15.00 hrs (CET) , 9.00 (EST) Korea - Togo
Pfister, the former coach (who resigned some days ago) is back now. It has not been released if he is the coach for all three games but at least for this one. I am not sure if Togo is able to compensate missing 3 days of training due to the financial trouble (their federation has not paid them the promised 50000 Euro for the qualification). Togo played in the easiest African qualification group and eliminated Senegal, Sambia, Kongo, Mali and Liberia.
Their opponents Korea were the surprise of the WC 2002. After the WC Korea had some small problems qualifying for the WC 2006. They were second in their group (behind the Saudis) and had some disappointing results. Getting just 3 victories 1 draw and two losses against some powerhouses like Usbekistan, Kuwait and the Saudis shows that they a similar performance to 2002 will never happen again in the near future. I have no clue why they left out Cha from Eintracht Frankfurt. The guy is playing in the Bundesliga and his season was ok.
My prediction: over 2
18.00 hrs (CET), 12.00 (EST) France - Switzerland
Everyone says France is the clear favourite in this match. Imo they are the favourite but not a big one. Frane and Switzerland met in their qualification group and the results were 1-1 and 0-0. France recently has problems playing against the Swiss system. France disappointed their fans at the WC 2002 in Japan/Korea. They came to the tourney being the wc winner 1998 and the European champion 2000 but left the tourney after stage one. France has a really deep team. They are better than the Swiss side on every position. Switzerland tries to compensate that lack with their fighting spirit. The stadium will be packed with fans from Switzerland. You can expekt a great athmosphere for that match. The biggest disadvantage for the Swiss is the goalie. Zuberbuehler is a pretty shaky goalie. I saw him playing in serveral games this year and what comes to my mind first is the fact that he was responsbile for losing their last UEFA Cup match. He has some great moments but at some point in the match he always makes a mistake. Please correct me but I guess he has problems whenever a cross comes into his area.
Believe it or not. I will take Switzerland +0.5. The last matches between these teams are an indication for it. Neither team wants to start with a loss.
21.00 CET, (15.00 EST) Brazil - Croatia
The line is set at 1 here. Since Brazil arrived here in Germany the locals of Koenigstein (where they stay) started hating them. It was ok in the beginning but it is getting worse and worse each day. Every nation was in touch with the locals of their host town. Except Brazil. The local citizens are not able to see any player in person or watch any training. Brazil asked for such a lot of police for protecting them and avoiding any contacts between the locals and them. The citizens of Koenigstein started raising Croatian flaggs at nearly every house. Ronaldo and some of his teammates were in a club last week until 5 or 6 am. These players are so arrogant (what makes me sick). They totally forgett where they are from (mostly from the slums and they can thank god for their talent). Brazil is Brazil and I guess I don`t have to explain you their team which is full of superstars.
For the Croatian had 21-5 goals in 10 matches of the qualification stage. They are a def orientated team which tries to make some fast counter attacks. I hope that works against Brazil.
This will be a real challange for Brazil they should win by no more than 1 goal or get a draw. My predition is Croatia +1. In case of a loss by 1 the bet will push. There is a 40% chance Croatia will beat this line but it is worh a try.
Pfister, the former coach (who resigned some days ago) is back now. It has not been released if he is the coach for all three games but at least for this one. I am not sure if Togo is able to compensate missing 3 days of training due to the financial trouble (their federation has not paid them the promised 50000 Euro for the qualification). Togo played in the easiest African qualification group and eliminated Senegal, Sambia, Kongo, Mali and Liberia.
Their opponents Korea were the surprise of the WC 2002. After the WC Korea had some small problems qualifying for the WC 2006. They were second in their group (behind the Saudis) and had some disappointing results. Getting just 3 victories 1 draw and two losses against some powerhouses like Usbekistan, Kuwait and the Saudis shows that they a similar performance to 2002 will never happen again in the near future. I have no clue why they left out Cha from Eintracht Frankfurt. The guy is playing in the Bundesliga and his season was ok.
My prediction: over 2
18.00 hrs (CET), 12.00 (EST) France - Switzerland
Everyone says France is the clear favourite in this match. Imo they are the favourite but not a big one. Frane and Switzerland met in their qualification group and the results were 1-1 and 0-0. France recently has problems playing against the Swiss system. France disappointed their fans at the WC 2002 in Japan/Korea. They came to the tourney being the wc winner 1998 and the European champion 2000 but left the tourney after stage one. France has a really deep team. They are better than the Swiss side on every position. Switzerland tries to compensate that lack with their fighting spirit. The stadium will be packed with fans from Switzerland. You can expekt a great athmosphere for that match. The biggest disadvantage for the Swiss is the goalie. Zuberbuehler is a pretty shaky goalie. I saw him playing in serveral games this year and what comes to my mind first is the fact that he was responsbile for losing their last UEFA Cup match. He has some great moments but at some point in the match he always makes a mistake. Please correct me but I guess he has problems whenever a cross comes into his area.
Believe it or not. I will take Switzerland +0.5. The last matches between these teams are an indication for it. Neither team wants to start with a loss.
21.00 CET, (15.00 EST) Brazil - Croatia
The line is set at 1 here. Since Brazil arrived here in Germany the locals of Koenigstein (where they stay) started hating them. It was ok in the beginning but it is getting worse and worse each day. Every nation was in touch with the locals of their host town. Except Brazil. The local citizens are not able to see any player in person or watch any training. Brazil asked for such a lot of police for protecting them and avoiding any contacts between the locals and them. The citizens of Koenigstein started raising Croatian flaggs at nearly every house. Ronaldo and some of his teammates were in a club last week until 5 or 6 am. These players are so arrogant (what makes me sick). They totally forgett where they are from (mostly from the slums and they can thank god for their talent). Brazil is Brazil and I guess I don`t have to explain you their team which is full of superstars.
For the Croatian had 21-5 goals in 10 matches of the qualification stage. They are a def orientated team which tries to make some fast counter attacks. I hope that works against Brazil.
This will be a real challange for Brazil they should win by no more than 1 goal or get a draw. My predition is Croatia +1. In case of a loss by 1 the bet will push. There is a 40% chance Croatia will beat this line but it is worh a try.
