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2014 FIFA World Cup - Brazil

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Earliest of early prognostications:

A: Brazil, Mexico, Croatia, Cameroon- Brazil can sleepwalk, and Mexico has underachieved with the players they have...meaning if they get any coaching and have any pride, they should get past Croatia, who failed to get out of the group stage the last 2 times they made it

B: Spain, Netherlands, Chile, Australia- Chile made it out of the group stages the last 2 times they went, but the Dutch have made it out of the groups every time since 1938. Chile's 3rd in a CONMEBOL without Brazil doesn't inspire a lot of confidence. Australia could be a spoiler for someone though.

C: Greece, Ivory Coast, Colombia, Japan- Not buying Colombia, their famous tank in the 94 Cup was followed by another one in 98, and they haven't been back since. Japan is due for a GS exit based on their recent 4 appearances, which leaves Greece and they very tough Ivory Coast to make it through. IC has never made the bracket stage...this year that changes.

D: Italy, England, Uruguay, Costa Rica: Ordinarily I would pick Uruguay here, but their form just hasn't been that good, playoff with Jordan aside. They have the talent to beat either Euro side, but I don't think they will. Italy always seems to play well at the Cup, and England is always a lock for the bracket stage (and an early exit).

E: France, Switzerland, Ecuador, Honduras- The demise of French football has been greatly exaggerated IMO, and they got a sweet draw. Switzerland is a tough little team, while I don't think Ecuador would have qualified if Brazil was in CONMEBOL this year.

F: Argentina, Bosnia, Nigeria, Iran- Pretty much a walkthrough for Argentina. Bosnia should have no trouble either. Nigeria hasn't made the brackets since 98.

G: Germany, Portugal, Ghana, USA: Ugh, ugher, ughest. Germany is a virtual lock to at least make it through, and though everyone remembers the Portuguese epic tank in 02, they finished 4th in 06 and made the brackets in 10. Ghana and the USA will be playing for third most likely.

H: Russia, Belgium, South Korea, Algeria- Russia should make it through comfortably. The Koreans have done virtually nothing in any Cup not held in Korea. They will compete for a spot, but I like Belgium, who won their qualifier outright, to get through.
 
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Actually, the more I think about it, the more I'm hopeful we can walk out of the matches with Ghana and then Portugal with 4 points; much of it depends on which Portugal shows up, the elite squad that matches the talent they have or the team that had to come back to beat Luxembourg, tied Northern Ireland, lost to Russia, was down 3-1 in the 70th before coming back to tie Israel, and then needed a playoff to get in. I have to hope that Germany dismantles them early in their first game and that it rattles them badly.
 
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I guess looking at the positives, Portugal was shaky in qualifying. The U.S. plays Ghana first, but they also play Germany last, when the Germans most likely won't need a positive result. They seriously need to look into changing their home base now or the travel alone might screw them.

Early predictions:
A - Brazil, Croatia
B - Netherlands, Spain
C - Ivory Coast, Japan
D - Italy, Uruguay
E - France, Ecuador
F - Bosnia, Argentina
G - Germany, USA!USA!USA!
H - Belgium, Russia
 
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A: Brazil, Croatia
B: Spain, Chile
C: Ivory Coast, Japan
D: Italy, Uruguay
E: France, Switzerland
F: Argentina, Nigeria
G: Germany, USA
H: Belgium, Russia

Quarters: Brazil, Spain, Uruguay, Italy, France, Argentina, Germany, Belgium

Semis: Brazil, Italy, Argentina, Germany

Final: Brazil, Germany

Champion: Brazil
 
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The United States, placed in a difficult group with Germany, Portugal (30-1) and Ghana (175-1) for the first round, dropped from 60-1 to 150-1.

Brazil has been made a 3-1 favorite to win the 2014 World Cup it will be hosting. The Brazilians remain at the same odds after Friday's draw as they held going into it.

Argentina is next at 9-2, barely up from 5-1 odds, according to the professional oddsmakers Keith Glantz and Russell Culver. Germany is 5-1, followed by defending champion Spain at 7-1.

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/20131206/brazil-world-cup-usa-odds.ap/#ixzz2mkJ8sAxB
 
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“Well, it couldn’t have gone any more difficult,” Klinsmann confided.

The U.S. had drawn Germany, Portugal and Ghana, the hardest opening-round group the Americans have ever faced in a World Cup. Germany, a three-time world champion, could easily win the tournament. Portugal has Cristiano Ronaldo, who may be about to win the Ballon d’Or as the world player of the year. And Ghana has been the destroyer of U.S. dreams at the last two World Cups, eliminating the Americans both times.

Entire article: http://soccer.si.com/2013/12/06/u-s...up-but-one-filled-with-opportunity/?eref=sihp
 
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Everything really hinges on that first match against Ghana, if the U.S. can get a result.

If FIFA does fix the draw, I'd love to actually see how those balls are marked to see how there's indication for the picker. :wink:
 
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