Which top team will be the surprise group stage exit?

Ah yes, yes I did.

So that's a trend, right?

2006 Champions --> Out in 2010 WC

2010 Champions --> Out in 2014 WC

2014 Champions --> Germany it is?

BarrileteCosmico wrote:Ah yes, yes I did.

So that's a trend, right?

2006 Champions --> Out in 2010 WC

2010 Champions --> Out in 2014 WC

2014 Champions --> Germany it is?

France in 2002

We found the answer in that pattern, BC.

England or Portugal

I voted Germany

halamadrid2 wrote:I voted Germany

That would be possible if weren't in such an easy group

Myesyats wrote:England or Portugal

Have you seen our group lol? Sterling and Kane will be enough by themselves.

Hapless_Hans wrote:the question was 'top team'

Portugal isn't

I say Portugal is much more of a 'top team' than England.

M99 wrote:Brazil.

Why haven't you voted?

Also the person saying France hasn't voted.

Most of all I would really like to know who are the four people who voted for Germany. This is unreal. Four people have voted for Germany. I thought they were the forum's top pick to win the trophy.

If even one of Germany, Brazil and France exit quickly, the forum will have to congratulate those who are calling it now.

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:

Nishankly wrote:They won the Euros, They deserve respect.

Portugal will go out in the Group stages imo

Winning the Euros is now about as meaningful at as every other continent jobber tournament.

Aka absolutely nothing.

I agree with a lot of things you have said but definitely not this one. Euros remain a top competition in which every team gives everything. If sometimes the team that wins does not seem like the best team it's because the competition is so close that anyone can beat anyone.

What might be a very interesting question is why does that never happen at a world cup which has for years been much more of a big boys playground. Off hand I am not able to think of a good answer for that. Maybe facing teams from outside Europe is more testing since you are not that well prepared for what you are going to get. Till recently Euros had one match less which made it less of a marathon than the world cup but that has changed now. All said and done I believe winning the Euros is at least 70% as credible as winning the world cup. It counts more than being a world cup losing finalist. As to why we do not see surprise champions and finalists in a world cup maybe it will happen some time soon. After all way back in 1954 Germany became the champion surprising everyone.

Uruguay intrigues me. Young midfield and in a group with the hosts who want to make an impression and an Egypt team that might turn heads if Salah manages to get fit.

El Gunner wrote:We found the answer in that pattern, BC.

EG

S wrote:Expect Argentina's group to be decided in the last matchday though with Argentina somehow sneaking through and probably finish 2nd.
If that counts as a 'surprise'.

BarrileteCosmico wrote:We lost 4-0 to Nigeria in a friendly, Croatia and Iceland are no joke either. I don't think we'll get kicked out, but I think our group is the 'toughest' and likeliest to produce an upset.

Prophetic comments