in Soccer Articles

Friday’s opening round match between hosts Germany and Costa Rica launches the 2006 World Cup into full effect this summer. This year’s tournament will be without a doubt be the most watched FIFA World Cup to date, estimating that 1.5 billion people will tune in to first match alone. To put that number into perspective, that is more than 20% of our world’s population. This is not only ‘the beautiful game’ but it is also our world’s game. Starting June 9, 32 nations will vie for one illustrious trophy, signifying their spot among soccer’s elite.

A long road awaits the eventual 2006 FIFA champion. This month-long tournament requires spectacular team play and some good fortune along the way. The competing nations are separated into eight groups of four. Only the top two teams from each group can advance to the elimination round of 16. A winner and runner-up press forward and match-ups are predetermined based on how the groups play out. Any team that advances past the initial draw should be extremely joyous, but nations beware: finishing as runners-up in some groups could land you an early match against defending champion and South American power El Seleção. Other runners-up could fall prey to potential winners of the ‘Group of Death.’ The Azzurri and the Oranje will not go quietly in their chase for FIFA gold.

Group A

Hosts and heavy group favorites Germany reside in a draw that should provide little challenge. Most assume Jurgen Klinsmann’s squad will advance while the other three nations battle it out for the runners-up slot. Poland, Ecuador, and Costa Rica remain to fight for the opportunity to reach the final 16. Ecuador has never fared well away from home and playing matches on European soil will be their downfall. Costa Rica will be full of piss and vinegar when it opens in its first match against Germany looking to upstage the home nation, but its 2002’s three-and-out performance seems a likely scenario. That leaves Poland, a nation that finished 8-0-2 in UEFA qualifying, falling twice to European power England. Strikers Maciej Zurawski and Tomas Frankowski form a dynamic duo up front, ready to cause fits against its group counterparts. This tandem will spark their country as the other nation to survive past group A. Germany will cruise to winning group A while Poland slides into the runners-up position.

Group B

England’s chances of winning its group remain strong after receiving the news that striker Wayne Rooney was cleared to take part in some form of the World Cup. A consensus top five threat for FIFA gold, England should make short work of Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago. Both nations achieved great things to get to Germany, but will bow out gracefully after their three group matches. Sweden, however, will be a roadblock in England’s attempt to earn all nine of its draw points. Extremely dangerous with forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic striking upfront, the Swedes will get valuable contributions from veteran leaders Fredrik Ljungberg and Henrik Larsson. All bets should ride with England winning this group and Sweden as runners-up, but do not be surprised if Sweden lands atop this group.

Group C

The ‘Group of Death’ has three teams capable of reaching at least the final eight. Argentina, Netherlands, and the Ivory Coast will slug it out for the chance to get to the knockout round, while Serbia and Montenegro will fight valiantly for their own cause. Argentina and the Netherlands are the likeliest choices to win this group. South America’s second best nation should take care of S&M and its chances to advance will fall on how it fares against group C’s other two. The same should be said for the Netherlands. Serbia and Montenegro is hardly a slouch, but in a group this loaded they simply got the short end of the stick. Ivory Coast is the wild card of the bunch. If they fail to advance, no one will fault them for finishing behind two of the top ten nations in the world. However, Didier Drogba leads a highly explosive offense capable of pulling off an upset or two. As talented as Argentina and Netherlands both are and as much as I would like to see them both continue to challenge the world’s best, something about this African nation says big things are in store for their summer. In the end, the Netherlands win this draw and the Ivory Coast sneak through as runners-up.

Group D

This group is not as sexy as the previous draw, but two potential threats lie here that will stand strong against other worldly powers in the later rounds. Portugal and Mexico are worlds ahead of Iran and newcomer Angola. They may steal one game throughout this stage, but the two best teams will eventually advance. One thought to process in this group is which of Portugal and Mexico will step forward as the winner. If bettors have a difficult time choosing between these two nations, let their offensive capabilities be the deciding factor. Better equipped to take on powers such as Brazil, Italy, and England, Portugal boasts a lineup that could get them far into June. The veteran Luis Figo leads a balanced attack with several new faces on the scene. Rising sensation Cristiano Ronaldo is one to marvel at while midfielder Deco and striker Pauleta create match-up problems hoping to erase 2002’s first round exit. Portugal wins group D and Mexico follows right behind.

For World Cup odds FaceOff@BetUS.com.