I'd like to hear other opinions as well!!!
These are the ten games I'm most looking forward to watching (not including all Italy matches which would, of course, go 1-2-3):
1. Germany v. Costa Rica - This is the opening match of the World Cup. I'm not missing this for anything, no matter how bad the contest. I'm also hoping for a Costa Rica upset (although not getting my hopes up).
2. Netherlands v. Argentina - The best game of international football I've ever watched was the Czech's 3-2 upset over the Netherlands in the last Euro Cup. The Dutch play some of the most exciting and entertaining football in the world and watching them play against the Argentines, no doubt with qualification for the next round on the line, should be a real treat.
3. Czech Republic v. Italy - I'll of course be watching this game since it could be having a huge effect on Italy's' chances of advancing out of the group. However, these are both strong sides and it'll be fascinating to watch them square off, especially since in this group it's very possible that this game will mean everything.
4. Spain v. Ukraine - Only one team that's lost its first game in group play has advanced to the next round in the last two World Cups (Turkey). This is a very weak group, but we could possibly see some surprises, including Ukraine winning this group. Both sides should be motivated for this one.
5. Netherlands v. Cote d'Ivoire - Cote d'Ivoire have emerged as the strongest African side in this tournament. This game has upset painted all over it, not to mention that it looks like it'll be an exciting, attractive football game.
6. France v. Switzerland - Since it's very unlikely that Togo will surprise the French like Senegal did in the last World Cup, this is the match from Group G I look forward to most, and the one that offers us the greatest chance of seeing a shock upset in the group. Switzerland has looked like a strong, hungry squad and France has looked old and just a little tired. Neither team'll be looking to lose this first match.
7. Brazil v. Croatia - Opening match of Group F and the world's first chance to watch this Brazilian squad in action in the Cup. Croatia should prove a fun, exciting opponent.
8. England v. Sweden - Sweden surprisingly (or not surprisingly, depending on who you ask) won their group of death in the last World Cup, while England took second. Sweden have always been a strong side, and England has high expectations for this cup. It should make for a good match, but in this group, both teams might just be playing not to get hurt.
9. Mexico v. Portugal - I'd be much more thrilled about this game if it wasn't the last for these two teams. As it is, it might still prove an exciting match, and a good test for the two teams in what may be the World Cup's weakest group.
10. England v. Trinidad and Tobago - No reason to be excited for this one other than the excitement of seeing the Trinidadians in their first World Cup playing against their old colonial rulers. The English have looked too strong in friendlies to go down to a shock defeat, but stranger things have happened.
These are the ten games I'm most looking forward to watching (not including all Italy matches which would, of course, go 1-2-3):
1. Germany v. Costa Rica - This is the opening match of the World Cup. I'm not missing this for anything, no matter how bad the contest. I'm also hoping for a Costa Rica upset (although not getting my hopes up).
2. Netherlands v. Argentina - The best game of international football I've ever watched was the Czech's 3-2 upset over the Netherlands in the last Euro Cup. The Dutch play some of the most exciting and entertaining football in the world and watching them play against the Argentines, no doubt with qualification for the next round on the line, should be a real treat.
3. Czech Republic v. Italy - I'll of course be watching this game since it could be having a huge effect on Italy's' chances of advancing out of the group. However, these are both strong sides and it'll be fascinating to watch them square off, especially since in this group it's very possible that this game will mean everything.
4. Spain v. Ukraine - Only one team that's lost its first game in group play has advanced to the next round in the last two World Cups (Turkey). This is a very weak group, but we could possibly see some surprises, including Ukraine winning this group. Both sides should be motivated for this one.
5. Netherlands v. Cote d'Ivoire - Cote d'Ivoire have emerged as the strongest African side in this tournament. This game has upset painted all over it, not to mention that it looks like it'll be an exciting, attractive football game.
6. France v. Switzerland - Since it's very unlikely that Togo will surprise the French like Senegal did in the last World Cup, this is the match from Group G I look forward to most, and the one that offers us the greatest chance of seeing a shock upset in the group. Switzerland has looked like a strong, hungry squad and France has looked old and just a little tired. Neither team'll be looking to lose this first match.
7. Brazil v. Croatia - Opening match of Group F and the world's first chance to watch this Brazilian squad in action in the Cup. Croatia should prove a fun, exciting opponent.
8. England v. Sweden - Sweden surprisingly (or not surprisingly, depending on who you ask) won their group of death in the last World Cup, while England took second. Sweden have always been a strong side, and England has high expectations for this cup. It should make for a good match, but in this group, both teams might just be playing not to get hurt.
9. Mexico v. Portugal - I'd be much more thrilled about this game if it wasn't the last for these two teams. As it is, it might still prove an exciting match, and a good test for the two teams in what may be the World Cup's weakest group.
10. England v. Trinidad and Tobago - No reason to be excited for this one other than the excitement of seeing the Trinidadians in their first World Cup playing against their old colonial rulers. The English have looked too strong in friendlies to go down to a shock defeat, but stranger things have happened.
