Only 18 months to go , any predictions?

[matias]

With about 18 months to go is anyone willing to put out some predictions as to who might be the next Champion and why? here is my list, include at least 3 possible winners.

Argentina- taking the South American qualifiers by storm, and no shortage of talent, in fact Beilsa has a problem deciding who to use, and Caniggia might get a call back as well. In my opinion the second strongest midfield in the world behind France, the best offence with Batistuta, Lopez, Crespo, Saviola and the list goes on to choose from. Weaknesses, Goalie and wing defence, but with the inclusion fo Samuel the defence is fairly strong just a tad bit slow.
France, world cup champs and European champs, Great midfield and superb defence, a team that has played together for a long time, weakness missed out in qualifiers because they are the champs, some players retiring or getting old, offence lethal but not as lethal as the Argies.
Italy, has improved over the last 4 years, Totti is looking great, good midfield , good offence, and great defence as well as keeper makes this a very good all around team.
Brazil always lethal in a tourney, a bit ina bind now but will find a way to be a contender in 2002. Well get started with your ideas , look forward to hearing from you all.

[gb1520]

i have a prediction...
i will not be on england's team for the next world cup.

[lilphenom]

IN MY OPINION I WILL HAVE TO SAY EITHER fRANCE AGAIN OR ARGENTINA ARE FAVORITES FOR THE REASONS YOU ALL READY STATED SUPERB IN THE MIDFIELD AND VERY TALENED AND MOST IMPORTANTLY VERY DEEP IN ALL POSITIONS SOME TEAMS WITH AN OUTSIDE CHANCE ARE BRAZIL HOLLAND ITALY . ITALY IN MY OPINION I WOULD PUT ABOVE BRAZIL AND HOLLAND BECASUE ITALY HAS VERY TALENTED PLAYERS THEY ARE VERY DEEP IN THE FOWARD POSTION AND VERY DEEP IN GOLAKEEPERS THEY ALSO HAVE A VERY SOLID DEFENSE IN MALDINI AND NESTA AND THE WAY TOTTI HAS BEEN PLAYING ITALY CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS BUT I THINK THAT THERE WILL BE A MAJOR UPSET IN THIS TOURNAMENT

[mikeyjj]

I'm definately with you guys on Argentina's early favouritism. They have currently got an obscene amount of talented players at the moment. They could possibly field 2 or 3 world class sides. Bielsa has got his hands full fitting all those players into some form of consistent sytem of play. As the World Cup is being held outside of Europe this time, history would suggest a non-European team will win. So South American teams can be optimistic. What chances an African victory?! Cameroon's recent win in Sydney was again proof that the Africans are getting closer to a major senior trophy. So my tip would be Argentina and my dark horse would be Cameroon. (and Australia to FINALLY qualify!!)

[tok87]

SLOVENIA will qualify,
CAMEROON can be a suprise,
FRANCE will probably win (only if ZIDANE will have an injury then...)

[Eli]

I predict the U.S. makes it to the second round.
France will repeat and England may finally show a bit of life, maybe the country that should be the best will make it to the second round also? What is up with English soccer?

[tok87]

GO SLOVENIa GO

[Neo]

As soon as I read the title for this topic I had a feeling there was going to be a lot of predictions towards Argentina. Ive not really been folloeing the qualifiers (apart form Engalnd), but I did see the other day that Argentina are 4-1 to win the world cup.

I personnally dont think France will do anyting. I have this feeling that they will be the surprise failure.Germany could be the surprise though....

[Ireland]

I think Ireland will do really well in 2002. 1994 was our last and we exceeded all expections. Now look at our young team. Robbie Keane????

[Machla§]

I think the team that will will...Well.I got a number of teams to pick. I got
Holland
France
Germany
Brazil
Argentina

Those teams are the best there are. Too bad greece got off with a bad start in 2002 WC, even when we qualified in 1994. But came out with the worst performance. I think the WC 2002 will be bigger than France 98 or possibly any other tournament. Though on the location of where Soccer is topped off by ping pong. There will be alot of Flights from europe to Korea and Japan. Personally, I dont think Italy will do well, Del Piero Is not in shape, Toldo is getting a mad reputation about the team, and the coach argues with the players even though Italy manages to win all they're games so far.

Zhto Ellas.

[kezmania2001]

here are my predictions for the qualifiers at least... UEFA Group 1: 1st Yugoslavia, playoff Russia... Group 2: 1st Portugal, Playoff Holland... Group 3: 1st Czech Rep, Playoff Denmark or Bulgaria... Group 4: 1st Turkey, Playoff Sweden or Slovakia... Group 5: 1st Ukraine or Poland, Playoff Ukraine, Poland or Norway... Group 6: 1st Belgium, Playoff Scotland or Croatia... Group 7: 1st Spain, Playoff Israel or Austria... Group 8: 1st Italy, Playoff Romania... Group 9: 1st England or Germany. Playoff England or Germany, or For you Greek fans, I still believe Greece can snatch a playoff spot.

[kezmania2001]

If Predict that Yugoslavia will surprise the World... We have a great young team that I believe can beat any country in the World... YUGO YUGO YUGO... PLAVIH PLAVIH PLAVIH

[Garrincha]

I'm Brazilian, and so I guess I'm sorta independent to say this: Argentina are THE team to watch out for, and not only on account of talent. Their squad has been getting stronger and stronger because they have a solid playmaking style, all the options are being stablished, and with a year to go their squad looks 99% ready. That is their greatest advantage, their team is tightly set up. Which isn't true for Brazil, who is still trying to figure out a lot of STARTERS, with one year to go. Things don't look good to us. But since this isn't the first time Brazil has been disorganized, and all the players are sorta used to working under these circunstances, we could even make a good title challenge.
Now, concerning the Europeans: France is a natural candidate, and so is Holland. But England and Germany don't look so hot. But it all can change, right? Between these great squads, it's all a matter of seeing who faces who, kick the ball and let's find out who wins.

[kezmania2001]

Nah italy and argentina will be in the final for the 2002 wc. argentina is dominating s.america at the moment. and italy is dominating europe. france have no chance. they have been playing with luck through out wc 98 and euro 2000.in 2002 it will be diffrent for italy. in euro 2000. they were defending the whole match against holland. in 2002 we have vieri,inzaghi, and del piero to count on. obviously it's maldini's last year. him,nesta, ans canavarro will play there best. france will be out in quarter finals. along with brazil. it's for a team with great skill to win the wc


FORZA AZZURRI !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[kezmania2001]

Time*

[Nemanja]

I agree that Argentina is one of the better sides in the world right now, but there can be many surprises , you can never say for sure who is going to be the winner but there are a lot of good sides. Hopefully the Check:) Republic won't get a hard group and will be able to show its talent.
So this is a few world cup contenders form Europe

France (for me still considered the #1 team)
the others are not in any particular order:
Italy
Portugal
England(Ericsson is doing a great job)

[lilphenom]

I AGREE WITH FRANCE THEY DESERVE TO BE RANKED # 1 THEY WON THE WORLD CUP AND WON EURO WHAT ELSE DO THEY HAVE TO DO ?? BRAZIL IS NOT EVEN THE TOP TEAM IN THE QUALY GROUP ARGENTINA WILL BE A HEAVY FAVORITE TO WIN AS WILL FRANCE , I AM NOT SAYING THEY WILL WIN , BUT I WOULD TAKE THOSE 2 OVER THE REST OF THE FIELD IF THE TOURNAMENT WERE TO START TODAY , ALTHOUGH LIKE SOMEONE MENTIONED FRANCE HAS A SLIGHT DISADVANTAGE BECASE THEY DO NOT HAVE TO QUALIFY SO THEY ARE NOT PLAYING TOGETHER AS OFTEN AS THE OTHER BUT THEY STILL ARE A VERY GOOD TEAM . AS FOR ENGLAND THEY HAVE A LOT OF WORK , THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE BECKS AND OWEN ON TOP FORM AND THE REST OF THE TEAM AS WELL , THEY HAVE IMPROVED SINCE EURO BUT THEY STILL HAVE A WAY TO GO . PORTUGAL WILL GO FAR I BELIVE BUT I WOULD NOT PICK THEM TO WIN , I POSSIBLY SEE THEM IN THE 3 RD PLACE MATCH DEPENDING ON WHO THEY RUN INTO BUT LIKE SOMEONE SAID THERE IS TILL ALOT OF TIME BETWEEN NOW AND THEN !!

[Nemanja]

Yes Brazil doesn't look too great, lets see what happens when Ronaldo gets back if he still has a part of his old game left. I would never underestimate Brazil there is enough time left for them to start playing like they used to do.

[abulmahshin]

Argentina wil win:rolling: