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Initial World Cup impressions

Fri 4th, December 2009

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - With 187 days between the draw for the 2010 World Cup and the actual start of the tournament, there is plenty of time to figure out who are the contenders and which teams are bound to disappoint.

But why not start now?

GROUP A: South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France.

WINNER: France

Despite qualifying in the most controversial fashion possible, France is still the best team in a pretty average group. Experienced players like Thierry Henry and William Gallas will combine with the talented, but fragile, Franck Ribery to give France a slight edge over teams like Mexico and Uruguay. Also, don't be surprised if midfielder Yoann Gourcuff has a breakout tournament similar to the one Ribery put together for Les Bleus in 2006.

RUNNER-UP: Uruguay

Uruguay also needed a playoff just to get to South Africa, but now that it is here, it will do just enough to edge Mexico for the second spot in the group. Uruguay was very inconsistent in South American qualifying, but Diego Forlan will score enough goals to help them slip past a Mexican team that still relies on Cuauhtemoc Blanco to play significant minutes.

GROUP B: Argentina, Nigeria, South Korea, Greece.

WINNER: Argentina

Argentina finished fourth in South American qualifying, yet still received one of the top seven seeds in the tournament based more on its reputation than its actual performance. On paper, players like Lionel Messi make Argentina dangerous, but the coaching of the legendary Diego Maradona has not quite lived up to his performance on the field. Argentina will do enough to win the group, but is not a serious contender to win the whole thing.

RUNNER-UP: South Korea

South Korea qualified for its seventh consecutive World Cup, and while it doesn't have quite enough talent to take down Argentina, its tireless work rate and overall strong team play will be enough to see them past Nigeria and Greece. Nigeria has plenty of talented players, like Obafemi Martins, Aiyegbeni Yakubu and veteran Nwankwo Kanu, but it just doesn't put it all together, while Greece simply doesn't score enough.

GROUP C: England, United States, Algeria, Slovenia.

WINNER: England

The Three Lions got a very favorable draw with their opening match against the United States figuring to be the biggest test. If star striker Wayne Rooney stays healthy and manager Fabio Capello figures out a way to get some production from a talented but underachieving midfield, England could find its way deep into the tournament, where it will no doubt lose on penalty kicks.

RUNNER-UP: United States

The Americans will no doubt be up for their opener with England, but they must be careful not to underestimate Algeria or Slovenia. Traditionally, the U.S. has played up to its competition, earning a draw with eventual champions Italy in 2006 and beating Portugal to open the 2002 World Cup. Injuries to striker Charlie Davies and defender Oguchi Onyewu could hurt the Americans, but they are just a better team than either Algeria or Slovenia.

GROUP D: Germany, Australia, Serbia, Ghana.

WINNER: Germany

Every year it appears that Germany is not as talented as the other top teams, but every year Germany ends up as one of the last teams standing. The Germans are part of a very tough group, but their experience and overall ability to survive in a tournament setting will allow them to claim the top spot. Veterans Michael Ballack and Miroslav Klose may both be past their prime, but they have shown an ability to succeed on the top level, and will be supported by a group that includes Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Lukas Podolski, who have each gained valuable experience since 2006.

RUNNER-UP: Serbia

Serbia was the surprise winner of their UEFA qualifying group which included France and Romania. Serbia has begun to emerge as a team that could become a consistent European contender with center back Nemanja Vidic anchoring the back line as well as the experienced Dejan Stankovic in midfield. Ghana is a team that will present a tough test for anyone in the group, led by Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien. Ghana advanced to the knockout round of the 2006 World Cup, as did Australia, but both teams landed in the wrong group this time.

GROUP E: Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon.

WINNER: Netherlands

The Dutch can play the most attractive soccer on the planet at times, but they have a tendency to come up small when the chips are down. Veterans Edwin van der Saar and Ruud van Nistelrooy have both retired, leaving the team to be led by players like Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie, Wesley Sneijder, Dirk Kuyt and Klaas Jan Huntelaar. However, the problem is that many of those players are fragile, and are just one hard challenge away from being forced to the sidelines. Look for the Dutch to play like the best team in the tournament during the group stage, but it is just a matter of time before they are shut down by a world power.

RUNNER-UP: Cameroon

Cameroon has failed to advance past the group stage in its last three World Cup appearances, but the fact that the tournament is being played on African soil will certainly help. Cameroon will go only as far as striker Samuel Eto'o can take it, but based on his form in qualifying, which included nine goals in 11 matches, the Inter frontman is capable of carrying the team at least into the last 16. Jean Makoun, Stephane Mbia and Alexandre Song provide Cameroon with a rugged but talented midfield. Denmark and Japan will not make life easy for the top two sides, but they will both miss out in a tight, competitive group.

GROUP F: Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, Slovakia.

WINNER: Italy

The defending champions should have no trouble winning Group F as they got the most favorable draw in the tournament. The Italians will be led by an aging core that includes goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, defender Fabio Cannavaro and midfielder Gennaro Gattuso. They will no doubt win games the way they always have, playing tight defense and grabbing a goal here and there. They don't always look impressive, but Italy is another team that just knows how to win in a tournament setting.

RUNNER-UP: Paraguay

Paraguay qualified for the knockout round in the 1998 and 2002 World Cups, and it will make it three times in the last four World Cups this time around. An impressive showing in South American qualifying that included 10 wins in 18 matches along with an impressive trio of attackers in Roque Santa Cruz, Salvador Cabanas and Nelson Valdez will be enough to hold off both New Zealand and Slovakia, who figure to struggle.

GROUP G: Brazil, North Korea, Ivory Coast, Portugal.

WINNER: Brazil

Each World Cup usually serves up a "Group of Death" and this is certainly it. Brazil once again enters as one of the tournament favorites, and despite such a difficult group, it will once again rise to the top. Goalkeeper Julio Cesar is one of the best in the world, and with gifted playmakers like Kaka in midfield, Brazil will be tough to beat. Striker Luis Fabiano will have a chance for a breakout performance as he returns to the scene of the 2009 Confederations Cup, which Brazil won on the strength of five goals from the Sevilla frontman.

RUNNER-UP: Ivory Coast

They represent the best chance of being the first African team to reach the semifinals of the World Cup. The Ivory Coast is the most talented team in Africa, led by strikers Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou, while Didier Zokora, Yaya Toure and Bakary Kone make up a strong midfield. Emmanuel Eboue and Kolo Toure lead a good back line for the team, which faces a critical match against Portugal in the opener. Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the world's best players, but the Ivory Coast is more talented top to bottom. North Korea doesn't have much of a chance at earning points with this group.

GROUP H: Spain, Switzerland, Honduras, Chile.

WINNER: Spain

Spain usually does quite well in the group stage before crashing out in the knockout round. And while it finally broke through to win the European championship in 2008, it has yet to do so on the world stage. However, talent alone will be enough to get them to the top of a pretty average group. Fernando Torres has cemented his place as one of the world's top strikers, while a loaded midfield that includes Xavi, Cesc Fabregas and Andres Iniesta will lead to plenty of goals.

RUNNER-UP: Chile

There is not a lot to separate Chile and Switzerland, but Chile will emerge as the second team from the group thanks to the better attack. Matias Fernandez, Alexis Sanchez and Humberto Suazo will score enough goals to get the South American side through, while Switzerland, which possess a strong defense, will once again struggle to find the net.