# World Cup Predictions Thread
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-predictions-thread/359910
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [June 8, 2006, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-predictions-thread/359910 "2006-06-08T16:38:45Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)
#### Post date: [June 8, 2006, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-predictions-thread/359910/1 "2006-06-08T16:38:45Z")
**Group Winners:**
A - Germany, Poland
B - Sweden, England
C - Argentina, Ivory Coast
D - Portugal, Iran
E - Czech Republic, Italy
F - Brazil - Croatia
G - France, South Korea
H - Spain, Ukraine
**Second Round:**
England defeats Germany
Argentian defeats Iran
Czech Republic defeats Croatia
France defeats Ukraine
Sweden defeats Poland
Ivory Coast defeats Portugal
Brazil defeats Italy (game of the tournament)
Spain defeats South Korea
**Quarter-Finals:**
England defeats Argentina
Czech Republic defeats France
Sweden defeats Ivory Coast
Brazil defeats Ivory Coast
**Semi-Finals:**
England defeats Czech Republic
Brazil defeats Sweden
**Finals:**
Brazil defeats England
Player of the tournamet: Wayne Rooney
USA: Lose to CR, tie with Italy and defeat Ghana. BUT CR amd Italy conspire đ to tie their last game after both beating Ghana to put the USA in the third spot.
---
### Author:  [@Chez\_Guevara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chez_Guevara)
#### Post date: [June 8, 2006, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-predictions-thread/359910/2 "2006-06-08T16:57:21Z")
Of the 9 World Cup Finals held in Europe, the only South American winners have been Brazil in Sweden (1958).
---
### Author:  [@Happy\_Clam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Clam)
#### Post date: [June 8, 2006, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-predictions-thread/359910/3 "2006-06-08T17:11:47Z")
On the slim chance that England can beat Germany in the second round, they will find a way to lose to Argentina. Sorry **Gangster Octopus** , but we (?) have no chance.
---
### Author:  [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)
#### Post date: [June 8, 2006, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-predictions-thread/359910/4 "2006-06-08T17:18:33Z")
> [@Happy Clam](#):
>
> On the slim chance that England can beat Germany in the second round, they will find a way to lose to Argentina. Sorry **Gangster Octopus** , but we (?) have no chance.
Well, I am not English, so YOU have no chance. đ
I admit I am going oout on a limb with England (not so much with Brazil), but I think they can beat the two teams you have mentioned. I suppose I could have made it Brazi-Germany and hedged my bets ( I think they have 14 World Cup finals between them).
---
### Author:  [@drm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drm)
#### Post date: [June 8, 2006, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-predictions-thread/359910/5 "2006-06-08T17:24:47Z")
Group A: Poland, Germany
Group B: England, Sweden
Group C: Netherlands, Argentina
Group D: Portugal, Mexico
Group E: Czech, Italy
Group F: Brazil, Australia
Group G: Switzerland, South Korea
Group H: Ukraine, Spain
Second Round:
Sweden over Poland
Germany over England
Netherlands over Mexico
Argentina over Portugal
Czech over Austrailia
Brazil over Italy
Switzerland over Spain
Ukraine over South Korea
**Quarters**
Netherlands over Sweden
Germany over Argentina
Czech over Switzerland
Brazil over Ukraine
**Semis**
Netherlands over Germany
Brazil over Czech
**Finals**
Netherlands over Brazil (3-2)
Player of the Tournament: Ruud Van Nistelrooy
What can I say, I love their orange jerseys.
---
### Author:  [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)
#### Post date: [June 8, 2006, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-predictions-thread/359910/6 "2006-06-08T18:04:20Z")
> [@drm](#):
>
> **Finals**
> Netherlands over Brazil (3-2)
>
> Player of the Tournament: Ruud Van Nistelrooy
>
> What can I say, I love their orange jerseys.
Your ideas are intriguing to me and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter.
---
### Author:  [@ianzin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ianzin)
#### Post date: [June 8, 2006, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-predictions-thread/359910/7 "2006-06-08T18:17:30Z")
As regards Englandâs journey through the tournament, itâs easy to predict because itâs the same _every single time_:
- a dull, lacklustre performance against inferior opposition whom we should have thrashed comfortably, prompting wave of disgruntled tabloid headlines calling for the managerâs head on a spike
- heroic, majestic performance, full of grandeur and goals, leading to inflated expectations of soaring victory all the way to the final. Flurry of âWe Can Do It!â headlines.
- a scrappy, uneven, occasionally dire performance, involving blatant diving to win penalty chances (most of which a âstarâ player will miss by a mile), which is nonetheless _just_ enough for us to to scrape through to the next round.
Quarter finals: either the slimmest of slim victories (involving diving, penalties, flukes, amazingly bad ref decisions in our favour, star opposition kicked off the pitch early on etc.) or an âheroicâ defeat, often down to a penalty shoot-out which we always lose.
Semis: if we make it this far, we then exercise our God-given right to lose to quality opposition, often looking brave and hearty but also tired, disorganised, uninspired and out-classed all the way. Flight home, âOur Brave Boys Returnâ headlines, then forget about it all until the next international competition.
---
### Author:  [@Happy\_Clam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Clam)
#### Post date: [June 8, 2006, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-predictions-thread/359910/8 "2006-06-08T18:20:41Z")
> [@ianzin](#):
>
> As regards Englandâs journey through the tournament, itâs easy to predict because itâs the same _every single time_:
>
> - a dull, lacklustre performance against inferior opposition whom we should have thrashed comfortably, prompting wave of disgruntled tabloid headlines calling for the managerâs head on a spike
>
> - heroic, majestic performance, full of grandeur and goals, leading to inflated expectations of soaring victory all the way to the final. Flurry of âWe Can Do It!â headlines.
>
> - a scrappy, uneven, occasionally dire performance, involving blatant diving to win penalty chances (most of which a âstarâ player will miss by a mile), which is nonetheless _just_ enough for us to to scrape through to the next round.
>
> Quarter finals: either the slimmest of slim victories (involving diving, penalties, flukes, amazingly bad ref decisions in our favour, star opposition kicked off the pitch early on etc.) or an âheroicâ defeat, often down to a penalty shoot-out which we always lose.
>
> Semis: if we make it this far, we then exercise our God-given right to lose to quality opposition, often looking brave and hearty but also tired, disorganised, uninspired and out-classed all the way. Flight home, âOur Brave Boys Returnâ headlines, then forget about it all until the next international competition.
Nicely put! Perhaps we can meet during the contest to mock England supportersâ jingoistic fantasies, then run away.
---
### Author:  [@Don\_Logan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_Logan)
#### Post date: [June 8, 2006, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-predictions-thread/359910/9 "2006-06-08T18:21:04Z")
The Dutch Diver player of the tournament? Just how many of teammates
penalty kicks do you expect him to score on? đ
---
### Author:  [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)
#### Post date: [June 8, 2006, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-predictions-thread/359910/10 "2006-06-08T18:29:27Z")
This is from a thread I started back in mid December of last year. Iâll revisit this a bit later and see if Iâve changed my mind on any of this, given current information, injuries, etc.
> [@Shibb](#):
>
> Work Avoidance Therapy
> So, as I was just checking venues and capacities and whatnot, I thought it might be interesting to take a very early guess as to how this might shake out, at least the groups and then a round or two. Of course Iâll be wrong, but a couple of groups will be shocking if they DONâT turn out this way:
>
> Group Stages - First half
> Group A:
> W - Germany
> R - Poland
> Others: Ticos have an outside shot if they play their game. Ecuador travel extremely poorly, so would be surprised to see them win a game.
>
> Group B:
> W- England
> R - Sweden
> Others: Paraguay are the dark horse, but I just donât see it happening. T&T will be happy just to be there. Top order could be reversed depending on goal differential in other games and assuming the two sides draw each other.
>
> Group C:
> W - Netherlands
> R - Argentina
> Others: the above (or reversed) is conventional wisdom. But CIV or S&M could also advance and I wouldnât be surprised. Both might be a shock. This is one group you donât want to face, regardless, in the second round, although maybe theyâll wear themselves down through the competition. Definitely a Group of Death.
>
> Group D:
> W - Mexico
> R - Portugal
> Others: top 2 could go either way, and it wonât matter, because they then face group C winner and runner up. Iran could be a spoiler, but more in determining who wins the group. I donât expect much from Angola other than a fiery match with their former masters.
>
> Second Round:
>
> Germany v Sweden - Germany should be lightly tested and playing in front of a huge partisan crowd at the new Munich stadium (donât tell me this is not arranged ), which is why England really need to win their group. Tough test for any visitor early on.
> W - Germany
>
> England v Poland - England have shown that they can handle the Poles. Crowd should be interesting, but England advances if they get this match, or any other Group A runner up.
> W - England
>
> Netherlands v Portugal - No reason Netherlands or any other Group A winner shouldnât take this match.
> W - Netherlands
>
> Mexico v Argentina - Again, I see the Group C runner up as stronger than the Group D winner.
> W - Argentina
>
> Which sets upâŚ
>
> Quarterfinals
>
> Germany vs Netherlands in Berlin. This could be the most anticipated match of the tournament. Can Berlin and the home field help overcome what is not a fair fight, on paper? I donât think so, although I might be underestimating the effect of German soil. I think this is where German is exposed, although if this is Argentina or CIV or Serbia then Germany probably wins.
>
> W - Netherlands
>
> England v Argentina in Gelsenkirchen - Battle of the Falklands III. Itâs truly to early to pick this match, and probably this isnât even who is there. But what the heck. Both sides are cursing their luck here, but do you prefer to have Germany/Netherlands⌠maybe this isnât so bad. Really, absolutely could go either way, but Gelsenkirchen is much, much closer to England, and the English fanatics find a way to get into this game. Gelsenkirchen is never the same.
>
> W - England
---
### Author:  [@\_Deep\_F\_ied](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_Deep_F_ied)
#### Post date: [June 8, 2006, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-predictions-thread/359910/11 "2006-06-08T18:31:56Z")
Ivory Coast takes the cup.
Bonoâs head explodes.
What? A guy can dreamâŚ
---
### Author:  [@drm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drm)
#### Post date: [June 8, 2006, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-predictions-thread/359910/12 "2006-06-08T18:48:42Z")
> [@Yonkeroo](#):
>
> Your ideas are intriguing to me and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter.
> [@Don Logan](#):
>
> The Dutch Diver player of the tournament? Just how many of teammates penalty kicks do you expect him to score on?đ
Well all of them of course!
I just thought the Netherlands played very well in qualifying (beat the czechâs twice and never lost in quailfying). SoâŚif they were to win, Ruudâs gotta score - a lot - so why not make him the player of the tournament?
---
### Author:  [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)
#### Post date: [June 8, 2006, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-predictions-thread/359910/13 "2006-06-08T19:21:32Z")
> [@Gangster Octopus](#):
>
> USA: Lose to CR, tie with Italy and defeat Ghana. BUT CR amd Italy conspire đ to tie their last game after both beating Ghana to put the USA in the third spot.
The problem with this âconspiracy theoryâ is that it puts the Czechs on six points but the Italians on only four going in⌠which means that theyâre âconspiringâ to get Brazil in the next round (most likely). Iâd take my chances trying to win and get Croatia, Australia or Japan.
---
### Author:  [@brianjedi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brianjedi)
#### Post date: [June 8, 2006, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-predictions-thread/359910/14 "2006-06-08T19:28:05Z")
Prediction: soccer will be played, the American public will pay attention for .0008 seconds and then go back to watching baseball.
I have no idea whoâs going to win. Probably one of the European teams.
---
### Author:  [@Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Lance_Murdoch)
#### Post date: [June 8, 2006, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-predictions-thread/359910/15 "2006-06-08T20:24:33Z")
I think Mexico and Italy will be the big disappointments.
Germany failed to schedule any of Mexicoâs games to be played in Mexico City so that hurts them right there and their star player isnât with the team. They play in a really easy group, but that will only get them so far.
Italy wasnât much in qualifying and the massive scandal going on there canât help.
Sounds nuts 'til you remember that France, Portugal and Argentina all went down in flames last time. Somebody has to be the big upset losers.
Oh, and Trinidad will lose all their games.
---
### Author:  [@duality72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duality72)
#### Post date: [June 8, 2006, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-predictions-thread/359910/16 "2006-06-08T23:03:15Z")
> [@Captain Lance Murdoch](#):
>
> Germany failed to schedule any of Mexicoâs games to be played in Mexico City so that hurts them right there and their star player isnât with the team.
đ I hope youâre right about Italy.
---
### Author:  [@Subterraneanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Subterraneanus)
#### Post date: [June 9, 2006, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-predictions-thread/359910/17 "2006-06-09T00:27:59Z")
England are a fine side on paper, but without Wayne Rooneyâand they will be essentially without Wayne Rooney, even if he does sport a kitâthey simply lack firepower: Crouch has yet to show he can play quality football for an entire game (70 minutes at best), Owen is still less than 100%, and Walcott is still learning to drink from a sippy-cup. The result may be that Gerrard is moved up to striker and Carragher is moved up to midfield. In any case, disorganization and disappointment will follow.
Brazil.
---
### Author:  [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)
#### Post date: [June 9, 2006, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-predictions-thread/359910/18 "2006-06-09T07:56:21Z")
Iâm alarmed as an England supporter that I have not heard anybody, not a pundit or player or other fan, mention the possibility of England going out in the group stage. OK, on paper it seems unlikely, but Fate must be sorely tempted by our confidence. I predict that Paraguay will turn out to be trickier than expected.
---
### Author:  [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)
#### Post date: [June 9, 2006, 8:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-predictions-thread/359910/19 "2006-06-09T08:21:21Z")
And by the way (and I hope this doesnât tempt fate either) references to the possibility of English fans causing trouble are a bit behind the times. A combination of better handling by the police and authorities and a demographic shift among the England fan base seems to have removed the air of menace that some elements of the English crowd use to give off. There was no trouble at all from England fans at the last two tournaments. They are now seen more as a cricket-style âbarmy armyâ than potential troublemakers.
I think the Germans are far more worried about the Eastern European fans. Those poorer countries are the new home of football hooliganism, racist chants etc.
---
### Author:  [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)
#### Post date: [June 9, 2006, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-predictions-thread/359910/20 "2006-06-09T11:24:31Z")
> [@Happy Clam](#):
>
> On the slim chance that England can beat Germany in the second round, they will find a way to lose to Argentina. Sorry **Gangster Octopus** , but we (?) have no chance.
My prediction is that like every other year since 1966, the England team will bottle it in the changing rooms and loose against the first South American team they meet.
Thereâs nothing more sad and pathetic than seeing England come onto the pitch knowing they will lose. Iâve seen it last year, England just _looked_ like they were giving too much respect to (IIRC) Brazil with predictable results :rolleyes:
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