France (Last year: Champions) I took a lot of grief over the last two years for hailing France as juggernauts and last year they finally proved me right. They made their way out of a tough and essentially steam rolled the rest of way with the exception of Nigeria. Having strengthened their team from last year I see no reason not too pronounce as favourites again.
Greece (Last year: 6th Group C) Greece must be planning on doing substantially better than they did last year as they made this group a lot more difficult than they needed it to be. We all know about Greece's rugged style of play and I doubt that will change. I expect Greece to try pull off and upset against France or ROI but I don't know what has changed from last years team that makes them think that is possible.
Italy (Last year: 4th in Group A) I don't believe Italy has ever made it out of the group stages and it seems as though they have their work cut out again for them this year. Italy plays well together but have a team consummated largely of players playing outside of division 1 soccer. They will need more than couple of bounces to go their way to have any chance of getting out of this group. I don't see it happening.
Republik of Ireland (Last year: Top 8 Overall) Last year was a disappointing year by ROI standards. Fortunately this year they have reclaimed some of their players including most importantly a keeper. While they have brought back a few players depth is still a question for ROI. Don't forget that this is the team that fell to Serbia last year. Though they probably won't be close to France I fully expect to see them progress to the knockout stages once again.
Serbia (Last year: Top 8 Overall) It may be hard for Serbia to improve on last years WCP performance but at least they should not be short on confidence. One problem they may have is that I have heard that star player and blog favourite Darko may not be returning. Even if that turns out too be wrong it will likely take nabbing points off either France or ROI to advance and that may be a tough ask.
Mike's Predictions
1. France
2. ROI
3. Serbia
4. Greece
5. Italy
France have added to their championship team so I don't see many teams competing with them, maybe ROI can give them a game. ROI have brought back several players but their team last year was a mess will be interesting to see how much they have improved. The next three teams are a complete toss up for me. I have Serbia third but that's dependant on Darko showing up. Otherwise they will have trouble finding goals. I see no way Greece finishes bottom of their group two years in
row. They will cause a few problems. I just don't think Italy quite have the skill to really be relevant in this group.
David's Predictions
1. France
2. Serbia
3. ROI
4. Greece
5. Italy
France - France were the class of the tournament last year and have added to an already stacked team, this group should be a walk in the park for them.
Serbia - Crushed ROI last year and if Darko makes a return I don't see ROI being able to cope. No Darko = No playoffs for Serbia!
ROI - ROI may be able to cause an upset and possibly advance from this group. Having a solid goalkeeper will help ROI in their goal of advancing from this group. Lacking depth and not having guys show up to games may be a problem.
Greece - Same old Greece, work hard but lack skills. Still awaiting for them to bring their out of province players that they always talk about.
Italy - Just don't have the players to advance from this group.
45 comments:
i currently work at grekos and from what my boss says they do have a lot of players coming in from out of town, i play div 4 and am nt too involved in wcp but they seem really confident and are ready to surprise everyone
I also work at Grekos and this is not true from the statement above, all lies I am afraid. I would like to also to say please get rid of Davids input on here, he has nothing to offer as well he doesn't know Regina soccer.
lol ^
well i work at pasta prima
is old man Mike Collins playing? he has to be 50 by now
Dam it, the boss at the Grekos has ruined our plan for next yr!
I work at the Diplomat my name is Peter and I am on the greek team, we wont be having any players coming in to play for us this year.
Screw Grekos!
I know enough about Regina soccer to talk about it. Just because I may not know who you are I know plenty of others! I once played a season with the Cosmos!!
DB
So that guy at top was lying ? I ll never go to grekos now, if one of them is a liar, then how can I trust them what they put in the food !
Throw Scotland into this group and it is over. Scotland are the dark horse of this tournament and we will prevail. Early tournament jitters lead to a lop-sided result to Ireland last year, but if we were to play that game 10 times, we won would 9 out 10.
Ireland boasts about all the players that have returned by I don't rate them too highly. IMO they are mainly oversized goons, keyword oversized.
I heard that the WCP is going to allow 4 teams to jump pools ! Basically they are going to throw all teams that didnt make the playoffs last yr and throw them into a lottery draft, and basically if your team gets picked you can jump into a different pool and reverse the draft !! I cant wait for this to happend, I heard its going to be held March 26, 8 pm at the same place when they had the draw! check it out !
what really bothers me about this tournament is out town players, they walk in here like they own the place but really they need this tournament to pump up they're self confidence, out of town players should be banned from this tournament and only Regina players.
Is this a joke? 75% of the skill and talent comes from Saskatoon... Think of all the teams if noone has pick ups from stoon they would all look like Scotland...
Let's hear womens predictions if anyone is familir with that side of the tourny.
Top women's teams will be Ukraine Poland Germany Scotland
All but Ukraine are in one pool...the pool of death! Women's pool A is tough.
that's wrong ^
I cant wait for this lottery draw to happend, I wonder whos going to switch pools?
Anyone know when schedules are released
Fairly good outline and rankings of the teams so far. The only one I don't agree with is France. I know you always like to talk up France to take the pressure off of yourself, but I think we need to be a little more realistic.
I dont think France has improved for this year, if anything, they probably peaked last year. Their players aren't getting any younger, and from what i've heard they have lost a few key players from last years squad.
I have heard that the Yorkton guys aren't playing ( Benno and Leon ) and that would be a major blow to their squad. Benno is irreplaceable out of the back, and was really the quarterback of the team. Not having Leon up front hurts their scoring touch, the guy is a ball magnet and always seems to be in the right position to create and score goals for them.
Also heard that Danny won't be at any of the round robin games because he no longer lives in Regina. He will be a huge help when he returns but might throw off the chemistry of the team once he does return.
I don't think Brett played all of indoor, so expect him to be rusty when he returns, along with Scollan up front. Not very promising knowing that your top 2 strikers havent played since last WCP.
Who is going to play center mid for them? Murphy and TJ can't do the job alone. Heard rumours that Mason could play in the middle, but thats probably more beneficial for the opposition. Mason's talents are limited to the left back position.
ROI is going to roll every opponent they face, I will be back later with my insight on them.
Until next time,
Bobo
why is there no 3rd place game ?
ROI RUINED IT THATS WHY !! PUTTING DRUNKS ON THE FIELD, THANKS A LOT PALS!
Does anyone know why Jamaica got a higher seed than Afghanistan? They both made it to the semi final and Afghan beat them in their group. It doesn't make sense
I can answer that for you, well you see Jamaica is Cool, so therefore they get group C for Cool, Afghan=not cool, when you have your whole team play in co ed soccer and treat it like the world cup...not cool
@ Anon 20:26
I detect a loser whose team will never make it out of group stages.. columbia is that you?
>what really bothers me about this tournament is out town players, they walk in here like they own the place but really they need this tournament to pump up they're self confidence
You're projecting so hard right now. Maybe you want all the out of town players that are better than you banned so you can finally win a game and boost your ego? Yep, that must be it.
>out of town players should be banned from this tournament and only Regina players.
Yeah let's ban 50% of the players actually worth watching so you can feel like you're good. I'm sure the fans would be pumped about that. Like are you serious? This tournament would be a joke if that happened.
Kirk is a fat dolphin
oh ok annon 15:35, that makes perfect sense, I tend agree with that theory ! So that lottery is going to happend for real ?
Sorry to burst all your bubbles, but the wcp is made to develop younger players.
There is no need to go all in depth and start making all these predictions. None of you guys are professionals. Chill out, play the game, and enjoy the cultural aspects the tournament brings. Who cares if the players come from Saskatoon or whatever. Everyone in this tournament is an amateur.
It's pretty funny to see all the guys that play in the tournament walk around like they are professional players. The only reason I come to these games is to get drunk and find some hot babes to talk to.
You sir ^ are an idiot. WCP was made to develop youth players? I think not. Pretty sure it's to bring the community and different cultures together.
ya I am pretty sure if your playing in the mens tournament and saying "hey I want to develop" probably not a good place to start, ahahahha name one player who was 16-20 that is playing pros because of the development from the WCP tournament.
****URGENT NEWS FLASH*****
France only have 6 returning players for 2014 WCP Cup....
Looking for recruits, lost all out of town players...
lost all players that are "good" at soccer..
Gord Peever and Mason Bulych playing central midfield...
**** SECOND URGENT NEWS FLASH UPDATE***
First draft was a fake, teams will be re drawn at half time of hockey game at facility on March 29th in a blind folded shot from half by Kevin Holness... this should get interesting!
Word has it there may be a ban put in place to restrict any local Regina players from playing in the tournament...CRAAAAAAZZZYYY!!
Can I play for you guys? yours truly
Zinedine Zidane and friends
This wcp cup tournament is a huge joke. The players in it are crap. It's a bunch of high ego individuals thinking they are great. News flash, it's just a fun tournament to bring out some fans to support their countries. Stop making this into a big deal. This blog should stick with just statistics and match results. Predictions, are you kidding me. Not necessary.
Gord Peever playing center mid for France? they are really scraping the bottom of the barrel for center midfielders. All that guy is good for is fouls and kicking the ball out of bounds. Probably has the most luscious hair i've ever seen though.
ya last yr that was the first one and I think Poland won by disqualification.
first nation team is going to destroy everyone. you people think greece is dirty. wait till you see the first nation team. there will be another sudan incident for sure.
Peever is a quality soccer player. One of the best in the city of Regina. Don't hate. Respect the skill he has. He probably destroyed you on the pitch with his fancy footwork anon: 15:14. Don't cry.
Peever and Hodel are the two best soccer players in this tournament…. that sums up the quality of this tournament right there.
That sums up how weak this tournament is.
I could see Mase playing centre mid but definitely not peever. And if he does play center mid who does that leave at the back for France?
At least we all know one thing ... France won't be winning this tournament again this year.
You can't get weaker than Peever playing centre mid and Hodel seeing any minutes on the pitch. Calibre of this tournament is poor, so poor that whoever the bloke was that claimed this tournament was for "development" is so out to lunch it isn't even funny.
What's all the hype about this Hodel guy? Last I checked, he was a skinny runt who gets pushed off the ball way too easy. I hope you people are joking when you say he is such an athlete!???
HODELDO!!!!! HODELDO!!!!! HODELDO!!!! HODELDO!!!!!! HODELDO!!! HODELLLLLLLLLDOOOOOOOOO!!!
Wow, we have some seriously messed up individuals on this blog. Get it together. These dudes are brutal players. I could name 20 better players in an instant.
Only 20 players?! That's being a little generous
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