With less than 188 days left until the 2010 FIFA World Cup gets
kicked off, all 32 teams and their devoted fans found out today who
their teams are grouped with and when/where they play. Soem teasm
such as Mexico and Netherlands have to like their chances of moving
past the First Round while other teams like top seeds Brazil and
Germany may have been dealt very difficlut groups.
Group
A
Group
B
Group
C Group
D
South
Africa
Argentina
England Germany
Mexico Nigeria USA Australia
Uruguay
South
Korea
Algeria Serbia
France
Greece
Slovenia
Ghana
Group
E
Group
F
Group
G
Group H
Netherlands Italy Brazil
Spain
Denmark
Paraguay North
Korea
Switzerland
Japan
New
Zealand
Ivory
Coast
Honduras
Cameroon
Slovakia
Portugal
Chile
A few observations that should jump out and get
attention:
Group A offers South Africa who is as host country is slated as a
top seed. No host country has ever failed making it out of the
first round. Uruguay will offer stiff competition as well as
favorite Mexico and 2006 runner up France who neaded a handball
against Ireland to make this World Cup.
Group B features Argentina who had a tough time qualifying
behind their player turned coach Maradona as well as the 2004 Euro
Cup Champions Greece, South Korea, and a speedy and possible dark
horse in Nigeria.
Group C had everyone talking today as top qualifiers England
were put in the group against the United States. That alone has
intrigue going back as far as the 1950 World Cup when the US
stunned all of the soccer world by beating England 1-0 which still
has all of the England faithful upset to this day. Although paired
with talented teams of Algeria and Slovenia, both the USA and
England are relieved to not be in the "Group of Death" as the Us
were in 2006.
Group D offers 4 very well supported countries in the likes of
speedy Ghana, improving Australia, young Serbia, and 2008 Euro Cup
runner up and one of the favorites - Germany. This may be one of
the toughest groups to get out of.
Group E is rather interesting as they have the Netherlands who
compete well every tournament but have a tough time in the final
rounds with 3 teams who have been on a steady course of improving
in soccer over the past 8 years in Cameroon, Denmark, and
Japan.
Group F puts the reigning 2006 World Cup Champions Italy in a
group with evenly matched Paraguay and Slovakia as well as New
Zeland who makes their first World Cup in 28 years.
Group G is widely considered the toughest group as it features
the consistent powerhouse Brazil along with Cristiando Renaldo's
Portugal. North Korea and Ivory Coastrounds out the group. The
Ivory Coast is a very talented team who many believe will make it
deep in this tournament and may be the kryptonite to Brazil based
on their speed and defense.
The final Group H has FIFA ranked #1 and 2008 Euro Cup Champions
Spain against the likes of an improving Switzerland and very well
supported Honduras who is makingg their first trip to the World Cup
in 28 years. Chile rounds out this group as this is their first
World Cup since 1998.
Well the groups are set and now the only thing left to do is
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