Alright Fans - the World Cup Draw is out - and obviously the Americans and the English are loving life, while the Brazilians, well, not so much!

Let's look at the winners and losers for each group - and obviously predictions that you can lose your wallet on!!

Group A

South Africa
Mexico
Uruguay
France

Ok - let's be fair here - France probably do not even belong in South Africa, but they end up being the Biggest Winners of all 32 teams qualified...the Mexico/France match will probably be the match that decides the winner of this group.  If Mexico continues to play with the same urgency it had at the end of qualifying - I really feel they will be a very tough out.  One last note, you know the Irish are pissed after seeing the draw!!

The 2 teams to move on to the knockout stage:  France (I really hope the French continue to play like crap because they don't belong there, I can't stand Henry and this was before the handball cheating scandal & that coach should have been axed years ago) & Mexico


Group B

Argentina
Nigeria
South Korea
Greece

Was Diego Maradona out snortin it up with the FIFA officials last night??  Could this have gotten any easier for a team that really struggled during the qualifying stage?  Yes, Nigeria is talented individually, but chemistry is always an issue.  South Korea has beaten World Powers Spain & Italy in the past and Greece won the Euro Championship in 2004, but they've done nada since.

The 2 teams to move on to the knockout stage: Argentina (I know, shocking) & Nigeria


Group C

England
United States
Algeria
Slovenia

ARE YOU SURE?  The USA & England get the draw of all draws...all the Americans that support US soccer (which is about 7 of us) - all the talk yesterday was the Americans are setup to get into the group of death and their is no hope...oh, but NOOOO!!!  The USA & England open up Group C against each other, but after that, both teams should coast to 2 wins.  Obviously, I think everyone thinks that game will decide who wins the group..but I do want to say 2 things about that.  #1 - We all know about England's miseries the last few World Cups - so you never know if you are the USA.  #2 The loser of this game will have a ton of pressure on them in their 2nd & 3rd games in the group stage...if you lose your 1st one...it's almost a MUST WIN scenario in both...and you know how must wins can go for big time favorites (just ask Spain about their match against the USA in the Confed's Cup earlier this year).

The 2 teams to move on to the knockout stage:  England & USA

Group D

Germany
Australia
Serbia
Ghana

You could argue this is the "Group of Death," I know it isn't but it definitely could be.  Germany is always a tough team to beat at any time during this tournament - big, strong, athletic and very organized all over the pitch...but can Michael Ballack stay healthy going into and during the length of the tournament??  That might be the key to their chances.  The Socceroos can compete with most teams, but will struggle in this group.  Serbia is a huge dark horse, not just for this Group, but to possibly make a deep run in the tournament.  Ghana has some pieces, but this is asking too much...if they would have been drawn into Group C - they might have advanced - schucks the luck!

                                                                         

The 2 teams to move on to the knockout stage: Germany & Serbia


Group E

Netherlands
Denmark
Japan
Cameroon

The Netherlands once again get one of the easier draws in the tournament - doesn't this happen almost time and time again for them at the World Cup?  But they aren't a factor anyway - they will underachieve in the 1st or 2nd round of the knockout stage to a team that they should beat.  Denmark and Japan do not have the fire power to go too far even if they advance...but I like the chances of Cameroon playing in Africa with Samuel Eto'o.

The 2 teams to move on to the knockout stage: Netherlands & Cameroon


Group F

Italy
Paraguay
New Zealand
Slovakia

Okay, no matter what I have said before this point, this is absolutely the most embarrassing group in South Africa.  In fact, it's so bad, there are rumors flying around the world that Italy is only allowed to play with 7 players on the field during the group stage and that Ireland will be the 2nd team advancing into the knockout stage along with Italy.  Sorry, I got nuttin else here - except how can Marcelo Lippi find fault with this draw - idiot!

The 2 teams to move on to the knockout stage: Italy & Ireland, wait, sorry FAI, Paraguay


Group G

Brazil
North Korea
Ivory Coast
Portugal

OH MY GOODNESS!!  This is what you call - THE GROUP OF DEATH!!!  Have you ever watched Sesame Street - let's play - which one of these don't belong...mmmmm....could it be the team with the most idiotic leader on the face of the earth - ding ding ding!!  North Korea will be a -10 goal differential after these other 3 teams steam roll their arses like the rest of the world wants to do to it's leader, Sum Young Guy!  Brazil is still Brazil and I just can't imagine a way for them to lose 2 of their 3 games.  As long as Ivory Coast's All World striker Didier Drogba can stay healthy - they have a great chance of moving on.  Portugal - they can't score in a whore house with an American Express card - and for some reason - goals are important in the game of soccer.

The 2 teams to move on to the knockout stage: Brazil & Ivory Coast


Group H

Spain
Switzerland
Honduras
Chile

Ahhhh, the way it should be...the best team in the world and the Euro Champions, Spain, getting one of the easiest draws out there.  Spain is insanely loaded and their B squad could get them to the semis.  Does it even matter what other team copmes out - they are toast in the 1st round when the knockout stage comes calling.

The 2 teams to move on to the knockout stage: Ummm, let me think - Spain squeeking through (hopefully you are hearing my sarcasm through typing) and Bubble Gum Bubble Gum in a dish...Honduras

There are my predictions for the Group stages...I will give you my road (predictions) to the Final Four in the next couple of days!  Am I crazy...what do you think???  Let us know!