weld-class's Blog

I think the Czechs will actually go through, can see them beating Turkey, starting the tournament against the host team is never an easy thing to do but can still see them being tough to beat as the games go on. Who knows, maybe even a sneaky point off the Portuguese too.

Agree re: Portugal though, they do look very good. Only thing they really lack (been the case for a long time) is an out and out front man. Get tired of the w@nk-fest over Ronaldo though

Young Ajax striker, scored a hatful for them and think he top-scored in the under-21s a couple of years back. Do like the Dutch and would like to see them do well just their forwards do seem very selfish so not sure if they'll gel in the same way as some of the other nations. We'll see though.

Portuguese looked good last night

I'd go along with this, think their greatest enemy could be themselves though. Noone expected the run they ended up with in last WC (despite hosting the tournament) but starting out as favourites is a whole different ball game

Judging from the potential opponents, the Germans do look tasty, think Portugal is the only "top team" on their route to the final. Is a shame that the co-hosts are automatically placed as first seeds given their poor standard this time around. I know it is better for the home crowds to have something to cheer but still....saying that we wouldn't have ended up with the tantalising group D without them though

To be honest i've never been a fan of domenech, I think his France team plays well in spite of his presence. They will always be tough to beat but I just think some of their magic has gone this time around, a mis-firing Henry, a poor Malouda and an odd decision to not even take Trezeguet....I actually think the Dutch may dump them out at the group stage. Who's your pick chris?

Thought i'd pop your cherry as it were. Italian's or Germans for me, defensive efficiency will be enough to see off the perennial bottle-jobs and a France team I don't really rate