King for a lifetime, fool for a... lifetime...

Oh my gosh, I just wanted to cry when I saw the US fall into that monsterous group. Italy, Czech, and Ghana? Fuck! We are so fucked. Two juggernaut Euro sides on Euro soil plus perhaps the best African nation. It would be quite an achievement to get 2nd place in that group. This and group C -- Argentina, Ivory Coast, Serbia, and Netherlands -- are the groups of death. I'd actually say group C is a little tougher.

I also feel bad for two African sides, Ghana and Ivory Coast, who I (and many others) considered to be very dangerous threats as World Cup debutants. I really though, before the draw that both -- certainly Ghana -- had realistic shots at reaching the 2nd round. Who knows, they may yet shock us.

First round cake-walks for Germany, France, and Spain. Oh, how I wish the US was placed in one of those groups. One of those soft, unimpressive groups...

England look in decent shape. Sweden certainly will be difficult and I really think that Paraguay could be a tough opponent. Of course, there is a reprieve with T&T who could very well finish dead last in the tournament.

I'd love to see Italy in the Final. They can definitely get there if they avoid Brazil in the round of 16.

Speaking of the champs, Brazil figure to win group F with relative ease, but the battle for second place between Croatia, Australia, and Japan will be awesome to watch.

Well, every time a WC field looks one way, there are bound to be a few surprises that change everything completely, like Senegal, USA, and South Korea in '02 or Nigeria in '98. So, based on current form, here's my gut reaction stab in the dark. Of course, the tourney is six months away, so who knows how much these teams will fluctuate. And you just know that at least one African side will reach the round of 16. I just have no idea who it will be. Maybe Togo?

PREDICTIONS:
(Group winners first)

GROUP A
Germany*
Poland*
Ecuador
Costa Rica

GROUP B:
England*
Sweden*
Paraguay
Trinidad & Tobago

GROUP C:
Netherlands*
Argentina*
Serbia and Montenegro
Ivory Coast

GROUP D:
Portugal*
Mexico*
Angola
Iran

GROUP E (Fuck!):
Czech Republic*
Italy*
USA (shit)
Ghana

GROUP F:
Brazil*
Croatia*
Australia
Japan

GROUP G:
France*
South Korea*
Switzerland
Togo

GROUP H:
Ukraine*
Spain*
Tunisia
Saudi Arabia

------------------

KNOCKOUT ROUND

Germany Vs. Sweden = Sweden

Netherlands Vs. Mexico = Netherlands

England Vs. Poland = England

Portugal Vs. Argentina = Argentina

Czech Rep. Vs. Croatia = Czech

France Vs. Spain = France

Brazil Vs. Italy = Brazil. Damn it.

Ukraine Vs. Korea = Ukraine

--------------------

QUARTERS

Sweden Vs. Netherlands = Netherlands

Czech Vs. France = Czech

England Vs. Argentina = England. Yo!

Brazil Vs. Ukraine = Brazil

--------------

SEMIS

Netherlands Vs. Czech = Netherlands

England Vs. Brazil = Brazil

----------------

THIRD PLACE

Czech Vs. England = England

----------------

FINAL!

Netherlands Vs. Brazil = Netherlands! Oranje finally get their cup!