*OT* <favorite> Argentina too...amazing players at almost every position...
I think Japan will be a surprise, and could make the 8....I love the way Portugal plays, but my fear is that they will tank (like often happens with the "glamour picks" going into the Cup, a la Colombia in '94). Expectations so high for Portugal to win, and win pretty.
I also think Spain will finally get the monkey off their back and get to final 4, if not the final. They have such great players, but have choked in almost every World Cup. They're due.
I'd love to see an African nation do well...they are always so talented, but lack of organization. Likely same old, same old.
Although I don't like the composite of the U.S. team, the mere fact that no commentators expect anything from them...well, they are better than that (they can earns ties against good competition and even surprise wins on occasion), and I could see a 2nd round for them. (2 players play in Holland, O'Brien w/Ajax, and Stewart w/Breda). U.S. team, though, is painful to watch, pretty boring and unimaginative (like a combination of Ireland and Belgium...ugh)...although a couple young guys (Donavon and Mathis) are creative and interesting, could get big Euro contracts out of this Cup. They are good.
I agree...it is dumbfounding that Holland is not there...sad really....I wore my orange jersey at the last Euro when they blasted (whoever it was) 5-0...my favorite fans to watch a game with... |
