Waiting for Stars

June 8, 2002

England beat Argentina, but Argentina is the only team from this group who is strong enough to win the WC throphy
Therefore it`ll be better if Sweden looses against Argentina in four days.

Sweden was better than England in the 1-1 match. England was better than Argentina last night. But still, it`s Argentina who looks more like a coming champion.

IT`s a tradition that the coming champions stumbles a bit in the opening matches. It`s made the group more open and exiting than anyone could have predicted, the whole World Cup is. There are no homefavorites. Japan and South Korea isn`t good enough to win the whole turnament, although they did charm us during their first matches. Threre isn`t even a team from the continent who are arranging the tournament who`ll be anywhere near the final matches. That makes this a special WC.

The ones defending the throphy, France, has been the biggest dissepointment. A draw against Uruguay and a defeat against Senegal. But that was without Zinedine Zidane. In the desisive game against Denmark he`ll probably be back. That can be the difference between a team on their way out of the WC, to a team on their way to winning the WC. That`s how important the best players are for the best teams.

Every good team needs at least one great star who shines to be the best. The WC is the stage where the best ones needs to be at their best. That`s why Italy is dependant on a Vieri and Totti in form, like Brazil is dependant on Rivaldo and Ronaldo, Argentina on Veron and Batistuta and France on Zidane and Henry. Up until now, no one has really stand out. The throne is availeble.

Argentina, Italy, Brazil and France still stands as the favorites. But behind them, in this different WC, many others are lurking. Even Sweden and England. David Beckham was bad against Sweden, and didn`t shine against Argentina. But he did score the goal that decided the match, and success breads success. The goal and everything it includes of woreshipping might lift Beckham up to where he was before injurie hit. When Michael Owen does everything but score, England might very well be on the run.

Sweden is on the run. Sweden has to be taken seriously, just like Denmark. But none of them are as good as the bronzeteam from 94, or Denmarks legendary gang from 86. And that`s why the fun will be over brutaly and quickly.

Sweden will be meeting an Argentina who needs to win. Denmark will be meeting a France who needs to win. In the end I think they both will be dependant on other results to advance.
With easy victories against Slevenia and Paraguay, Spain is allready through to the next round as the first team. Traditionally that means they wont win this time either. And although Raul and Morientes occationally played brilliant, Spain lack to much to be crowned champions.

So did Argentina last night too. But wait. Wait for the stars. First in the final game of the group play, we`ll se who`ll make an impact in this World Cup.