Who Are Ya! Who Are Ya! ...Cheering For?

Missed Ms FootyNut's first post? Find it here.

Photo: Simon Bruty/Sports Illustrated

I have officially been bitten by the World Cup bug and I'm infecting several people I work with. Huzzah!

Like World Cup die-hard fans I've been trying to keep up with all the games. I can't watch them at work, but I do scan the news feeds for updates and once I know what their uniforms look like, I'm pretty good at playing the game in my head - Pass, pass, pass, pass, tackle, ball out of play, throw in, pass, pass...you get it. You may ask, "How is that satisfying?" Usually I just keep hoping anyone and everyone will score. I think that stems from growing up in Hockey Town where games are relatively "high scoring".

But now that I know a little bit more about this game, and the teams, I keep myself interested by always picking a side. I am one of those people that if I don't have an allegience, I always root for the underdog. For me this is also true in politics - I voted for Nader in '08.

This most recent round for Group B, I was rooting for South Korea because Park Ji-Sung is on that team, but also plays for Manchester United - Mr. FootyNut's Premireship team. And in Group A I was rooting for Mexico because, well, no one should be rooting for those dirty cheating French.

During the Greece/Nigeria game there was a short discussion on The Guardian's Minute By Minute about how South African fans are rooting for any African team because to them, a win for that team equals win for the continent (according to the comments on the Guardian). This is not a phenom that we've seen elsewhere, particularly Europe. A win for Germany wouldn't necessarily be highly celebrated in Spain or even England. Would we be happy if Mexico won? What about Canada (if they'd made it)? I haven't noticed this African bias with the Algerian game, anyone else?

While Mr. FootyNut and I are on a media black-out today (so we can watch the Group C games uninterrupted later tonight) debate these questions with us.

What do you think about the African bias? Are there other allegiances out there I don't know about? Who do you vote for when "your team" isn't playing? OR, is that tempting fate and you secretly wish there was a lose-lose option for everyone else?

World Cup Predictions: Group A

I normally stay away from making predictions. More often than not, I end up with my foot in my mouth and egg on my face. However, what's a few predictions between friends in the name of wild speculation?

First up - logically enough - is Group A: France, Uruguay, Mexico and South Africa.

Players to Watch:
Franck Ribery (France)
Diego Forlan (Uruguay)
Carlos Vela (Mexico)
Steven Pienaar (South Africa)


Match to Watch:
France vs. Mexico
June 17, 2:30 P.M. (ESPN 2)


Predictions:

South Africa vs. Mexico
June 11, 10 A.M. EDT (ESPN)
Mexico has the unenviable task of opening their World Cup campaign against the host country. If South Africa wants to progress pass the first round, they will need to get points out of this game.
Result: SFA 1 - 1 MEX

Uruguay vs. France
June 11, 2:30 P.M. EDT (ESPN)
Two former World Cup champions meet in this first round clash. Uruguay (1930, 1950) comes from a continent renowned for its silky soccer prowess, while France (1998) comes from the tested furnace of Europe. Not to mention France's baggage train of controversy surrounding their qualification.
Result: URU 1 - 2 FRA

South Africa vs. Uruguay
June 16, 2:30 P.M. EDT (ESPN)
Both teams are from the Southern Hemisphere and will be playing in their winters. With that in mind, Uruguay's will all but seal the fate of the hosts.
Result: SFA 0 - 1 URU

France vs. Mexico
June 17, 2:30 P.M. EDT (ESPN 2)
This match will determine the first and second place teams in the group. France's talents in the form of Ribery, Malouda, Evra and Anelka (all of whom have been in tantalizing form this season in Europe) will be too much for Blanco's boys.
Result: FRA 2 - 0 MEX

Mexico vs. Uruguay
June 22, 10 A.M. EDT (ESPN)
Mexico will rally from their loss to France to clinch
Result: MEX 1 - 0 URU

France vs. South Africa
June 22, 10 A.M. EDT (ESPN 2)
While South Africa's supporters will no doubt be a force to reckon with, they will not be able to put up with a French team who will be up to speed by the end of the group stage. The best South Africa can hope for is a goalless draw.
Result: FRA 2 - 0 SFA


Final standings: