Just thought that we might get a little Pizza then
It feels like this WC is coming way too late for Pizarro... I'd love to see him to take part in the shape he had like two years ago when he still carried Werder on his shoulders...But I think it was always his dream to once taking part in WC so I hope he gets fit and get nominated as joker at least
So now as we know all participants I can finally simulate the draw:
Pot 1: Russia (Group A), Germany, Brazil, Portugal, France, Argentina, Belgium, Poland
Pot 2: England, Spain (
), Switzerland, Croatia, Columbia, Peru, Mexico, Uruguay
Pot 3: Denmark, Iceland, Sweden (united nordic army...), Costa Rica, Iran, Senegal, Tunisia, Egypt
Pot 4: Serbia, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Nigeria, Saudi-Arabia, Morocco, Panama
My group draw looks like like this:
Group A: Russia, Mexico, Egypt, Serbia
Group B: Argentina, Croatia, Iran, Morocco
Group C: Poland, England, Tunisia, Panama
Group D: Portugal, Columbia, Denmark, Nigeria
Group E: France, Peru, Iceland, South Korea
Group F: Belgium, Spain, Senegal, Australia
Group G: Brazil, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Japan
Group H: Germany, Uruguay, Sweden, Saudi Arabia
Group A would be a complicated one for the host as it looks pretty balanced... Mexico is one of the most consistent teams of recent World Cup history and already beat Russia in Confed Cup, Egypt is considered a
Turniermannschaft (a team that doesnt do well in test matches but then perform great in tournaments), at least some Africans told me that based on the experiences of some African nations cups and then there is Serbia, the best team of Pot 4. I could see Mexico and Serbia qualifying from this group
Group B: Croatia would probably beat Argentina just to lose to Iran or something but after all Croatia and Argentina should go through... but nobody should underrated Iran, they are fantastic collective, that made big progress over the last couple of year. Their defense look very solid and they're without any doubt the best Asian team atm. If any Asia team can hope to qualify for the R16 it would be Iran. In this group they could maybe hurt Croatia if the Croatians founder on their own mentality.
Group C: Oh see... England got the easiest possible group
Panama is a bloody newcomer, I don't really know Tunisia well, but I dont remember them performing well in previous tournaments. England would probably go through with uptight and unattractive playing and then get knocked out against any team in R16. Poland would win this group.
Group D: Oh this one looks pretty much like a killer group. Every team looks able to qualify for the R16... I would hope for an upheaval here. Denmark & Nigeria advancing while the Euro champion can travel back home after 3 draws in 3 matches. Columbia aren't probably as good as they were in 2014.
Group E: Yay, a lucky group for Iceland here. This is one of the constellation in which Iceland actually has a realistic chance to advance. Peru is by far the worst team of Pot B. A hard working team without much individual quality, most of the players aren't even active in Europe. Iceland can beat them. South Korea was already struggling a lot in the Asia qualification and they are pretty much in regress. Iceland would outclass them physically. And Iceland can take revange to France for that painfull loss in the Euro's next year. But another 2:5 seems more likely than Iceland winning here
Group F: Oooh, another great group. Senegal's squad looks strong af if they learn to play as a team they can compete with the top nations. Belgium relies a lot on their individual quality without doing any special in tournaments. In the last two tournaments they only beat weaker teams. I still didn't see them doing well against a big nation. There are two options: Either they got mature and live up to the high expectations or they are potential bottlers who wont makeit out of the group stage. Spain would win this group in any case.
Group G: I can't help it but I find Switzerland boring although they've done pretty well in the last couple of years. Costa Rica won't probably pull off a performance like 4 years ago so Switzerland has good perspectives to get the second place behind Brazil who are one of the big favs of that world cup. They would sail through this group without any problem. Japan is a similar case like South Korea, just with a bit more invidiual quality. That's just not enough.
Group H: Lucky draw for Germany at first glance but then again Uruguay and Sweden are uncomfortable opponents who are defending pretty well and pull off a good fight. Our team isnt exactly a team of tough men anymore so we should take care that we wouldnt get intimidated. These would be unattractive matches anyway. Saudi Arabia is a helpless victim in this group. They could only qualify thanks to generous referees in the Asia qualifiers. I would hope for Germany and Sweden here.
I like my groups a lot. I wouldnt complain if the draw turns out like this
That would make a big difference regarding Iceland's chances to qualify from the group stage. The pot 3 teams all look beatable for "us"
One boring team less..
1
AND THAT COMPLETE THE LIST OF 32 QUALIFIED TEAMS FOR FIFA WORLD CUP 2018!!