Group E
Featuring: Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon
Most intriguing game: Cameroon vs. Denmark (June 19)
Thoughts: This is another intriguing group that somewhat resembles Group B. The Netherlands is the strongest team in the group and should have no problem advancing. They aren’t as talented in the back as they have been in past years, however they are still solid and boast some of the most electric forwards in the tournament in Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie. Robben is coming off an injury suffered in a friendly last week, however, so it remains to be seen if he will be in top shape. Even without him, the Dutch are talented enough to make it through to the second round at least.
Denmark returns to the World Cup after missing out in 2006, and they are hoping that 33 year old striker Jon Dahl Tomasson has enough left in the tank to lead them into the knockout stage. They likely will need to get past Cameroon in order to advance, which certainly isn’t a given.
Speaking of Cameroon, they are also back after missing out on the party in Germany four years ago. They also feature an elite striker in Samuel Eto’o, who had a bit of a down year with Inter this season, but is just one year removed from netting 34 goals for Barcelona. With opponents focusing their attention on him, Cameroon will likely need other players to step up if they want to see the round of 16.
Unlike the previous two teams, Japan did make an appearance in Germany, although it was one they would like to forget. They only managed a scoreless draw in their three group matches, certainly a disappointing finish after making it to the second round as co-hosts in 2002. As a matter of fact, they have never won a World Cup match outside of that 2002 run, so needless to the say they are the clear underdogs of the group.
Prediction: I have had practically every African team advancing to the second round thus far, and Cameroon is one of the stronger teams on the continent. So I see them joining the Dutch in the second round.
Group F
Featuring: Italy, Paraguay, Slovakia, New Zealand
Most intriguing game: Italy vs. Paraguay (June 14)
Thoughts: This is without a doubt the weakest group in the tournament, as Italy and Paraguay should have no problem taking care of Slovakia and New Zealand. Italy of course will be defending its title, but this team is not as strong as they were four years ago. This is mostly due to the fact that they are four years older, and seem to be lacking in younger players that can provide the veterans with a spark. They are of course still very talented, and this should be more than enough to push them through.
Paraguay has been one of the most consistent South American teams over the past couple decades, and seem poised to finally make it past the round of 16 this year. If they can take care of Italy in their first match, they can lock down the group and perhaps find themselves with a favorable matchup in the knockout stage. They most likely will need top striker Roque Santa Cruz to overcome his recent struggles if they want to go deeper into the tournament.
Slovakia will be making their first appearance in the World Cup as an independent nation, and while they are not the weakest team in this group (by a mile), they would probably be the weakest team in about half of the other groups. They will certainly need to steal points from either Italy or Paraguay if they want to move on to the second round.
New Zealand is without a doubt the weakest team in the tournament, which means they should be that much fun to root for if they manage to pull off an improbable upset. The chances of this happening are slim, however stranger things have happened.
Prediction: Seeing Slovakia or New Zealand make a run would be quite memorable, however it seems quite likely that Italy and Paraguay will emerge from Group F (though not necessarily in that order).
Group G
Featuring: Brazil, Portugal, Ivory Coast, North Korea
Most intriguing game: Portugal vs. Ivory Coast (June 15)
Thoughts: One of these teams is not like the others. The 2010 edition of the “Group of Death” is somewhat diluted by the presence of North Korea, one of the weakest teams in the tournament. However that shouldn’t take away from the quality of the other three teams in the group. Brazil is considered by many the favorite to win it all, and not without good reason. This team is absolutely loaded, and it all starts with Kaka in the midfield. He and his fellow Brazilians will be looking to leave their mark on this World Cup after their disappointing finish four years ago.
Portugal also have high hopes after reaching the semifinals in 2006, and they will look to Cristiano Ronaldo to lead them deep into the tournament once again. There are a few groups in which they would be the top team, yet they had the bad fortune of landing in a group where there is a realistic chance they may not advance. It will most likely hinge on their game against Ivory Coast. If they stumble, then they will likely need points against Brazil and a rout of North Korea to move on.
The Ivory Coast is a serious threat to the two elite teams in this group, but in order for them to make some noise they will need to have Chelsea striker Didier Drogba on the field. Drogba broke his arm in a friendly last week, and his status is still uncertain for the World Cup. Unfortunately for the Ivory Coast, their most critical match comes first, against Portugal. If he is unable to play against Portugal, the Elephants could be looking at an early exit.
North Korea are the likely whipping boys of the group, although they have a history of scoring upsets at the World Cup (such as their 1-0 win over Italy in 1966). Soccer is a sport in which it takes only one crazy bounce to open the door for an underdog, so perhaps North Korea will be the beneficiary of such a bounce.
Prediction: It is tough to pick the Ivory Coast to move on without Drogba, although they are still a talented team without him. Either way, look for Brazil and Portugal to move on.
Group H
Featuring: Spain, Chile, Honduras, Switzerland
Most intriguing game: Spain vs. Chile (June 25)
Thoughts: The final group is home to another major favorite in South Africa, Spain. The Spaniards have been arguably the top team on the planet since the 2006 World Cup. After dismantling Poland 6-0 in their final tune-up the other day, they look ready to make a deep run. There are some concerns that Fernando Torres may not be in top form coming back from an injury, but even if he needs a few games to shake the rust off, this team should still have no problem winning the group, as Chile is their only serious threat.
Speaking of Chile, they finished second in the gauntlet that is COMNEBOL qualifying, finishing only one point behind Brazil. This will be their first World Cup since 1998, and this is a hungry young team that is prime for a breakthrough. Look for them to give Spain all they can handle in the final game of the group stage. If they prevail in that match, look for them to use that as a springboard to a deep run in the tournament.
Honduras is making only its second appearance in the World Cup, and is a surprisingly old team for a group making its first World Cup appearance in 28 years. There are some talented players on roster, like midfielder Wilson Palacios, but they need to play some inspired soccer if they are going to make it through to the second round.
Finally, rounding out the field of 32 is Switzerland. They are going to need their star, Alexander Frei, to recreate some of the magic he displayed during 2006 if they want to make it to the kockout stage for the second consecutive tournament. They get the first crack at Spain, so if they can manage a draw (or better) that might give them the confidence to knock off the other two denizens of Group H.
Prediction: Spain should win this group, and Chile is a good bet to make it to the round of 16 as well. However don’t count out the other two teams, as Chile hasn’t exactly proven itself on the national stage.
I will wait until the knockout bracket is set before making those predictions, however I will say that I’m feeling that this might be Brazil’s year…again.
To quote the great soccer fan Porky Pig (I may not be able to back that up)….”That’s all folks!” Enjoy the world’s greatest sporting event…I know I will.
-The BOMB
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