Group E

1.Netherlands
2.Denmark
3.Cameroon
4.Japan

Group E with our only Nordic participants Denmark and also with the capable Netherlands looks interesting. In the group we also have Japan who was the first nation to qualify to this WC. And Cameroon who historically is the most successful African side with including this WC having been qualified for six WC:s. Netherlands or the Oranje as they are often called had a brilliant qualification campaign winning all eight games with the goal difference 17-2. Netherlands have prior to this WC participated in eight WC:s during the years, with their most successful WC period in the 70:s where they reached the final both in 1974 and 1978, loosing out to West Germany and Argentina respectively. Netherlands are currently ranked 4th on the FIFA ranking and are by many mention to be a real contender for medals in this tournament. They are a good team, especially offensively with players like, Sneijder, Van der Vaart, Van Persie, and of course Robben who in their last friendly against Hungary were injured and his participation in the WC is uncertain. Of course a major loss for Netherlands if he won`t be able to play. They have looked sharp in the pre WC friendlies winning four straight games and should obviously be seen as favorites in this group.

Denmark which sadly became too much for Sweden in the qualifiers will here be participating in their 4th WC. Coached by Morten Olsen they have a well balanced team with a nice blend of youth and experience. Denmark is always very tough, they have a completely different mentality then the other Nordic nations. I would say that it is not for nothing that they are called Danish Dynamite. They run hard all the way and take no prisoners. Tough team, a little underestimated. Players like Kjaer, Bendtner, Agger, and a few others are high class European players playing for big clubs.

Cameroon or the Indomitable Lions as they are called started their qualification campaign badly but after a strong finish they were qualified for their 6th WC. Coached by Frenchmen Paul Le Guen who has been with them since July 2009. Their biggest name of course Samuel Eto`o who is also their captain. They haven`t really impressed in the pre WC friendlies loosing out to Portugal and Serbia, and a couple of draws against Slovakia and Georgia. They have a good team on paper and could easily reach the 2nd stage. But I think that Denmark is better organized and that will prove decisive.

Japan are clear underdogs here. They have participated in three WC:s and this will actually be their 4th straight WC. Ranked 45th in the FIFA ranking and I can`t really see how they would survive this group. Their squad contains mostly domestic players and they have lost four straight pre WC friendlies with only scoring one goal. They have said that they will play offensively in the WC and that attack is the best form of defense, well. Try telling Greece that. Seriously, I think that they could be trashed in this group and I would be very surprised if they would pose a threat to the three clearly stronger nations in this group.

Prediction; Netherlands as group winners and Denmark as runners up in a tough battle with Cameroon.

Group F

1.Italy
2.Paraguay
3.Slovakia
4.New Zealand

Gli Azzurri, the holders and four times WC winners favorites in a group where the battle for second place should be between Paraguay who had their best ever qualifying performance and Slovakia who will be participating in their first ever WC as an independent country. Italy who won a dramatic final on penalties against France in Berlin four years ago will be looking to be the first nation to defend their WC title since Brazil defended their`s back in 1962. Maybe for the first time, or in a long time anyway Italy don`t have any superstars in their squad. Well, of course they have big names. But I don`t see any superstars. The entire squad is based on domestic players from the Serie A. Except for centre-defender Cannavaro who just recently signed for Al-Ahli. Italy is not one of the favorites this time and they have a fairly old squad with nine players from the 2006 WC squad. They are still coached by genius Mr Lippi who quite possible could be one of the absolute best coaches in the world. Italy haven`t really impressed in the pre WC friendlies and their preparations haven`t been perfect with a lot of injuries. Italy will for sure get through but I would be suprised to see them go further then the quarterfinals.

Paraguay had a tremendous qualifying campaign and for example defeated Brazil at home 2-0. La Albirroja as the team is called will be participating in their fourth straight WC. Paraguay looks solid, maybe this could be their best squad in recent time. They could be the surprise package for this WC. Slovakia, this fairly young nation will as mentioned earlier participate in their first WC as an independent nation. They won their qualification group ahead of Slovenia and are currently ranked 34th in the FIFA ranking. Their most known player could be Napoli`s Marek Hamsik who also is Slovakia`s captain. Slovakia deserves respect, they won a tricky qualifying group but overall I don`t see them as a threat to Paraguay.

All Whites, yes that`s New Zealand`s nickname and they shouldn`t be underestimated. This will be their second participation in a WC. The first one were back in 1982 were they lost all three games. They qualified for this WC by first winning the Oceania Qualification Group and then by eliminating Bahrain in a match up over two games in October/November 2009 were they played 0-0 away and fallowed it up by a narrow 1-0 win at home in Westpac Stadium, Wellington. They recently won a friendly against Serbia (1-0) and have a couple of players who could be mentioned, striker Killen from Middlesbrough, defender Nelson who is their captain and contracted by Premiership side Blackburn Rovers. Almost exactly a year ago they played a friendly against a strong Italian side in Pretoria. Italy won narrowly 4-3 after the All Whites had the lead at three occasions. Don`t let their weak "name" fool you, New Zealand are better then most people think. I like them and my heart will beat a little for them at this WC.

Prediction; Italy as group winners and with Paraguay as runners up.


- M@tteo