World Cup Shocks

In theory, this could be a great thread.

But, none of the above would be deemed a shock, of any kind.

For a genuine shock, why can't Slovenia turn over the English?

I think England will start off on fire then come a cropper in the quarters or semi's.
I think the African teams will get some good results, but is that a shock as you rightly say?

Yeah have to agree i fancy ivory coast to beat portugal, and though i wouldnt call it a shock their will be people about that just see ivory coast as nobodys and think its a shock.
I think the french will get turned over by uraguay but again would that be a shock?

Paraguay to beat Italy (although i would not see that as a major shock)

Biggest world cup shock so far is NOT TAKING THE FINEST WINGER IN BRITAIN imo

ashley webcam young?

OBVIOUSLY

dont think england will beat usa ( maybe not a shock to some )

With Ballack out I see Germany struggling to qualify from their group. If Essien isn't fit for Ghana could see the other 2 qualifying.
I could see Argentina going out at the group stage. There are in a mess under Diego, he has no game plan, and he has chosen completely the wrong squad.
I think Ivory Coast could beat Brazil and top their group leading to a Spain Brazil last 16 game. The one thing that makes me less confident about Ivory Coast is Sven being coach. The most over-rated coach in int'l football - ruined England when at the peak of their powers, and then did his best to wreck Mexico's qualification.

Some big calls there jonny. Did you see ACON? Ivory Coast (sans sven) were unimpressive.

yes I did FaToteSport. I think they'll be stronger in SA. Drogba arriving with his tail up... Ghana with Essien are a force but without him, and Stephen Appiah struggling for fitness... they look a lot weaker. I think that group D is real group of death. Could easily see Serbia and Socceroos qualifying.

Agreed on GoD. Groups A, B and D appear hardest to call from a straight forecast point of view. All my research points towards Australia being utter tripe. Looking through their squad confirmed this for me. Friends are telling me that playing England in R2 is a carrot on a stick, but I can't see that being their focus when they're trying to deal with the 3 pronged german front line, and the physical Black Stars.

Spain, Brazil, Holland, England all to qualify pays 60% with Bodog, 51% elsewhere. Worthy of a wedge to cover all other speculative bets methinks.

Who do you fancy to get through from Group E? (I will assume Holland dance through with ease)

I think the U.S will be the surprise, got to the final in the confed cup, beat Spain etc.

Yazza, how insightful.

As said above "USA beat England".

i think there wil lbe next to no shocks this year.
i have a QF prediction of :

France v England
Holland v Brazil
Germany v Argentina
Italy v Spain

....which shows what I think of the chances for the rest of the teams.

US really are naff...

...yeah, but their teams not too bad

I'll be s****ing if any of these feature

Tommy Oar
Sokratis Papastathopoulos
Kim ****-Il
Georgie Welcome
Dušan Perniš
Jorge Fucile
Kim Myong-Gil
Oh Beom-Seok
Kim Hyung-Il
Danny
Waldo Ponce
Gilles Yapi Yapo
John Paintsil
Edson Buddle
Danny Shittu
Surprise Moriri
MacBeth Sibaya
Scott Chipperfield
Hans-Jörg Butt

I'll be sn1gger1ng if any of these feature

Kim Kuum-Il

i can see usa beating england but would this be a super shock like senegal beating france theres shocks and theres super shocks if looking for a so called super shock but i still dont think its a super shock imo honduras to beat spain

France to lose all 3 matches and same with portugal, would be my tips for shocks! back doubles from 6 games, good profitt to be made!

FAToteSport

Who do you fancy to get through from Group E? (I will assume Holland dance through with ease)

I fancy Denmark strongly. Excellent unit, topped an extremely tough group in qualifying. Could even see them push the Dutch for top spot.

Denmark would be my pick also. Cameroon didn't look too sharp in ACON.

Not sure about this world cup but Argentina beating Peru in the 78 world cup 5-0 was a GREAT shock

I'll be shocked if England

(1) Have a player red-carded
(2) Suffer a bad refereeing decision
(3) Lost a penalty shoot-out

..... before the knock-out stages.

North Korea V South Korea would be nice.

Paraguay to win their group 7/2

Denmark to win their group 9/2

I'll be laying Germany in the first match against Australia.

lay france to qualify
back nigeria to beat argentina
lay argentina to qualify
back switzerland to beat spain
lay spain to top group

back germany & italy e/w in the outright market

lay brazil to qualify from their group

North Korea torpedo Brazil.

South Korea to beat Nigeria
Cameroon to beat Holland
Uruguay to beat France

england will nto lose other than the last group game and thats if we win the others

kincsem     18 May 10 14:36 
Kim Myong-Gil
Kim Hyung-Il
Kim Kuum-Il



ronery.

North Korea - New Zealand final

USA to beat England group stage
Australia to beat Germany group stage

those are my major 2 shocks in the group games