Countdown to Germany '06

Semi-Sweet Six-Teen

2006-06-24T01:20:00.000-07:00

The final 16 are set, and lets take a quick review of the performances of the Continents.

CONCACAF performed poorly, as only Mexico go through to the Second stage. USA, Trinidad and Costa Rica can only muster 4 goals between their 9 matches. Yes the USA would have done much better in their group if they had drawn Togo instead of Ghana, but that would have helped everyone else as well. You can't win if you can't score. USA is now 0-8-1 in their last nine matches in World Cup play in Europe (Italia 90, France 98 and Germany 06)

ASIA also not deserving of the automatic 5th place they lobbied for as NONE go thru to the second stage. Only newcomer Aussies carry the flag for the area.

AFRICA sends just Ghana through out of the five in the 2006 World Cup. With 2010 looming in South Africa, and S.Africa receiving the automatic bid, will FIFA give them 6 total slots for 2010? Lets hope not. Ivory Coast and Ghana played well, but Togo and Angola could muster up only 1 goal between their six games.

EUROPE dominates as 10 of the 14 advance (only eastern bloc countries Czech, Poland, Serbia/Montenegro and Croatia fail to advance).

SOUTH AMERICA has 3 of their four thru to the next round (only Paraguay couldn't get there).

My predictions:

Bracket 1
Germany v Sweden
Argentina v Mexico

Looks like a rematch of 1986 and 1990 finals with Germany and Argentina sure to make it to the quarters. Mexico lacks the firepower needed to keep up with Argentina. Sweden can't score enough goals, and will need at least two to get my Germany. I don't see it happening. Argentina is my pick here to the semi finals

Bracket 2
Italia v Australia
Switzerland v Ukraine

The 'easiest' of the brackets. Italy as a relatively easy road on paper. Although Aussies have nothing at all to lose and have no pressure. Any team losing 4-0 gets no respect from me (Ukraine lost 4-0 to Espana) plus Swiss have yet to allow a goal. Italy v Swiss is an intriguing quarterfinal, and Swiss played in a weak group. Italy here in semifinal to go up against Argentina.

Bracket 3
England v Ecuador
Portugal v Holland

I would love to see Ecuador jump off the map and take down England, but I don't see that here as they qualified out of the easiest group and lost to Germany 3-0 in their final group match. England limited at striker will probably win 1-0 or in penalties. Holland and Portugal are two of my favorite three here, and that game looks like a cracker. VanNistelrooy has not played well and could start the game on the best. Look for a Portugal v England quarterfinal, with Portugal to go through to the semis, just like in Euro 2004.

Bracket 4
Brasil v Ghana
Spain v France

Brasil got a break that Essian will miss this match due to yellow cards. I expect at least 5 goals in this game, but don't see an upset. Spain is on a roll, and will send the French home. My upset I will stay with as Spain sends the defenders Brasil home in a classic quarterfinal match. Spain v Portugal in the semifinals.

semi finals
Argentina v Italy, my pick is Argentina here 2-0
Spain v Portugal, my pick is Spain 2-1 in extra time

3rd place
Italia v Portugal
Portugal takes third place 3-1 from a deflated Italia squad wracked by the scandal back home.

World Cup Final 2006
Spain v Argentina, Game ends 2-2 after extra time. Spain wins on penalties

it is ok to dream, right?

Aussie Guts & Grit

2006-06-23T08:46:00.000-07:00

As soon as the USA were unceremoniously shown the door yesterday afternoon, the attention quickly was focused on the Australian squad that needed 'just' a draw against hard as nails Croatia. In addtion to the fact the seven players of Croatian descent play for the Aus team, the Croatians came out of nowhere to 3rd place in the 98 world cup, taking out Germany along the way.

Additionally, Mark Viduka's second house in Croatia was under police guard in fears that it may be torched after a potential Aussie advance. And what a match it was.. a set piece masterful goal before anyone had sat down by Croatia's Srna, a non penalty on Viduka being literally dragged down in the box, a penalty by Oz to level the match at halftime 1-1.

Then a red card to Croatia and a penalty NOT called against Croatia on another hand ball in the box. Reserve Aussie goalie Kalic flubbed a shot by Croatia to give them a 2-1 lead (where was Schwatzer?????) that lasted until Harry Kewell's blast to tie the score in the 79th minute (he was offside, but it was payback for the previous...=

Graham Poll, the Brit ref called a crap game throughout, even yellow carding Simic THREE times before finally sending him off...The Aussies scrapped and clawed eventually kept the score at 2-2, which is good enough for a date with Italia on Monday in the final 16!

So there were were in a pub in Prague with approx 100 screaming Aussies. I couldn´t even update the podcast as I didnt have enough on my phone to get a phone call off. What a game and what a wild night in probably one of the 5 most beautiful cities in the world.

My next post will be of the predictions of the final 16, and how I fared in my original final 16 before the start of the Cup.

Ta ta for now....

Czech-Mated

2006-06-14T02:42:00.000-07:00

The US soccer squad went into this World Cup with very high expectations, however running into the buzzsaw called the Czech Republic in the first match was a disaster to say the least. >If my memory serves correctly, it is the worst loss for the US since the 1980 campaign when the Czechs (with the Slovaks) pumped the USA 5-1. Donovan was tentative, and the Czechs capitalized with three world class goals....

More later when we arrive in Berlin!

Next up is Sweden v Paraguay on Thursday night

"LIVE" Podcasts from Germany 2006

2006-06-03T13:37:00.001-07:00

Thanks to Señor Watley, I am able to now report on action via podcast during our matches in Germany, in addition to out and about in the streets!

To listen to my podcast online, please use the following link:
http://www.gcast.com/user/dinostephanos/podcast/main

To subscribe to my podcast via iTunes:

Open iTunes, click on the 'Advanced' tab
Select 'Subscribe to Podcast'
Copy and paste this link: http://www.gcast.com/u/dinostephanos/main.xml
Click 'ok'
All done, and always free

One Week to Go.....

2006-06-01T00:30:00.000-07:00

There is just one week to go in advance of our departure for Germany. Have been put the ringer trying to get more tickets through the FIFA website, conditional tickets, EBAY and Craigslist, pretty much all to no avail.

Was able to trade the England Paraguay tix for Brasil v Australia and the Trinidad v Paraguay tickets for USA v Czech Republic.

Our trip will go as follows

two nights in Frankfurt
up the Rhine for four nights in Koblenz
day trips for the USA//Czech and for a beer or two in Luxembourg on a separate day
two nights in Berlin (Sweden v Paraguay)
fly to Munich, three nights there, including Brasil v Socceroos
rental car for four nights in Prague
two nights back in Nuremberg (trying to get tickets for that match, round of 16)
last night in Stuttgart

18 total days, and hopefully will get more than the three matches we currently have

More to follow shortly....see the following post for the link to my podcasts from Germany 2006

Groups of Death

2005-12-18T00:27:00.000-08:00

I have finally recovered from all the hype from the draw. I certainly made out better than the teams in Groups C and E. Not to mention, since I am following Paraguay for the first round, I was less than enthused to have Paraguay draw Eng-a-lund (thugs), Sweden (boring) and Trinidad/Tobago (could be meaningless).

However since we are flying into Frankfurt and the Paraguay v England game is in Frankfurt makes travel easy. Also, since the match is at 3pm will at least give us a reprieve as those Brits will have six hours less of booze that normal, and will allow us to get out of dodge after Paraguay knocks their blocks off (well, probably not, but hopefully...)

Now, let's take a look at this draw...

GROUP C
What a rip off for the favorites of Group C (Argentina and Holland). Cote d'Ivoire is completely unknown and Serbia only gave up ONE goal in all of qualifying. How they were rated the lowest side of all European teams coming into the draw I have no idea. Assuming that Argentina and Holland get through to the next round, their opponents will likely be Mexico and Portugal, in whichever order. How would you like a round of 16 knockout game of Holland v Portugal? Great game, more like a semi-final to me. Mexico v Argentina? Whatever.

GROUP E
Speaking of ripoffs, let us look at Group E. Three of the top 12 ranked FIFA sides (Czech Republic (2nd), USA (8th) and Italy (12th) in one GROUP?? Ghana has won 8 straight matches and has gained 27 places in the FIFA rankings this year.

Worse yet, whoever ends up 2nd in this group will likely get Brasil, so likely a short run for the 2nd finisher. Top finisher will probably get Croatia....or Australia? Japan? Brasil should have no trouble topping this group, however got no favors for their round of 16 game.

If Spain was ever going to make their run to win this thing, this would have to be the year, assuming some one can knock off Brasil before they see them in the quarterfinals. The easiest by far of the draw for these perennial underachievers, I think the FIFA ranking gave them a bump to overall #6 just looking at their draw: First timers Ukraine, Tunisia and the horrendous Saudis round out the group.

Spain, as winners of the group will likely get the Swiss or Korea. Lets hope for Korea so they can atone for the penalty shootout loss in the 2002 quarters after the controversial disallowed goal in extra time sent the Koreans into the semis.

For some extra flavors, check out these first round rivalries and potential matchups:

First round:
Germany v Poland on June 14. Should be colorful to say the least.
England v Sweden on June 20. Sven gets his countrymen again. What happens this time?
Portugal v Angola on June 11. The colonial war gets underway.
USA v Italy and Czechs. Hopefully not a repeat of 1990 when the USA bowed out early.
France v Switzerland June 13. Both qualified from the same group. they meet yet again.

Second round:
Mexico/Portugal v Netherlands/Argentina. Brutal anyway you slice it
USA v Brasil could loom here
Germany v England. If either team makes just 2nd place in their group, huge game very early.
Spain v France. If France can only come second, Spain will have a nice border war.

Quarterfinals:
Spain v Brasil
Germany v Argentina or Holland. Come to think of it, Germany could play England and either of these two just to get to the semis. No home town advantage here with the draw.

Of course, it never works out this easy. Remember that Senegal went to quarters last time, and aren't even here.

Trying for the following tickets to compliment my three Paraguay games:

USA v Czech Republic (key opening round match for the Americans)
Australia v Brasil in Munich (even if we both get tickets we will be there)
Both rounds of 16 Mexico/Portugal v Argentina/Holland (probably will end up being Angola v Serbia and Iran v Cote D'Ivoire)

Bye for now

Socceroos Win Thriller on Penalties

2005-11-16T04:19:00.000-08:00

421am

Such is the life of a soccer junkie. Just needed to get this post off for all of you who are sound asleep. If you did choose the horizontal route, you missed out on a match dripping with excitement, as Australia gets a goal in 35th minute to level the aggregate and watch two near misses for both side in the extra time before it comes down to the penalty shootout.

Aloisi's blast into the right corner of the net sent 88,000 fans in Sydney, another 10,000 at Federation Square in Melbourne, and 2 fans in my living room into hysterics, sending the Socceroos to their first trip to the World Cup since 1974 (West Germany).

What a match. And yes, I "tivo"ed it. Time for bed now, as Bahrain/Trinidad start in 3.5 hours. Ah...the life of a soccer junkie.

Draw Results for Final Five

2005-10-31T22:15:00.000-08:00

There are five spots remaining for Germany 2006 with the games on November 12 and 16. Here is the result of the draw for the three remaining European places.

Spain v Slovakia
The Espanols should have enough to win, but the defensive minded Slovaks are looking for their first World Cup and will do whatever they can to thwart the perennial underachievers. Personally, Spain NEEDS to make the Finals as they need to atone for their unfair loss to South Korea in the quarters in 2002. I call it Spain on 2-0 aggregate

Turkey v Switzerland
Turks are in for some unknown, and their fans may not exactly blend in when they travel to Switzerland, but they should have enough to disappoint the Swiss Army. Too strong offensively but weak in the back gives the Turks are shaky but effective win on a predicted 5-3 aggregate.

Czech Republic v Norway
Norway will host the first leg, with the story being the irresistible force (Czechs scoring 35 goals in 12 matches), and Norway being the immovable (7 goals allowed in 10 games). Norway can't score and probably won't against the Czechs, who will be without star Jan Koller until the Finals...Assuming they get there. They will, on 3-0 aggregate.....

Two other home-and-home playoffs decide the final two spots:

Bahrain v Trinidad & Tobago
Previous posts on this site has shown the disdain for the merits of these two nations footballing prowess. It is a sad story to see one of these two make it, and see Denmark, Greece, Romania, Cameroon, Senegal and Nigeria all on the sidelines. I don't really care either way, but the Trinidados look to be playing the better football and should emerge from a brutal home-and-home playoff over 5 days and a 24 hour journey. Give it to Trinidad 3-2 getting through on aggregate.

Australia v Uruguay
The Socceroos return the scene of the crime against Uruguay, the nation that knocked them out of the 2002 Finals with a resounding 3-0 win in Montevideo. This time, the Aussies are coached by Guus Hiddink and start in Montevideo. Also the story will be different too, as the Aussies will return to the site of their last World Cup appearance (Germany 1974). Aussies gain some revenge a trip back to the Finals with a 3-1 aggregate victory.

I will report back with some final analysis just before the games.

27 Booked, 5 More Up For Grabs

2005-10-12T17:03:00.000-07:00

France over Cyprus 4-0 to win Group 4. Switzerland earns 0-0 draw at Ireland to earn the crucial point and send them to the home and home playoff phase. Sweden earns one of the top second place slots after 3-1 win over Iceland as Croatia wins group England over Poland 2-1 to win Group 6. Both nations had already qualified over the weekend. Poland gets automatic qualification as one of the two top 2nd placers.

Serbia wins Group 7 after 1-0 win over Bosnia. Spain rolls San Marino 6-0 to earn playoff space in the home and home playoffs Turkey wins at Albania 1-0 clinching second place. Hot finishing Denmark and sputtering Greece both won their final matches but come up short. Slovakia advances to the playoff after uninspiring 0-0 draw with Russia,based on goal difference.

So there are 3 more European spots up for grabs. The six nations involved will be: Switzerland, Spain, Norway, Slovakia, Czech Republic and Turkey. The draw for these three matchups is October 14. The games will be played on November 12 and 16.

Bahrain advances to the playoff with either Trinidad/Tobago or Guatemala after goalless draw with Uzbeks (advancing on away goal rule after 1-1 draw away last week).

Four First Timers From Africa

2005-10-09T14:47:00.000-07:00

The dust is settling for the qualifying rounds, just one day remains (Wednesday before the home-and-home playoffs are settled for the sides that will contest those early next month.
We do know the following: First timers are getting their shot, as 4 African nations will make their initial trip to the Finals, as will Ukraine.

24 teams have already qualified:

* Tunisia, Cote D'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Togo, Angola, and Ghana are in. Morocco ends up as the only African team without a loss in qualifying (going 5 wins and 5 draws) and get nothing but a seat watching the World Cup Finals next year after kicking in own goal v Tunisia and sealing their fate on Saturday. Cameroon missed a penalty (off crossbar) in injury time, handing their qualification jersey to Ivory Coast. Japan/Korea quarterfinalist Senegal, perennial Nigeria and 2010 host South Africa all out of the festivities as well.

* USA, Mexico and Costa Rica are in. Weak CONCACAF group will probably land a ridiculous 4 berths, with Trinidad & Tobago or Guatemala to go to playoff with Bahrain or Uzbekistan for a spot in the Finals. THAT needs to be fixed next time around. Neither of these four nations deserve a spot in the Finals.

* Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Iran are in. Japan, Korea and Iran deserve the ticket. Saudis are likely to be fodder again, just like in 2002.

* Argentina, Brasil, Paraguay and Ecuador are in. The drama now shifts to see which of Uruguay (22 pts), Colombia (21 pts) or Chile (21 pts) are going to get the fifth place slot and play Australia in the home-and home playoff. Uruguay plays across the Plata at Argentina, Colombia at Paraguay, and Chile hosts Ecuador on Wednesday. For the record, Colombia is a plus 7 in goal differential, but Uruguay is a minus 6 and Chile is a minus 4.

* Germany (host), Ukraine, Netherlands, Poland, England, Croatia, Italy and Portugal are in.

GROUP 1: Red-hot Netherlands has won the group. Czech Republic need a win at Finland to secure at least the playoff. If they fail to win, Romania gets the playoff spot.

GROUP 2: Ukraine has won the group. Turkey will reach the playoff with a win at Albania. If they lose or tie, and Denmark beats Kazakhstan (which they should easily), Denmark gets the playoff spot. Greeks are but done, and have themselves to blame, scoring just 14 goals in 11 matches so far.

GROUP 3: Portugal wins the group, coming back from a shocker 1-0 home deficit to Leichtenstein on Saturday to win 2-1. Slovakia and Russia play Wednesday for the playoff spot, but that game is in Slovakia and a tie favors the hosts.

GROUP 4: Israel, believe it or not lead the group with 18 points but have played all their matches, Amazingly, Israel, Switzerland and France have each not LOST a match yet. However, Ireland must beat Switzerland on Wednesday to leapfrog them and Israel and guarantee at least a place in the playoff. France hosts Cyprus and should win, and claim the group spot in the Finals. Israel is hoping for France to lose to Cyprus, and have Switzerland and Ireland draw, giving them at least a playoff. Not likely. Still a group entirely up for grabs.

GROUP 5: Much more settled here, as Italy wins the group. Norway clinches second place and playoff, thanks to Scotland's shocking home loss to Belarus on Saturday.

GROUP 6. Poland and England have both qualified as England has enough points to at least clinch one the top two second place finishes, which is good for auto qualification. Poland wins group with a win or tie at England Wednesday.

GROUP 7: Interesting group here, as Spain as practically clinched a playoff spot with a certain win on Wednesday at San Marino. Spain though can win the group if Bosnia (yes, that Bosnia) can find a way to defeat Serbia, who has allowed just one goal in 9 matches so far. Bosnia would then earn the playoff spot leaving the Serbs out in the cold. Not likely, but would make a great movie...

GROUP 8: Croatia has at least clinched one of the two top second places. Sweden has at least climched the playoff. A Sweden win v Iceland and Croatia loss to Hungary would give the Swedes the group championship.

8 spots are still up for grabs, 6 of the them will be from Europe. Playoffs likely to involve Turkey, Slovakia, Ireland, Spain, Czech Republic, Norway and a random draw will pair the team up for home and home playoff.

More after Wednesday as three more spots are claimed, likely Serbia, France, and Sweden.

Welcome to 90 Minutes of Hell

2005-10-07T22:43:00.000-07:00

Welcome Football Fans!

I have never been a big player of the 'beautiful game' but have been a crazed fan since the 1978 World Cup in Argentina. I have travelled to the last four major Championships (World Cups in '98 and '02 and Euro in '00 and '04), and can't wait for Germany 2006!

I welcome your responses, posts and opinions on the World Cup qualifying proceedings, and your own ideas and thoughts of what the World Cup Finals are all about. I will also be keeping this site alive with live reports from my own trip to the first half of the Finals in Germany!

Enjoy 90 minutes of hell...