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World Cup 2006 Preview: Group A
*This post comes from Austinist Special World Cup Correspondent Ben Gardner, Co-Host of KOOP’s SoccerMad, who will be traveling to Germany for this year’s Cup.*
On June 9th soccer fans across the globe will turn their attention to the Allianz Arena in the heart of Bavaria, Germany. Munich’s new world class stadium will play host to the opening match of World Cup 2006 between Costa Rica and Germany. Designed by Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron, the Allianz arena is as strange as it is incredible. It looks like a huge doughnut and changes colors based upon who is playing.
With the excitement almost too much to bear, we will try to focus on the task at hand - previewing this year’s world cup participants. Today we will preview Group A, including Poland, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and host nation Germany. After a six game round robin, the top two teams will advance to the next round.
Germany is the fourth nation to repeat as world cup hosts. In 1974 they claimed the title on home soil by beating Holland in the final. It was their second title and they would claim another in 1990 by beating Argentina. Their three titles and seven finals appearances are bested only by Brazil. With such a tradition of success, the German fans and press will accept nothing less than a victory.
Such expectations may be a bit high for this year’s team. With a world ranking as low as it’s been in our memory, the Germans come into the tournament with aging stars and a shaky defense. Bayern Munich star, Michael Ballack, will attempt to reproduce some of his old form to lead the German attack. He is the key to the German team, and without an outstanding performance from him the Germans have little chance to go deep in to the tournament. Strikers, Miroslav Klose, Gerald Assomoah, and Kevin Kuranyi have the ability to play at a very high level. If they show poor form, coach Jurgen Klinnsman may turn to their 20 year-old, poster boy, phenom, Lucas Podolski. Bayern Munich star, 21 year old, Bastian Schweinsteiger, may be on his way to legend status. Now is his chance.
Poland joins Germany as the other European nation in Group A. When Germany last hosted the world cup, Poland finished third, their best performance in Cup history. A repeat of that performance, in this year’s world cup, is too much to ask.
The Poles are not a star-studded team and will rely on aging stars to lead their team. The most familiar name on their roster is last year’s Champions League hero, Jersey Dudek. The Liverpool goalkeeper has not seen much playing time this year and may show poor form as a result. Poland had a fantastic qualifying campaign and their supporters will look there for confidence leading into the tournament.
Ecuador are making their second consecutive appearance at a World Cup. Four years ago they qualified for the first time and proceeded to lose their first two matches to Italy and Mexico. They finished their tournament with a win against Croatia, and will hope to repeat that when they face Poland in their opening match on June 9th.
Ecuador over-achieved to get through South American qualifying, surpassing strong teams such as Colombia, Uruguay, and Chile. They did so largely in part to their home field advantage, playing their games in Quito’s Atahualpa stadium, around 10,000 feet above sea level. In nine qualifying games at home, they won seven and drew the other two. On the road they did not win a game in nine attempts.
Costa Rica have been projected by many to cause some problems in this group. Their star striker is veteran, Paulo Wanchope, who will retire from the national team at the end of the tournament. He will be the one to inspire the team if they hope to progress. There is no doubt that the Costa Ricans can score goals and play beautiful soccer. However, they have not consistently shown the ability to stop top level teams from scoring.
We believe that the German fans will rise to the occasion and inspire their team to a stage deep in the tournament. The title may be out of their reach, but they should top the group and find themselves a place in the semifinals. Poland should finish second, behind Germany, but they will get no further. Ecuador may find the competition too tough away from Quito. However, they are a team loaded with rising stars, and if they perform well, Ecuador could push past Poland for a spot in the next round. The Costa Ricans’ style will gain them many supporters and maybe a win, but it is unlikely to see them through to the second round.
If you love soccer, or would like to learn more about it, check out Ben Gardner and Chris Gaffney on Soccer Mad, every Thursday at 6:00 pm on 91.7 fm KOOP or online.
