Kiss My Grits–The Greekfreak Predictor, group by group

Okay, I handicapped the 32 finalists earlier on in the year, but now that the groups are set, here’s how I think it’s gonna go, and my reasons are my own, to be defended only when attacked. And attack away if you’ve got the balls…

Group A

Winner: Germany
Runner Up: Costa Rica

Germany’s got a nice, easy group, although South American teams are not to be discounted. Poland hasn’t been impressive in years, regardless of their excellent qualifying run. I’m picking Costa Rica to upset both them and Ecuador.

Group B

Winner: Paraguay
Runner-up: Sweden

You’ve heard of the group of death, right ? Well this here’s the ‘grope of death’. You’ve got four teams who are bound to let in all kinds of goals and try to win by outscoring the opposition and hoping they score just one more than the other team. I believe that Paraguay will overcome their horrible showing in ‘02 and turn on the heat. Sweden will be lucky to squeeze through, but by they skin of their teeth, that’s exactly what they’ll do.

Group C

Winner: Argentina
Runner-up: Serbia & Montenegro

The Dutch team has got some talent, but far too inexperienced overall to make much of an impression, regardless of how they steamrolled through qualifying. Meanwhile, although I do think Argentina has been overhyped, they’ve got such a talented group of individual players that I don’t know how they’d possibly f*** it up this time around (although people said much the same thing four years ago!). Serbia & Montenegro will be the Greece of this year’s European contingients, with a solid defense and absolutely no reputation to uphold. The Ivory Coast is similarly hyped, but will fall short due to lack of cohesion and absolutely no defense whatsoever.

Group D

Winner: Portugal
Runner-Up: Iran

Don’t ask me how, but Mexico will find a way to blow it, I can just feel it. At the very least, they’ll get knocked out on goal difference, because Iran’s got one of their best teams in years. Portugal’s midfield is stacked with top-notch players, and Pauleta’s going for his last ever World Cup. He’ll want a Golden Boot if not the big prize.

Group E

Winner: Italy
Runner-up: Ghana

I think the Azurri will have something to prove this time around, though they won’t be getting any shut-outs. A more balanced squad with some top super-subs will enable them to bulldoze the other three teams without much problem. The Czech Republic is tops on a lot of people’s lists, but they haven’t impressed me in their last five games, while Ghana will be hungrier and boast a lot of players with international experience; moreso than most people think. The USA will unfortunately be at the bottom of the barrel this year, mostly because they’re lacking confidence, and after the previous World Cup, they really have no reason to be nervous.

Group F

Winner: Brazil
Runner-up: Croatia

This group should be a no-brainer, but in terms of the runner-up, with Guus Hiddink in charge of the Socceroos, they could be ripe for an upset of Croatia. Japan will be cannon-fodder for the Brazilians, and this may well be the highest scoring group of all.

Group G

Winner: France
Runner-Up: Switzerland

Of course I want Korea to progress (up to a point), but the bottom three in this group are just too unpredictable. I have a feeling France will pull 7 points out of a possible 9, while Switzerland will be looking to upset the Red Devils, and they’ll have a lot more crowd support. Poor Togo might get the odd goal (and I’d love it if they pulled a Senegal), but they’ll be going home early.

Group H

Winner: Spain
Runner-up: Saudi Arabia

Earlier on, I picked the Ukraine to top this group, mostly because of their excellent tactics and malleble squad, but of late I’m not so sure. On top of that, Saudi Arabia’s been horrible in their past few friendlies, but they should beat Tunisia, and they’ve got a good chance to tie both the Ukraine and Spain, so they’ll likely squeeze past on goal differential.