World Cup 2010 - Group F

Ah the Italian group, some have said this group is easy....I would actually say it might be a little more challenging that it would appear:

Team v • d • e Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Italy 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Paraguay 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 New Zealand 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Slovakia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Clearly the defending champions Italy will be heavily favorite to go through to the knock out stages. It is hard to imagine the Italians not going through, even if they lose their first match against Paraguay, which could prove trickier than many would expect. Much is expected from the 4 time World Cup winner, especially after their world champion manager - Lippi - was brought back from a second stint as manger. However 4 years have passed since the World Cup in Germany, and surprisingly the faces for the Italians remain much the same - Grosso, Buffon, Cannavaro, Pirlo, Camoranesi, Toni and Gattuso...and guess what these players all have in common...they are the wrong side of 30. The team looked old during the last Confed Cup, barely defeating the United States and being thoroughly outclassed by the Brazilians. What has really changed since then? Not much...and now there is a rumor that Milan's Nesta and AS Roma's Totti will be asked to come back to the national side. Granted, on experience alone this side should get through. Paraguay will feel they have a legitimate chance to top the group and should definitely get through to the next stage. They finished tied for second in the South American group, just one point behind Brazil. They have the dangerous striker Santa Cruz to score the goals and will not be intimidated by the defending champions after having to face Argentina and Brazil in their qualification campaign. Poor New Zealand, well actually the Kiwis are fortunate. With Australia leaving the Oceania region it leaves the All Whites as the clear favorite to represent the region. Unfortunately that means they then become the sacrificial lambs in the group stages. Well at least they did not get the same draw as the North Koreans! The squad is made up mostly of domestic players having only a few players in the English or Scottish leagues. Their stay in South Africa should be short lived...well if this were a rugby group they might defeat all the teams by triple digits. Finally we have Slovakia who is an intriguing side having finished top of their difficult group - Czech republic, Poland, Slovenia...were this still the Czechoslovakian side then they would be considered one of the better European sides, but alas the fall of communism split this side. However Slovakia could surprise with players through out Europe - Skrtel, Hamsik, Vittek to name a few - there is some quality and experience on this side. They are also fortunate to start off against the All Whites - so you would expect the full 3 points. The second match against Paraguay will be crucial if they can get a point or the full 3 then the last game against the Italians will be little more than a friendly.

Predictions: Italy, Slovakia, Paraguay, New Zealand.
Player to watch: The old guard for the Italians. Repeating as World Cup champions is incredibly difficult, let alone with many of the same players. How will the old guard for Italy hold up?