I think Ivory Coast too. They have Drogba upfront, who's not THAT bad, Toure and Eboue in defence, the other Toure in midfield, and their whole team is strong and technically good.
Originally posted by MICHAEL_LA_VIOLA: I think Ivory Coast too. They have Drogba upfront, who's not THAT bad, Toure and Eboue in defence, the other Toure in midfield, and their whole team is strong and technically good.
czech republic. cant see any of the african teams doing much,they all looked pretty crap during the cup of nations in february although Tunisia maybe have a bit of experience which helps. Looking at the bookies for 1st round games anyone playing brazil is a good bet;i dont expect australia or japan to beat them but 10 and 9-1 is very generous
If we can spot the team that will surprise us, it's not going to be much of a suprise, is it? It's all a bit like those tiresome FA Cup programmes where the personality-bypass ex-players run through a list of ties picking out "possible shocks". Invariably they pick teams near the top of one division playing at home to a team near the bottom of the division higher. An exercise in futility if ever there was one. In this case, the question inevitably prompts replies suggesting teams that are currently 40-1 to 80-1 to win the World Cup.
Still, if Italy are eliminated from the World Cup without players, press and fans making hysterical accusations about corruption and an international conspiracy, that will extremely surprising, but now I suppose we're getting into the realms of pure fantasy.
Wales will surprise everyone by how well they do. Particularly since they didn't actually qualify for the tournament. The appearance of a 33rd team in the finals, with no actual fixtures to participate in, but with bags of spirit and a never-say-die attitude, will warm hearts from here to China and eventually Wales will be awarded third place on 'sporting merit'.
Spain will surprise the pundits and public alike as they have always underperformed in recent tournaments and shouldn't be with the squad they have at their disposal. Now they have included extra defenders aswell then they are the frontrunners, just a shame vicente isn't going, although he didn't play many matches.
Ah, I see, we're looking for teams that will surprise "the pundits". That's a whole different ball game. Are these the pundits who say every effing World Cup that Spain are the dark horses? Or are there some different pundits I haven't heard yet? Are there any pundits out there who don't say "Brazil will be the team to beat", "there are 5 or 6 teams who can win and England are one of them", "Germany aren't strong at the moment, but how often do we say that only for them to reach the final?" and "the Dutch are their own worst enemies".
I think Trinidad will shock a few people with the sheer incompetence of their football and people will wonder once again why the Dickens there are 16 too many teams in the finals.
