OMG so shiny!
The World Cup draw was held today in Capetown, South Africa. Results:
Group A: South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France
Group B: Argentina, Nigeria, South Korea, Greece
Group C: England, USA, Algeria, Slovenia
Group D: Germany, Australia, Serbia, Ghana
Group E: Holland, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon
Group F: Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, Slovakia
Group G: Brazil, Korea DPR, Ivory Coast, Portugal
Group H: Spain, Switzerland, Honduras, Chile
I'm so excited. We're not in the Group of Death (G)! Four years ago our group was certainly death to us, despite drawing when we played the eventual champions. Italy has an annoying habit of starting slowly in competitions and gathering speed until they're pretty much invincible by the last stages. Dirty, sexy bastards.
I think Group A will be the most interesting to watch. While South Africa (who qualified by hosting) is possibly the weakest team in the tournament, historically the host team has never failed to advance to the second round. France is very controversial now, partly due to Henry's qualifying handball, and partly to their abysmal performance this past year. If they want it enough, they could easily go through. Mexico... I just hope they don't advance. The archnemesis of American soccer. Slovenia I don't know much about. In summary: never underestimate the host team, no matter how much you write them off outside of the Cup. Mexico, France and Slovenia depend on who wants it the most and who can use handballs and dirty hack behavior (*cough*Thierry Henry*cough*Rafa Marquez*cough*)to advance.
I just want to see the US pull a 1950 World Cup manuever on England. :) Love the English people, not so much a fan of the English national team. I prefer the sport as played in warm countries, like Brasil and Spain.
ETA: Soccernet's draw analysis.
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that's what she said.