# World Cup Predictions Thread **URL:** \ **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:** 2
**Author:** ![Chez\_Guevara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/aeb1de/32.png) [@Chez\_Guevara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chez_Guevara)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2006, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-predictions-thread/359910/21 "2006-06-09T13:05:46Z")
In my experience [parrots](http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,7-2216751.html) offer the most reliable predictions. ---
**Author:** ![Ponder\_Stibbons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponder_stibbons/32/343_2.png) [@Ponder\_Stibbons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponder_Stibbons)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2006, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-predictions-thread/359910/22 "2006-06-09T18:05:20Z")
> [@«Ðëëp¤F®ïêd»™](#): > > Ivory Coast takes the cup. Whooo! Let’s hear it! Coat Deev WAHR! Coat Deev WAHR! Coat Deev WAHR! > [@«Ðëëp¤F®ïêd»™](#): > > What? A guy can dream… Indeed you can … ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2006, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-predictions-thread/359910/23 "2006-06-09T18:22:31Z")
> [@Gangster Octopus](#): > > **Quarter-Finals:** > Sweden defeats Ivory Coast > Brazil defeats Ivory Coast I just feel bad for Ivory Coast having to play not only their Quarter-Final, but Spain’s as well. Also, isn’t that kind of a silly choice on Spain’s part. I mean, you get to have somebody play your Quarter-Final for you and you pick Ivory Coast? Is it a money thing? Can the US pay Brazil to play all of our Group games and let us go into Round 2 thoroughly rested? ---
**Author:** ![Subterraneanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Subterraneanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Subterraneanus)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2006, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-predictions-thread/359910/24 "2006-06-10T17:58:44Z")
Trinidad and Tobago vs. Sweden: _Wow._ Now _that_ was fun. Well done, lads, well done. ---
**Author:** ![Lochdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/edb3f5/32.png) [@Lochdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lochdale)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2006, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-predictions-thread/359910/25 "2006-06-10T18:50:14Z")
Sweden were awful, as were England. Hats off to T&T for a gutsy display. They even had a few chances of their own. Ivory Coast v. Argentina now. Could be a doozy. ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2006, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-predictions-thread/359910/26 "2006-06-10T18:55:23Z")
I actually thought Sweden were OK, just a bit unlucky with the final ball. Great performances from T&T keeper Hislop and Carlos Edwards though. Just shows that 0-0 doesn’t necessarily mean dull. I really enjoyed that game. ---
**Author:** ![duality72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duality72/32/3910_2.png) [@duality72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duality72)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2006, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-predictions-thread/359910/27 "2006-06-10T19:11:49Z")
Agreed, great game. Nice guts shown by the T&T side. ---
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2006, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-predictions-thread/359910/28 "2006-06-10T19:25:36Z")
well _I_ thought Sweden was taking it easy until the last half hour, when they finally realized they weren’t ahead yet, and began some serious pushes. So a bit unlucky they didn’t get a good bounce in the end, but they should have started harder. The T&T goalkeeper was the man on the spot, but most of the shots were right at him. His backs were impressive in always being there for the clear, though. ---
**Author:** ![Subterraneanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Subterraneanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Subterraneanus)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2006, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-predictions-thread/359910/29 "2006-06-10T20:05:18Z")
I don’t think Sweden were awful: they created lots of chances and outshot T&T 18-6. They just couldn’t put the ball over the goal-line. Some games are just like that. And T&T’s entire defense was stellar: they closed off passes and shots when they had to and they got outstanding goalkeeping by a 37-year-old, last-minute substitute. To a man their defense showed real tactical understanding, and their midfield even began to push forward to create their own chances up front. Sweden were simply frustrated by a team that was ready for them. ---
**Author:** ![Lochdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/edb3f5/32.png) [@Lochdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lochdale)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2006, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-predictions-thread/359910/30 "2006-06-10T21:10:51Z")
I think Sweden were too one-dimensional. Still, T&T played well. Argentina were good for their win. The IC just didn’t play like a team. ---
**Author:** ![Subterraneanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Subterraneanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Subterraneanus)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2006, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-predictions-thread/359910/31 "2006-06-10T23:27:06Z")
But which dimension was missing? They tried working the ball up the middle with quick, one-touch passing—didn’t work; they tried working the ball down the wings and getting crosses into the goal box (especially through Ljundberg)—didn’t work; they tried the longball in order to outrun T&T—didn’t work; they tried shooting from distance—didn’t work. They dominated possession and controlled midfield. The only thing they didn’t do was score, and that was all T&T had to keep them from doing. They were also unlucky a few times, but good defense always gets a little help from the soccer gods. ---
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2006, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-predictions-thread/359910/32 "2006-06-11T00:03:40Z")
Sweden played well, but poor finishing did them in. There was that one play in the second half where the keeper made a sliding save on a breakaway, when the Swedish player just had to chip the ball for an easy goal but instead shot it right into the keeper. Still, so long as they can beat Paraguay(and T&T does as expected and loses, of course), Sweden should be fine. ---
**Author:** ![Lochdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/edb3f5/32.png) [@Lochdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lochdale)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2006, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-predictions-thread/359910/33 "2006-06-11T02:22:17Z")
Their shooting was dreadful. They didn’t work the wings well and severely underutilized Lundberg (did you notice how he kept going to the center to get the ball?). Ibramovich played too deep and Larrsson just had a very bad day. They underestimated T&T and just didn’t play very well. ---
**Author:** ![SentientMeat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@SentientMeat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SentientMeat)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2006, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-predictions-thread/359910/34 "2006-06-14T21:36:44Z")
Spain to beat Argentina in the final. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2006, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-predictions-thread/359910/35 "2006-06-14T21:42:47Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > 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. Woo Hoo! Poland’s now 0-2 and Ecuador has begun its winning streak. Go Ecuador! 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![fortytwo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f9ae1b/32.png) [@fortytwo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fortytwo)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2006, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-predictions-thread/359910/36 "2006-06-14T22:02:16Z")
> [@SentientMeat](#): > > Spain to beat Argentina in the final. Not quite, Argentina to beat Italy. Of course both these teams have the ability to self-destruct; whatever happens I just can’t see Brazil winning, favourites they may be. Especially if they keep picking Ronaldo. I may regret this post but fortunately nobody knows who I am, so there. ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Badger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/848f3c/32.png) [@Dead\_Badger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Badger)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2006, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-predictions-thread/359910/37 "2006-06-14T23:51:02Z")
> [@Vetch](#): > > I may regret this post but fortunately nobody knows who I am, so there. Italy? _ITALY_!? We may not know who you are, but we can certainly find you by dint of you being the only one thinking the azzurri can get that far. I’m with SentientMeat on Spain in the final (on today’s showing) - can’t be buggered to work out who’s in which half of the draw though so I won’t predict their opponents for fear of looking stupid. 🙂 England 2-0 vs. Trinidad & Tobago tomorrow (okay, today) with goals from Crouch and Stevie G. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2006, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-predictions-thread/359910/38 "2006-06-15T15:58:35Z")
Woo-Hoo! Ecuador over Costa Rica 3-0! Our point differential is even higher than Germany’s now. \*\* GO ECUADOR!!! \*\* ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2006, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-predictions-thread/359910/39 "2006-06-15T16:21:50Z")
So, **ArchiveGuy** , am I to take it you are pulling for Ecuador? ---
**Author:** ![ianzin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ed655f/32.png) [@ianzin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ianzin)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2006, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-predictions-thread/359910/40 "2006-07-01T21:32:42Z")
[QUOTE=ianzin] As regards England’s journey through the tournament, it’s easy to predict because it’s the same _every single time_: - a dull, lacklustre performance against inferior opposition whom we should have thrashed comfortably, prompting wave of disgruntled tabloid headlines - heroic, majestic performance, full of grandeur and goals, leading to inflated expectations of soaring victory all the way to the final. - a scrappy, uneven, occasionally dire performance, involving blatant diving to win penalty chances (most of which a ‘star’ 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 ‘heroic’ defeat, often down to a penalty shoot-out which we always lose**. [/QUOTE] I’d just like to say that I think I got it pretty much spot on, all apart from the ‘heroic, majestic performance’ bit, which was somehow deleted from the script this time round. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-predictions-thread/359910.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-predictions-thread/359910.md?page=3)