More folly:- picking World Cup Standings groups E-H
0Here is an ill-fated stab at the final standings from Groups E to H.
Group E
That went well
Brazil. Because they’re Brazil. The scars of 2014 and the offensive ego of Neymar might get in the way later on, but they should do this part easy
Switzerland; As unappealing as they seem, they are rated 6th in the world. Expect traditional jibes about efficiency, clockwork and buried Nazi gold. The Swiss Police have said they will ‘indulgently’ allow a maximum of 1 hours’ worth of car horn honking after a game to allow fans to express their ‘joy or disappointment’. That not what the World Cup is about.
Costa Rica: At the last World Cup they were chucked into a group with previous winners Italy, Uruguay and England. They finished top. Write them off at your peril
Serbia. Ranked bottom here, but they could just as easily win it.
Group F
Germany:
Mexico: For the last 5, or is it 6?, World Cups Mexico makes the last 16 then gets eliminated. It’s a tradition.
South Korea: Busy times in the Korean Peninsula. The perennial best team in Asia won’t be easy to beat, but they’re not playing at home in 2018.
Sweden. No Zlat.
Group G
Belgium: Like Spain v Portugal their clash with England really is the World Cup’s version of State of Origin. A feature of Premier League games in recent years has been how the Belgians have hacked several layers of flesh off each other. Now the Golden Generation © has its best chance at a major tournament. If only they got along.
England: Speaking of Golden Generations, this is England’s first major tournament since the early 2000s without any members of their self-proclaimed GG; a period that saw one knockout win, which was over. This is not the worst England side. If ever there was a campaign to be decided via a penalty shootout….
Tunisia: Structured, organised etc. They will not be pushovers, but it’s hard to see them scoring a lot.
Panama: A man, a plan, a canal – Panama. They’re just happy to be there.
Group H
Like Group D, another wonderfully esoteric group
Colombia: The darlings of World Cup 2014; Jimmy Rods, robbed against the hosts etc. There is something about Colombia that warms the hearts of the neutrals. And they’re probably stronger this time around.
Senegal: Sadio Mané and co love a good World Cup; never having exited prior to the Quarter final stage. Perhaps this pick is out of hope, but the Cup will be all the better if they progress.
Poland: Robert Lewandowski etc. It’s hard to warm to them, but maybe the location of the tournament will act as a motivation.
Japan: Starting to develop a reputation as one of the biggest underachievers in the world game.