1 in 4 - (part 2)
At the time of writing there was
In this amazing two part series I take a look at all the other teams that I didn't consider first time around.
Spain – Following a team like Spain would be like driving with a blind man, it’s an accident just waiting to happen. For all their domestic league quality, for all their all star line ups, the end result is often pain and suffering. Back in 1990 when I saw Dragan Stojkovic curl a free kick around the Spanish wall and score a miracle goal to get Yugoslavia through to the QF’s, I never truly understood the pain in Spain. There was a QF loss to Belgium in ’86, and extra time loss to Yugoslavia in ’90, a monumental stuff up in the ’94 QF to Italy and another penalty shoot out loss to Korea in ’04. I think it’ll be La Tomatina time again in Madrid in ’06, the Spanish will return with tales of woe this time around also because the Samba boys beckon in their half of the draw if they dare to escape their group in 1st place.
Prediction: If Brazil are ever to fall it’s usually on a hit and run mission. This potential QF could be a hell of a game and with a few of the Brazilian team playing in La Liga the chances of a freak win are not too bad. Still, history suggests a penalty shoot out loss to Brazil.
Paraguay – The Paraguyans are like your crappy 5 yr old cousins that beg you for a kick of the ball and then miss, falling on their ass in their moment of glory. Actually, did I mention Ronaldo looks retarded in photos ? Well, just like him, the Paraguyans are the retarded footballers of South America. Their most famous goal scorer was a goal keeper and if I didn’t know any better I would have assumed these guys were trying out for the Paralympics. Political correctness aside, these guys are b-o-r (ahh, I’m to bored to even spell it).
Prediction: They’ll be in the games you don’t watch.
Sweden - You know, they could just be the dark horses. A QF result at the recent European Championships, a solid midfield and attack, these guys just might be the dancing queens. Coming second in their group could mean a clash with the Oranje the QF in which I think would be an oddly spectacular game. A second spot in the group would see them hit either Portugal / Argentina or Serbia in the QF - don’t be surprised with a Brazil/Sweden showdown.
Prediction: The true dark horses
Equador – If the Paraguyans were the crappy little cousins then these guys are the goat herding outcasts. Famous for Panama hats (would you believe it) – yup….and that’s it.
Prediction: The Earth mother Cotopaxi will be calling you back home – herders should never stray to far from their flock.
Czech Republic - Every 25 years they stick up their heads and pronounce to the world that they can play a bit of football. It’s about that time again. Their draw is as open as Sydney Heads if they top the group. Tough game against France in the QF – if they escape that penalty shoot-out, then the Dutch await in the semi’s
Prediction: Darker horses than the Swedes.
Sigh, I couldn’t be bothered writing about the other teams, I will give them honourable mentions however – Ukraine, South Korea, Ivory Coast , Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Poland.
At the time of writing there was
...to go until kick off !!!
In this amazing two part series I take a look at all the other teams that I didn't consider first time around.
England - As an Australian, I love seeing these guys suffering through torment and heartbreak at each and every World Cup. In '86 it was the 'Hand of God', in '90 it was Gazza and the German panzer squad in a shootout, '98 was Beckhamgate, '02 was Seaman just fluffing a 'cross'. I must admit, even though I tried, my heart just wasn't into hating them last World Wup because, well, they could actually play. In the last 10-15 years 'class' players have been making the journey from the continent to the Premiership, in turn the English long ball game has been lost to the lower divisions (thank God) and now at least their team looks like they're part of the EU.
Prediction: Depending on their group phase escape tactics, a semi final with Holland or Brazil will 'Beckham'....haha, I crack me up. This time around I will be able to empathise with a semi final loss.
Switzerland - OK, it has to be done, which of these things don't belong, Clocks, Chocolate, Mountains & Football !? What do they plan to do ? Take out their army knives and attack goals in MacGyver fashion ? These guys are more suited being linesman and referees aren't they ?
Prediction: A Swiss referee to officiate in the final
Mexico - One of the best goals I've seen scored was by Manuel Negrete against Bulgaria in '86 - that rocked. Indeed, two of the best World Cups, '70 & '86 were held there. These guys might cause a bit of group damage and steal a quarter final place in the true Zapatista style but they'll be back home and 'Gittin jiggy' with their Mariachi bands in the plaza Garibaldi faster than you can say 'Speedy Gonzales'.
Prediction: Any country whose president is named after a Family Ties member deserves a quarter final berth
Iran - From an Australian point of view I can only say this, on a dark November night in '97 you nearly made me cry. We were 2-0 in the play off came and then, 45 mins later, it was 2-2 and all over. For that, I hope you suffer.
Predicition: The US team to search for weapons of mass destruction in the locker rooms - do you think they'll find anything ?
Ghana - Wow, an African giant might just have awoken from its slumber. For all its youth team success this is the first occasion that they've made the World Cup. Potentially bigger giant killers than Cameroon or Senegal. The only problem I have with African football is their discipline. They have skill, flair and athleticism to burn but tactically and strategically can they take on the best of Europe and South America ? Somehow adopting a Yugoslav / Serbian coach seems to me to say, no, but they will be entertainment personified. Tough group, here's hoping that they put seven or so past the 'girls in blue' in their first game. Should they escape the group in second place, then I'll be staying up until all hours to watch Brazil v Ghana !!!
Prediction: Dynamic goals, disarray in defence, a lunatic coach on the sideline - can this be an African side ? Second round exit but they'll be doing it with the crowd on their side...hmmm...and as for defeating their colons, well, sauerkraut can do that ! (sorry, had to say it :)
Prediction: Depending on their group phase escape tactics, a semi final with Holland or Brazil will 'Beckham'....haha, I crack me up. This time around I will be able to empathise with a semi final loss.
Switzerland - OK, it has to be done, which of these things don't belong, Clocks, Chocolate, Mountains & Football !? What do they plan to do ? Take out their army knives and attack goals in MacGyver fashion ? These guys are more suited being linesman and referees aren't they ?
Prediction: A Swiss referee to officiate in the final
Mexico - One of the best goals I've seen scored was by Manuel Negrete against Bulgaria in '86 - that rocked. Indeed, two of the best World Cups, '70 & '86 were held there. These guys might cause a bit of group damage and steal a quarter final place in the true Zapatista style but they'll be back home and 'Gittin jiggy' with their Mariachi bands in the plaza Garibaldi faster than you can say 'Speedy Gonzales'.
Prediction: Any country whose president is named after a Family Ties member deserves a quarter final berth
Iran - From an Australian point of view I can only say this, on a dark November night in '97 you nearly made me cry. We were 2-0 in the play off came and then, 45 mins later, it was 2-2 and all over. For that, I hope you suffer.
Predicition: The US team to search for weapons of mass destruction in the locker rooms - do you think they'll find anything ?
Ghana - Wow, an African giant might just have awoken from its slumber. For all its youth team success this is the first occasion that they've made the World Cup. Potentially bigger giant killers than Cameroon or Senegal. The only problem I have with African football is their discipline. They have skill, flair and athleticism to burn but tactically and strategically can they take on the best of Europe and South America ? Somehow adopting a Yugoslav / Serbian coach seems to me to say, no, but they will be entertainment personified. Tough group, here's hoping that they put seven or so past the 'girls in blue' in their first game. Should they escape the group in second place, then I'll be staying up until all hours to watch Brazil v Ghana !!!
Prediction: Dynamic goals, disarray in defence, a lunatic coach on the sideline - can this be an African side ? Second round exit but they'll be doing it with the crowd on their side...hmmm...and as for defeating their colons, well, sauerkraut can do that ! (sorry, had to say it :)
Spain – Following a team like Spain would be like driving with a blind man, it’s an accident just waiting to happen. For all their domestic league quality, for all their all star line ups, the end result is often pain and suffering. Back in 1990 when I saw Dragan Stojkovic curl a free kick around the Spanish wall and score a miracle goal to get Yugoslavia through to the QF’s, I never truly understood the pain in Spain. There was a QF loss to Belgium in ’86, and extra time loss to Yugoslavia in ’90, a monumental stuff up in the ’94 QF to Italy and another penalty shoot out loss to Korea in ’04. I think it’ll be La Tomatina time again in Madrid in ’06, the Spanish will return with tales of woe this time around also because the Samba boys beckon in their half of the draw if they dare to escape their group in 1st place.
Prediction: If Brazil are ever to fall it’s usually on a hit and run mission. This potential QF could be a hell of a game and with a few of the Brazilian team playing in La Liga the chances of a freak win are not too bad. Still, history suggests a penalty shoot out loss to Brazil.
Paraguay – The Paraguyans are like your crappy 5 yr old cousins that beg you for a kick of the ball and then miss, falling on their ass in their moment of glory. Actually, did I mention Ronaldo looks retarded in photos ? Well, just like him, the Paraguyans are the retarded footballers of South America. Their most famous goal scorer was a goal keeper and if I didn’t know any better I would have assumed these guys were trying out for the Paralympics. Political correctness aside, these guys are b-o-r (ahh, I’m to bored to even spell it).
Prediction: They’ll be in the games you don’t watch.
Sweden - You know, they could just be the dark horses. A QF result at the recent European Championships, a solid midfield and attack, these guys just might be the dancing queens. Coming second in their group could mean a clash with the Oranje the QF in which I think would be an oddly spectacular game. A second spot in the group would see them hit either Portugal / Argentina or Serbia in the QF - don’t be surprised with a Brazil/Sweden showdown.
Prediction: The true dark horses
Equador – If the Paraguyans were the crappy little cousins then these guys are the goat herding outcasts. Famous for Panama hats (would you believe it) – yup….and that’s it.
Prediction: The Earth mother Cotopaxi will be calling you back home – herders should never stray to far from their flock.
Czech Republic - Every 25 years they stick up their heads and pronounce to the world that they can play a bit of football. It’s about that time again. Their draw is as open as Sydney Heads if they top the group. Tough game against France in the QF – if they escape that penalty shoot-out, then the Dutch await in the semi’s
Prediction: Darker horses than the Swedes.
Sigh, I couldn’t be bothered writing about the other teams, I will give them honourable mentions however – Ukraine, South Korea, Ivory Coast , Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Poland.
posted by Helisher at 8:11 am
1 Comments:
:D
Good laughs are heard in our crappy studio room in Toulouse!
I especially liked that part about Chilavert lol
What a show-off!! I never understood how they didnt score more goals against him by purely & simply lobbing him! Arf!
Ukraine has Shevchenko but one man doesn't make a team, especially not one playing for Milan (disregarding my respect for the player for this totally partisan comment).
South korea did great in the last world cup, I think it might be interesting to see whether they confirm/infirm the progress they had showed... Yet again, Sun Kyoon Park alone (or whatever his actual name is) doesn't make a team.
Brazil is the definite Dream Team but playing at home has proved an amazing chance in '98 for France, in '04 for Portugal in the Euro and many others... Knowing that we had a Germany/Brazil final in 2002, the home side effect would have me predict the same thing again... and maybe Germans can find it in them to prove to the world that, finally, Zee Champions Are Zem!
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