Bend It Like Ronaldinho

Late night action is all set to take a new meaning as football widows the world over take a backseat while an estimated 30 billion people would keep their date with the idiot box.
It really doesn't matter whether one is a regular follower of premier league games between the likes of Arsenal,Real Madrid,Chelsea and Manchester United, but once every four years, one has to keep track of the progress of their favourite team in the world's biggest carnival,which in my case,as for most of the world,happens to be Brazil.

I mean it's as obvious as saying America has been screwed up in Iraq, or that Shiloh Jolie Pitt would grow up to be a bombshell.The whole country seems to play football for God's sake, and there's so much talent that the biggest challenge for them is not who to select but the other way round.

Ronaldo and Ronaldinho have,in true Brazilian style, transformed the game into an art,with seamless dribbles,dodges and passes that are as smooth as a baby's butt.As if they were not enough,Robinho,Adriano,Cicinho and Kaka further contribute towards a team that is as perfect as can be.It would be a sheer disaster if such overwhelming talent couldn't lift the cup.

A brief overview of the various groups:

Group A:
Germany,CostaRica,Poland,Ecuador

No doubt about who's going to top this group,almost everyone expects Germany to have a smooth sail to the next stage.Key players being their striker Michael Ballack,the legendry Oliver Kahn and the guy who's replaced him as the goalie....Jens Lehmann.Though whether they reach the finals is yet to be seen,but as they say,"Never underestimate the Germans!"


Group B:
England,Sweden,Paraguay,Trinidad



Again pretty much a 1-sided group....the English talent is most likely to emerge at the top.With stalwarts like David Beckham,the much talked about 20 yr old "injured" Wayne Rooney,Michael Owen,Aaron Lennon and John Terry.Also my 2nd favourites for the Cup.

Group C:
Argentina, Netherlands, Serbia, Ivory Coast

Though Argentina are the favourites here,Netherlands are close behind.Major talent here is Drogpa,Crespo,Messi the "New Maradona" and Marco Van Basten.

Group D:
Portugal,Angola,Mexico,Iran

Portugal and Mexico are said to have some real good talent, and Portugal even said to have serious chance at the finals.The main portugese talent lies with Deco and Cristiano Ronaldo.(Yea another lucky chum)

Group E:
Italy,Czech,Ghana,America

Italy remains the favourite here with Czech a close 2nd, and best Italian talent in Luca Toni,Fabio and Nesta.

Group F:
Brazil,Croatia,Australia,Japan

Do i have to say the words ?

Group G:
France,Switzerland,South Korea,Togo

It's France all the way with the star Arsenal striker Thierry Henry and '98 star Zinedine Zidane.

Group H:
Ukraine,Spain,Saudi Arabia,Tunisia

Though Spain is the favourite here,Ukraine are said to have a good chance in this round.Alonso and Villa form the major Spanish talent.



So that's about it. This promises to be a long month of good late night sporting action.My personal ranking:

Brazil
England
Germany
France
Spain
Argentina