Soccer/Football Fans

Thanks, but I guess I don't understand still... Is there some sort of algorithm? It seems a bit... biased.

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It's really not that difficult. The draw will be set up to facilitate that at least one African team (hopefully the host) reaches the quater-final and then the big boys will take over. One of the top eight must be sacrificed to achieve this aim and I imagine that France will be asked to throw themselves on their sword on this occasion.

I would like that - but in the unluckiest situation we could get the Netherlands in our group (as one of the 'stronger' countries ...

The seeding for heads of group counts:
FIFA classification (which is some imperfect form of algorithm, helping teams that play a lot).
Points in WC 2006 multiplied by 3
Points in WC 2002 multiplied by 2
Points in WC 1998 multiplied by 1.

This would leave Brazil, Italy, Spain, Germany, England, Argentina, France and the Netherlands as heads of group but, alas, the host nation is head of group by definition. Number 8 steps down to the second tier European box.

The other 3 boxes are aligned according to geography. This time they are helping the African nations by not putting them in the same box with Asia and Oceania (which usually have the weaker teams).

In the fake draw, for example, the US falls in "the group of death", with 2 "superpowers" and one of the better African teams., while it's easy piecy for South Africa (relatively, they are, with New Zealand, the weakest team).

All this means we'll keep our fingers crossed to:
a) Fall in the South Africa group
b) Not fall in the same group as Holland or Portugal.

South Africa/Greece/Algeria or Chile... that would be dandy.

The latest news is that a FIFA committee is investigating "unusual betting patterns" in the WC play-offs.

You mean the Russian mafia bet against their own team?

Groups Announced

Group A
South Africa
Mexico
Uruguay
France (no handballs, and avoid Irish pubs for the next year...)

Group B
Argentina
Nigeria
S. Korea
Greece

Group C
England
USA
Algeria
Slovenia

Group D
Germany
Australia
Serbia
Ghana

Group E
Netherlands
Denmark
Japan
Cameroon

Group F
Italy
Paraguay
New Zealand
Slovakia

Group G
Brazil
N. Korea
Cote d'Ivoire
Portugal

Group H
Spain
Switzerland
Honduras
Chile

Not bad.

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Who did we pay off to get such a placement?

I came back from Ireland last week, didn't avoid any Irish pub.
Just a laughing comment from the police officer checking passports, when I entered the country: French? Go back, ah ah!

Nice people and fair play..

We actually took a loan.

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I'm glad to hear. I've heard the Irish have a sense of humor. Good to know it blends with good temperament.

I plan to go there next summer.

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You can uncross them now, you were successful..

I think Fbaezer thought France were going to be amongst the top seeds (rather than The Netherlands). Not an easy draw for Mexico at all (particularly if the hosts are treated...ahem...favourably).

You must like aggravation and pain and suffering. I'll be spread out on the sofa watching it all on my 47 inch screen being ministered to in the fashion to which it is easy to get accustomed to.

That's what the Irish said when I told them that I had been in England recently..

My take on the groups.
4 tough ones, 4 not that tough.

Group A "not that tough"
Either Parreira makes miracles out of the shambles, or South Africa will be the first host nation to fail on going to the next stage.
Uruguay plays hard, but has not the talent it used to. Barely made it by drawing to Costa Rica in Montevideo.
France is powerful, but sans Zidane, it's another ball game. As a Mexican, I prefer to face France than to face the Netherlands (even if we have a better record against the Dutch).
Mexico can be so-so, or can be good.

Mexico and France should prevail, hopefully in that order.

Group B "tough"
Argentina has about the most talent in the Cup. But they have a lousy coach. If Maradona is effectively the coach, they will not be so powerful. If it's some "deep throat" or the players take the baggage by themselves, they'll be difficult to beat.
South Korea is a fast, troublesome team. Not much else.
Nigeria should take a post in the group, if they keep discipline.
Greece has a very orderly defense, and can score... sometimes. If you can open the can, they're done. If you can't, they may kill you.

Argentina and Nigeria to the second round.

Group C "not that tough"
This group is a piece of cake for England, and the USA should have no problem finishing second. Would love to see Donovan vs. Beckham (IMHO, the American is the better player), but if I were the Brits' coach, I would certainly bench (or not even call) Becks.
Slovenia and Algeria may spell trouble, but most likely they won't.

Group D "Group of Death"
IMHO, this is the toughest group (though some experts refer to Group G), since it has strong teams from every jar.
Linneker once said that football "is a game played with a ball and 22 players, in which Germany always wins". Even a "bad" German team (and they always say this generation is their worst) in a very good side.
Australia is an very difficult team to beat. They proved it in 2006, losing to Italy, the champions to be, only due to a harsh call for a penalty kick.
Serbia is one of the better second tier European teams.
And Ghana is one of better African teams.
Really tough group. Germany will go ahead, 2nd place will be fiercely fought.

Group E "tough"
Another group with relatively even teams. The Netherlands have a huge generation, but Denmark, Japan and Cameroon are all three among the better half of thir jar.
I'll go with Holland and Denmark (but not so sure about the Danes).

Group F "Not so tough"
Italy will hate facing Paraguay (who will attack in that game?), but the group is blessed with New Zealand, the weakest side, and Slovakia, whose style fits the Azzurri.
Italy will have no problem. The probable draw with Italy will make Paraguay go through.

Group G "Group of Agony"
Finally Brazil gets a bit unlucky and will have to make a double effort to go thourgh, but it will.
Group of agony for the other 3, but for North Korea is group of total torture. The second weakest side will face some of the top seeded teams in the world.
Ivory Coast is, allegedly, the best African team of the moment. With Drogba, and even without him.
Portugal is -with France- one of the top teams in the second European tier.
I'd go with Brazil and Ivory Coast. Bye bye Cristiano Ronaldo.

Group H "not so tough"
It was, yet again, a favorable draw for Spain. That's not great news for the next stage, as Spaniards have proved over and over.
Switzerland is a little German clockwork, without their geist or their talent.
Honduras is happy to be there. They got talent, but perhaps not the psychology.
Chile has been playing well lately. They have a great coach. Perhaps Bielsa will take away some of the loser mentality that has haunted Chilean football.
Spain and Chile, I presume.

I agree with you, FB.

It's all a bit boring until the last 8 get going. Some of the African teams are composed mainly of players who are playing in European leagues.

Do you mean it's a bit boring before England gets knocked out?

It's odd. During the WC, I actually enjoy more the group phase, but -as years go by- I remember much better the last 7 games (from quarter-finals on).

You know, both Germany and Greece qualified.

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