Group H
The final group should be pretty straight-forward, with Spain and the Ukraine leading the way, but Tunisia could pose some potential problems. As for perennial doormat Saudi Arabia, they are just looking to improve upon their last trip to the biggest event on the planet, when they were sent home in humiliating fashion, being outscored 12-0.
Spain
What you need to know — The standard bearers for underachieving. There is not a more predictable, consistently-disappointing bunch when it comes to a major tournament than Spain.
Style — They have throughout the years a team that likes to attack down the flanks, and they are ready to do the same again with a balanced 4-3-3 approach featuring two wingers and a true striker. They are also likely to go with two defensive midfielders, but could change things up a bit with their all-around squad depth and throw out an even more attacking lineup than previously anticipated.
Achilles heel — Mentality. It's almost as if everyone, fans and national team members alike, expect this team to underperform. The 2004 European Championships were emblematic of the Spanish struggles — after beating Russia, they dominated Greece, but somehow only managed to draw with them. Then, needing only a draw against perennial underachieving rival Portugal to advance, they lost 1-0. Many pundits were surprised Spain had been eliminated in the group stage, but few Spainards shared the same shock.
Player you need to know — Fernando Torres. He is the lead striker and has been linked with huge transfer fees all over Europe. The homegrown Atletico Madrid forward was Spain's leading scorer in qualifying and figures to get the bulk of opportunities in this talented side.
Player you will learn to know — David Villa. The former Zaragoza striker burst onto the scene this season with 25 goals to help his new club Valencia qualify for the Champions League and thrust his way into the national team's starting lineup. He figures to play on the wing, but can finish with the best of them.
Prediction — This is one of the deepest, most talented teams in the field. On paper, they should win the group with ease and waltz into the quarterfinals. In reality, though, they will probably win the group, but on goal differential, then struggle to beat a clearly inferior team, before bowing out in the quarterfinals.
Ukraine
What you need to know — Their World Cup debut, the Ukraine was strong in qualifying, finishing atop a very competitive group that featured 2004 European champs Greece, 2002 World Cup semifinalists Turkey, and an extremely formidable Denmark side that has been a regular in recent major international tournaments.
Style — The Ukraine served notice with their impressive 3-0 win at Turkey, which pretty much served as a blueprint for their style - keep it tight in the back and let the big guy score. The big guy, of course, is all-planet striker Andriy Shevchenko, who Chelsea just paid $50 million dollars for.
Achilles heel — Depth. Shevchenko is in a race to be fit for the opening game after surgery in May. And as their coach Oleg Blohkin said "Of course, with Shevchenko we have one team and without him it is quite another team."
Player you need to know — Surprise, Andriy Shevchenko! The former European player of the year is the best striker in the game. He is equally lethal with both his left and right foots, as well as his head. There is not a better pure goal scorer in the world.
Player you will learn to know — Andriy Voronin. The Bayer Leverkusen forward plays opposite Shevchenko and although he only scored once in qualifying, he could be poised to have one of those unforgettable tournaments with all the attention Shevchenko is sure to attract.
Prediction — This is one of the tournaments true sleepers. They could have a potential meeting with France, a country with which their footballing talents are often compared to. And with their defense and finishing up front, it could mean au revoir Les Bleus.
Tunisia
What you need to know — They are not a pushover. This northern African team can play competitively with some of the best teams in the world as they proved in the Africa Cup of Nations this winter, losing to Nigeria in a long and protracted penalty shootout. They had a poor showing in the 2002 World Cup, but won the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations and are eager to show their improvement this time around.
Style — They play the most European of all the African teams. Coach Roger Lemerre has instilled a mentality of disciplined defending along with a ball-controlling midfield. That, and a naturalized Brazilian to help ease the scoring load.
Achilles heel — Like a lot of northern African teams, their disciplined style of play works great against the other African teams, but against European squads, their team becomes exposed because their talent isn't up to some of the other clubs, and their advantage of being a cohesive team goes out the window against other equally cohesive units.
Player you need to know — Dos Santos. The previously referred to naturalized Brazilian striker plays successfully in France. The "Roadrunner" as he is called is the one true difference maker in the side.
Player you will learn to know — Hatem Trabelsi. The right fullback has spent much of his career at Ajax tormenting opposing defenses down the wing, when healthy. And provided he is, Trabelsi could be a thorn in opposing teams' future plans.
Prediction — This team hasn't won a game in the World Cup since 1978. That should change in their first opportunity against Saudi Arabia. After that, they could pose some trouble, but I suspect they will fall admirably short.
Saudi Arabia
What you need to know — The worst team in the 2002 World Cup returns for what should be another three and out. They were drubbed by a combined 12-0 margin in their three games four years ago.
Style — Quick and powerful by Asian standards, the Saudis like to move the ball around swiftly and have had reasonable success of late, including defeating South Korea twice during an undefeated qualifying run.
Achilles heel — Their best player is 33-years-old, and no one plays outside of Saudi Arabia. They are short on talent, but long on funds — they rank as some of the most well-paid footballers in the world.
Player you need to know — Sami Al Jaber. This will be the fourth World Cup for Saudi Arabia, and it will be the fourth World Cup for Sami, as well. He is the first Asian to score in two World Cups, but is not up to the standard of other world-class strikers.
Player you will learn to know — I doubt we'll get to know any of these guys, but be on the lookout for Yasser Al Qahtani. He led the team in scoring during qualifying and is being characterized as the nation's best young player with some dazzling dribbling skills.
Prediction — Score a goal first, and then worry about getting a result, from somewhere — hopefully in the first game, because it won't get any easier from there. The Ukraine and Spain figure to be extremely stingy when it comes to handing out charity goals, so Tunisia might be the best place to look. If the Saudis prove to be as bad as I think they will be, FIFA needs to look at how the bids are allocated — there is no way Asia deserves 4.5 places in the World Cup, Saudi Arabia serving as a prime example. Should they really be in this tournament two times in a row? Are they better than Uruguay? Denmark? San Marino?
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