World Cup Preview Group D
Germany
Despite not being mentioned with the likes of Spain, Brazil, England and Argentina you can never count out Germany from any competition. Semi Finalist in 2006, Runner up in Euro 2008, will the 2010 World Cup be the event Germany does one better? Losing your captain a couple weeks before the World Cup isn’t the best way to enter the competition but despite losing Michael Ballack I’m really excited to see what this Germany side can do. Joachim Loew has one of the most interesting jobs in this World Cup. Even without Ballack you have the likes of Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Miroslav Klose, and Lukas Podolski who have played roles for Kermany over the years. The last two will be interesting to watch as Klose couldn’t find his previous form all season long for Bayern Munich and Podolski while still scoring goals for the National team has stalled at club level with his move to home town club Koln not according to plan. The reason this Germany team is exciting is all the young players Loew can use. From the likes of Dennis Aogo, Holger Badstuber, Jerome Boateng, Toni Kroos, Marko Marin, Mesut Özil, and Thomas Müller it will be interesting to see which of these players end up breaking up as they will be the ones who lead Germany into future World Cups.
Key Player – Bastian Schweinsteiger
Sinnacle Prediction – 1st in Group D
Ghana
People are writing Ghana off mostly because of Michael Essien being injured but Essien did miss the African Cup of Nations but this young Ghana side made an impressive run to the finals and hopefully that confidence will carry over into the World Cup. Looking forward to the Ghana-Germany game thanks to Kevin-Prince Boateng taking out Michael Ballack with a hard tackle in the FA Cup. Wonder if any of the German will want to paid Boateng back with a hard foul of two of their own. Just don’t look for it to be by Boateng brother erome Boateng who plays for Germany to add another layer to this game. Ghana ANC form combined with playing close to home gives them a tiny edge to sneak into the group stage in another group where spots 2-4 are going to be hard to call.
Key Player – Sulley Montari
Sinnacle Predicition – 2nd in Group D
Serbia
Serbia is everyone’s sexy pick to make it far into the World Cup and for this reason alone I’m picking them to pull a Czech Republic (the it pick of 2006) and fail to advance out of the group stage. It’s easy to see way people are picking Serbia as a dark house. You have Champions League winners Nemanja Vidic and Dejan Stankovic to go along with an impressive collection of talent with the likes of Aleksandar Kolarov, Zdravko Kuzmanovic, and Milos Krasic. Then you have a talented front line with Liverpool new boy Milan Jovanovic and Birmingham’s Nikola Zigic. There is still a difference in having success at club level compared to the national team level. Few countries every make that giant leap, usually it’s baby steps up the ladder. It wouldn’t shock me if Serbia took the second spot in this group even if I’m not picking them but it’s unlikely they will be a final four team.
Key Player - Dejan Stankovic
Sinnacle Prediction 3rd in Group D
In a perfect world Australia would erase the bitter memories after going out of the 2006 due to a Francisco Totti dive by making a long run in this World Cup but as we all know this isn’t a perfect world. It almost seems unfair to pick Australia last in this group considering how well they play together but much like the United States in 2006 this is a tough group match up wise for Australia. To have success in the World Cup you need to score goals. (shocking isn’t it) When you look up and down this lineup you have to wonder where the goals are going to come from. Asking Tim Cahill to carry that slack to a tall order for a midfield they need someone to step up and have the month of their lives if Australia are to get into the knockout stage. In the end just see Germany not making a mistake against Australia then winning thanks to all their talent. Ghana and Serbia also match up favourable to this Australian side.
Key Player – Tim Cahill
Sinnacle Prediction – 4th in Group D