h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Argentina are favourites with the bookies - although the draw they have with England , Nigeria and Sweden looks tricky enough.

Germany have Ireland and Cameroon, both of which are in good form and Saudi Arabia are a big unknown.

Hmm...much to ponder.

Oh, no.

I have no idea - but I know that I'm going to lose

don't actually care much at the moment - just found out Ireland will be playing their first match in my adopted home city of Niigata. I knew there was a reason this Irish girl was given a job in the back end of nowhere in this country!!

But, well, probably Argentina!!

violagirl

I'd put my money (if I were a betting man) on Argentina

Scotland are out of the World Cup So I'll have to divert my loyalties to Ireland

It's quite clearly France. They're quite clearly the best team around with a sense of teamwork that the group of individuals that is Argentina can't manage.
I tip England and Ireland to go through second in their groups but, while Ireland could go on to the last 16 from there, I tip England to either reach the semis or go out in the quarters with a titanic battle against the eventual winners.

It's quite clearly France. They're quite clearly the best team around with a sense of teamwork that the group of individuals that is Argentina can't manage.
I tip England and Ireland to go through second in their groups but, while Ireland could go on to the last 16 from there, I tip England to either reach the semis or go out in the quarters with a titanic battle against the eventual winners.

If it's quite clearly France, Bob, then England won't get past the second round. If England finish second in their group and France finish top of their group (extremely likely), then they'll play each other in the second round (also in my lovely little city of Niigata!)

Yes, I know, I'm an anorak!! But I've been living here for over 4 months now, and anything that involves the outside world gets studied like it holds the key to eternal life (so I've practically memorised the fixture list for the World Cup already!! )

violagirl - it's hard being a female footy-loving foreigner in Japan

Whats all this about England finishing 2nd in the group? There is no way they'll qualify.

I predict a nervy draw against Sweden, then a loss in the "must win" match against Argentina. Finally another draw against Nigeria when it is all to late, leaving England 3rd or 4th in the group.

Argentina and Sweden will go through and France will win it.

Well I think England will pull their finger out and come up with some results to make us all proud. Are you sure about the second round? I thought we would only know who meets who in a draw once all the places are decided. If you are right though, it will be a shame because we won't beat the French but a second-round knock-out will be seen by the public as a failure. Some other side who don't deserve it will get to the quarters while we bemoan the luck of the draw to a public losing patience.

This refreshing thread is brought to you by a Dose Of Reallity.

It is nice to meet people who don't think that England are going to win the competition simply because we are theGreatest Nation On Earth. Or that all the other years that we have failed to win it, it has been because all of the other nations have cheated us of our rightful trophy.

It would be nice if it was won by Nigeria or Cameroon won it. A kick in the teeth for the (rather boring and predictable) world order.

PP

By the way I know nothing about football. I'm a Wimbledon FC fan.

New Zealand will win the World Cup in 2003. That's Rugby Union, the game they play in heaven...

Naturally, but who would care?
Either Nico Eeckhout or Giuliano Figueras will win the road cycling World Cup in 2003.

I'll go for Brazil.

Both France and Argentina will fall in the group stages, and England will lose to the eventual winners in the quarter finals.

Oh, and don't be surprised if you see the Senegalese dancing, Ronaldo with a daft haircut, and the reprise of 'Seaman lobbing' jokes, not heard since 1994.

You never know, it might happen..........




P.S. Danny Mills wil play brilliantly......

I disagree.
I'm backing Costa Rica.