The Official 2010 FIFA World Cup

[Capt Pat]

Thqt is great, I will pay the US squad  one million dollars each if they win the world cup

[tyroneStatto]

ireland v england italia 90 on now on espn classic. both teams with a lot more better players then than they have now.

[EC Unique]

Looks like Rio Ferdinand is out of the England team with a Knee injury!

[Denn Forever]

Looks like Rio Ferdinand is out of the England team with a Knee injury!

Who'll replace him Ledley King

[paco]

Things just keep getting better. Was looking at the possible permutations of the second stages of the WC, England could struggle to beat Serbia, who they will more than likely meet in the last 16.

[mountainboii]

Things just keep getting better. Was looking at the possible permutations of the second stages of the WC, England could struggle to beat Serbia, who they will more than likely meet in the last 16.

I've a feeling Serbia could top that group. Germany are ravaged with injuries and have a very young side, Serbia should be well fit for them. England - Germany in the last 16 would be interesting.

[paco]

There's a lot more quality in the Serbian side than I had thought previously, they will be hard to beat. Anyway, 1 week today and it'll be started! I don't think I've ever been as excited for an international tournament, which is strange given the (lack of) quality of a lot of the teams.

[Minder]

ireland v england italia 90 on now on espn classic. both teams with a lot more better players then than they have now.

Probably but there was some rubbish football played in that game, Ireland got to the quarters by scoring two goals.

[mountainboii]

Reports, possibly lies though, that Drogba broke his arm today and is out.

[The Real Laoislad]

Looks like Rio Ferdinand is out of the England team with a Knee injury!

Good news for England so....

[blewuporstuffed]

Reports, possibly lies though, that Drogba broke his arm today and is out.

where are you hearing this?

[EC Unique]

Looks like Rio Ferdinand is out of the England team with a Knee injury!

Good news for England so....

Why?

[Rossie11]

I've a feeling Serbia could top that group. Germany are ravaged with injuries and have a very young side, Serbia should be well fit for them. England - Germany in the last 16 would be interesting

My tuppence worth
Germany are a big tournament team. No matter how good or bad they appear on paper they should still coast through this group for a few simple reasons.
They wont have one ounce of respect for any of other teams.
Germany probably have won more games in WCs than the other 3 combined have played in.
They will look on themselves as the big powerful nation V these 3 new kids on the block with the growing reputations.
Psychologically its a great start to have on teams.
It may look like a tough group but 9/2 for Germans to win all 3 games is a very tempting price.

[mountainboii]

Reports, possibly lies though, that Drogba broke his arm today and is out.

where are you hearing this?

He came off injured in a friendly against Japan. Was doing the rounds that he broke his elbow. I see BBC and RTE are picking up on it now.

[mountainboii]

I've a feeling Serbia could top that group. Germany are ravaged with injuries and have a very young side, Serbia should be well fit for them. England - Germany in the last 16 would be interesting

My tuppence worth
Germany are a big tournament team. No matter how good or bad they appear on paper they should still coast through this group for a few simple reasons.
They wont have one ounce of respect for any of other teams.
Germany probably have won more games in WCs than the other 3 combined have played in.
They will look on themselves as the big powerful nation V these 3 new kids on the block with the growing reputations.
Psychologically its a great start to have on teams.
It may look like a tough group but 9/2 for Germans to win all 3 games is a very tempting price.

Hmmm, possibly. Without Ballack there is potential lack of leadership there. They'll have a lot of 22/ 23/ 24 year olds lining out, all with little or no major tournament experience -  Ozil, Kroos, Khedira, Tasci, Jansen, Muller, Neuer, etc. That could work out in their favour if they go out with the fearless attitude you suggest, but it's also quite possible that things could go very pear shaped. Not saying they won't get out of the group, but I think Serbia definitely have the players to push them into second place. Australia and an Essienless Ghana shouldn't count.