Polls show that people think that Ivory Coast is the african country with the most chance to reach the second rounds. But polls also show people think that poule C, Arg, Hol, IC and S&M is crystal clear; 2/3rd think that Holland and Argentine will go to the second round.
So while Ivory Coast is the strongest African team people don't really except any African country to do well. So either Ivory Coast will suprise by knocking out Arg or Hol or another African country will suprise.
About poule C. Servia&Montenegro are very strong. They shared the qualification pool with Spain and ended number one of the pool, forcing Spain to qualify though the backdoor playoffs. S&M are undefeated. So there can be a lot of fireworks in group C. There is also a big chance poule C will produce a finalist and any of the four can be that country.
About todays matches. While they were entertaining the quality was quite low. Costa Rica are very unimpressive, as expected. Everyone agrees that Germany has a very weak team, the weakest one in decades, but the ease at which Costa Rica sliced through the german defence should be very worring. Klinsman tries to play a more modern style of defence, one new to the german team. This caused problems that were awefully clear with the first goal where ofside failed due to poor organisation. With the second goal the german central duo stepped towards the ball together. Big mistake, big miscommunication betwee the two players that have the most crucial connection on the pitch. They just left the Rician striker totally free, unobstructed. I don't think one could say Costa Rica had a chance. Not even agains the weak german defence and their medicore midfield and attackers.
I guess the rest of the german team looked actually suprisingly well without Ballack, the only guy, maybe together with Schweinsteiger, that can actually play.
Germany just has the easiest poule one can imagine. The problem with germany is that they are very strong in elimination matches. So they got lucky with a free ticket to the second round. In the second round their weak players will be less significant.
Czechslovokia split up long ago, though. Czechia has an ok team and a smart coach. But most of their players are over the hill. Italy is very tough, as always. They will probably draw against Czech and beat either USA or Ghana, drawing the other. I don't think Ghana and the US will have good chances. But of course this is a tournament. Strange things will happen. Maybe in their poule, who knows. Of course everyone hopes that Italy will be eliminated.
Topic: World Cup