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thats what happens when you get an easy bracket that doesnt match you up against Brazil in the 2nd round.

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Would you like some cheese with that whine?

Where was I whining? We are going to advance out of one of the group of death. thats a good thing.

since the cup is in Germany this year, I'll have to say Mexico has a slim, very slim chance of making it past 16. They underperform everywhere except in their own country.

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They underperform everywhere except in their own country.

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Wouldn't that mean that, really, they exceed expectations at home and just suck elsewhere?

eh.
6 one way half-a-dozen the other

True, but I just wanted an excuse to say Mexico sucks. Look I said it again! What a great day!

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since the cup is in Germany this year, I'll have to say Mexico has a slim, very slim chance of making it past 16

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Mexico has made it to the second round EVERY time since 1994...(can't say the same for the U.S.) In at least two of the three times it made it out of the so called death group in first place...
Try again...

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Mexico has made it to the second round EVERY time since 1994...(can't say the same for the U.S.) In at least two of the three times it made it out of the so called death group in first place...
Try again...

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Ah yes, but the US just made it out of the Region of Death...in first place

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Ah yes, but the US just made it out of the Region of Death...in first place

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Is that why you were seeded? Oh wait....

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Is that why you were seeded? Oh wait....

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Don't tread on me!

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Mexico has made it to the second round EVERY time since 1994...(can't say the same for the U.S.)

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Hey, the guy never said that you wouldn't make it TO the second round, simply said that you wouldn't make it past the round of 16. Considering Mexico hasn't done that since what...1986? (and we all know where that WC was)...it's not an absurd prediction to make. In fact, given history, I'll say it's pretty likely they won't.

Like I said though, this is Mexico's best chance in years to make a relatively deep run. If Mexico doesn't make it to the QFs this year, they should hang their heads in shame. I mean, you'll probably only have to beat ONE good team to do it.

Yea, you get to avoid us this year, so maybe you have a shot.

Round 16:
Germany – Sweden
Argentina – Mexico

Czech Republic – Japan
France – Tunisia

England – Costa Rico
Mexico – Netherlands

Brazil – USA
Spain – Korea


Quarterfinals:
Germany – Argentina
Czech Republic – France

Costa Rico – Netherlands
Brazil – Spain


Semi-finals
Argentina – Czech Republic
Netherlands – Brazil


Finals:
Argentina – Netherlands

Champion: Argentina

1. Netherlands-they finally put it all together
2. Italy-great D, but not enough to stop Holland for 90+ minutes
3. Portugal-will redeem themselves after WC2002 debacle
4. Argentina/Mexico-seeded teams should make the quarterfinals and they won't
5. Wayne Rooney-will score goals aplenty, Ballack a close second

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Argentina/Mexico-seeded teams should make the quarterfinals and they won't

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Since there is a high chance they will play against each other...somebody WILL make to the quarterfinals...

Here's my prediction: MEXICO will win the World Cup!














































....on their PSPs on the flight home after losing all three group matches.

1. Champion: Brazil
2. Runner-up: Germany
3. Surprise team: Czech republic
4. Disappointment: France/Spain
5. Best Player: Ronaldihno

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1. Champion: Brazil
2. Runner-up: Germany
3. Surprise team: Czech republic
4. Disappointment: France/Spain
5. Best Player: Ronaldihno

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Czech Republic is ranked 2nd in the world. I understand that the FIFA rankings are seriously flawed, but how could it possibly be a surprise if the Czechs do well? Maybe it would be a surprise for them to win, but you don't predict they will even make the final.

My serious predictions: England will finally pull together, but will lose to Brazil in the final match. The Germans will advance from the group stage, but will crumble under the pressure at some point. Mexico will win its group easily, but stumble out against Arg/Ned in the round of 16.
(Here's where I make myself look stupid):
USA wins group E, Czechs are runners-up on GD. USA advances to final 8, but no further.

France sucks again and barely gets by in second place in their group.

Trinidad will actually win one game.

Surprise team: Ivory Coast.

Netbreaker- My prediction is based upon Holland (winning the whole enchilada) taking C and Argentina as the runner up. I think Portugal (my surprise team) wins D and Mexico takes the runner up spot. Holland dispatches Mexico and Portugal (my surprise team) beats Argentina, sending them home. Yes, one of Mexico or more likely Argentina could make the quarters as you say, but I predict differently. Argentina is too busy complaining about the draw and Mexico is going to struggle just to get the runner up slot in D. Just my opinion... and like I stated... I predict Portugal will redeem themselves... especially since they will be on European soil this time.

u guys will have trouble playing against Ghana's midfield consisting of Michael Essien (Chelsea), Stephen Appiah (Fenerbahce, ex Juventus) and Sulley Muntari (Udinese)...these guys will injure a lot of your players hehuehueh...and they might be the surprise team if they can score goals..

Netbreaker -

if mexico doesn't do something in this WC, they never will

time to TTT!!!

"Can I ask you a question?
What is it?
It's an interrogative form of sentence, used to test knowledge. But that's not important right now."

ttt'ng again..interesting to see our picks now..

Iinteresting. I wasn't too far off, but I didn't predict anything out of the group stage. Kinda missed the boat on Argentina though...oops. Props to JTQ for semi-calling Ghana.

That is the fun part about going back to this..I did pretty bad on calling Germany and Czech Republic/US...other than that, ok. Probably no one did too bad with their picks seeing as how all the perrenial powerhouses are still in it.

Today: Semis with Germany V Italy and France V Portugal

I thought the Czechs would do better. Germany's not been a surprise, given the home field advantage. However, this German club has been a surprise. They play more like England than Germany. I like the aggressive attack.

I'm very surprised Italy is sitting where they are. Totti is great, but this seems like a substandard Italian team, though they have done well on the strength of their defense. It makes you wonder if the US might not be in this position if Arena picked Tim Howard instead of Keller in goal. Keller was phenominal during the last cup, but seemed a step slow this round.

Portugal was a surprise. Rooney didn't deserve a red, but his reputation hurt him and gave Portugal the opportunity. Why can't England hit penality kicks? By now you would think they might practice it enough to hit three or four out of five.

No one would have thought France could take Brazil. In fact, I was in France a few weeks ago and the French didn't even expect to emerge from their group. Give all the credit to Zidane. Ronaldinho is great, but Zidane is playing on another plain.

Predictions:

Germany takes the Italians. Germany is on a roll. They're playing great, having fun, and will score on Italy. They're also P.O.'ed about Frings (the German mid who was suspended based on the brawl with the Argentine side - it was widely reported on German TV that Italy submitted the tape that resulted in Frings' suspension, which Italy denies and no one in Germany believes).

France takes Portugal. Zidane is on a mission. Ronaldo has carried Portugal this far (and farther than I thought they'd go), but that's as far as it gets.

In Germany V France, we have WW III. Germany has the home field advantage. France has Zidane. Edge France.

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Keller was phenominal during the last cup, but seemed a step slow this round.

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That was Friedel who was amazing in 2002. Keller has never played exceptionally well at a World Cup.

hehehehe..Keller was phenomenal on the bench in the last WC!!

Portugal, the definite underdog - All the way - Today and Sunday

Damn PKs!!

Yeah, you and about 4 billion other fans.
Lots of extra time/PKs necessary for this Cup.

Read in yesterday's DMN that Pizza Hut Park (FC Dallas' home venue in Frisco) will be holding a WC Finals watching party Sunday... some of the FC Dallas playas will be watching with the peoples as well.

Forza Azzurri!

Trajan88
TAMU '88
Law Hall (may it R.I.P.) Ramp 9 Mule
fup!