Krystalklar (Predictions for the games of 6.14.2006)
Spain v. Ukraine
This game should give a good indication which Spanish team will show up for the World Cup. The team that has a superstar cast and ends up imploding early and often on their way to bowing out during the group play or the team that plays proportional to their talent. Ukraine should be the toughest test for the Spanish side as they battle their way through Group H. While depth is a question for Ukraine, they would be happy to secure a tie in this one and then take their chances with the weaker teams in their group (Saudia Arabia and Tunisia) to advance. Stalemate. 1-1.
Tunisia v. Saudi Arabia
Tunisia and Saudi Arabia will both be scrambling to put points on the board knowing that both Spain and Ukraine will be encountered by each team further down the road. This game could tip either way. The Saudi players all play exclusively on domestic Saudi teams while Tunisia has players playing in many of the European leagues. The exposure to better competition in the European leagues will prove to be the deciding factor and give Tunisia a slight advantage. Pele was quoted as saying that the final would be Saudi Arabia v. Brazil. The position of International Football Ambassador must allow one to be able to afford to smoke the good stuff. Tunisia slots home a late one and pulls off a 2-1 win.
Germany v. Poland
Fresh off their exciting 4-2 Ballack-less win in the opener, Germany encounters a Poland team that looked quite stiff in their opener and dropped to Ecuador 2-0. This is a game that Poland must win if they want to still be in contention to advance to the second round. Germany has the luxury of being able to rest Ballack again (or have him play only part of the game) and still have plenty of horsepower to get the job done. Granted, Poland was unlucky in their opener after hitting two off the woodwork. They could bounce back in this must-win game but that's not going to happen, especially since they next have to play a spirited Costa Rica that showed well against Germany. Germany continues to roll over Group A and prove themselves as the bear in the room. Germany buries Poland 3-0 and start looking to Round 2.
This game should give a good indication which Spanish team will show up for the World Cup. The team that has a superstar cast and ends up imploding early and often on their way to bowing out during the group play or the team that plays proportional to their talent. Ukraine should be the toughest test for the Spanish side as they battle their way through Group H. While depth is a question for Ukraine, they would be happy to secure a tie in this one and then take their chances with the weaker teams in their group (Saudia Arabia and Tunisia) to advance. Stalemate. 1-1.
Tunisia v. Saudi Arabia
Tunisia and Saudi Arabia will both be scrambling to put points on the board knowing that both Spain and Ukraine will be encountered by each team further down the road. This game could tip either way. The Saudi players all play exclusively on domestic Saudi teams while Tunisia has players playing in many of the European leagues. The exposure to better competition in the European leagues will prove to be the deciding factor and give Tunisia a slight advantage. Pele was quoted as saying that the final would be Saudi Arabia v. Brazil. The position of International Football Ambassador must allow one to be able to afford to smoke the good stuff. Tunisia slots home a late one and pulls off a 2-1 win.
Germany v. Poland
Fresh off their exciting 4-2 Ballack-less win in the opener, Germany encounters a Poland team that looked quite stiff in their opener and dropped to Ecuador 2-0. This is a game that Poland must win if they want to still be in contention to advance to the second round. Germany has the luxury of being able to rest Ballack again (or have him play only part of the game) and still have plenty of horsepower to get the job done. Granted, Poland was unlucky in their opener after hitting two off the woodwork. They could bounce back in this must-win game but that's not going to happen, especially since they next have to play a spirited Costa Rica that showed well against Germany. Germany continues to roll over Group A and prove themselves as the bear in the room. Germany buries Poland 3-0 and start looking to Round 2.
posted by STB at
4:47 PM
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