Part 3 - The du Nord Semi-Ultimate World Cup 6 Questions
We asked lots of friends from around the footballing universe to give us their thoughts on some very important questions relating to the WC.
Here is the third batch of folks and their answers:
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Roberto Gotta
Guerin Sportivo & ESPN Soccernet correspondent
Who is your favorite national team?
None really. Back in the Eighties, too many players I disliked put me off for ever supporting Italy. Enjoyed being in Berlin four years ago because of the experience and I was happy for some of the players, though
If your team gets knocked out, who do you follow then?
I always want England to do well; the US, Germany and Mexico, too. So I will be pretty neutral on June 12.
Who is in the final and who is going to win?
Without looking at how the pairings might be, I believe Brazil are going to beat Spain in the final, but I also think reliable predictions can only be made after the group phase. Getting through to the knockout phase is no indicator of a side's chances of winning it all.
Who will be the surprise breakout players of the tournament?
Marek Hamsik; James Milner; Pablo Aguilar; Mesut Ozil; Alexis Sanchez
How will the USA do?
Reach quarterfinals if central defenders play reasonably well and someone supports Altidore up front
Which team do you love to see get beat?
I do not like to say this, but... Argentina
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John Sandate
ELAC of the Union Ultras
Who is your favorite national team?
ESTADOS UNIDOS de AMERICA!! USA!
If your team gets knocked out, who do you follow then?
Any COCACAF team or any underdog team. Maybe Mexico (I'm Mexican-American). Maybe.
Who is in the final and who is going to win?
Spain versus Brazil. Brazil wins again.
Who will be the surprise breakout players of the tournament?
Luis Suarez -Chile. Soloman Kalou - Ivory Coast. Javier Hernandez - Mexico. Herculez Gomez/Edson Buddle - USA.
How will the USA do?
Los Estados Unidos will reach the Quarterfinals.
Which team do you love to see get beat?
MEXICO. MEXICO. MEXICO. ENGLAND, TOO.
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Marguerite Kirchhoff
F-I-F
Shegunner
Who is your favorite national team?
#USMNT
If your team gets knocked out, who do you follow then?
This year it will be The Netherlands
Who is in the final and who is going to win?
Netherlands v Argentine with The Netherlands winning.
Who will be the surprise breakout players of the tournament?
Edson Buddle and Robin vanPersie
How will the USA do?
How will the USA do? Realistically, we fall to Germany in the Round of 16.
Which team do you love to see get beat?
This year...England.
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Kartik Krishnaiyer
NASL Director of Communications and Public Relations
Who is your favorite national team?
USA
If your team gets knocked out, who do you follow then?
Nobody in particular except for England's opposition. I'll just hope for some good, attractive football, and England's elimination.
Who is in the final and who is going to win?
Brazil vs Germany with Brazil winning.
Who will be the surprise breakout players of the tournament?
Gonzalo Higuan, Gio Dos Santos, Meszut Ozil, Karim Ziani and Humberto Suazo
How will the USA do?
Second Round
Which team do you love to see get beat?
England, England and England. I love reading the tabloids after an England defeat. I disdain the hubris of the English press and English fans who assume an American cannot appreciate the game the way they do. We are more varied in our appreciation of the game here in the United States- we watch more leagues, and different styles of play here. I believe we know more about football than the English do. I would not make that argument about the Germans or the Italians, but simply about the English. Similarly, I don't have the same dislike of any other nation that I have for England in this sport. I don't care for Mexico either, but found myself in love with El Tri when they played England in a recent friendly. That says alot.
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Chris Nee
Editor of twofootedtackle.com.
Who is your favorite national team?
England, by genetics rather than choice and proud of it.
If your team gets knocked out, who do you follow then?
I really shouldn't say this given the draw, but USA. I follow American soccer very closely and have a real fondness for USMNT. After 12th June, of course.
Who is in the final and who is going to win?
I think Brazil and Spain will reach the final but Brazil will edge it, maybe after extra time.
Who will be the surprise breakout players of the tournament?
I've been bigging up Jong of North Korea but I think their group's too tough for him to shine. I expect Alexis Sanchez to do well, but hardly a surprise. Let's say Marin and Ozul of Germany, who should make an impression between the two of them, and Teko Modise, who will be key if the South Africans are to benefit from home advantage.
How will the USA do?
Out in the second round along with England.
Which team do you love to see get beat?
Tough question. I really hope England don't have to play Portugal because they've got the sign over us in a big way. Apart from that, I think Spain being beaten would make the whole thing more interesting. I don't have any animosity towards our traditional foes, Argentina and Germany, unless we're actually playing them.
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Evan Mitz
Manager of Business Development
Playbook Management International
Who is your favorite national team?
USA
If your team gets knocked out, who do you follow then?
EVERYONE, I watch every single game (except if the 3rd game in a group is not relevant to advancement)
Who is in the final and who is going to win?
ENGLAND v BRAZIL (BRAZIL winning it all)
Who will be the surprise breakout players of the tournament?
Mike Bradley, Messi (surprise to the argentines only)
How will the USA do?
Quarter-Finals
Which team do you love to see get beat?
Mexico, but I also love to see them play well with their possession style of play
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Eddie Rock
Libero Sports LLC
Who is your favorite national team?
USA followed closely by Rep. of Ireland
If your team gets knocked out, who do you follow then?
Argentina and Holland - dooming both to penalty heartache in the later rounds
Who is in the final and who is going to win?
Argentina 4 - 1 Brazil
Who will be the surprise breakout players of the tournament?
Javier Hernandez, Salomon Kalou
How will the USA do?
Advances to the 2nd Round
Which team do you love to see get beat?
England
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Kyle McCarthy
Boston Herald, Goal.com
Who is your favorite national team?
I've always had a soft spot for San Marino.
If your team gets knocked out, who do you follow then?
I always keep an eye on Ireland and England. Trapattoni has done a very nice job with the Irish, though he can't even find a way to game plan for a handball on the line.
Who is in the final and who is going to win?
Brazil and Spain are the two prohibitive favorites and they're located on opposite sides of the draw, so both of those teams are solid bets to reach the final. Brazil is probably the better bet with its approach, though Spain offers more pleasing fare for the neutral.
Who will be the surprise breakout players of the tournament?
It's so tough to peg breakout players when so many players are familiar faces. If you're going to find one, look to unheralded teams that could possibly make a run to the second round or the quarterfinals.
How will the USA do?
Second round, but advancing through the group won't be nearly as easy as many people have suggested.
Which team do you love to see get beat?
Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday, but I'm not sure Wednesday would be eligible for this prestigious tournament since the Owls are now currently resting comfortably in the third tier of English soccer.
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Buzz Carrick
3rd Degree
Who is your favorite national team?
USA
If your team gets knocked out, who do you follow then?
Netherlands and Argentina
Who is in the final and who is going to win?
Brazil and Netherlands, Brazil will win.
Who will be the surprise breakout players of the tournament?
Javier Hernandez
How will the USA do?
Advance to 16, win one game (against Ghana) and then be eliminated in Quarters by Argentina.
Which team do you love to see get beat?
Italy
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Lizz Summers
Director of Communications - New England Revolution
Who is your favorite national team?
USA. My first experience with soccer was the ’94 World Cup and watching the US on TV. Now look where I am.
If your team gets knocked out, who do you follow then?
Probably no team in particular, but will look for games that have a back story or secondary storyline in the knock-out stages.
Who is in the final and who is going to win?
I’d love to see a Spain-Brazil final, but as for who actually gets there? No clue. Teams are still losing key players to injury right now and that will have a big effect.
Who will be the surprise breakout players of the tournament?
Some team’s young up-and-comer with no pressure … someone from the lesser-heralded countries maybe, a few from African countries.
How will the USA do?
Round of 16 or quarters, but I don’t want to rule out the possibility of more.
Which team do you love to see get beat?
England by the US and Italy other than that. No particular reason, however.
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Here is the third batch of folks and their answers:
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Roberto Gotta
Guerin Sportivo & ESPN Soccernet correspondent
Who is your favorite national team?
None really. Back in the Eighties, too many players I disliked put me off for ever supporting Italy. Enjoyed being in Berlin four years ago because of the experience and I was happy for some of the players, though
If your team gets knocked out, who do you follow then?
I always want England to do well; the US, Germany and Mexico, too. So I will be pretty neutral on June 12.
Who is in the final and who is going to win?
Without looking at how the pairings might be, I believe Brazil are going to beat Spain in the final, but I also think reliable predictions can only be made after the group phase. Getting through to the knockout phase is no indicator of a side's chances of winning it all.
Who will be the surprise breakout players of the tournament?
Marek Hamsik; James Milner; Pablo Aguilar; Mesut Ozil; Alexis Sanchez
How will the USA do?
Reach quarterfinals if central defenders play reasonably well and someone supports Altidore up front
Which team do you love to see get beat?
I do not like to say this, but... Argentina
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John Sandate
ELAC of the Union Ultras
Who is your favorite national team?
ESTADOS UNIDOS de AMERICA!! USA!
If your team gets knocked out, who do you follow then?
Any COCACAF team or any underdog team. Maybe Mexico (I'm Mexican-American). Maybe.
Who is in the final and who is going to win?
Spain versus Brazil. Brazil wins again.
Who will be the surprise breakout players of the tournament?
Luis Suarez -Chile. Soloman Kalou - Ivory Coast. Javier Hernandez - Mexico. Herculez Gomez/Edson Buddle - USA.
How will the USA do?
Los Estados Unidos will reach the Quarterfinals.
Which team do you love to see get beat?
MEXICO. MEXICO. MEXICO. ENGLAND, TOO.
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Marguerite Kirchhoff
F-I-F
Shegunner
Who is your favorite national team?
#USMNT
If your team gets knocked out, who do you follow then?
This year it will be The Netherlands
Who is in the final and who is going to win?
Netherlands v Argentine with The Netherlands winning.
Who will be the surprise breakout players of the tournament?
Edson Buddle and Robin vanPersie
How will the USA do?
How will the USA do? Realistically, we fall to Germany in the Round of 16.
Which team do you love to see get beat?
This year...England.
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Kartik Krishnaiyer
NASL Director of Communications and Public Relations
Who is your favorite national team?
USA
If your team gets knocked out, who do you follow then?
Nobody in particular except for England's opposition. I'll just hope for some good, attractive football, and England's elimination.
Who is in the final and who is going to win?
Brazil vs Germany with Brazil winning.
Who will be the surprise breakout players of the tournament?
Gonzalo Higuan, Gio Dos Santos, Meszut Ozil, Karim Ziani and Humberto Suazo
How will the USA do?
Second Round
Which team do you love to see get beat?
England, England and England. I love reading the tabloids after an England defeat. I disdain the hubris of the English press and English fans who assume an American cannot appreciate the game the way they do. We are more varied in our appreciation of the game here in the United States- we watch more leagues, and different styles of play here. I believe we know more about football than the English do. I would not make that argument about the Germans or the Italians, but simply about the English. Similarly, I don't have the same dislike of any other nation that I have for England in this sport. I don't care for Mexico either, but found myself in love with El Tri when they played England in a recent friendly. That says alot.
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Chris Nee
Editor of twofootedtackle.com.
Who is your favorite national team?
England, by genetics rather than choice and proud of it.
If your team gets knocked out, who do you follow then?
I really shouldn't say this given the draw, but USA. I follow American soccer very closely and have a real fondness for USMNT. After 12th June, of course.
Who is in the final and who is going to win?
I think Brazil and Spain will reach the final but Brazil will edge it, maybe after extra time.
Who will be the surprise breakout players of the tournament?
I've been bigging up Jong of North Korea but I think their group's too tough for him to shine. I expect Alexis Sanchez to do well, but hardly a surprise. Let's say Marin and Ozul of Germany, who should make an impression between the two of them, and Teko Modise, who will be key if the South Africans are to benefit from home advantage.
How will the USA do?
Out in the second round along with England.
Which team do you love to see get beat?
Tough question. I really hope England don't have to play Portugal because they've got the sign over us in a big way. Apart from that, I think Spain being beaten would make the whole thing more interesting. I don't have any animosity towards our traditional foes, Argentina and Germany, unless we're actually playing them.
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Evan Mitz
Manager of Business Development
Playbook Management International
Who is your favorite national team?
USA
If your team gets knocked out, who do you follow then?
EVERYONE, I watch every single game (except if the 3rd game in a group is not relevant to advancement)
Who is in the final and who is going to win?
ENGLAND v BRAZIL (BRAZIL winning it all)
Who will be the surprise breakout players of the tournament?
Mike Bradley, Messi (surprise to the argentines only)
How will the USA do?
Quarter-Finals
Which team do you love to see get beat?
Mexico, but I also love to see them play well with their possession style of play
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Eddie Rock
Libero Sports LLC
Who is your favorite national team?
USA followed closely by Rep. of Ireland
If your team gets knocked out, who do you follow then?
Argentina and Holland - dooming both to penalty heartache in the later rounds
Who is in the final and who is going to win?
Argentina 4 - 1 Brazil
Who will be the surprise breakout players of the tournament?
Javier Hernandez, Salomon Kalou
How will the USA do?
Advances to the 2nd Round
Which team do you love to see get beat?
England
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Kyle McCarthy
Boston Herald, Goal.com
Who is your favorite national team?
I've always had a soft spot for San Marino.
If your team gets knocked out, who do you follow then?
I always keep an eye on Ireland and England. Trapattoni has done a very nice job with the Irish, though he can't even find a way to game plan for a handball on the line.
Who is in the final and who is going to win?
Brazil and Spain are the two prohibitive favorites and they're located on opposite sides of the draw, so both of those teams are solid bets to reach the final. Brazil is probably the better bet with its approach, though Spain offers more pleasing fare for the neutral.
Who will be the surprise breakout players of the tournament?
It's so tough to peg breakout players when so many players are familiar faces. If you're going to find one, look to unheralded teams that could possibly make a run to the second round or the quarterfinals.
How will the USA do?
Second round, but advancing through the group won't be nearly as easy as many people have suggested.
Which team do you love to see get beat?
Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday, but I'm not sure Wednesday would be eligible for this prestigious tournament since the Owls are now currently resting comfortably in the third tier of English soccer.
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Buzz Carrick
3rd Degree
Who is your favorite national team?
USA
If your team gets knocked out, who do you follow then?
Netherlands and Argentina
Who is in the final and who is going to win?
Brazil and Netherlands, Brazil will win.
Who will be the surprise breakout players of the tournament?
Javier Hernandez
How will the USA do?
Advance to 16, win one game (against Ghana) and then be eliminated in Quarters by Argentina.
Which team do you love to see get beat?
Italy
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Lizz Summers
Director of Communications - New England Revolution
Who is your favorite national team?
USA. My first experience with soccer was the ’94 World Cup and watching the US on TV. Now look where I am.
If your team gets knocked out, who do you follow then?
Probably no team in particular, but will look for games that have a back story or secondary storyline in the knock-out stages.
Who is in the final and who is going to win?
I’d love to see a Spain-Brazil final, but as for who actually gets there? No clue. Teams are still losing key players to injury right now and that will have a big effect.
Who will be the surprise breakout players of the tournament?
Some team’s young up-and-comer with no pressure … someone from the lesser-heralded countries maybe, a few from African countries.
How will the USA do?
Round of 16 or quarters, but I don’t want to rule out the possibility of more.
Which team do you love to see get beat?
England by the US and Italy other than that. No particular reason, however.
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posted by brucio at 19:36
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