World Cup Draw Throws Up Tantalizing Fixtures

Filed in archive World Cup 2006 on December 11, 2005

Source: FIFA

The World Cup draw from Leipzig on Friday night was done with all the glitz and glam of a Hollywood red carpet premier. All the big names were in attendance, and the draw itself has shaped a World Cup that is sure to rival the best.

Replaying our commentary on OleOle, where we liveblogged it on Friday night:

GROUP A
Germany
Costa Rica
Poland
Ecuador

Germany-Costa Rica is the kickoff match, but Germany-Poland will be a match to look forward to. The Germans are a class above the Poles this year, but Poland, with its fans sure to make the trip in numbers, will fight the good fight.

GROUP B
England
Paraguay
Trinidad & Tobago
Sweden

England-Sweden again? Sheesh. Trinidad-Paraguay should be one of the snoozers of the tournament. England should clear this group, with Sweden second.

GROUP C
Argentina
Ivory Coast
Serbia & Montenegro
Holland

Yikes. Serbia is the meat in the triple-decker sandwich. I wouldn't want to handicap this group, but Holland and Argentina look to progress. Although, it is possible that it could be Holland and Ivory Coast as a shocker.

GROUP D
Mexico
Iran
Angola
Portugal

As someone else called it, the Group of Sleep.

GROUP E
Italy
Ghana
USA
Czech Republic

The US faces a tough test here. Italy is beatable, but the Czechs will be tough. Czechs and US to progress.

GROUP F
Brazil
Croatia
Australia
Japan

Another tough one. Brazil Croatia to progress. The Socceroos and Japan don't have what it takes to make it out I don't think.

GROUP G
France
Switzerland
South Korea
Togo

Haven't the French seen enough of the Swiss this year? Another tough one, especially with a weaker France. Could be Switzerland South Korea in a wildcard shocker.

GROUP H
Spain
Ukraine
Tunisia
Saudi Arabia

Parity on a given day. If the real Spain shows up, it could be Spain Tunisia.

The Final? I don't credit the Brazilians with making it to the Cup itself for some reason. Germany will look good. Or, as with the Champions League the last two years, we may see a dark horse like the Czechs, the Spanish or Dutch.