WC2006 - Group A

[NYCappo83]

The start of a group-by-group analysis for this year's WC. (Please feel free to comment or provide your own opinions/analysis.)



Group A

-Germany (FIFA - 19th)
-Costa Rica (FIFA - 26th)
-Poland (FIFA - T29th)
-Ecuador (FIFA - 39th)

Game to Watch: Germany vs. Poland. June 14th. Probably the most crucial game of the group in Gelsenkirchen.

David vs. Goliath: Germany. vs Costa Rica. June 9th. Opening match of the tournament with an expected packed house in Munich.


-Germany will be starting out on the right foot against Costa Rica in Munich. The Ticos have talent (Martinez, Centeno and Wanchope) and improved as their qualifying progressed, but they don't have the type of talent that compares to the world's elite. Beginning with Ballack, Podolski, Schweinsteiger and Klose, Germany is going to start and finish strong.

-Germany-Poland in Gelsenkirchen is going to be huge. In the past, matches against these two nations have always been played tight. Poland lost to England home and away in qualifying; however, the Poles did win the rest of their games. Also, Zurawski and Frankowski combined for 14 goals during qualifying.

-Ecuador could be somewhat of a spoiler. Lara, Valencia and Salas are oustanding young guns and de la Cruz, Hurtado, Mendez and Delgado have the experience. They're the reason why Uruguay and Colombia are both home and not in Germany for this WC. (However, the Ecuador "altitude theory" will probably play a significant role.)

Prediction:
1. Germany
2. Poland
3. Ecuador
4. Costa Rica


Cappo

 

[chriscol]

totally agree here...your prediction is also right, but that makes the match of the group ecuador-poland as they will play for 2nd place and a spot in the knock-outs. Germany will cruise. maybe not winning everything dominant , but winning. altitude theory will cost ecuador in a tough loss to poland in t he opener.

 

[-Slim-]

I agree with everything u said except WE ARE NOT TALENTED in any way shape or form. IF Costa Rica were to do ANY KIND OF DAMAGE this country would be surprised to no end........

 

[szlem]

Also, Zurawski and Frankowski combined for 14 goals during qualifying.

One litle remark, Frankowski isn't going to Germany... our manager doesn't seem to like him. Polish team played two games recently, lost with Columbia and won with Croatia. Commentaries after the last game are quite good.
We played Ecuador some time ago and destroyed them 3-0, however the game was played during mega heavy rain so nobody knows if this result really shows the difference in level of both teams.
Polish team biggest concern: few important players had problems getting into starting 11 of their teams, so their current form is a big question mark (Krzynowek, Kosowski for instance, Frankowski). The team lacks depth on the sides of defence and in the midfield.
Our biggest advantage: recently our team is able to win games against sides of similiar or lower quality so 2nd place is quite possible.

 

[CHRISG612]

I think Costa Rica makes it out of this Group in 2nd

 

[BigDane]

That has to be seen for me to have faith in em.

Pura Vida

 

[chivo79]

This group is already listed as:
Germany
Poland
and whoever ????

 

[joeyfitzclick]

I agree with everything u said except WE ARE NOT TALENTED in any way shape or form. IF Costa Rica were to do ANY KIND OF DAMAGE this country would be surprised to no end........



slim - if O/U CR points for the group stage was .5. Do you take Under ?
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[Experto]

I think Costa Rica makes it out of this Group in 2nd

believe it or not, no chance for them

 

[chivo79]

i agree with you CR has no chance and will not give any surprise other than probably Ecuador