GUIDE TO THE 2014 WORLD CUP!
GET YOUR SPORT THIS WEDNESDAY FOR GROUP H!
GROUP G
WE continue our Cup action series looking at the nations that will be going head to head when the World finally gets under contains way this Thursday. Today we’re focusing on Group G, which those sodding Germans. Oh, and a certain Portuguese player everyone will be watching – if he’s fit, that is...
PORTUGAL
PORTUGAL, the entertaining nearly- men, are sweating buckets over the fitness of the world’s best player, Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Real Madrid man is 29 and at the peak of his powers, but he may miss the first group game with a thigh strain and tendonitis in his left knee.
That will put Paulo Bento’s boys at a huge disadvantage as they open their tournament against Germany on June 16.
Portugal have a habit of making it to the semis but going no further – and usually knocking out England on penalties on the way.
Talking of nearly men, Manchester United spare part Nani ( left) will be hoping to remind people of his existence during the tournament. ONE TO WATCH: Cristiano Ronaldo ( right) PEDIGREE: Third in 1966 is still their best finish ODDS: 28/ 1
USA
FORMER Spurs striker Jurgen Klinsmann – a World Cup winner with Germany in 1990 – is USA coach. He scored in each of the six major tournaments he played in so it’s no surprise he’s turned the US from a dour defensive unit into a more attacking outfit.
Klinsmann isn’t afraid to make the big calls either, as he left Landon Donovan out of his squad despite the ex- Everton man’s huge haul of caps – 156 before his controversial axeing.
The German does have plenty of guys with Premier League experience to call on, including Everton keeper Tim Howard and Aston Villa shot- stopper Brad Guzan. Up front, Jozy Altidore had a poor season at Sunderland, so a lot will again rest on the shoulders of former Fulham hero Clint Dempsey
( left), who is now winding down his career with Seattle Sounders. ONE TO WATCH: Clint Dempsey PEDIGREE: Third in 1930 ODDS: 250/ 1
GERMANY
IF England do manage to get through their group, everyone in the country will be hoping to avoid Germany in the knockout stages – especially after the 4- 1 hammering Roy Hodgson’s boys took in South Africa four years ago.
But the penalty shootout kings suddenly don’t look as invincible as they used to.
Joachim Low’s squad may be packed with Bayern Munich stars, but since March, the Bundesliga champs have been average to say the least and were humbled in the Champions League last four by Real Madrid.
Reigning world and European champions Spain are Europe’s top team now, so could this be the year we finally see the Krauts fall flat on their faces in the group stage?
Mesut Ozil’s confidence took a hammering thanks to a poor first season at Arsenal and, with 36- year- old Miroslav Klose ( left) their only real out- and- out striker, they haven’t got much up front to worry opponents either.
ONE TO WATCH: Miroslav Klose PEDIGREE: Three- time winners ( 1954, 1974, 1990) ODDS: 6/ 1
GHANA
THE Black Stars won’t be fazed by this group as it reminds them of their successful campaign in 2010 which saw them almost reach the last four.
They were in the same group as Germany and came through it to meet USA, knocking them out in extra time to make the quarter- finals.
It was then that they failed to take advantage of Luis Suarez’s infamous hand- ball on the line and eventually lost to Uruguay on penalties.
There’s just one English- based player in coach Akwasi Appiah’s squad – award yourself 10 points if you knew it was Albert Adomah of Middlesbrough.
Ex- Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien and former Portsmouth winger Sulley Muntari, who are now both at AC Milan, are familiar faces, however. ONE TO WATCH: Kevin- Prince Boateng ( right) PEDIGREE: Quarter- final ( 2010) ODDS: 250/ 1