Group E is arguably one of the toughest groups in the World Cup.
The teams in this group of elites are: Czech Republic, Ghana, Italy and United States.

The Czechs are the most-improved team going to the world cup. The team boasts of an array of stars and a tactical-wizardry manager(Karel Bruckner) as it was evident at EURO 2004.
Technically,the team produces what has been highly accepted as being the most flowing and attractive football in recent times.
They will be hoping to make a similar impact at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Their refreshing brand of attacking football saw them finish top scorers of the European qualifying phase, with Jan Koller second highest scorer overall on nine goals.
Players to watch in this team: Petr Cech, Jan Koller, Milan Baros, Pavel Nedved and Tomas Rosicky.

Ghana are the under-dogs in this group. A place on world football’s greatest stage is long overdue.
Ironically,their success comes at a time when they do not have as many big names but instead a youthful team with a disciplined approach fostered by coach Dujkovic, who offered an early statement of his no-nonsense approach by excluding former captain Samuel Kuffour from the squad. The team's short-comings lie in the fact that there are no quality strikers upfroont to do the scoring but one can expect to see Essien and Stephen Appiah to pop from the midfield to do the job.
Players to watch are: Muntari, Mathew Amoah and Michael Essien.

The Azzurris(ITALY) should take this group in their stride with ease but u never know with football.
Italy will be a threat in this world cup and the team's flexibility and versatility has progressed under the watchful eyes of their manager, Marcello Lippi.
The manager fought hard to emerge a new generation of players(who are all eager to seize the opportunity) in the squad by producing 9 debutants between summer 2004-autumn 2005.Names like Christian Vieri and Montella quickly disappeared. New youngsters forms the spine of the team who are now the hot favourites to clinch the world cup.
The team's strength lies in the defence marshalled by Fabio Cannavaro-who is arguably the best central defender in the world.
Players to watch: Luca Toni, Alberto Gilardino, Andrea Pirlo, Del Piero, Francesco Totti and Gianluca Buffon.

The United States will feel they have a chance to grab the second spot in this group. Comprehensive preparations, team flexibility and the manager's strategy will boost the Americans to beat the world's best in this tournament.
Bruce Arena(The Manager) will employ his traditional 4-4-2 formation along with the mixture of ambitious talents of youngsters and wily veterans to qualify for the K.O. stage. The team is very hard-working and its well-drilled enough to stir their foes in the group.
Players to watch are:Brain McBride, Claudio Reyna, Landon Donovan and Marcus Beasley.


Fixtures

TIME                                           MATCH                                            VENUE
Jun 12 17:00 UK     United States     V    Czech Republic                Gelsenkirchen
Jun 12 20:00 UK           Italy             V     Ghana                              Hanover
Jun 17 17:00 UK          Ghana           V    Czech Republic                 Cologne
Jun 17 20:00 UK           Italy             V     United States                   Kaiserslautern
Jun 22 15:00 UK     Czech Republic   V     Italy                                Hamburg
Jun 22 15:00 UK           Ghana          V     United States                  Nuremburg

This Group sounds exciting.
I want Italy to win this world cup cos it's high time they do so i am backing them to come top of the group.
Luca Toni and Gattuso are exciting players to watch and i cannot wait to see the Azzurris do their thing.
Czech republic will also pose a threat as they r brimming with ultra-confidence. Petr Cech's skills will be put to test because there won't be Makelele,Terry and Gallas to cover his a$$.
I have a feeling this group might produce the Winner of the world cup.
Cheers!

@ Mr Huccy,
Who do u think will win this group of Elites?
Czech Republic can be very dangerous and Italy are also known to produce good football.
As a matter of fact, I have a feeling Italy will win this world cup because history might repeat itself.
They had a similar kind of of scandal in their domestic league the last time they won the World Cup in 1982
Ghana can also be another dark horse who can clog up the wheels of 'em Giants.
I am beginning to see the world cup winner(ITALY) in this highly under-rated group of elites.
Whatchu think?

@ Jackal
Its a tough call.
The teams in this group are too trickish. It looks to me like a group that will produce so many draws and the toss of the coin will eventually seperate the boys from the MEN.
I fear 3 teams in this tournament. Czech Republic, Ukraine and Serb & Montenegro.
All these 3 teams have the ability to produce what Bulgaria did in 94, Croatia in 98 and Turkey in 2002.
Brazil, Holland and Italy will struggle against these 3 teams so watch out for 'em when the biggest football event in the world kicks-off.

Yes Jackal, Italy's goinna play in the finals!

Well Ordinarily, just looking at the group, one is bound to tip [b]Czech [/b] and [b]Italy[/b], but believe it or not Ghana are going to pull a Surprise in this group. I place them ahead of the United States, and tip them to be the most performing Country to represent Africa at the world cup,

@Huca

This cant be tougher than my group.

On paper, Checz and italy to go through but i will be supporting the "brazil of africa" though.

jagenne

i like that, i want to see what cech will do without Gallas, Makalele and Terry. I think this is the ultimate test of his goalkeeping skills. So far although he is good , i think he has been helped by avery good defence.



italy& czecg republic to progress

Cezch republic is just like Ukraine who have only one or two fantastic players.
They are not even favourites.

Ghana is my team o o
I held GHANA in a low esteem after that Nations cup show. Even with Essien missing I expected much from them since their bulk squad is based in Europe.
I hear 10 players from Shenanigans in Egypt tournament (CAF) were dropped.
Ghana will suffer from stage fright. Guys! Italy, US, and Czech Republic? God help us!

The Team that will blow the world apart,

this group is tough Ghana will try i really hope they do ooooo.
Usa will want to cantinue wat they started in 2002 in korea/japan
Italt well with all their home problems
Czech with all their players well maybe they'll qualify,

kola
The brazil of Africa is Cote d voire. Isn't it?
Italy are already through here whether heavens fall or not.
Did I hear Raul?

@ Prisccy,
Where's skintite?
Don't come baq to this thread without producing Skintite.
Ok?

Feels good to see "Check" in that pic,

Czech Rep. Waiting for their matchday

Huc!
when you were lashing her with all those sinks you din't know she would abscond her marital home.
Contact divorce court.

Let me wish ivy Coast the best of luck.

Pleasee! Anybody who watched CAF.
There is this Ivorian player called ROMARIC NDRI-left footed. he really set the ball rolling that I fall for him but surprisingly he is not in the squad. I recognised him first even before Didier.
Why is he not playing?
My favourite No. 11 -so good on flanks

Ghana is my team but it is almost inevitable that they will suffer before finally winning. Italy and Czech are very good. Even United States that i thought were easy to beat, have proven me wrong well enough. I just want Ghana to win all their games (na prayer oh)

@ Prisccy,
Ivory Coast is not in this group.


U really have to help Huccy out of this marital problems he's suffering.
Skintite just left him high n dry with 3 kids to cater for.
Hucz is now a baby father that wears diapers for 'em kids.
Thatz unfair,ain't it?

I will come for baby shower Huc dont worry.
Yeah Jackal I knew Ivy were not here but I was nervous, thats why I wrote here.
Its Ghana and they will shine just like Cote and Angola

Prissy where were you

Angwhat? Angola Priscy, I don't really like that team's game!

Spiky! go to group D and let me analyse that game for you right away
Am not so fine cos people are busy watching football and not writing here.

Muks!
Am very much around. its only me , you,Spiky perhaps Jackal interested on this forum to write. All others are selfish

yes ooo Prissy



@spikelord they played well tho they ad some defensive wahala they tried

whats all this talk about? i don't expect any thing good from any of the african teams.

Hunnie please, don't hate them. Let their work speak for them!

@Otokx.
Dont worry, I guess you are a white in Port hacort to be biased against Africa.
Perhaps if you say about the hell-bent refereeing will pull us down.

Those teams are doing well and carrying Africa flags,
I swear they compete with America I will cheer Africa in American land. I dont give a damn if am unceremoniously deported by biased people.

Angola tried although they made me angry. Reasons being:

1. They Obviously, to start with, are unarguably the most complacent in the group. They are already satisfied with making up the world cup teams.

2. Striker Akwa, was looking for his spectacular trade mark goal, and as a result bungled some chances he could have settled down and *driven home*

3. They were happy to draw, applauding themselves for settling with no point.

4. They made me angry anyway u look at it.

Czech republic leading the USA by 2 goals to nil,
goalscorers: jan koller (header)
                     Rosiscky 

Our own Oguchi Onyewu cant even display Okocha style. sad!

Not his fault, he's been kept in "Czech"

As at 75 minutes, Czech Republic 3, USA 0. Our own Rosicky (Arsenal) now two goal up.

wooo wenger knows aw to look, man rosicky was something else, they really trashed the us of a why did america put keller instead of friedel?
where is tony sanneh