Canada - Finished 3rd place last year and should continue to be a top competitor this year. Known mostly for their defensive discipline and immense work ethic Canada looks about the same as they have in years past. Rumour is they may have added a player or 2 but no real huge additions. Look for much of the same.
Norway - Norway were Champions a decade ago I think... and they will never ever let you forget it. I think they could tell you down to the minute how long its been since they won. As the tournament has expanded and teams have improved Norway have remained stagnant keeping essentially the same team year after year. Because of that they are now nothing ore than a middle of the pack team that no longer possesses the athletic ability to get under teams' skins.
Hungary - I can't remember much of Hungary's performances from last year but I did play them this year in an exhibition so here are my observations. They are moderately organized at the back but will struggle mightily going forward. Goals will be hard to come by. Don't expect much out of them especially being stuck in this group.
Nigeria - I had Nigeria on the cusp of being one of the elite teams last year before thing took a turn drastically south. Nigeria seems to be another team that tends to flounder when it comes to crunch time. They are a speedy team intermingled with some quite skilled player but they lack some depth. Another team that could spoil someone's tournament.
Poland - Everyone's favourite from last year looks like they may be in a bit of down year by their own tremendously high standards. They have lost their two best goal scorers and from what I saw at the RSA tournament that is going to hurt a lot as they struggled to score. They play sound defense and will be hard to break down and score on but they need someone (maybe Dustin "Dorothy" Sembaluk and his spectacular footwear) to step up and score some goals.
Greece - One of the scariest teams to play as they are big and strong and painful to run into. However, they aren't growing any younger or more skilled any time soon. They need an injection of youth and I have no idea where to get that. Greece are what they have always been and I think they are up for another middle of the pack finish.
Predictions
Mike
1. Canada
2. Nigeria
3. Poland
4. Norway
5. Greece
6. Hungary
Canada was actually a fairly easy choice for here as I think they are simply a better version of Poland. Then came the tough part Nigeria vs Poland. My instincts said to go with Poland but after reflecting on Poland's performance in the RSA tournament I see Nigeria winning the head to head battle. Now I think Poland will beat on all the other teams and I am not sure I can say the same about the inconsistent Nigeria. So who knows where that really leaves me. Norway almost certainly beats Greece in my opinion and Greece beats Hungary. Should be very tight in a few spots though.
David
1. Canada
2. Poland
3. Nigeria
4. Greece
5. Norway
6. Hungary
Canada should go undefeated in the group stage but they never seem to make things easy for themselves. Poland have recruited a couple of players but have also lost some key player. I see Poland being just ahead of the rest of the group mainly on goalkeeping. It was tough for me to decide the 3rd/4th but I have Nigeria and Greece beating Norway just because I don't think Norway has the pace or physical presence. I have Hungary 6th but I could see them winning a game or 2 and maybe leap frogging Norway.
17 comments:
I know for a fact this is whats going to happend in group C
Canada
Nigeria
Norway
Hungary
Greece
Poland
I think Poland will get last because some of there players will be missing the 2 Sembulak brothers will be in Vegas gambling away, including his orange shoes which are worth thousands, and then they got plumber players that wont get the job done
Joker
ya Norway seem like they are living in the past, also watch out for the flying eagles!
Canada will def place 1st. Poland lives in the past. Watch out for Hungary as a sleeper. They seem to have added A bunch of young guys that can score up front, and have some strong guys playing good d in the back...
ya right, hungary blows
not as much as your mom
can someone please tell the joker there is no d on "happen"
Norway, Poland Greece and Nigeria are all going to fight for second play and actually I see Greece going to the next round. This group is actually going to be very interesting I don't see Canada beating all teams
Greece will finish last because they are going full from eating slouvaki all the time
No won on these form can spell???
i see you can't spell either
who cares about speling! losers
My prediction is:
Canada
Poland
Greece
Nigeria
Hungary
Norway
Canada is a solid team made up of strong players. I don't see them winning the whole tournament because they seem to lack the intensity of the other top teams, but skill-wise they can definitely hold their own. Poland does not lack the intensity, but sometimes I think they rely too much on their emotions and it results in roller coaster games. They ride the highs but then they lose it all in the lows.
Greece is not overly talented but they play rough and they find ways to contend. Teams like Nigeria and Norway are the types of teams Greece always seems to catch by surprise.
Nigeria shows flashes of excellence but they never keep it going all tournament. I don't seem them contending in a tough pool.
Hungary might be the least skilled team in the pool, but they work hard and they play like they have something to prove because most people count them out. They won't make the next round but I bet they will beat someone in this pool and maybe tie another.
Norway is the same team they always are and they are moving further away from their victory season so many years ago. I don't see them competing in a division full of teams who play with intensity (or just a lot of skill in Canada's case). I give this Norway team only a couple more years in the tourney before they decide to either bring in new talent or just call it quits.
Wow that last post is an actual comment with some real incite. Love it.
I think Hungary will actually surprise a couple teams in this group. they have picked up some players from the medicine hat university team.
Apart from Canada , every other team isn't much better than the other, so all will be battling for second, there going to be some upsets I can't wait to watch, I think every match in this group is going to be worth watching
nope all terrible players in this group, horrible soccer, get real.
Wow I just witnessed Hungary beatdown Germany 4-3
They clearly out hustled, outplayed germany. Someone in the crowd was saying they were missing 5 guys who play for the Medicine Hat Rattlers.
Germany looks like shit, defiantly not finishing second in there pool.
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