RugbyRebels

rowan wrote:
Probably you're right, but I just have a sneaking suspicion England could have a great tournament. No, they won't win it, but the fact they are being written off means the pressure is completely off them, and they might just thrive on that. With a little luck in the playoffs (ie avoiding the big guns), they could perhaps scrape into the semis - for just the third time in their history.

Meanwhile, the opposite applies to France. There are high expectations, the pressure is upon them, and I foresee the distinct possibility of a similar scenario to 2002 when they turned up as defending champs and failed to get out of what looked like a fairly easy group. I've picked them regardless.

But the conditions will reall suit the Germans. Were they to win, they would equal Brazil with 5 titles, and also become just the third team to successfully defend the trophy - Brazil having done so in 1962 and Italy in 1938.

Argentina are another team I'm expecting to do well. It all depends on whether they can use Messi as effectively as Barca do. This will be his last chance to win the big prize and truly earn his place among the pantheon of football gods, alongside Pele & Maradona et al.

Some have installed Brazil as favourites but I don't think so, and especially not in Russia. They'll dip out in the first or second round of play-offs. Christian Ronaldo might lead his Portuguese team that far as well, but won't have the players around him to go any further.

A couple of good bets for a surprise appearance in the semis could be Croatia (who have bee there once before) and Colombia (who haven't).

rowan wrote:Anybody picking Croatia? I'd love to see it. But they've had a grueling run to the playoffs and I think France will take it 4-1.