The 2006 World Cup Draw is tonight.

Liberia did not qualify for the World Cup this time.

Apparently it's a really HUGE bag full of really teeny, tiny balls. And the person pulling out the balls has really small hands with those horrible stubby fingers. And they are just generally a klutz.

And. We're. Off.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4466032.stm

oops

Group B
England

Group C
Argentina

Group D
Mexico

Group E
Italy

Group F
Brazil

Group G
France

Group H
Spain

England have Paraguay in their group.

xp - hey you guys are about 30 seconds ahead of me!

Group B England, Paraguay

Group C Argentina, Ivory Coast

Group D Mexico, Angola

I like our chances!

commonwealth country

GROUP A
Germany
Costa Rica
Poland
Ecuador

GROUP B
England
Paraguay
Trinidad & Tobago
Sweden

GROUP C
Argentina
Ivory Coast
Serbia & Montenegro
Holland

GROUP D
Mexico
Iran
Angola
Portugal

GROUP E
Italy
Ghana
USA
Czech Republic

GROUP F
Brazil
Croatia
Australia
Japan

GROUP G
France
Switzerland
South Korea
Togo

GROUP H
Spain
Ukraine
Tunisia
Saudi Arabia

The idea is: fuck going to Germany. Instead, travel around in France/Spain/England/wherever else and watch the games with locals! Probably more fun than dealing with the expense/hassle/over-the-topness of Germany.

xpost

Other than drawing Holland that really couldn't have gone any worse for the Azzuri.

Ahhh crap.

Group A.
Germany and Poland are quite evenly matched but home advantage should see them through. Ecuador only qualified due to the altitude at which they play. Their side doesn't have much European club experience so i don't see them doing much. Costa Rica would be happy if they won one game and they could well do that. All in all A good draw fro Germany but even better for Poland as it's probably the only group where they could actually win. Germany won't get as far as the quarters. They could beat England on a good day at home if they have to play in the second round against them. they could also lose to Sweden though. Despite the home advantage probably would have stood a better chance in four years time.

Group B.
Quite a good group for England. They should win all three if they play like they did against Argentina last month however if the likes of Lampard, Rooney, Owen or worse Robinson got injured (the sooner Chelsea and Liverpool are out of Europe this year the better.) and/or they play as badly as they did against N. Ireland then they would likely only draw against Sweden and Paraguay. I did nominate Sweden as a dark horse and they could prove England's downfall if they get shifted to the side of the draw that contains Germany and the winner of Group C. Paraguay aren't as impressive defensively as they once were (They were the most European of South American teams.) The team is starting to age now but Paredes and Roque Cruz are always worth keeping an eye on. They could upset Sweden but a draw against England would be a huge result. I'm pleased to get Trinidad and Tobago, again one win for them would be akin to Jamaica doing the same at France '98 against Japan. As Wrexham and more importantly Gillingham players (Brent Sancho and Ian Cox) are going to be playing at the World Cup and against England it's all good.

Group C.
Argentina Vs. Holland is going to be one hell of a game. Not too much in the realms of fantasy that they could meet again in the final. Argentina will no doubt play some attractive football but a lot depends on whether Riqueleme runs the midfield and if Messi becomes the player is capable of being. Holland actually for once look like a team and not a bunch of showboats. Some of the team are looking past it and a few aren't quite there yet. Could be an upset if players like Toure, Drogba and Kalou really step up to the world stage. Would have liked to see them in a group without FIFA's 3 and 4 teams in the world. Serbia and Montenegro only conceded one goal in a group with Spain and Belgium and have players with plenty of European experience. Krstajic is the key for them, possible the best defence in Europe.

Group D.
Two weaker teams in this one who both would have been pleased to win at least one game, Iran and Angola are both going to struggle for goals. One of the better defences and Oswaldo Sanchez is shaping up to be one of the world's best keepers. Lozano and Blanco work well together. Portugal could go on for a rematch of the 2004 European Cup Semi-final against Holland, goalkeeper aside they have stars throughout the team, great midfield and some players who are desperate to win something. They aren't going to though.

Group E.
Another tough group. Karel Bruckner has already come out to say that Italy are the favourites not the Czech Rep. Well Italy will need to win this group if they want to do really well in the tournament, they'll want to avoid Brazil. Toni is looking to be a bigger star for the Italians then Vieri or del Piero (who is always noticable for not bringing his full game to these tournaments.) As always great defence and lots of options up front, keeping them all happy is another thing entirely. For me the Czech Rep aren't all about Nedved, who is still one of the finest players in the world, Koller, Poborsky, Baros, Cech and Rosicky would walk into most teams in the world. They can be unbeatable but when Nedved goes missing it can be a cause for concern. The US have been a bit raped having those two in the group, they are unlikely to get out of this group and compared to sides that they are better then (Poland, Sweden) they have had a bad deal. Will come unstuck against world class teams. Ghana will need Essien to perform if they have a chance of winning against the USA.

Group F.
I'm not even going to mention Brazil as if Ronaldiniho is on song then he will be the player of the tournament. That goes without mentioning players like Kaka, Robinho etc. For Croatia many of the 1998 team are still knocking about but Dado Prso is no Davor Suker this leaves an opening for Australia and if they are ever going to reach the knock-out stages of the competition they probably won't get a better chance than this, especially with Hiddink on board. They have some real experience but the team is likely to not be around come 2010 so this is a last chance for players like Kewell, Schwarzer and fat man Viduka. Japan are unlikely to get anywhere despite having a very strong midfield they have no strikers of any note.

Group G.
France have got an easy ride in this one and it's a stroke of luck for them as the old guard are on their way out and after disappointing at the last two tournaments they want to get to at least the semi-finals but if anything happens to Henry they will struggle to make the quarters. Switzerland have pulled a Poland and this group, beforehand i'd never have put them done to qualify but with South Korea losing many of the defensive stars that help out last time round against Spain and Italy and with Togo looking like the weakest side at the tournament stars like Vogel and Frei should see them through.

Group H.
As always we come to a major tournament and Spain have the talent to do well but always seem to let themselves down, as brilliant as Raul is Real Madrid he never translates it for the national side when they need. Possibly, player for player the most talented European team but as ever the expectation will be for them tho final live up to potential. If they do win the group they will benefit from the weakness of group G but will likely face the Brazilians in the quarters. Glad to finally see Ukraine get the finals, Shevchenko is one of the finest strikers in the world and if he is on form then they could go as far as the quarters too. The midfield is a weakness and the team ethos of African National Champions Tunisia will be looking to exploit this as theirs is a strong workmanlike side untypical of African sides and in Roger Lemerre they have a coach who has made them the top country in the continent in double quick time, they too could go as far as the quarters if they qualify. As always Saudi-Arabia will be handicapped by the lack of players playing outside of their home nation, former Wolves player Sami Al Jaber is the only one of note.

huh? your saying n. ireland are better than sweden or paraguay?

It's just been pointed out on the radio that this means that both Momo Sylla and Olivier Tebily could also be going to the World Cup, meaning that that's maybe the team for the Celtic fans to support.

you're gonna root for the swedes when we play england, right?

USA has the Czech's 1st and Italy 2nd when they'll both be pushing for a win not a draw. Ghana will be a must win and I'm not sure that'll even be enough.

Ahem...

http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2004/11/07/8s_warren_wideweb__430x300.jpg

...Australia is going to win the World Cup.

Haha, ask a silly question...