Italy was drawn alongside seeded nation Uruguay, England and Costa Rica in Group D.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/australia-in-nightmare-group-of-death-for-brazil-world-cup-20131207-2yxjw.html#ixzz2mj2AdOwF

Edited by Joffa: 17/5/2014 09:52:52 PM

Edited by Joffa: 17/6/2014 10:27:24 PM

England SHOULD qualify second in this group... you'd think?

If they can't overcome/get the results they need against Luiz Suarez's Uruguay and Costa Rica then they don't deserve to progress, ofcourse!

Italy favourites, but not greatly superior either. Uruguay could still shake things up this group - they are the spanner in the works. England have their work cut out, that's for sure. But if they can't manage so, then again, good riddance to bad rubbish and well done Uruguay or whoever progresses at their expense!

Cue another change in management regimes in England and the merry-go-round goes on.

This one will be interesting i reckon Uruguay and Italy to advance.

Edited by Davstar: 7/12/2013 08:12:05 AM

I certainly wouldn't, Uruguay and Italy for me.

Steven Taylor to break Suarez' leg in the last game of the season.

Odds on Suarez to take a bite out of Gerrard?

Would have been great if Australia had been drawn in this group instead of Costa Rica.

This is England at a major tournament. The only team they'll beat is Costa Rica.

Anything possible with England, but Italy most likely for me....

Have to remember this is the traditionally slow starting Italy we're talking about here, would not like to be them going into a potential must win game against Uruguay in the last round of games. England do have the 'easier' draw with them playing Costa Rica 3rd, but you'd think would absolutely have to beat one of Italy or Uruguay.

Group D: Predictions and Preview

By Miguel Delaney

Group D: Brutal draw for England
Overview

This pool may not contain any outright favourites for the trophy, but it is the one with the most historic winners. Italy, Uruguay and England have a total of seven World Cups among them, and the feeling is that they will be the sides competing for the top two places, with Costa Rica capable really of only complicating affairs for one of those three.

Projected finish

Going by qualifying, if not quite seeding, Italy should finish on top. They cruised through qualifying, in contrast to the difficulties that both Uruguay and England encountered. Oscar Tabarez's side needed that handsome playoff win against Jordan; Roy Hodgson's men had to overcome all of that last-game anxiety against the Polish. That in itself indicates the greater tactical flexibility of the Italians, and they are probably the side with the greatest range of potential angles and attacks in this group.

Uruguay are reliant on their star forwards, Hodgson on his English team's structure. That contrast between England and Italy was revealed in their Euro 2012 quarterfinal, when Cesare Prandelli's side came through on penalties but were much more dominant than what the scoreline indicated. The margins in this group could be similarly thin, but both Italy's superior quality and the fact Uruguay are on their home continent mean they should fancy their chances of going through.

Team-by-team

Italy: The 2006 champions may not have the youth structures of countries such as Spain and Germany, or the fundamental star quality of Argentina or Brazil, but they do retain this supreme coaching school that has produced a manager of the caliber of Prandelli. The manner in which he overcame some of Italy's squad imbalances to reach the final of Euro 2012 was an illustration, and means that they remain a very dangerous side, if no longer one of the domineering favourites.

Uruguay: The feeling is that they're not quite the side that enjoyed such a successful run over 2010 and 2011, but one still well capable of forging a route to the semifinals, as they did in South Africa in 2010. An attack featuring Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani certainly indicates that. The question will be over how they're backed up by the rest of the team, given that the Confederations Cup revealed some issues, not to mention how they navigate a tough group. A status as seeds did not do too many favours.

England: An awkward side but quite far from an excellent one. Hodgson has constructed a framework that has made England hard to beat, but also ensured they often find actually claiming victory rather difficult. That could be a particular issue in what would be considered the most winnable game, against Costa Rica. Yes, they have two or three players who are world-class level, such as Wayne Rooney and Jack Wilshere, not to mention some valuable different options up front, but there is a reticence to their play. They'll need to develop something more rousing here.

Costa Rica: They qualified rather easily, and largely because their back line is rock-hard. A run of 476 minutes without conceding a goal helped them claim the best defensive record in CONCACAF. Their main weakness is at the other end, where they lack much flair or forward capacity beyond Bryan Ruiz, who was their top scorer in 10 games of qualification with just three goals. Costa Rica are highly unlikely to qualify, but are capable of producing the result that tilts the rest of the table.

Best individual battle

Andrea Pirlo vs. Jack Wilshere

Pirlo's utter dominance of possession was the defining factor in Italy's Euro 2012 win over England, summing up as it did the clear difference between the sides in terms of ability to hold possession, and even coming to a culmination in the shootout itself. Pirlo displayed the supreme poise he had throughout the game. In that tournament, Hodgson was lacking Wilshere as part of a truly sturdy midfield, and it will be revealing to see how things are reshaped when the sides meet again June 14.

Best game

Italy vs. Uruguay

Whereas both England and Costa Rica are primarily based on sound defensive structure, Italy and Uruguay are a touch more front-loaded, which makes their June 24 matchup especially attractive. Prandelli has developed admirable flexibility with the Italians and worked toward a Spanish-type possession game, while Uruguay have all that forward quality in Suarez and Cavani. This is highly likely to be the most open game of the group, featuring the highest technical ability.

X factor: Temperamental superstars

There should no shortage of fireworks in a group featuring Suarez, Mario Balotelli and Rooney. Of course, the volatile nature of their games attracts all the more attention because of their accompanying variety of world-class brilliance, which is at least matched by the comparatively more level-headed Cavani. Even Costa Rica can somewhat balance their back line with the fluency of Ruiz.

http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1640368?cc=3436

Uruguay are going to be a very tough opponent in Sao Paulo not that far from their own backyard

At this stage I'll back Italy and England to get through. Just got one of those feelings that Uruguay will struggle

England hate him enough already - imagine he scored a late winner :lol:

Right. When you really think about who we'd like to have a dog at. These 3 in one group make it very attractive.

I think England will beat Italy in the first game and Costa Rica will hassle all 3 teams.

Italy Face Difficult Base Camp Choice At World Cup
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Italy have narrowed down their options for a World Cup base camp to two after finding out their group fate on Friday.

The Azzurri were drawn against Uruguay, England and Costa Rica in Group D with their games to take place first in Manaus, then Recife and finally Natal.

Their number one choice is thought to be the Portobello Resort and Safari Park which is located 150km from Rio de Janeiro with the FIGC having already pre-booked 152 rooms here for the players, staff and families although they could opt for another option after the draw.

A second possibility is being discussed as that Portobello Resort is located a two hour drive away from the closest airport so they are also looking at the Blue Tree Park resort located to the north or Rio.

It is famous for being located rather close to a nudist beach but more importantly for the team, it is much closer to the airport.
http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2013/12/italy-face-difficult-base-camp-choice-at-world-cup/?

uruguay to top the group follow be England in 2nd.

Not sure on Italy in the southern hemisphere and Costa Rica i don't see getting points.

Murderous Manaus: England fans face World Cup match in one of deadliest places on Earth

8 Dec 2013 00:00
The poverty-stricken city had 945 homicides last year. Armed and drug-crazed thieves roam shanty towns which are no-go areas for tourists

England fans will risk their lives in one of the world’s most dangerous cities as they cheer on the team in its first match of the World Cup in Brazil, the Sunday People reports.

Roy Hodgson’s men play four-time champions Italy on June 14 next year in the crime-ridden hell-hole that is the Amazonian capital Manaus.

The poverty-stricken city had an incredible 945 homicides last year, 70 per cent of them linked to drug ­trafficking. Armed and drug-crazed thieves roam shanty towns which are no-go areas for tourists.

The statistics led to it being branded the 11th most dangerous place on earth. And despite the grimness of Manaus, fans can look forward to paying rip-off prices there.

Last night there were just a handful of rooms still available in the isolated city. Hotel bosses are ruthlessly cashing in by demanding up to £500 a night for a basic room around the date of the Italy match.

The cheapest flights from London Heathrow to Manaus go via Lisbon and cost a whopping £1,200.

And fans staying in Brazilian capital Rio de Janeiro, alongside England’s players, face a mammoth 3,500-mile round trip to Manaus. The journey takes four hours each way by plane – or ten days by road and boat.

A basic travel package with the FA, including ­tickets, travel and accommodation to England’s three group games, will set fans back £7,000.

Individual match tickets are already being touted on the black market for more than £1,000.

Alison McGowan, a British ex-pat who runs an independent travel website in Brazil, said: “Manaus is going to ­almost break the bank, however you do it.

“Fans will find it is lacking in hotel provision of any quality. They won’t be cheap either.”

Visitors to the city have ­described filthy rooms and kitchens full of “bugs, cockroaches and rats” on travel website Tripadvisor.

Ramshackle tin-shack homes in the city’s lawless districts, called favelas, are painted different colours to signal to ­locals which varieties of class-A drugs they sell.

The Foreign Office has warned fans to be on their guard against robbers and pickpockets. The advice is to dress down and avoid wearing jewellery. Meanwhile the NHS has issued an alert over the threat of rabies from stray dogs and diseases such as malaria, diphtheria and hepatitis.

Daytime temperatures in Manaus average 32 degrees and humidity can top 84 per cent. Other risks in the area include poisonous snakes and tarantulas, poorly maintained roads and low standards of driving.

Manaus was once one of Brazil’s most prosperous cities due to its ­monopoly on rubber production but it is now one of its most dangerous and deprived and brutal cocaine barons have taken over.

They are so feared that judges are given 24-hour protection by an elite police squad.

Before last week’s draw, Hodgson provoked fury in the city after telling reporters he hoped his team would not have to play there.

Mayor Arthur Virgilio Neto responded indignantly, saying he did not want the Three Lions there and was hoping for a “better national team”.

But yesterday he congratulated England for “having the privilege of playing in Manaus”. Sao Paulo, where England face Uruguay in their second group match, is ranked the world’s 48th most dangerous place.

It has an extremely high rate of armed robbery of pedestrians, motorists and customers in restaurants.

Bookmakers moved England’s odds of winning the tournament from 22-1 to 33-1 after Friday’s draw matched them with Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica in Group D.

FA officials now fear that only around 1,100 members of their official supporters club will travel to Brazil.



Check out all the latest News, Sport & Celeb gossip at Mirror.co.uk http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/murderous-manaus-england-fans-face-2904159#ixzz2mseHG1XP
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No surprises here - Fabio Capello writes off England's chances

FABIO CAPELLO has dismissed England's World Cup chances - believing that his successor Roy Hodgson's team will arrive in Brazil shattered by an intense Premier League campaign.

By: John RichardsonPublished: Sun, December 8, 2013
2Comments
THERE MAY BE TROUBLE AHEAD: Fabio Capello says it will be difficult for England at the World Cup [ACTION IMAGES]

Now in charge of Russia, Capello couldn't resist taking a look at England's group, especially with his native Italy involved.

It was UEFA president Michel Platini who observed that England are lions in the autumn but lambs by the time spring comes around.

Capello subscribes to the same view that the Premier League, regarded as the best domestic competition in the world, is simply too gruelling.

It leaves England's players exhausted when the major championships come around. And now they have the added worry of kicking off their campaign in the steamy heat of the Amazon jungle against Italy in Manaus.

Former England boss Capello said: "It is always the same problem. Physically they are good in September, October, November.

"March? So-so. May? No! So England playerswill not be at the top of their physical condition and Manaus will be really, really warm - another difficult thing.

Related articles
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In England the football is stronger, faster - they never stop
Fabio Capello
"It will be tougher for England. Italy sometimes arrive tired. But in England the football is stronger, faster - they never stop.

"In Italy there is a small break but it is good. You, at Christmas, play even more."

To try and combat the heat problem, England will now spend nine days before they fly to Brazil in the humidity of Florida, playing two games in the Sunshine State.

The build-up will begin with an initial training camp in Portugal or southern Spain a week after the domestic season ends before a send-off Wembley friendly on May 28 and then flying off to Miami the next day.

England will stage two friendlies in the Miami heat, probably one against the USA and a central American side to try to acclimatise.


http://www.express.co.uk/sport/worldcup2014/447442/No-surprises-here-Fabio-Capello-writes-off-England-s-chances

Uruguay is playing in South America. They will be up for this.
Italy, traditional slow starters, but against England first will be going for the win. They'll want to rest players in the 3rd game and be qualified by then.

Italy actually have a strikeforce worth talking about again (for the first time in years). England shouldn't even bother flying to Brazil :lol: :twisted:

good thats the PR taken care of now he can just concentrate on the match. Hearts and minds as they say

WELL, that's the thing, isn't it? England ALWAYS have pressure and even UNREALISTIC expectations from their press and fans! But...



IF this IS reflective of the sentiments of those in the UK and with an under-rated management regime in Hodgson and even, dare one says, under-rated England squad now, for once...

They're still highly competitive, or should be and can match up with any of these teams. It's almost ludicrous in a way that we suggest they SHOULDN'T.

Italy is top dog, but not greatly superior and even we showed that at the 06 WC, which they won! Uruguay may be strong, but their qualifying campaign was so unconvincing that they HAD to face the AFC side, AGAIN, via an Inter-continental play-off! Forlan and co are older.

England has a young, energetic, team. They SHOULD be bursting to impress. New England stars could be born this tournament! The Jack Wilshere's, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's, Dan Struddige's, Andros Townsend's etc They COULD be a mixed bag, but hopefully Rooney and co can still pull something from that bag.

And most of all - the disappointment of 2010 should fuel more than anything, they were dreadfully disappointing in a WC group they SHOULD'VE cruised. Drawing with the likes of the US and Algeria. They will want to put that behind them with a better showing here, at the very least!

They COULD even 'positively surprise' in their group, given the talent they DO have now? :-k



Indeed, I under-estimated that a little.



lol!

Wayne Rooney's World Cup mission

WAYNE ROONEY insists he is not alone in having unfinished business at the World Cup.

By Paul Hetherington/Published 15th December 2013

The England striker has failed to score in the finals of the competition, has arrived late for one through injury, been sent off – and had a bust-up with fans.

But he is relishing next summer’s tournament under boss Roy Hodgson (right) in Brazil and says: “We all have unfinished business since 1966.

“We always give it our all to win it again and try to go as far as we can – but it hasn’t happened.

“For our country, it’s important we try to do that. There isn’t really the expectation this time that there has been in previous tournaments, because there are a lot of young players and raw talents.

“We always give it our all to win it again and try to go as far as we can”
Wayne Rooney

“But maybe that will help us and I was delighted with the draw. I see the games against Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica as winnable.

“The last time we played Italy we won. They will be tough games but it is a World Cup and hopefully we can do well.”

England start against Italy in the Amazon jungle city of Manaus.

Rooney laughed and said: “No, I haven’t played in many jungles but it’s going to be a good experience.

“It will be hot but it’s the same for Italy. We have to deal with it and try to perform.”

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/355964/Wayne-Rooney-s-World-Cup-mission

Hodgson ponders 'major headache' over England World Cup selection
11:57 - 26 DEC 2013

West Ham youngster Ravel Morrison is in the frame for a World Cup call-up.

Credit: PA
England boss Roy Hodgson has admitted choosing a World Cup squad now would give him a "major headache", such is his pleasure at the number of homegrown youngsters making their mark in the Premier League.

Tottenham winger Andros Townsend, West Ham midfielder Ravel Morrison and West Brom striker Saido Berahino are just three emerging talents to have won plaudits for their performances this season.
That is a boost for Hodgson, who may opt for fresh faces when England play Denmark in March at Wembley, ahead of next summer's World Cup.

"At the moment, I've seen a lot of our England players and contenders for England places playing extremely well. I wish I could bottle up some of the form and keep it," Hodgson told Sky Sports News.

"It's quite fascinating at the moment going to games, the number of players getting games, especially some of the youngsters, is good.

"There are a lot of teams fielding English players in their line-up at the moment and I'm seeing a lot of good performances.

"If I had to pick a team for the World Cup today it would be a major headache."

England captain Steven Gerrard, his Liverpool team-mate Daniel Sturridge and Townsend have been laid low by injury recently.

However, Hodgson is not yet panicking, adding: "My nerves when watching games is not as high as it might be at the end of April where if anyone got injured they wouldn't make it in time."

England face a testing time in Brazil after being drawn to face Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica in their group matches.

Yet Hodgson is undeterred and is taking some consolation from Euro 2012, where they emerged from a tough group before being eliminated by Italy on penalties.

The former Inter Milan boss said: "We had an equally tough group in the Euros and we got out of that group and got ourselves to the quarter-finals.

"We believe we can do it. There are no easy groups in the World Cup."

http://www.itv.com/worldcup/hodgson-ponders-major-headache-over-england-world-cup-selection?

Prandelli Believes Italy Can Beat World Cup Odds And Triumph In Brazil

Internationals

Cesare Prandelli accepts Italy are not the best team in the World Cup Finals, but insists they can still win a record-equalling fifth crown in Rio.

The Azzurri reached the Finals in Brazil in fairly comfortable fashion, winning six and drawing four of their qualifying matches to finish six points clear of Denmark in Group B. They are likely to find life a whole lot more difficult next summer, though, when they take on England, Uruguay and Costa Rica in Group D of the Finals.

Prandelli’s side are currently ninth favourites to win the tournament, according to odds comparison website oddschecker.com, with Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Spain, Belgium, Colombia, France and the Uruguayans all rated more likely. However, whilst the head coach accepts there are likely to be some stiff tests ahead, he sees no reason why his side can’t upset the odds and equal Brazil’s haul of five World Cup wins.

“Our one is a really difficult group, with three national teams who have been world champion,” he told Gazzetta dello Sport. “The first aim is to qualify, probably as first of the group. Against England we have played a sensational game at the 2012 European Championship, but we didn’t score and we qualified at penalties.

“Against Uruguay we suffered in the second half of the final for the third place at the Confederations Cup and we won again at penalties. Anyone talks about Costa Rica, but I’ve started studying them. The World Cup has already started. Brazil, Argentina, Germany and Spain are the favourites. Let’s leave from our mind that we are the strongest; we aren’t. We are no more the best in the tournament but we can beat the best.”

The absolute minimum expected from the Italian public will be a run to the quarter-finals, and they will certainly look for a significant improvement on their showing of four years ago in South Africa when Marcello Lippi’s side embarrassingly crashed at the first hurdle, finishing bottom of a group containing Paraguay, Slovakia and New Zealand.

http://takefootball.com/prandelli-believes-italy-can-beat-world-cup-odds-and-triumph-in-brazil/?

Sport > Football > World Cup 2014
World Cup 2014: Roy Hodgson admits veterans must earn their place in his squad for Brazil with Ashley Cole and Michael Carrick under pressure from youngsters

Manager Roy Hodgson admits he may have to dash the World Cup dreams of one of his senior England players this summer.

A third of the 30-strong squad for next week's friendly against Denmark have fewer than five caps.

The England manager has always spoken of his desire to take a handful of inexperienced players to the tournament in Brazil.

And should the likes of Luke Shaw, Raheem Sterling and Ross Barkley perform well against the Danes, they may just nudge an established player out of the reckoning.

"I am very conscious of the fact that I could have to leave a big name out," the England manager said.

"It wasn't easy before the Euros to be honest. This time it is going to be even harder.

"Before the Euros at least I was choosing names of players I knew and players I had seen play but had never really worked with.

"This time I will have to disappoint some people I have worked with who have maybe done a good job for me and the team."

Hodgson is too clever to name names, but it would be reasonable to assume players like Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard, who have over 200 caps between them, are under threat.

Cole has been a mainstay of tournament football for England since 2002, but he is no longer first choice at Chelsea. Although Hodgson says he still "retains faith" in the player, the England manager dropped a hint that Shaw will get his chance to impress on Wednesday.

When asked whether the 18-year-old Southampton left-back would play some part in the friendly against the Danes, Hodgson said: "It is a logical thought but I can't make promises.

"I think everyone who has watched him play recently will not deny that he deserves a place in a large squad like this.

"It would be nice if he gets to play on Wednesday night, but that decision hasn't been made."

Speculation had been rife that Adam Johnson, or Wilfried Zaha, would be recalled, but neither made the cut for the Denmark game.

Fit-again West Ham striker Andy Carroll was another notable omission. Hodgson insisted those players still had a chance of making his World Cup squad, though.

"This is not a definitive list," Hodgson added.

"The fact someone is on this list does not say he will be going or be one of the seven standby players because I reserve the right to change my mind on those subjects."

Mystery also surrounds whether England's WAGs will be going to the World Cup.

The presence of players' glamorous partners proved to be something of a distraction in the 2006 World Cup, but Hodgson is happy for them to be in Brazil if his squad so wish.

"We haven't made any hard and fast rules," Hodgson said.

"It will be up to the players to decide."

The WAGs will not be invited to England's first pre-World Cup training camp in Portugal, but they will be allowed to attend "the latter part" of the squad's final camp in Miami.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/world-cup-2014-roy-hodgson-admits-veterans-must-earn-their-place-in-his-squad-for-brazil-with-ashley-cole-and-michael-carrick-under-pressure-from-youngsters-9159422.html

World Cup 2014: Roy Hodgson still open-minded about England squad for Brazil


MIGUEL DELANEY Sunday 02 March 2014
   
England manager Roy Hodgson has admitted he still has an open mind about who will be in the squad he takes to the World Cup finals, and even which players will start the opening games.

Although many observers saw the 30-man squad for Wednesday’s friendly with Denmark as the blueprint for those who will travel to Brazil, Hodgson says there is still a lot more experimentation to be done. England play their first group game against Italy on June 14.

“We’ve got to know what the balance of our team is,” said Hodgson. “I’m sure there will be players who, when I name the 23 and the seven stand-by players, might not even be in that group of 30 [for Wednesday]. The Denmark game is very much where I’ve got to think about what experimentations I need. If we take Steven Gerrard, does he need to play against Denmark to prove to me that he needs to play against Italy? Would I be better off playing somebody else because I know what Steven Gerrard can do?”

With England due to meet Uruguay and Costa Rica in their group as well, Hodgson also wants to be flexible. “My thinking is about getting the best XI for the way we want to play against the opponent on the field,” he admitted, doubting the formula of, say, picking Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson and Dean Sturridge because they work well together for Liverpool.

“I don’t think you should be putting people in the team just because they play alongside somebody in their club side if they’re not the best man for the job,” he insisted.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/world-cup-2014-roy-hodgson-still-openminded-about-england-squad-for-brazil-9162886.html

England coach Roy Hodgson hires psychiatrist for World Cup
March 5, 2014 - 7:52AM


In a bid to boost his team's mental strength at the World Cup, England coach Roy Hodgson says he's hired a psychiatrist for the lead-up to the tournament in Brazil.

Hodgson says Dr Steve Peters is the right man to help the team prepare for the trip.

"(He) is a very famous man in that area," Hodgson said.

"He has a great CV of working in different sports and has been doing some work with Liverpool and Brendan Rodgers."

Peters, who has a close relationship with England captain Steven Gerrard, is the man behind British cycling's recent successes.

He has helped the likes of Bradley Wiggins, Chris Hoy and Victoria Pendleton to master the mental side of their sport.

Peters' methods also seemed to work for the England rugby team which reached the 2007 World Cup final.

His list of clients also includes five-time world snooker champion Ronnie O'Sullivan and cycling's Team Sky, which produced two Tour de France champions.

His work at Liverpool seems to be helping as well, with the Reds currently second in the Premier League standings.

Peters first helped Gerrard when he was struggling with a serious groin injury back in 2010.

"He has helped me with my mental preparation and injuries and I've played my most consistent form for Liverpool and England since seeing Steve," Gerrard said.

"I feel he can help the players if the players buy into what he is trying to do.

"He can't help you do a (Johan) Cruyff turn or a 40-yard pass better but he can help you learn what goes off inside your head."

With 100 days to go before the World Cup, England starts its final preparations with a friendly against Denmark on Wednesday at Wembley Stadium.


Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/england-coach-roy-hodgson-hires-psychiatrist-for-world-cup-20140305-345xb.html#ixzz2v2kUAA5c

You mustn't have watched Italy vs England at the Euros. There was daylight between the two sides. I had the benefit of watching it on the BBC, I think it was, and hearing Alan Hansen tear into England. It was very funny to watch. He was absolutely scathing, by highly impressed by the Italians, especially Pirlo.

If all the sides play to their potential, it should be 1. Italy, 2. Uruguay, 3. England, 4. Costa Rica. Having said that, we're talking about three highly volatile teams in Italy, Uruguay and England. They can just as easily be poor as they can exceptional. Plus England now have Sturridge in great form and some terrific midfielders you mention, in addition to Raheem Sterling, who's class. They have the fire power to top the group, just like Uruguay and Italy also have that firepower.

I just think Italy have the most up their sleeve and Uruguay have the best striker and England have a history of doing shit at major tournaments.

Vicky got outwitted and mentally crushed by Anna last Olympics.