Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2010/03/20
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Well, I of course support Denmark who ought to make it out of the group stage but probably not much further. Their best World Coup ever was in 1998 when they lost 3-2 to Brazil in the quarterfinal. Based on performance, Spain should be the favourite. They have lost only one (friendly) game since winning the European championship in 2008 and are currently ranked as the best team in the world by FIFA. They play attractive football and deserve neutral support. The other really good European team, as always, are the Dutch (ranked no. 3 by FIFA) who also are wonderful to watch when their game is on. Both of those teams have a reputation, earned during many decades, of choking in the big tournaments. They have won the European championship in the past, but neither has ever won the World Cup (the Dutch came closest, losing the 1974 final 2-1 to Germany). Either team can lay claim to the nickname "the best team never to win a World Cup", but there is a widespread feeling in Spain that this is the year when they will finally come through, following their Euro win 2 years ago (all the significant players from that team are on the current team). Outside Europe, you are looking at the usual suspects, Brazil and Argentina. For a real outsider, look at the USA. They are improving with every World Cup, I think, and it is a matter of time before they win one. I am convinced it will happen during the next couple of decades, but not just yet. African teams, forget it. Nobody really good this year. The hosts usually do well (look at South Korea making it to the semifinal in 2002) but South Africa is plainly awful right now. A lot will come down to injuries. The players in all the national teams I mention above will have just finished a long season by June. The vast majority of them play for the top clubs in Spain, Italy and England. Those are clubs that in addition to their national competitions also tend to get far in the Champions League = even more games in the players' legs by the time the World Cup kicks off. Nathan Nathan Wajsman Alicante, Spain http://www.frozenlight.eu http://www.greatpix.eu http://www.nathanfoto.com Books: http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/search?search=wajsman&x=0&y=0 PICTURE OF THE WEEK: http://www.fotocycle.dk/paws Blog: http://www.fotocycle.dk/blog On Mar 21, 2010, at 2:30 AM, Adam Bridge wrote: > I really don't follow football so much but I'd like to watch some of > the World Cup and have a team to cheer for who might actually have a > shot at not being eliminated right away, who's a bit of a long shoot, > plays a good game, and is fun to watch. > > Suggestions? > > I'll take pictures of the screen with my Leica! (there, something on > topic - grin) > > Adam > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >