[Albert]

In order to begin talking about this event, here are my personal predictions about the first round.

For all those who do not know how it works, the 32 teams are divided in 8 groups and the first two of each group reach second turn.

Check it out. 

Group A
1. Germany
2. Poland
3. Ecuador
4. Costa Rica

Group B
1. England
2. Sweden
3. Paraguay
4. Trinidad&Tobago

Group C
1. Argentina
2. Holland
3. Ivory Coast
4. Serbia

Group D
1. Mexico
2. Portugal
3. Islamic Republic of Iran
4. Angola

Group E
1. Italy
2. Czech Republic
3. U.S.A.
4. Ghana

Group F
1. Brazil
2. Australia
3. Croatia
4. Japan

Group G
1. France
2. Switzerland
3. South Korea
4. Togo

Group H
1. Spain
2. Ukraine
3. Tunisia
4. Saudi Arabia

[Dan]

Group F
1. Brazil
2. Australia
3. Croatia
4. Japan

I'd say Brazil & Croatia

[pantone159]

I'd say Brazil & Croatia

I'd agree with that one.  I'm hoping Group E doesn't turn out as Albert predicted, but I'd have to say Italy and Czech would be the most likely.  Tough group.

Either way, my TV will get a workout.

[pantone159]

Now Ghana beats South Korea 3-1.
http://football.guardian.co.uk/worldcup2006/story/0,,1790447,00.html

I don't think Group E is too easy.  Group C, either.

[Alberto_Kravina]

Group E
1. Italy
2. Czech Republic
3. U.S.A.
4. Ghana

I do hope that Italy wins in this group, because if they end second and Brazil wins in his group Italy's gonna play with Brazil in the next match

Group F
1. Brazil
2. Australia
3. Croatia
4. Japan

I also think we shouldn't underestimate Croatia

[pantone159]

I do hope that Italy wins in this group, because if they end second and Brazil wins in his group Italy's gonna play with Brazil in the next match

Adding a little more to the difficulty level of Group E...

[Borek]

I also think we shouldn't underestimate Croatia

I hate to say that but we also shouldn't overestimate Poland. I wish them best but somehow I find it hard to believe they will leave group. IMHO Polish soccer was not as weak as it is now in the last 30 years.

[Will]

I also think we shouldn't underestimate Croatia

I hate to say that but we also shouldn't overestimate Poland. I wish them best but somehow I find it hard to believe they will leave group. IMHO Polish soccer was not as weak as it is now in the last 30 years.

I remember seeing the highlights of the Poland vs. Columbia match (30^th May)  and feeling very sorry for Poland, I think they deserved to do better than losing 2-1. One of the goals was extremely funny though. You can see them on YouTube.
Match highlights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkLNtF5tpTs
Columbia goalkeeper scores: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2HnMwvJHBY (Borek: please translate commentators' comments!)

Poland have since beaten Croatia 1-0 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yiacIwK6Qg, Smolarek scored) so maybe you should overestimate Poland and underestimate Croatia .

[Borek]

Borek: please translate commentators' comments!

Hardly anything worth my effort

Younger of two commentators is IMHO a complete idiot, whenever I hear him commenting I am either completely muting or making comment as quiet as possible. The older one (his name is Szpakowski) is much better, but he didn't shine in the moment either

[Donaldson Tan]

Where are the book keepers? LOL

[Albert]

I made these predictions before all the friendly matches you're talking about, because I didn't want to be influenced by them.

I think Australia can be the surprise team of this edition because of their coach. Guus Hiddink is a class of his own, when it comes to underdog national teams because of his international experience. Moreover Australia have talented players such Bresciano, Cahill and Kewell.
Croatia may overcome their lack of talent with their fighting ethos. But, still, I would bet on Australia moving up to second round.

Poland are in an easy group. That's it. I'm looking forward to watching Smolarek playing. Ecuador have little international experience and no great player.
Poland will have extra energies from their supporters (on the other hand, I read dreadfull things about Polish hooligans).

[Will]

Poland are in an easy group. That's it. I'm looking forward to watching Smolarek playing. Ecuador have little international experience and no great player.
Poland will have extra energies from their supporters (on the other hand, I read dreadfull things about Polish hooligans).

Ecuador did very well then, considering...

  Told you to not overestimate PL

Yeah you did.

I think Poland now have no chance of leaving the group, as Borek said, which is a shame.

Poland will be lucky if they come 3^rd in their group.

[Albert]

This afternoon, England will make their debut. I won't be able to see the match (because of studying for the approaching exams), but I think you may enjoy a match of higher quality, compared to the previous two ones.
Not to mention tonight, when Argentina will face the latest phenomenon of African football: Didier Drogba's Ivory Coast.
Luckily, I won't miss it.

Group 1 is the typical group designed for the host nation: easy and boring.

Ecuador did very well then, considering...

It wasn't actually Ecuador that won the match, but Poland that didn't make anything to win it (as Borek pointed out).

[Alberto_Kravina]

I'll also miss the first 45 minutes of England-Paraguay...hope that it won't be a slow match, though
Looking forward to seeing Argentina-Ivory coast

Group 1 is the typical group designed for the host nation: easy and boring.

Yeah, it's much better to be in a hard group, like Italy's....if you play in such a tough group it's not so boring 

It wasn't actually Ecuador that won the match, but Poland that didn't make anything to win it (as Borek pointed out).

Yeah, there were only 3 real chanches for Poland (all of them in the last 10 minutes of the mach)

[Borek]

Yeah, there were only 3 real chanches for Poland (all of them in the last 10 minutes of the mach)

No - Krzynówek scored once earlier. And IMHO there was no offside. But it doesn't change much - we deserved to loose

The most ironical thing is that we lost second goal when Polish fans started to sign Polish anthem. What a shame.