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Spain are easily the best, but I think they'll choke. Liam Send a noteboard - 08/06/2010 08:21:03 AM
So, 3 days left to go until the action kicks off in South Africa and already the drama has started. Rio's out! Drogba's out (probably)! Robben's out! Essien's out! Someone up there reeeeeeeally doesn't like people who've played for Chelsea.

But who's going to win? Euro champions Spain? A Ronaldinho-less Brazil? Maradona's Argies? England? Ok, maybe not that last one. And who's going to be the best player? Who's going to be the surprise package? Which great team is gonna go out in the group stage? The answers are just 72 hours away.

Personally, I'm backing Spain to win. And I expect England to make their traditional quarter-finals exit on penalties. How about your country?


Their history is almost England-esque when it comes to cocking up. And I don't think a European team has ever won outside Europe. Argentina will do better than expected (talent will out over management), Brazil to win. Maybe. I hate predicting these things. Brazilians may dislike Dunga but he definitely puts a team together.

England should get to the semi-finals, if only because their run in potentially isn't as difficult as previous years.

I think Mexico will do a lot better than expected, as will the Dutch. (Although I can't really understand why the Dutch seem so forgotten this year). If any big name doesn't make it out of the group it'll be Italy or France, weird considering they're the previous finalists. Biggest flop from current expectations will probably be Portugal.

Best player...well, if he's allowed to do what he does best, Messi. Without a doubt. Otherwise, Wesley Sneijder? Or Xavi?
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Oh, how simply grand it is to be travelling by dirigible again. Direct us to the west good sir, tonight we will remember what it is to live.
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It's almost here.... The World Cup - 08/06/2010 07:37:57 AM 804 Views
Spain are easily the best, but I think they'll choke. - 08/06/2010 08:21:03 AM 984 Views
They do have history, that's for sure - 08/06/2010 09:27:10 AM 530 Views
You forgot: Ballack's out! - 08/06/2010 08:21:57 AM 673 Views
I did! It's an anti-Chelsea conspiracy! - 08/06/2010 09:30:45 AM 544 Views
Robben is hopefully not out - he's coming to SA, anyway. - 08/06/2010 08:24:21 AM 553 Views
New Zealand's going to win! - 08/06/2010 08:30:48 AM 562 Views
I'm totally gonna be pulling for Kiwiland as my second team - 08/06/2010 09:37:26 AM 576 Views
Antipodean power! *NM* - 08/06/2010 01:49:53 PM 338 Views
I plan to watch and enjoy - 08/06/2010 09:37:52 AM 587 Views
Additional freakish statistic: Spain have won 96% of matches under Vicente del Bosque. - 08/06/2010 09:39:37 AM 556 Views
Is any national team good enough defensively to "pull an Inter"? - 08/06/2010 09:57:43 AM 597 Views
Italy? - 08/06/2010 10:05:20 AM 596 Views
Makes sense. They've done it before, and it's always the national team strategy... - 08/06/2010 10:08:13 AM 548 Views
But that requires Italy to actually play well - 08/06/2010 10:21:39 AM 609 Views
Meh. Look at Italy's defenders. - 08/06/2010 10:24:27 AM 520 Views
Dear God, I hope you are right - 08/06/2010 10:28:24 AM 574 Views
That's funny coming from a German. - 08/06/2010 10:30:44 AM 531 Views
- 08/06/2010 10:33:12 AM 560 Views
... What?? - 08/06/2010 10:35:17 AM 518 Views
Re: ... What?? - 08/06/2010 10:36:08 AM 569 Views
Well, not quite in the same manner as Inter. That was, as you said, insane. - 08/06/2010 10:37:45 AM 683 Views
Heh - 08/06/2010 10:38:55 AM 520 Views
Let's do a group by group analysis - 08/06/2010 09:44:42 AM 798 Views
I largely agree, but don't count Uruguay out. - 08/06/2010 10:01:10 AM 564 Views
My team won't win... - 08/06/2010 10:06:57 AM 604 Views
That's not really your team though, is it? - 08/06/2010 10:25:44 AM 541 Views
- 08/06/2010 01:54:21 PM 554 Views
Which raises the question... - 08/06/2010 01:55:43 PM 540 Views
~horror~ - 08/06/2010 02:09:04 PM 589 Views
Oh, but if Drogba does play then Ivory Coast have a great shot at the quarters - 08/06/2010 10:15:05 AM 558 Views
That's like saying England would have a home advantage in Russia. *NM* - 08/06/2010 10:25:22 AM 328 Views
Well - 08/06/2010 10:34:40 AM 526 Views
Did anyone read about North Korea's hilarious screw-up with their third keeper? - 08/06/2010 10:28:56 AM 549 Views
Hilarious! *NM* - 08/06/2010 10:55:32 AM 238 Views
*NM* - 08/06/2010 11:01:32 AM 338 Views
Spain will win, and Australia will beat Germany 1-0 in the first round - 08/06/2010 11:35:02 AM 569 Views
I'm a facebook-supporter of Honduras - 08/06/2010 12:30:35 PM 585 Views
With all those countries just waiting to choke at the crucial moment.... - 08/06/2010 12:46:36 PM 636 Views
- 08/06/2010 01:50:22 PM 555 Views
Heh. *NM* - 08/06/2010 02:13:43 PM 332 Views
Italy. - 08/06/2010 06:25:07 PM 571 Views
I have to leave for a conference Friday morning - 08/06/2010 09:12:20 PM 523 Views
This is our year. - 09/06/2010 02:13:08 PM 639 Views

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