Well it is not certain yet who will be in the world cup, but i like looking ahead. So i think Portugal will win it. What do you think?
O Glorioso
France just trashed Portugal 4-0....I would not bet on Portugal: It would be between France and Argentina.
Argentina: I hope they win it. It would just prove once again, that per capita South American Football is better than any other federation. They have all the pieces except for goalie. Lets hope Roa gets back.
France: A team's luck has to run out sometime. They wont make it past 1/16, just too many people gunning for them.
Holland: They are a good team, but too much pressure, and they have bad luck in penalties.. something you need to be good at in the WC.
Paraguay: Big threat. They have more offense this year, and as always chilavert the great leader. This team will shock people and get to the SF. Good in PK.. very important.
Brazil: If they have Ronaldo at 100%.. then they would be my pick to win it all, but I don't think they will have him back at 100%.
Africa/Ocenia/Asia: Only Japan has a decent chance. Homefield means alot in WC, but I dont think they get past 1/16.
Underrated Teams: All COMNEBOL teams besides arg/bra. Nigeria (they will qualify)
Overrated Teams: CONCACAF, England, Turkey...
Prediction Argentina vs. Brazil in an epic clash Final
Argentina wins it with a late goal by ortega.
I know the fixtures aren't around yet.. but there is my answer
France: A team's luck has to run out sometime. They wont make it past 1/16, just too many people gunning for them.
Holland: They are a good team, but too much pressure, and they have bad luck in penalties.. something you need to be good at in the WC.
Paraguay: Big threat. They have more offense this year, and as always chilavert the great leader. This team will shock people and get to the SF. Good in PK.. very important.
Brazil: If they have Ronaldo at 100%.. then they would be my pick to win it all, but I don't think they will have him back at 100%.
Africa/Ocenia/Asia: Only Japan has a decent chance. Homefield means alot in WC, but I dont think they get past 1/16.
Underrated Teams: All COMNEBOL teams besides arg/bra. Nigeria (they will qualify)
Overrated Teams: CONCACAF, England, Turkey...
Prediction Argentina vs. Brazil in an epic clash Final
Argentina wins it with a late goal by ortega.
I know the fixtures aren't around yet.. but there is my answer
France (are NOT lucky but pure class!!!)
Argentina capable of matching france
Portugal capable of mixing it with both (4-0?<----friendly, remember euro2000?)
Brazil will be back
Paraguay :yuck: wont make it past the 16, wont even make it to the 16.
one of the asian teams will surprise probvably japan.
Italy, Spain and england are better sides now and will challenge strongly. Spain especially will rise over the next 5 years mark my word. and i'll continue my life long hope and support the dutch will turn this negativity around and do it!!
Argentina capable of matching france
Portugal capable of mixing it with both (4-0?<----friendly, remember euro2000?)
Brazil will be back
Paraguay :yuck: wont make it past the 16, wont even make it to the 16.
one of the asian teams will surprise probvably japan.
Italy, Spain and england are better sides now and will challenge strongly. Spain especially will rise over the next 5 years mark my word. and i'll continue my life long hope and support the dutch will turn this negativity around and do it!!
Yes, but you have to remember that Portugal wasn't at full strength,missing most of its great players. Figo might have been there and even tough he is one of the best players in the world he still can't take on a team like France alone.Also remember Euro 2000 Portugal 1 - 2 France( a very close game that was won by a penalty kick). So I think I'll give Portugal a good chance to win the world cup and beating France.hypno said:
I don't see anyone at the moment that can match France. They are the defending champs, Euro champs, and have shown absolutely no signs of letting up. Maybe Italy can smother them defensively, while Argentina has lots to prove. Sure they lead SA qualifying, but there is not much great teams there at the moment.
Top two would be France, and a far second is Italy.
Top two would be France, and a far second is Italy.
Who will be the final four countries left in the world cup?
MY PREDICTIONS
1) Portugal
2) Argentina
3) France
4) Brazil
What are your Predictions.
MY PREDICTIONS
1) Portugal
2) Argentina
3) France
4) Brazil
What are your Predictions.
Who knows who will win? The top team doesn't always win. The best team in the world in any competition is Brazil, regardless of what is going on there at the moment.
I would rate France, Italy, Spain, Argentina, Portugal, Brazil and Czech Republic all on equal footing to win this thing. What matter's is which team will have the luck, aspiration, and guts to take it all when the time comes. It doesn't matter what happened at Euro 2000 or France '98. It doesn't matter what happens in qualifying. It doesn't matter how many French players were on a Champion League winning team, or Scuddeto winning team, what matters is 'the moment'. What matters is what each team does when they get there: summer 2001.
I love it when people jeer Brazil because they are currently out of fashion. What will count will be what they do on the pitch when they finally arrive. By then Brazil will find their top 20 players. They will once again be recognized as the top threat in the tournament. The others will watch and hope Brazil f**ks up.
I would rate France, Italy, Spain, Argentina, Portugal, Brazil and Czech Republic all on equal footing to win this thing. What matter's is which team will have the luck, aspiration, and guts to take it all when the time comes. It doesn't matter what happened at Euro 2000 or France '98. It doesn't matter what happens in qualifying. It doesn't matter how many French players were on a Champion League winning team, or Scuddeto winning team, what matters is 'the moment'. What matters is what each team does when they get there: summer 2001.
I love it when people jeer Brazil because they are currently out of fashion. What will count will be what they do on the pitch when they finally arrive. By then Brazil will find their top 20 players. They will once again be recognized as the top threat in the tournament. The others will watch and hope Brazil f**ks up.
Fee-go:
The tournament is in summer 2002 not 2001. Just thought you might want to know that.
People are jeering brazil because they really are not playing well.. this is fact. Yes, they could turn things around, but they are by no means assured of doing so. I think even qualifying will be difficult for them, but they probably will.
As for being the 'top threat' I would be willing to bet that they wont. Even if they run the table and win the rest of their games.. I would still place france and argentina ahead of them.. maybe even Italy.
Lighten up.
The tournament is in summer 2002 not 2001. Just thought you might want to know that.
People are jeering brazil because they really are not playing well.. this is fact. Yes, they could turn things around, but they are by no means assured of doing so. I think even qualifying will be difficult for them, but they probably will.
As for being the 'top threat' I would be willing to bet that they wont. Even if they run the table and win the rest of their games.. I would still place france and argentina ahead of them.. maybe even Italy.
Lighten up.
Yure right...
& look at brazil...
3 years ago they were dominant to win the cup & look at them now...
Cant even qualify ti the competition without problems...
& look at brazil...
3 years ago they were dominant to win the cup & look at them now...
Cant even qualify ti the competition without problems...
The Azzurri in 'unbeatable' mode
After Italy's latest victory over Romania, Giovanni Trapattoni was heard to comment, "nobody could have beaten us today". For the first time in living memory, everything is currently falling into place for the Italian national team. After Dino Zoff put an end to the all the south-north squabbling and fashioned a side who deserved to win Euro 2000, the Azzurri have hardly put a foot wrong. Forget about the 2-1 defeat against Argentina, that was a friendly and an experimental one at that. No, since he took over as coach in the summer, the ever-wily Giovanni Trapattoni has continued Zoff's good work and his team are running away with World Cup qualifying Group 8. Out of a mixture of the traditional and the progressive, self-confidence has bubbled.
Rarely have Italy looked so convincing in the build up to a major tournament. Barring unfortunate slip-up's and major injuries, Italy will be among the hottest favourites to win in Japan and South Korea in 2002. At present, only Argentina and France look capable of standing in their way.:excited:
Like all great Italian teams, the one that has now beaten Romania three times in under twelve months is built on the firmest defensive foundations. Gianluigi Buffon has become what he has threatened to become ever since he pulled on a Parma jersey as a 17 year-old. He is far and away the best goalkeeper in the world right now. And in front of Buffon are the world's best central defensive partnership and the finest left-back in the history of game. Nesta, Cannavaro and Maldini are hampered only by the absence of a natural right-back, should Trapattoni choose to play with a more traditional back four rather than the preferred three of late. What did happen to Christian Panucci's promising career.
The supremely elegant and massively disciplined Nesta may take most of the plaudits but in truth there is very little to choose between the Lazio skipper and his Parma sidekick. How absurd it was when Cannavaro didn't make the list of nominations for world player of the year. He seems to enjoy defending in the same way Batistuta enjoys goalscoring, his remarkable pace, strength and Michael Johnston-chested athleticism are the perfect foil for Nesta's effortless grace. And then there's Maldini. In these days of just-add-water celebrity footballers, what a privilege it is to be in the presence of one of the game's true greats. No-one deserves a World Cup winners medal more than Maldini.
But Italy have always had and always will have an untouchable defence, even Cesare Maldini's withering, tentative team of France 98 was breeze-block solid at the back. Nope, the new found confidence in the Azzurri step also comes from an injection of youth in midfield and a sudden embarrassment of riches in the forward department. As a foursome, Tacchinardi, Coco, Ambrosini and Gattuso combine talent, hard work and a willingness to die for the cause. Personally, I'd also like to see Atalanta's tireless and fizzingly gifted Cristiano Doni called into the side. But the most important of all the attacking elements has been the irresistible rise of Francesco Totti. What a season he has had, what a complete player he has become. As the season approaches its last quarter, Totti surely leads Zidane, Rivaldo and the rest in the race to become world footballer of the year. Add a re-born Del Piero, the consistently awkward Pippo Inzaghi, fit and fighting heavyweight Christian Vieri and an understudy cast list that includes Chiesa, Montella, Delvecchio and starlets such as Cassano, Di Vaio and the mysteriously overlooked Nicola Ventola and its easy to see why Italy shouldn't have any trouble in front of goal in the near future.
From here on in, all that's needed is continuity, support from the press and the public and loads of unswerving self-belief inside the camp and the possibilities are limitless. For '82, read 2002? We shall see. But to take back a slogan that was ruined by Mr Berlusconi, a cry of 'Forza Italia!' suddenly seems very appropriate.
After Italy's latest victory over Romania, Giovanni Trapattoni was heard to comment, "nobody could have beaten us today". For the first time in living memory, everything is currently falling into place for the Italian national team. After Dino Zoff put an end to the all the south-north squabbling and fashioned a side who deserved to win Euro 2000, the Azzurri have hardly put a foot wrong. Forget about the 2-1 defeat against Argentina, that was a friendly and an experimental one at that. No, since he took over as coach in the summer, the ever-wily Giovanni Trapattoni has continued Zoff's good work and his team are running away with World Cup qualifying Group 8. Out of a mixture of the traditional and the progressive, self-confidence has bubbled.
Rarely have Italy looked so convincing in the build up to a major tournament. Barring unfortunate slip-up's and major injuries, Italy will be among the hottest favourites to win in Japan and South Korea in 2002. At present, only Argentina and France look capable of standing in their way.:excited:
Like all great Italian teams, the one that has now beaten Romania three times in under twelve months is built on the firmest defensive foundations. Gianluigi Buffon has become what he has threatened to become ever since he pulled on a Parma jersey as a 17 year-old. He is far and away the best goalkeeper in the world right now. And in front of Buffon are the world's best central defensive partnership and the finest left-back in the history of game. Nesta, Cannavaro and Maldini are hampered only by the absence of a natural right-back, should Trapattoni choose to play with a more traditional back four rather than the preferred three of late. What did happen to Christian Panucci's promising career.
The supremely elegant and massively disciplined Nesta may take most of the plaudits but in truth there is very little to choose between the Lazio skipper and his Parma sidekick. How absurd it was when Cannavaro didn't make the list of nominations for world player of the year. He seems to enjoy defending in the same way Batistuta enjoys goalscoring, his remarkable pace, strength and Michael Johnston-chested athleticism are the perfect foil for Nesta's effortless grace. And then there's Maldini. In these days of just-add-water celebrity footballers, what a privilege it is to be in the presence of one of the game's true greats. No-one deserves a World Cup winners medal more than Maldini.
But Italy have always had and always will have an untouchable defence, even Cesare Maldini's withering, tentative team of France 98 was breeze-block solid at the back. Nope, the new found confidence in the Azzurri step also comes from an injection of youth in midfield and a sudden embarrassment of riches in the forward department. As a foursome, Tacchinardi, Coco, Ambrosini and Gattuso combine talent, hard work and a willingness to die for the cause. Personally, I'd also like to see Atalanta's tireless and fizzingly gifted Cristiano Doni called into the side. But the most important of all the attacking elements has been the irresistible rise of Francesco Totti. What a season he has had, what a complete player he has become. As the season approaches its last quarter, Totti surely leads Zidane, Rivaldo and the rest in the race to become world footballer of the year. Add a re-born Del Piero, the consistently awkward Pippo Inzaghi, fit and fighting heavyweight Christian Vieri and an understudy cast list that includes Chiesa, Montella, Delvecchio and starlets such as Cassano, Di Vaio and the mysteriously overlooked Nicola Ventola and its easy to see why Italy shouldn't have any trouble in front of goal in the near future.
From here on in, all that's needed is continuity, support from the press and the public and loads of unswerving self-belief inside the camp and the possibilities are limitless. For '82, read 2002? We shall see. But to take back a slogan that was ruined by Mr Berlusconi, a cry of 'Forza Italia!' suddenly seems very appropriate.
Italy
u have the best defence incl gk
a great midfield
plenty of strikers
they have it all
the only team i can see even chalenging them is argentina
with its multi million dollar euro stars.
France will be forgotten as quickly as they came, this time nobody wants them to win after the shambolic e2k final.
Lav :devil:
u have the best defence incl gk
a great midfield
plenty of strikers
they have it all
the only team i can see even chalenging them is argentina
with its multi million dollar euro stars.
France will be forgotten as quickly as they came, this time nobody wants them to win after the shambolic e2k final.
Lav :devil:
The favourites are clearly Argentina, France, Italy ... in THAT order.
Brazil, Portugal and the Netherlands are all in danger of not qualifying.
Argentina is dripping with world class talent except in goal. France look as strong as the '98 team only a little weaker in Defence and much stronger in Attack. Italy have the best goaltending, best defence and forwards a very close second to Argentina's. They are still weak in midfield, perhaps that may change by next year.
Brazil, Portugal and the Netherlands are all in danger of not qualifying.
Argentina is dripping with world class talent except in goal. France look as strong as the '98 team only a little weaker in Defence and much stronger in Attack. Italy have the best goaltending, best defence and forwards a very close second to Argentina's. They are still weak in midfield, perhaps that may change by next year.
We have been ruling for nearly 4 years now. We won the WC, the Euro cup and the conf cup....We won't be forgotten so easily...HEHE said:
Our team has never been so strong!!!
Fabien Barthez (Man u)
Thuram (Juventus)
Sagnol (Bayern)
Desailly (Chelsea)
Sylvestre ( Man u)
Lizarazu (Bayern)
Pires (Arsenal)
Vieira (Arsenal ?)
Zidane (Juventus)
Trezeguet (Juventus)
Henri (Arsenal)
Wait and see...
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