Fred Bowen's "The Score" column,
Friday, June 9, 2006, Washington Post

Are You Ready for Some World Cup?

The four-year wait is over. The World Cup begins today as host country Germany plays Costa Rica in the first game of the month-long soccer tournament.

The World Cup is the most popular sports event around. Teams from 32 countries on six continents will compete for the famous 14-inch, 13-pound gold trophy. More than a billion fans are expected to watch the championship match on July 9.

The 32 teams have been divided into eight groups of four teams each. Each group gets a letter designation from A to H. The teams in each group play against each other, and the two teams with the best records in each group advance to the round of 16. In that round, the World Cup becomes like the NCAA basketball tournament -- win or go home.

So let's take a look at the world's biggest sports show.

The Favorites: Most experts think Brazil will win a record sixth World Cup. The South American powerhouse has a team filled with one-name stars including Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Cafu.

Brazil should win Group F easily and move on to the round of 16 teams. Then, things could get interesting. Soccer matches usually are so close that one goal, one save, one big play can make all the difference. Even mighty Brazil could get upset by Italy, England, France or the Netherlands.

The Rookies: Six countries -- Angola, Ghana, Togo, Ivory Coast, Ukraine and Trinidad and Tobago -- are appearing in their first World Cup. These newcomers would be delighted if they could just make it to the round of 16. Which new teams have the best chance? I predict Ukraine and the Elephants of the Ivory Coast will move on.

Surprise Teams: Two very different teams might score upsets. The Serbia and Montenegro team allowed just one goal in 10 games to qualify for the World Cup. So any team that plays this tough defensive squad will be in for a close match. Sweden averaged three goals a game to qualify for the tournament. Expect the Swedes to fly out of Group B and knock out a team or two with their attacking style.

The Golden Boot: This is the award for the top goal-scorer in the World Cup. Who will be this year's winner? Ronaldo, who wore the Golden Boot in 2002, and Ronaldinho will do most of the scoring for Brazil. Jared Borgetti of Mexico was the top scorer in the qualifying rounds. Portugal's one-named Pauleta is one of Europe's top goal-getters. Borgetti and Pauleta have a chance at the Golden Boot if their teams make it to World Cup's final four.

The United States: This year's team looks better than the squad that made the final eight in 2002. But the USA is in the very tough Group E with Italy, the Czech Republic and Ghana. The Red, White and Blue must grab at least a tie against the Czech Republic in their crucial opening match on Monday (televised at noon on ESPN2) or the U.S. team could be in big trouble.

It's the World Cup. Win, lose or tie, the whole world will be watching.