Group A (France, Mexico, South Africa, Uruguay)

[Craig_H]

[-V-]

They do, but there's little room to adapt that and at some point, you're gonna need to go to two up front. If they pick up an injury, they're gonna have (more) difficulty.

True but on the other hand if they can recognize that they just don't the quality in that department then they can focus on their strengths instead. More midfield options?

[Shaggy]

Fairly wide open this group, what with South Africa being host nation but ****, France being a shadow of the side from the late 90s and 2000, Uruguay being nothing like the team of old which competed at a high level, and Mexico who can flatter to deceive.

Uruguay have got real quality up front and I expect them to do quite well. I think it'll be close between them, Mexico and France but if any of the big teams are gonna fall at the first hurdle I fancy it to be the French. Unfortunately I think SA will lose every game.

[Craig_H]

I wonder if the atmosphere and the euphoria of the crowd, excitement etc might just carry the hosts to a point in that opening game. The mexicans will be nervous.

[-V-]

SA did ok last summer, who knows they might be the surprise package this year. The french are so unpredictable, I think Uruguay will win this group

[Craig_H]

This is the most wide-open and interesting group for me.

You cant look at any game in the group and say with any conviction what the result is gonna be, IMO. All 6 games could easily go either way.

[-V-]

Agreed

[Shaggy]

Which mod can't spell Uruguay?

[Craig_H]

[dww]

Which mod can't spell Uruguay?

Judging purely by the neatness of the capitalisation I would suggest a bald man was at fault.

[Baracus]

ah crap what ****e sweepstake draw!! The only hope is Torrado will do the damage.

Uruguay are my underdawgssss.

Come Torrado!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[leftpeg]

SA did ok last summer, who knows they might be the surprise package this year. The french are so unpredictable, I think Uruguay will win this group

I've got Uruguay to win the group too with Mexico sneaking into 2nd.

[Mattshark]

France 0 - 1 China PR FT

[Craig_H]

**** me, is that for real? What kind of lineup did they field? France are laughably bad

[Mattshark]

**** me, is that for real? What kind of lineup did they field? France are laughably bad

1 Hugo Lloris (G)
3 Eric Abidal (CD-L)
5 William Gallas (CD-R)
13 Patrice Evra (LB)
2 Bacary Sagna (RB)
14 Jeremy Toulalan (CM)
15 Florent Malouda (LM)
8 Yoann Gourcuff (RM)
22 Franck Ribery (F)
39 Nicolas Anelka (LF)
7 Sidney Govou (RF)

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=289220&cc=5739&league=FIFA.FRIENDLY

That is France's starting line for that game. They are sickeningly overrated.