my US team got England, Slovenia and Algeria.  Not bad, I was hoping for one of the 'S' countries out of Pot 4, which we got - Slovenia.  Check. Got one of the low-ranked African countries in Pot 3, check.  Didn't get South Africa in Pot 1, but bring on the Brits!

Brazil and Portugal and Ivory Coast got paired up, that'll be the Group of Death for sure.  Mexico gets the easy pass against South Africa, Uruguay and France - all struggling teams.

England should coast Group C along with USA.

You forgot to mention there are possible two groups of death - Group G - Brazil, North Korea, Ivory Coast and Portugal - and Group D - Germany, Australia, Ghana, Serbia.

Tie of the round would be Brazil vs Portugal

[ Last edited by  asia-play at 5-12-2009 10:30 ]

Shit shit shit .... we (aus) got Germany first up and are with Serbia and Ghana.  If we do get thru (unlikely) as the second-place getter and Engliand win their group, we will meet in the second round.  I so badly want to play England just because we have some sporting rivalry.

how is that a group of death?? cos north korea is in it?

3 of the top 9 teams in the world are in Group G, if you go by SPI rating:  Brazil 1, Portugal 7 and Ivory Coast 9.  If that isn't a Group of Death, I don't know what is.  North Korea has zeroooooooo chance, they can go back to their suppressed country again real soon.

yeah the Aussies got put into a really tough group.  Probably the 2nd closest Group of Death.  The Socceroos may have a problem even getting a point.

i didnt realise ivory coast was in the top ten

i think north korea will be a solid team! probably play 4-5-1. have possession but fail to score! i would like to see them go far though.

i will be supporting holland, but they are fucking dodgy, like arsenal! MY 2 teams, both play nice football. just dont win much

Holland and Arsenal's hopes rest on Van Persie. Think Arsenal will struggle to keep a top 4 placing in the Premiership if they don't get a replacement in January. Holland should do okay but given their internal fighting I think the furthest they will go in South Africa is quarter finals. But I still expect a European team to win it again. Hopefully, Capello can do us proud

It is bout time for man talks.
The second best thing to watch beside melons /papayas.....


I was predicting Portugal to win the title this year. Mature and in good form. But with Ivory Coast in the way, tough to fight  for 2nd spot in this Group.
Brazil all the way in this group.

England, we from HK support the team since kindergarden. Great team to support but you be stupid to put your money on it. The team that make me lose money all the time.

Germany agaiin play like bunch of old school boys, but if you look at the historical pattern, they always reach the Semi / final. God must be a German's fan.

France can go to hell, but this time they are in the easy group.

Australia, having an easy pass this year for joining the Asian confederation. Consolation for them just to be in the final.

Let's have a prediction soon. winner win 10 pussies. Let me check if there is any site where we can join online.

Are you sponsoring this world cup prediction competition? Where do we sign up

We should set up a poll for the likely group table winners, biggest losers and world cup winners!

[ Last edited by  asia-play at 5-12-2009 11:30 ]

Any betting pool coming up? Winner gets free session(s).

I think Beckham looked like a dork when USA came out of the pot to be paired with England.

France hit the jackpot and should have no problems going to the second round. They should not even be there.

Brazil vs Portugal is definitely the tie to watch, next probably is Argentina vs Nigeria (Olympic replay?), Brazil vs Ivory Coast, England vs USA, Germany vs Ghana (after their heroics in 2006) and perhaps Italy vs Paraguay.

Argghh, I can't believe that France got lucky and drew Group A...

Can't wait for it to start though!! 180 something odd days is too long!

the Group of Death set of games should be fun to watch - Kaka vs. Ronaldo vs. Drogba.

It'll be interesting to see how the US can play against England and all these superstars from the EPL.

But Beckham was beside one of my favorites Charlize Theron !

I learn never to get too excited about supposedly "easier" groups or fixtures for England -
whether it be football, cricket etc.

May be a double-edged sword - the england players dont always react well when they
are expected to beat easier opposition

Hunter, you could go to ESPN to register for their Bracket Predictor.

Yes the World Cup is here! England!!

Will come back with more information and detailed team analysis.

[ Last edited by  ksoz at 5-12-2009 21:15 ]

This is very true. They get sloppy when they think they are on to an easy win. Hopefully this time around will be different. I'm happy about Group C, with any luck, England will get through to the next round, and if they play well, stand a good chance of topping their group.

The problem is collecting the pool $$.
I think the  ESPN/barcly league/UEFA should have the pool.
Let;s wait till then

I also have the Excel format form set with formulas. Took me few weeks to make it work back in uni. You key in the score, points generated automatcally.
Something like this.

Round 1(group stage):
1) W-L-D
2) Correct score
3) Top scorer
4) Top and runner up of the group

Round 2 (playoff)
1) W-L-D
2) Correct score
3) Champion, runner-up, and 2nd runner up.
4) Golden boot


The top 3 contestants win the pool.

So you're the originator of all those clever excel sheets?!?!
Please make one with 141 theme!!

Come on England!! (But I'll put some money on Spain too)

I'm looking for this result when USA plays Engand:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYFl6oOad3E