Official Group E Prediction thread

[Czar Jake]

Alright folks, which two teams will emerge from Group E? It's as simple as that!

I will be cheering like crazy for USA, and I think they can get out of the group because I think the Czechs are overrated... but I'm not sure that they will.

I decided on Italy and Czech... but I wouldn't be surprised to see Ghana get through either. TOUGH GROUP!!!

[Aerick]

Ghana and the US! Got to go with the potential cinderella, and the home side.

[dysko]

Originally Posted by Aerick

Ghana and the US! Got to go with the potential cinderella, and the home side.

Yes, but that only explains picking USA... why did you pick Ghana again? 👍

[AreliusIV]

I should have expected such a strong bias for a poll like this. You think the Czechs are overrated? Well, they only have the 2005 World Goalkeeper of the Year, one of Europe's leading attacking midfielders in Tomas Rosicky, a former European Player of the Year in Pavel Nedved and one of the most awesome strike forces up top with Jan Koller (one of the tallest and strongest footballers in the world [6'8'']) and Milan Baros.

I wouldn't say they're overrated at all. As a matter of fact, how good they are isn't appreciated because of the competitive FIFA Confederation that they play in.

Italy is better than the Czech Republic and should have more votes here than the Czech Republic, but many of the votes that should have been cast for Italy have been given to the USA because of patriotic bias.

USA will lose to Italy 2-0 and the Czech Republic 2-0 and will have a tough time against Ghana.

If any team is underrated in this group it is Ghana. They have won four CAF African Cup of Nations titles – in 1963, 1965, 1978 and 1982 - and twice captured the FIFA Under-17 World Championship. They boast one of the best midfielders in the world (and the most expensive African footballer) in Michael Essien.

They have one of African football’s most successful exports to Europe (and Ghana’s Player of the Year in 1998) in Sammy Kuffour. Almost all of their players play in Europe.

In spite of Ghana's strength, the US will beat them 1-0 primarily because of Ghana's World Cup inexperience and the US will end up in third place in this group.

I want the US to do well like everyone else, but I have to be realistic. I have to vote the probabilities. Anything can happen at the World Cup, like we saw in 2002, but I have to vote the probabilities and let the exceptions occur where they may.

Even though I don't like it, the probabilities tell me that at the end of the day this group will look like this:
Italy 9 pts.
Czech 6 pts.
USA 3 pts.
Ghana 0 pts.

I think US' only chance is if they salvage some sort of result against the Czech Republic, but that will be a tall order with Cech between the pipes.

[Aerick]

Originally Posted by AreliusIV

I should have expected such a strong bias for a poll like this. You think the Czechs are overrated? Well, they only have the 2005 World Goalkeeper of the Year, one of Europe's leading attacking midfielders in Tomas Rosicky, a former European Player of the Year in Pavel Nedved and one of the most awesome strike forces up top with Jan Koller (one of the tallest and strongest footballers in the world [6'8'']) and Milan Baros.

I wouldn't say they're overrated at all. As a matter of fact, how good they are isn't appreciated because of the competitive FIFA Confederation that they play in.

Italy is better than the Czech Republic and should have more votes here than the Czech Republic, but many of the votes that should have been cast for Italy have been given to the USA because of patriotic bias.

USA will lose to Italy 2-0 and the Czech Republic 2-0 and will have a tough time against Ghana.

If any team is underrated in this group it is Ghana. They have won four CAF African Cup of Nations titles – in 1963, 1965, 1978 and 1982 - and twice captured the FIFA Under-17 World Championship. They boast one of the best midfielders in the world (and the most expensive African footballer) in Michael Essien.

They have one of African football’s most successful exports to Europe (and Ghana’s Player of the Year in 1998) in Sammy Kuffour. Almost all of their players play in Europe.

In spite of Ghana's strength, the US will beat them 1-0 primarily because of Ghana's World Cup inexperience and the US will end up in third place in this group.

I want the US to do well like everyone else, but I have to be realistic. I have to vote the probabilities. Anything can happen at the World Cup, like we saw in 2002, but I have to vote the probabilities and let the exceptions occur where they may.

Even though I don't like it, the probabilities tell me that at the end of the day this group will look like this:
Italy 9 pts.
Czech 6 pts.
USA 3 pts.
Ghana 0 pts.

I think US' only chance is if they salvage some sort of result against the Czech Republic, but that will be a tall order with Cech between the pipes.

Is this the same "realism" that was driving all of the "woe is us" and "fire ellinger" threads?

Just checking.

😉

[Czar Jake]

Originally Posted by AreliusIV

I should have expected such a strong bias for a poll like this. You think the Czechs are overrated? Well, they only have the 2005 World Goalkeeper of the Year, one of Europe's leading attacking midfielders in Tomas Rosicky, a former European Player of the Year in Pavel Nedved and one of the most awesome strike forces up top with Jan Koller (one of the tallest and strongest footballers in the world [6'8'']) and Milan Baros.

I wouldn't say they're overrated at all. As a matter of fact, how good they are isn't appreciated because of the competitive FIFA Confederation that they play in.

Italy is better than the Czech Republic and should have more votes here than the Czech Republic, but many of the votes that should have been cast for Italy have been given to the USA because of patriotic bias.

USA will lose to Italy 2-0 and the Czech Republic 2-0 and will have a tough time against Ghana.

If any team is underrated in this group it is Ghana. They have won four CAF African Cup of Nations titles – in 1963, 1965, 1978 and 1982 - and twice captured the FIFA Under-17 World Championship. They boast one of the best midfielders in the world (and the most expensive African footballer) in Michael Essien.

They have one of African football’s most successful exports to Europe (and Ghana’s Player of the Year in 1998) in Sammy Kuffour. Almost all of their players play in Europe.

In spite of Ghana's strength, the US will beat them 1-0 primarily because of Ghana's World Cup inexperience and the US will end up in third place in this group.

I want the US to do well like everyone else, but I have to be realistic. I have to vote the probabilities. Anything can happen at the World Cup, like we saw in 2002, but I have to vote the probabilities and let the exceptions occur where they may.

Even though I don't like it, the probabilities tell me that at the end of the day this group will look like this:
Italy 9 pts.
Czech 6 pts.
USA 3 pts.
Ghana 0 pts.

I think US' only chance is if they salvage some sort of result against the Czech Republic, but that will be a tall order with Cech between the pipes.

You make good points... and I did actually vote for Italy and Czech. I think people are underestimating Italy. But you are right, I might be overlooking Czech a tad (even though I picked them).. if you watched Serie A at all last year though, you know Nedved is not NEAR the player he once was. Sometimes he looks downright insane.

I agree that Ghana is going to be tougher than people realize. Kuffour had some good years with Munich, but believe me I am familiar with his play recently (he plays for my beloved AS Roma now).. and he is good, but not as good as any of the other Roma defenders: Mexes (FRA), Panucci (ITA), Cufre (ARG), and Bovo (ITA) who is a great player, I wish he got more playing time.. the only Roma defender I would put lower on the depth chart is Chivu (ROM).. but they are all pretty good including Kuffour (GHA).

I don't think USA can get out of this group.

[AreliusIV]

Check out Czech Republic today:

Fri May 26 10:00AM Mountain
Length: 2 hr LIVE
GolTV (US)
International Friendly - AFC
Saudi Arabia vs Czech Republic

Fri May 26 07:00PM Mountain
Length: 2 hr R
GolTV (US)
International Friendly - AFC
Saudi Arabia vs Czech Republic

[AreliusIV]

Originally Posted by Czar Jake

Nedved is not NEAR the player he once was. Sometimes he looks downright insane.

Well, he IS 34 yrs old and he did recently have a serious knee injury. More important than his current form is the inspiration he gives the team.

The Czechs were without him for 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying, and had to make do with the runners-up spot in Group One behind the Netherlands. That meant a play-off against Norway, for which coach Karel Bruckner successfully persuaded his former captain to resume his glittering Czech Republic career.

"We're even stronger with Pavel Nedved in the side," a delighted Bruckner said. The coach's assessment proved correct, as Nedved turned in two characteristically commanding performances to guide his men past the Norwegians and claim a place at the FIFA World Cup finals for the first time in 16 years.

[AreliusIV]

Originally Posted by Czar Jake

I don't think USA can get out of this group.

Neither do I. I'm setting my expectations low on purpose. If US advances, it will be a modern miracle (a la 2002).

[AreliusIV]

Originally Posted by Aerick

Is this the same "realism" that was driving all of the "woe is us" and "fire ellinger" threads?

Just checking.

😉

Someone has to keep all you high-fliers grounded... 🙂