<p>Argentina, Brazil, Germany and Spain appear to be the strongest teams. Who is the sleeper in the tournament? Looking ahead I think the US can defeat Germany.</p>
<p>^You’re getting ahead of yourself. I don’t know anyone who would pick the USA to beat Germany. I think the sleeper maybe Ghana or South Korea, but its too early to tell since we haven’t seen all the teams play yet.</p>
<p>I read an interesting article in the paper today that mentioned that China does not have an entry in the tournament. They have 1.3 billion people but can’t find enough athletes to form a decent soccer team. I have to wonder why?</p>
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<p>I think you’ve had a couple too many today.</p>
<p>“I think you’ve had a couple too many today”.</p>
<p>And I think you have had more than a few watching the NBA Finals tonight.</p>
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The city of Chicago has a bigger population than the country of Slovenia, but Slovenia still qualified for the World Cup. India has 1 billion people, but still failed to qualify for the world cup.</p>
<p>A “decent” soccer team has nothing to do with the population of a country. It has to do more with the quality of players, team chemistry, coaching, and experience among other factors.</p>
<p>I watched NBA tonight too. Disappointed with the Lakers but very impressed with Bryant Kobe.</p>
<p>Watching football on TV sounds like a giant hive of bees buzzing near every microphone. I wish they’d get rid of those horns.</p>
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<p>correct… it did cost England any chance of advancing though. Big mistakes on the biggest stages get remembered.</p>
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<p>… those are the players on the team.</p>
<p>I enjoyed both matches today. The teams that won deserved it. Japan hung tough and that was a huge upset. Can’t wait for the Italy/Paraguay match. Lovin’ it all!</p>
<p>Can someone provide a list of the top five (or more) players to watch and for what teams they play. I can’t figure out who is worth watching, I know Rooney for England is good but that’s about it.</p>
<p>There are a bunch of great players out there to watch. Some that come to mind include: Messi (Argentina), Ronaldo (Portugal), Eto’o (Cameroon), Drogba (hopefully he will play, C</p>
<p>razorsharp,</p>
<p>For some countries there are 1 or 2, but for others there are several. In this upcoming match, for Paraguay look for Barrios, for Italy several, including Pepe, Canivarro.</p>
<p>Brazil, Kak</p>
<p>Spain is loaded with a bunch of talented players</p>
<p>Essien won’t be playing.</p>
<p>Wow! If not for the gaffe by the goalie, Paraguay would have won. I don’t see Italy as a force in this tournament w/o lots of improvement.</p>
<p>Paraguay ties Italy. Isn’t that really a victory for Paraguay? </p>
<p>Thanks for the lists of those player to watch.</p>
<p>If Paraguay had won it would have been a bigger upset than the Japan victory over Cameroon, so in a way, yes.</p>
<p>SkyNews reported that Drogba wants to play and has been practicing with the team, but FIFA will have to approve the cast that he wears on the broken arm…should be interesting!</p>
<p>Anyone hear why Buffon had to leave the match today??? That would be quite the blow to the Azzurri if he cannot come back.</p>