Two more games on the menu today, one will likely reveal the group winner and the other will likely leave someone out in the cold. In the first, and more attractive of the two games, there isn't much to suggest that the Portuguese should falter other than the Czechs relatively decent track record against them of late. The Czechs will have to play much better than they did against Switzerland, but they know this and I expect a good performance. Brueckner supposedly will shake things up which might mean inserting Milan Baros, the golden boy of 2004 to play alongside Koller. Unfortunately Scolari will be unlikely to change things which leaves one of my favorites, Ricardo Quaresma, rotting away on the bench. Hopefully the Czechs will get an early goal and open up this match. Portugal to win 2-1.
As it will be for Poland and Austria tomorrow, the second match today is essentially an elimination game. These two teams are no strangers, as they vied for that final world cup spot two summers ago, with the Swiss triumphing. I look for the Turks to avenge that loss today, with Alexander Frei's absence up front haunting the Swiss. 2-1 to Turkey.
As good as these first two groups were on the first matchdays, I really cannot help but look past them to Friday and Group C and the second go around for les bleus and the azzuri. Talk about two countries and managers with some pressure on them...
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