World Cup groups - a random look at what could be

So in 8 days the World Cup groups will be determined, we get a look at the new Adidas football and we will all start over analyzing which is the group of death, who had the easiest draw, who will move on and who will win it all. But why start in 8 days...I have already seen some "mock" groupings, which are always fun! So I figured I would do one for the Beantown Frog.

So here is a rough look at the what could be the 4 pots - These seem fairly well agreed upon, you could argue that Holland should be in pot 1, but who would you drop? If you say France shame on you, in the past 3 World Cups they have won the title, knocked out first round and runner up...not a bad track record (even with the 2002 debacle). England? 1/4 finalists twice...the other nations? Cannot see one drop. So from these pots we will get the 8 groups.

POT 1-Brazil, Spain, Argentina, France, England, Italy, Germany, South Africa

POT 2- Netherlands, Portugal, Denmark, Slovenia, Greece, Slovakia, Serbia, Switzerland

POT 3- USA, Mexico, Honduras, South Korea, North Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand

POT 4- Paraguay, Uruguay, Chile, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Nigeria, Algeria

The teams you want to avoid from Pot 2 - Holland and Portugal, from Pot 3 - Mexico, South Korea and USA (I think the Americans proved during the Confederations Cup they can be dangerous in any game) from Pot 4 - all the nations are dangerous...

So after doing a random draw here is what I get (I did not try to match these to any group numbers):

Brazil, Holland, North Korea and Ivory Coast: A strong group could be the "group of death." Poor North Korea. I could see either Holland or Ivory Coast through with Brazil, doubt the Samba boys would not emerge in one of the top 2 spots. Brazil and Holland are the class.

Spain, Portugal, Mexico and Paraguay: This is the group of death. A juice Iberian derby between Spain and Portugal. Mexico and Paraguay are no push overs and could sneak in as the second place team. Spain and Mexico advance.

Argentina, Slovenia, USA and Ghana: Ouch a rematch for the US with Ghana, we all know how it ended in Germany. A difficult group for all the teams, Slovenia is no push over and could surprise one of the big fish. With Maradona and Argentina in difficulty could you have a USA - Ghana, top 2 teams? Lets go with the upset and say the US and Ghana get through.

France, Greece, Australia and Uruguay: I did this completely at random, even dorked out and used the rand function in excel to assign numbers...so I did not trick the system to give Les Bleus are relatively easy draw. In the Soccer by Ives mock group, France get Ghana, Portugal and Mexico...ouch. But back to this draw. Greece would be difficult, a hard defensive team that tends to give Les Bleus lots of trouble, Australia would be interesting but should be a win and Uruguay is always a tough draw. I would see France and the South Americans get through.

England, Serbia, New Zealand and Nigeria: An easy group for the 3 Lions...or would it be? The "all whites" from New Zealand will just be there as tourists...now if it were the rugby team visiting South Africa that would be interesting to watch! Serbia will give England fits and Nigeria, if they live up to their potential, could surprise. End of the day the 3 Lions and Nigeria move on.

Italy, Denmark, Japan and Chile: A good group for the Italians, lots of teams that will win on organization and high work rate. But the Italians are the master at organization, so they will cruise through on 3 boring defensive matches! Second place will go to the Danes, too much footballing savvy for the other two nations. Italy and Denmark through.

Germany, Slovakia, South Korea and Cameroon: An interesting group. The South Koreans lost their semi finals in 2002 to the Germans. Cameroon has surprised in prior tournaments - Italy 1990 anyone? However we all know that Germany get past the group stages...as well Cameroon.

South Africa, Switzerland, Honduras and Algeria: Um if this group did come to fruition, I would not be surprised to see a number of articles, blogs, talking heads etc saying the fix was on to ensure the host nation go through...none of the teams strike fear into too many footballing nations. South Africa would ride the home crowds through and the Swiss attention to details would see them through as well.

So that gives the following into the knock outs:

Brazil
Holland
Spain
Mexico
USA
Ghana
France
Uruguay
England
Nigeria
Italy
Denmark
Germany
Cameroon
South Africa
Switzerland

Fantasy I realize...but it is a fun exercise after eating too much at Thanksgiving!