Comments on: The New Group of Death http://www.sportolysis.com/2006/06/18/the-new-group-of-death/ A few wins, a few lessons. Never any losses. Fri, 29 Aug 2008 21:32:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.2 by: Vinesh http://www.sportolysis.com/2006/06/18/the-new-group-of-death/#comment-2775 Sat, 24 Jun 2006 03:20:39 +0000 http://www.sportolysis.com/2006/06/18/the-new-group-of-death/#comment-2775 Indeed, I too thought that the Czech Republic were going to make it. I watched some of their game against the USA and was impressed. But more than that display, it was their showing at Euro2004 that was still fresh in mind and raised the expectation. Anyway, I thought that they were just 'good' against an extra-ordinarily good Buffon the other day. Thus, OUT!!! I was favouring them for another reason too. Thought that a Czech Rep - Brazil Round of 16 game would be one to savour. But then, Ghana - Italy was as open as a football game can get. So, if Ghana persist with that style, I don't see them beating Brazil, but I foresee a classic. Indeed, I too thought that the Czech Republic were going to make it. I watched some of their game against the USA and was impressed. But more than that display, it was their showing at Euro2004 that was still fresh in mind and raised the expectation.

Anyway, I thought that they were just ‘good’ against an extra-ordinarily good Buffon the other day. Thus, OUT!!!

I was favouring them for another reason too. Thought that a Czech Rep - Brazil Round of 16 game would be one to savour. But then, Ghana - Italy was as open as a football game can get. So, if Ghana persist with that style, I don’t see them beating Brazil, but I foresee a classic.

]]> by: Pratyush http://www.sportolysis.com/2006/06/18/the-new-group-of-death/#comment-2533 Tue, 20 Jun 2006 11:59:57 +0000 http://www.sportolysis.com/2006/06/18/the-new-group-of-death/#comment-2533 Nello, just a pointer which you might already know. The games have to be at the same time to prevent advantage to the two teams who would have played second. Ideally, FIFA would like to have all matches at different times as more viewership = more money. Angelo, I too have noticed - the Italians, whether in the Serie A or in the national team, always think how big studs they are and show off. A bit of humbleness, as you put it, would do the players and team as a whole loads of good long term. Maverick, yep the Czech aren't as easily placed but I am backing them to go through neverthless. Numerically and even practically, any 2 of the 4 teams can go through which makes it exciting. Nello, just a pointer which you might already know. The games have to be at the same time to prevent advantage to the two teams who would have played second. Ideally, FIFA would like to have all matches at different times as more viewership = more money.

Angelo, I too have noticed - the Italians, whether in the Serie A or in the national team, always think how big studs they are and show off. A bit of humbleness, as you put it, would do the players and team as a whole loads of good long term.

Maverick, yep the Czech aren’t as easily placed but I am backing them to go through neverthless. Numerically and even practically, any 2 of the 4 teams can go through which makes it exciting.

]]> by: maverick http://www.sportolysis.com/2006/06/18/the-new-group-of-death/#comment-2459 Mon, 19 Jun 2006 17:20:28 +0000 http://www.sportolysis.com/2006/06/18/the-new-group-of-death/#comment-2459 Pratyush, US definitely have a chance numerically. but ghana showed wat they can do against the czechs. US were a bit physical against italy and ghana r more than capable of giving some back. i think US lacks some spark. they rely more on hardwork and working as a team. i think czech are in trouble because, if it comes to it the italians will jus shut shop and settle for a draw if thats wat they need. Pratyush, US definitely have a chance numerically. but ghana showed wat they can do against the czechs.

US were a bit physical against italy and ghana r more than capable of giving some back. i think US lacks some spark. they rely more on hardwork and working as a team.

i think czech are in trouble because, if it comes to it the italians will jus shut shop and settle for a draw if thats wat they need.

]]> by: Angelo Romano http://www.sportolysis.com/2006/06/18/the-new-group-of-death/#comment-2457 Mon, 19 Jun 2006 14:49:08 +0000 http://www.sportolysis.com/2006/06/18/the-new-group-of-death/#comment-2457 Well, here in Italy everything seems to be very easy... probably there's a very lack of measure: either too good or too bad. The players felt like they were already in the finals, and the match against US had been an actual proof of that: I hope that the Azzurri ahve understood that a bit of humility is always necessary if they wanna win a match. Anyway and despite everything, I think Italy would pass to the next round, of course after quite a sufference, as it always did in its history. Well, here in Italy everything seems to be very easy… probably there’s a very lack of measure: either too good or too bad. The players felt like they were already in the finals, and the match against US had been an actual proof of that: I hope that the Azzurri ahve understood that a bit of humility is always necessary if they wanna win a match. Anyway and despite everything, I think Italy would pass to the next round, of course after quite a sufference, as it always did in its history.

]]> by: Nello http://www.sportolysis.com/2006/06/18/the-new-group-of-death/#comment-2455 Mon, 19 Jun 2006 13:52:41 +0000 http://www.sportolysis.com/2006/06/18/the-new-group-of-death/#comment-2455 I agree that this is the group of death seeing the situation that the teams are in. My guess is that Italy and Ghana will go through but I am quite skeptic about leaving out USA ... Ghana Vs USA will be a good game to watch. Too bad its at the same time as Italy's game. I'd rather watch the Azzurri ... I agree that this is the group of death seeing the situation that the teams are in.

My guess is that Italy and Ghana will go through but I am quite skeptic about leaving out USA … Ghana Vs USA will be a good game to watch. Too bad its at the same time as Italy’s game. I’d rather watch the Azzurri …

]]> by: Pratyush http://www.sportolysis.com/2006/06/18/the-new-group-of-death/#comment-2453 Mon, 19 Jun 2006 12:49:19 +0000 http://www.sportolysis.com/2006/06/18/the-new-group-of-death/#comment-2453 Good one Vijay! On Italy, fair point. You don't win big tournaments with that strategy - seen by the history of Italy's lack of big wins. Maverick, there is a chance USA can qualify as well! I am backing on the Czech to go through but they do not seem the same with players absent. Agreed as usually I do with you Angshu.. Good one Vijay! On Italy, fair point. You don’t win big tournaments with that strategy - seen by the history of Italy’s lack of big wins.

Maverick, there is a chance USA can qualify as well! I am backing on the Czech to go through but they do not seem the same with players absent.

Agreed as usually I do with you Angshu..

]]> by: Angshuman http://www.sportolysis.com/2006/06/18/the-new-group-of-death/#comment-2424 Sun, 18 Jun 2006 21:22:54 +0000 http://www.sportolysis.com/2006/06/18/the-new-group-of-death/#comment-2424 Indeed Ghana has created a scramble for places in their group. The World Cup opening up is the best news for people who always love to see new teams with fresh ideas going further into the tournament. Indeed Ghana has created a scramble for places in their group. The World Cup opening up is the best news for people who always love to see new teams with fresh ideas going further into the tournament.

]]> by: maverick http://www.sportolysis.com/2006/06/18/the-new-group-of-death/#comment-2419 Sun, 18 Jun 2006 19:08:15 +0000 http://www.sportolysis.com/2006/06/18/the-new-group-of-death/#comment-2419 i think the czechs r in danger of goin out. koller n baros' absence will hurt them as we saw vs USA i think the czechs r in danger of goin out. koller n baros’ absence will hurt them as we saw vs USA

]]> by: Vijay Krishna http://www.sportolysis.com/2006/06/18/the-new-group-of-death/#comment-2398 Sun, 18 Jun 2006 08:34:24 +0000 http://www.sportolysis.com/2006/06/18/the-new-group-of-death/#comment-2398 I wrote this six months ago in my blog, right after the draws were made: "Featuring Italy, Czech Republic, the USA and Ghana, Group E is, I think, the toughest... Italy should realise that they cannot expect to win every single game 1-0." I wrote this six months ago in my blog, right after the draws were made: “Featuring Italy, Czech Republic, the USA and Ghana, Group E is, I think, the toughest… Italy should realise that they cannot expect to win every single game 1-0.”

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