Rund und rund mit sechszehn (Round of 16)
The Round of 16
Germany
The Germans haven't showed much weakness yet in the tournament and it can't hurt playing in front of a huge number of rabid fans. Klose is one of the most productive players and yet rarely mentioned in the same sentence as the other great strikers in the tournament in the tournament. This is odd. He can score in the air and on the ground and has an uncanny ability
to constantly be perfectly positioned to take advantage of offensive situations. Solid at the back, mid and front line this German team is exactly where they need to be at this point in the tournament.
Ecuador
Ecuador is a surprising qualifier for the second round. They have showed surprising spirit and
offensive punch. Their success will depend on their offensive prowess and its ability to keep their oppenent on its heels. If the Ecuadorian defense is tested too thoroughly defensive breakdowns will occur and Ecuador won't go far in the knockout round. Knowing this, it was a very wise management decision to rest key forwards in the final match against Germany when
advancement was already a sure thing and they had little chance of overcoming the Germans..
England
Supporters of England have to be concerned. Despite the fact that this is one of the best teams that England has compiled, they certainly aren't playing up to expectations. Beckham is looking one dimensional, appearing only mildly effective on set pieces and practically non-existant otherwise. Crouch lumbers into the goal box like a stuffed giraffe. He has scored in the air but is largely ineffective on the ground. Lampard can't get the ball on the net though he is playing with spirit. The lone points of light on the English side are the scorching play of Joe Cole and the regularly dependable showing by Gerrard. Cole's tenacious playat both ends of the field have been key to the English advancement. Gerrard has been a solid anchor at the midfield and created some interesting opportunities, tallying against Sweden. Rooney will continue to increase his contribution as he gets more minutes and his productivity will be sorely needed after Owen went down against Sweden. But will it be enough? Without another star stepping forward and contributing some magic England will surely stumble. Expect England to
stumble and leave behind a lot of pointing fingers.
Sweden
Sweden has to be pleased with their position. After surviving an opening round stumble against TnT, the Swedes are in good form and surged late against England to secure a tie. For some reason this team is often overlooked when talking about the greats of Europe such as England, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany and Spain. Perhaps being underestimated is their key to success. Regardless, the Swedes regularly turn out a full 90+ minutes of quality football that contains few mistakes. With significant punch up front and in the midfield and a solid back line, expect this team to do some damage in the knockout round.
Argentina
Argentina is certainly one of the strongest teams in the tournament. However, that might not translate to the results their supporters would like. It would be a disappointment for this team to finish anything less than first in the tournament and their offensive capabilities were in full display in their first two games. In their confrontation with the Netherlands that resulted in a draw, however, they failed to win against their first big name opponent. This game mattered little to Argentina as they were already advancing so perhaps this is just wise management. But could it be a sign of troubles to come? Argentina is still a star of the tournament but it is yet to be proven if they can translate their first round momentum into second round success.
Netherlands
The Dutch have been playing good, if not overwhelming, football. They don't have the huge name stars of such teams as England or Brazil, but their dependable style creates chances up front and few chances for their opponent. Anchored by their solid keeper van der Sar, the Netherlands have a very good chance to make it deep into this tournament.
Mexico
The Mexican side is waning right when they need to be waxing. After an explosive start, Mexico struggled through their remaining group games. After their loss to Portugal, it's almost certain that facing the European teams in the second round will be a death knell for Mexico. They are a good team but won't make it far in the second round.
Portugal
Portugal took advantage of one of the weaker groups in the tournament in notching up 3 wins, including a big win over Mexico. The recent quadrennial underachievers of the tournament (a title over which they compete with Spain and most recently France),
Portugal simply didn't have the convincing wins that they needed in Group D to show the world that they were ready for a serious run at the Cup. It'll be a bitter pill for their supports to swallow that this team has serious talent but just can't win.
Italy
Italy finally showed some fire in their win against the Czech Republic, a win which stamped the Czech tickets back to Prague. With the win Italy took first place in Group E, but it is yet to be seen whether the Azzurri seriously want to contend for the title. If they do, they will need to stop playing baby football and no longer crumble to the pitch at the slightest contest for the ball. Sure, getting fouls called in your side's favor are important but this strategy doesn't win the World Cup. Italy has the talent to make a serious run but whether they decide to utilize it is another question. This team appears destined to disappoint their supporters.
Ghana
Everyone, including the teams they played in Group E, underestimated what Ghana could do in the tournament. As a result, they have made their opponents pay and their supporters proud. Ghana has speed to spare and one of the best midfielders in the game in Essien.
Their major weakness has to be on the defense. But this team is playing with nothing to lose from a place in which no one predicted them to be...which translates to a very dangerous team. Pity they have to play Brazil in the first round.
Brazil
Brazil winning Group F was hardly a surprise for anyone. They were hardly challenged in notching up a +6 goal differential. It is yet to be seen how they will play against a top tier team but why should anyone suspect they won't be up for the challenge? With a solid startup lineup that has depth, lethal attack and counterattack and a style of play that could mean a goal at anytime, Brazil is the very boring pick to win the World Cup but so far that haven't given any indication that they don't plan to do just that.
Australia
The Socceroos are another surprising side in the party of 16. Showing surprising grit in their 2-2 tie with Croatia in their final game in group play, the Australians don't have the gas to go all the way in the tournament and capture the title. However, expect them to do surprising damage during their impressive (but all too brief) time in the Round of 16.
Switzerland
The Swiss found themselves sitting at the top of Group G at the end of group play, a result that surprised most everyone but perhaps the Swiss themselves. By placing first the Swiss have a good chance of burrowing further into this tournament. They haven't looking unbeatable by any means but they have been playing reliably; they have a very good chance of advancing a couple games into the Round of 16.
Ukraine
The Ukraine had to rely on a PK to inch by a scrappy Tunisian side and were positively shelled by Spain in group play. Don't expect much from a Ukranian team that is obviously lucky to be in the second round and lacks depth. There are a lot of bears in this forest and Ukraine can't outrun them all.
Spain
Spain has come to this tournament with plenty of firepower. Playing in a relatively weak grou in the first round certainly didn't hurt their cause and definitely helped them show off their weapons. However, could their 1-0 win against a neutered Saudi Arabian side signal a downswing in their performance? Granted, they didn't play some big guns and the Saudis could play with nothing to lose...but everyone is waiting for the normal Spanish implosion. Is this their year to defie the naysaysers? Don't count on it.
France
France is in the Round of 16 by placing second in a relatively weak Group G. France is a team that peaked back in the '98 World Cup and has been in a downhill slide ever since. Don't expect much out of this French side in this round of the tournament; it was a stretch for them to make it this far and they are running out of tricks. The French side in Germany is far from the Le Bleu of '98 that was playing inspired football in front of a home crowd. The party ends soon for France.
Germany
The Germans haven't showed much weakness yet in the tournament and it can't hurt playing in front of a huge number of rabid fans. Klose is one of the most productive players and yet rarely mentioned in the same sentence as the other great strikers in the tournament in the tournament. This is odd. He can score in the air and on the ground and has an uncanny ability
to constantly be perfectly positioned to take advantage of offensive situations. Solid at the back, mid and front line this German team is exactly where they need to be at this point in the tournament.
Ecuador
Ecuador is a surprising qualifier for the second round. They have showed surprising spirit and
offensive punch. Their success will depend on their offensive prowess and its ability to keep their oppenent on its heels. If the Ecuadorian defense is tested too thoroughly defensive breakdowns will occur and Ecuador won't go far in the knockout round. Knowing this, it was a very wise management decision to rest key forwards in the final match against Germany when
advancement was already a sure thing and they had little chance of overcoming the Germans..
England
Supporters of England have to be concerned. Despite the fact that this is one of the best teams that England has compiled, they certainly aren't playing up to expectations. Beckham is looking one dimensional, appearing only mildly effective on set pieces and practically non-existant otherwise. Crouch lumbers into the goal box like a stuffed giraffe. He has scored in the air but is largely ineffective on the ground. Lampard can't get the ball on the net though he is playing with spirit. The lone points of light on the English side are the scorching play of Joe Cole and the regularly dependable showing by Gerrard. Cole's tenacious playat both ends of the field have been key to the English advancement. Gerrard has been a solid anchor at the midfield and created some interesting opportunities, tallying against Sweden. Rooney will continue to increase his contribution as he gets more minutes and his productivity will be sorely needed after Owen went down against Sweden. But will it be enough? Without another star stepping forward and contributing some magic England will surely stumble. Expect England to
stumble and leave behind a lot of pointing fingers.
Sweden
Sweden has to be pleased with their position. After surviving an opening round stumble against TnT, the Swedes are in good form and surged late against England to secure a tie. For some reason this team is often overlooked when talking about the greats of Europe such as England, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany and Spain. Perhaps being underestimated is their key to success. Regardless, the Swedes regularly turn out a full 90+ minutes of quality football that contains few mistakes. With significant punch up front and in the midfield and a solid back line, expect this team to do some damage in the knockout round.
Argentina
Argentina is certainly one of the strongest teams in the tournament. However, that might not translate to the results their supporters would like. It would be a disappointment for this team to finish anything less than first in the tournament and their offensive capabilities were in full display in their first two games. In their confrontation with the Netherlands that resulted in a draw, however, they failed to win against their first big name opponent. This game mattered little to Argentina as they were already advancing so perhaps this is just wise management. But could it be a sign of troubles to come? Argentina is still a star of the tournament but it is yet to be proven if they can translate their first round momentum into second round success.
Netherlands
The Dutch have been playing good, if not overwhelming, football. They don't have the huge name stars of such teams as England or Brazil, but their dependable style creates chances up front and few chances for their opponent. Anchored by their solid keeper van der Sar, the Netherlands have a very good chance to make it deep into this tournament.
Mexico
The Mexican side is waning right when they need to be waxing. After an explosive start, Mexico struggled through their remaining group games. After their loss to Portugal, it's almost certain that facing the European teams in the second round will be a death knell for Mexico. They are a good team but won't make it far in the second round.
Portugal
Portugal took advantage of one of the weaker groups in the tournament in notching up 3 wins, including a big win over Mexico. The recent quadrennial underachievers of the tournament (a title over which they compete with Spain and most recently France),
Portugal simply didn't have the convincing wins that they needed in Group D to show the world that they were ready for a serious run at the Cup. It'll be a bitter pill for their supports to swallow that this team has serious talent but just can't win.
Italy
Italy finally showed some fire in their win against the Czech Republic, a win which stamped the Czech tickets back to Prague. With the win Italy took first place in Group E, but it is yet to be seen whether the Azzurri seriously want to contend for the title. If they do, they will need to stop playing baby football and no longer crumble to the pitch at the slightest contest for the ball. Sure, getting fouls called in your side's favor are important but this strategy doesn't win the World Cup. Italy has the talent to make a serious run but whether they decide to utilize it is another question. This team appears destined to disappoint their supporters.
Ghana
Everyone, including the teams they played in Group E, underestimated what Ghana could do in the tournament. As a result, they have made their opponents pay and their supporters proud. Ghana has speed to spare and one of the best midfielders in the game in Essien.
Their major weakness has to be on the defense. But this team is playing with nothing to lose from a place in which no one predicted them to be...which translates to a very dangerous team. Pity they have to play Brazil in the first round.
Brazil
Brazil winning Group F was hardly a surprise for anyone. They were hardly challenged in notching up a +6 goal differential. It is yet to be seen how they will play against a top tier team but why should anyone suspect they won't be up for the challenge? With a solid startup lineup that has depth, lethal attack and counterattack and a style of play that could mean a goal at anytime, Brazil is the very boring pick to win the World Cup but so far that haven't given any indication that they don't plan to do just that.
Australia
The Socceroos are another surprising side in the party of 16. Showing surprising grit in their 2-2 tie with Croatia in their final game in group play, the Australians don't have the gas to go all the way in the tournament and capture the title. However, expect them to do surprising damage during their impressive (but all too brief) time in the Round of 16.
Switzerland
The Swiss found themselves sitting at the top of Group G at the end of group play, a result that surprised most everyone but perhaps the Swiss themselves. By placing first the Swiss have a good chance of burrowing further into this tournament. They haven't looking unbeatable by any means but they have been playing reliably; they have a very good chance of advancing a couple games into the Round of 16.
Ukraine
The Ukraine had to rely on a PK to inch by a scrappy Tunisian side and were positively shelled by Spain in group play. Don't expect much from a Ukranian team that is obviously lucky to be in the second round and lacks depth. There are a lot of bears in this forest and Ukraine can't outrun them all.
Spain
Spain has come to this tournament with plenty of firepower. Playing in a relatively weak grou in the first round certainly didn't hurt their cause and definitely helped them show off their weapons. However, could their 1-0 win against a neutered Saudi Arabian side signal a downswing in their performance? Granted, they didn't play some big guns and the Saudis could play with nothing to lose...but everyone is waiting for the normal Spanish implosion. Is this their year to defie the naysaysers? Don't count on it.
France
France is in the Round of 16 by placing second in a relatively weak Group G. France is a team that peaked back in the '98 World Cup and has been in a downhill slide ever since. Don't expect much out of this French side in this round of the tournament; it was a stretch for them to make it this far and they are running out of tricks. The French side in Germany is far from the Le Bleu of '98 that was playing inspired football in front of a home crowd. The party ends soon for France.
posted by STB at
9:46 PM
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