Group F - The TeamsItaly
Paraguay
New Zealand
Slovakia
This may look like an easy group to some, but when looking at the teams involved, this has the areas of being an entertaining group.
The 2006 World Cup Champions, Italy, are the favorites to take top spot in this group but may have some competition with Paraguay.
Italy are looking to reach back to back titles this year and also tying Brazil for the most World Cups won by a country. It will be difficult as there are a lot of great talent at this years World Cup and Italy may be looked at as the old timers. Many have even said that this years team reminds them of the 2002 France World Cup team where France were able to win in 1998 but then had a dreadful showing at the 2002 Championships.
However, Italy do hold some strong players on there 23 man roster. Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus F.C.), Fabio Cannavaro (Al-Ahli Dubai), Gennaro Gattuso (A.C. Milan) and Andrea Pirlo (A.C. Milan) bring the veterans edge and the 2006 spark back tot he national team while the likes of Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus F.C.) Leonardo Bonucci (A.S. Bari), Ricardo Montolivo (A.C.F. Fiorentina) and Giampaolo Pazzini (U.C. Sampdoria) deliver the youth Italy so desperately need.
Paraguay come into this tournament with some great talent. Roque Santa Cruz (Manchester City), Cristian Riveros (Sunderland A.F.C), Oscar Cardozo (S.L. Benfica) and Lucas Barrios (Borussia Dortmund) are all great players and are a thrill to watch. Italy may have a challenge against them in the first game of the group stage.
New Zealand are one of the underdogs of this tournament. Not much is really expected of them and many are predicting a win-less tournament for the All Whites.
Players to watch for are; Ryan Nelson (Blackburn Rovers), Chris Killen (Middlesbrough F.C.) and Shane Smeltz (Gold Coast United).
Slovakia qualify for their first World Cup tournament this year. They have put together a strong and youthful team with great talent on the 23 man roster. Martin Skrtel (Liverpool F.C.), Marek Hamsik (S.S.C. Napoli), Stanislav Sestak (V.f.L Bochum) and Robert Vittek (Lille O.S.C) will add that flare to the starting 11.
Slovakia may not do much during the tournament but a great team to keep an eye on for future tournaments.
My prediction for this group is as such:
Italy - 2 Wins, 0 Losses, 1 Draw
Paraguay - 2 Wins, 0 Losses, 1 Draw
Slovakia - 1 Win, 2 Losses, 0 Draws
New Zealand - 0 wins, 3 Losses, 0 Draws
Italy and Paraguay to advance to the Round of 16.
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