Now that the World Cup draw is finally in the books, let's share some quick hits about what we saw today, and what we'll see in June!
The Big Story: USA! USA! USA!
-The Americans could not have asked for a better draw. When Y2 asked me for an ideal draw I said Algeria and Slovenia from pots 3 and 4. So it shall be said, so it shall be done. Granted, those teams got through tough playoffs to get in, but the US will be heavily favored to advance from Group C along with England. And, as Grant Wahl astutely pointed out, the Top 4 in the FIFA world rankings are on the other side of the draw. A win over either England or Group D fav Germany could mean the best World Cup ever for the US.
The Big Matchup: England v USA
-You've got to figure this is what everyone at ESPN was rooting for, and quite frankly, the American soccer public. With a big English fanbase here in the states, and the English Premier League the league du jour here in the US, this is a dream matchup. Think of all the storylines: the 1950 US upset, Donovan v Beckham, the battle for respect, oh, and there was that whole Revolutionary War thing... it should be a mouth-watering wait until June.
Group of Death: Group D
-While all of the pundits draw their eyes towards Group G (Brazil, Ivory Coast, Portugal, N Korea), I look towards Group D because any 2 of 4 teams can make it out. This German team is not strong, Australia has performed very well on the world stage, Serbia easily dispatched of France in qualifying, and Ghana is the strongest African team. Everyone wants to give this one to Germany, but Group D is wide open.
Luckiest Team: France
-They are the lottery winners to get South Africa in Group A along with Mexico and Uruguay. After getting to South Africa in controversial fashion, they should skate through to the knockout rounds. Of course, with worst manager in the world Raymond Domenech in charge, nothing is certain.
Random Thoughts:
-Great opening act by ESPN. We criticize them quite a bit on this website, but they look to be off on a great foot with their World Cup coverage. The studio guys today were lively and informative, especially John Harkes (although picking Uruguay in the Semis is nuts). Also, Bob Ley is perfect to captain the squad (he's easily the most professional journalist at ESPN). But, having the voice of soccer, Martin Tyler, as the main attraction of ESPN's coverage is the leader's best move. Having him on the draw show today lifted the show greatly. It seems like the days of Dave O'Brien and Marcelo Balboa are a looong time ago, thank God.
-On the negative side, the actual draw might have been the most awkward thing I've ever seen. How 'bout that opening kiss between the FIFA suit and Charlize Theron? Where was Adam Lambert at? The whole over production was just awful. Just pick the teams and move on...
-By the way, the whole "orchestration" of the draw, as Efan Ekoku called it, by FIFA is shameless. The regional separation is really unnecessary, and just the overall manipulation of the seeds makes the IOC look transparent.
-I think that this will be an especially strong tournament for the African teams. Not only playing the WC on the continent for the first time, but there are some very good African teams that will be ready for 2010.
Predictions: Here's how I think it'll play out from the quarters on, of course, these are subject to change in the next 6 months, but it's not like I'll actually be right or anything...
QF: England over Nigeria, Holland over Brazil, Ghana over Argentina, Spain over Italy
SF: England over Holland, Spain over Ghana
Final: Spain over England
I can not wait until June. Get juiced world!
No comments:
Post a Comment