World Cup Preview: how it could unfold
with 4 days to go, here's how i think the tournament could unfold:
Group Stage
Group A
Germany
Canada
Nigeria
France
germany should qualify easily from this group as winners. nigeria have nothing to lose and may surprise with their energy. canada will look to impose their physical game on opponents. but i think france should have the quality to join germany in the quarter-finals
match of the group: germany-france
the last game could decide who wins the group. with 10 players from the lyon team that beat german champions potsdam(which actually only has 2.5 representatives in the german squad; lira bajramaj has since moved to frankfurt), france should fancy their chance at an upset.
Group B
Japan
Mexico
England
New Zealand
a rather open group with japan looking to finally come of age, mexico and new zealand looking to impress, and england looking to consolidate their rise in women's football.
on paper, japan and england are favourites, but mexico and new zealand cant be underestimated.
match of the group: japan v england
again the last game could decide who wins the group. the two teams drew 2-2 in the last world cup with kelly smith getting the equaliser. kelly smith could again decide this tie, though a certain mana iwabuchi may choose this game to announce her arrival on the biggest stage.
Group C
USA
North Korea
Sweden
Colombia
the group of death.
USA comes into this tournament on the back of a narrow 1-0 win over mexico and a 1-3 defeat to norway. nevertheless, usa have enough pedigree and experience and seem to deliver the goods when their backs are against the wall.
north korea has the youngest team in this tournament and look very organised and disciplined, although they are no longer the powerhouse they used to be.
sweden have a rather poor record at big tournaments considering their reputation, often starting with all guns blazing, only to crash out early.
colombia, like mexico and nigeria, know they have nothing to lose and will play with the pressure off.
i think usa and sweden will progress with sweden topping the group with an impressive group stage performance
match of the group: north korea v usa
the two rivals meet in their first game which should set the tone of the group.
i have a feeling usa, fired up to make amends for that defeat to norway, would fight hard to break down north korea and eventually get that breakthrough for a narrow, but vital win.
Group D
Brazil
Australia
Equatorial Guinea
Norway
the mathildas are the reigning asian champions, although their squad has somewhat been decimated by injuries. brazil have marta while norway come into the tournament off an impressive 3-1 win over usa. equatorial guinea are the lowest-ranked team and have withdrawn their two key players due to gender controversies.
brazil should have the quality to win the group. norway should just about squeeze past australia for the 2nd place.
match of the group: australia v norway
last game of the group could see a straight fight between two teams looking to join brazil in the next round.
quarter finals
germany v japan
japan could give germany a run for their money, but germany would ultimately prevail.
sweden v norway
a potential repeat of euro 2009, where norway somehow saw off their rivals who had impressed in the group phase.
england v france
a very close match. the girls of lyon could yet break english hearts again.
brazil v usa
a match between two heavyweights with usa finally finding their tournament form to send the brazilians home.
semi finals
germany v norway
once again, norway would hold the germans at bay, but the germans eventually find the breakthrough in the last 15 minutes or so, and score a few rapid goals to add gloss to the victory.
france v usa
usa overwhelms france with their physical game, but france can take pride in their achievement at having come so far.
final
germany v usa
the first time these two teams meet in the final. possibly a titanic battle, with germany eventually triumphing in berlin to complete the sommermärchen.
Group Stage
Group A
Germany
Canada
Nigeria
France
germany should qualify easily from this group as winners. nigeria have nothing to lose and may surprise with their energy. canada will look to impose their physical game on opponents. but i think france should have the quality to join germany in the quarter-finals
match of the group: germany-france
the last game could decide who wins the group. with 10 players from the lyon team that beat german champions potsdam(which actually only has 2.5 representatives in the german squad; lira bajramaj has since moved to frankfurt), france should fancy their chance at an upset.
Group B
Japan
Mexico
England
New Zealand
a rather open group with japan looking to finally come of age, mexico and new zealand looking to impress, and england looking to consolidate their rise in women's football.
on paper, japan and england are favourites, but mexico and new zealand cant be underestimated.
match of the group: japan v england
again the last game could decide who wins the group. the two teams drew 2-2 in the last world cup with kelly smith getting the equaliser. kelly smith could again decide this tie, though a certain mana iwabuchi may choose this game to announce her arrival on the biggest stage.
Group C
USA
North Korea
Sweden
Colombia
the group of death.
USA comes into this tournament on the back of a narrow 1-0 win over mexico and a 1-3 defeat to norway. nevertheless, usa have enough pedigree and experience and seem to deliver the goods when their backs are against the wall.
north korea has the youngest team in this tournament and look very organised and disciplined, although they are no longer the powerhouse they used to be.
sweden have a rather poor record at big tournaments considering their reputation, often starting with all guns blazing, only to crash out early.
colombia, like mexico and nigeria, know they have nothing to lose and will play with the pressure off.
i think usa and sweden will progress with sweden topping the group with an impressive group stage performance
match of the group: north korea v usa
the two rivals meet in their first game which should set the tone of the group.
i have a feeling usa, fired up to make amends for that defeat to norway, would fight hard to break down north korea and eventually get that breakthrough for a narrow, but vital win.
Group D
Brazil
Australia
Equatorial Guinea
Norway
the mathildas are the reigning asian champions, although their squad has somewhat been decimated by injuries. brazil have marta while norway come into the tournament off an impressive 3-1 win over usa. equatorial guinea are the lowest-ranked team and have withdrawn their two key players due to gender controversies.
brazil should have the quality to win the group. norway should just about squeeze past australia for the 2nd place.
match of the group: australia v norway
last game of the group could see a straight fight between two teams looking to join brazil in the next round.
quarter finals
germany v japan
japan could give germany a run for their money, but germany would ultimately prevail.
sweden v norway
a potential repeat of euro 2009, where norway somehow saw off their rivals who had impressed in the group phase.
england v france
a very close match. the girls of lyon could yet break english hearts again.
brazil v usa
a match between two heavyweights with usa finally finding their tournament form to send the brazilians home.
semi finals
germany v norway
once again, norway would hold the germans at bay, but the germans eventually find the breakthrough in the last 15 minutes or so, and score a few rapid goals to add gloss to the victory.
france v usa
usa overwhelms france with their physical game, but france can take pride in their achievement at having come so far.
final
germany v usa
the first time these two teams meet in the final. possibly a titanic battle, with germany eventually triumphing in berlin to complete the sommermärchen.
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