rematch of the 1994 Final, which Brazil won in a shootout. Italy’s still good, but the gap is wider now regardless.

56 - 1H (Spain) v. 2G (France) – France, 1-0

Figo is a traitor!

Quarterfinals

57 – W49 (Germany) v. W50 (Serbia & Montenegro) – Serbia & Montenegro, 1-0

I wasn’t planning on projecting Serbia & Montenegro to go this far, but they seem to have the enviable draw.

58 – W53 (USA) v. W54 (South Korea) – USA, 3-2

Bruce Arena gives a motivational speech about getting farther than last time, and South Korea realizes that they’re not in South Korea anymore.

59 – W51 (England) v. W52 (Mexico) – England, 2-1

England has the advantage of playing in Germany. Mexico, content with reaching the quarters, plays flat.

60 – W55 (Brazil) v. W56 (France) – Brazil, 3-1

Thierry Henry is good, but not good enough to take on Brazil by himself.

Semifinals

61 – W57 (Serbia & Montenegro) v. W58 (USA) – USA, 2-0

Serbia & Montenegro never should have made it this far.

62 – W59 (England) v. W60 (Brazil) – Brazil, 3-2

Ronaldinho knows the English players to well for them to have any real advantage.

Third Place

63 – L61 (Serbia & Montenegro) v. L 63 (England) – England, 4-2

England, with the pressure off, scores four goals in seventy minutes.

Finals

64 – W61 (USA) v. W62 (Brazil) – Brazil, 2-1

Keep in mind that this matchup never happens (or happens much earlier) if Italy beats the USA in Group E, making that early match a must-win for the Americans. Frankly, I think Brazil is unstoppable this year, so the later the US has to play them the better.
Is anybody else at all excited about this? June will be a great month. The Cubs and the Rangers will both be in first, the Mavs and the Stars will both win, and the World Cup will be underway. Come on, June!