France:
What can we say about France? They absolutely imploded in South Africa in 2010. Players were sent home, fist-fights happened at practice, and the entire country hung their heads in shame. Les Bleus have made some progress since. After all, they are in the tournament again, even if just qualified by the skin of their teeth. But they have a lot of making up to do for a massively disappointing calamity of years past.
They took a recent hit when they lost midfielder Frank Ribery. Maybe the most exciting player on their squad, he is now out for the tournament and leaves the country looking for a new hero and goalscorer. There's enough talent in group to still go deep but the Mantra might just be "as Hugo Loris goes so goes France". The Tottenham keeper will have to be on the top of his game if the inventors of that most wonderful of deserts, the crepe, are going to go deep in the tournament. If they can put some sugar on their salty wounds though, they may have what it takes for at least a quarterfinal run.
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| Ribery |
Ecuador:
Ecuador is a team coming in with a heavy heart. They were off to a pretty good start in qualifying before the death of 27-year-old teammate Christian Benitez from cardiac arrest last summer. Hopefully Ecuador can pay tribute to him by coming in strong in this very doable group. Their first game against Switzerland could be their hardest. But a win, or even a tie, there could set them up very well for good things to come.
The most important man on their team, as it should be, is their captain and Manchester United midfielder Antonio Valencia. He will be streaking down the wing looking to cross it in to one of the young strikers. If he can link up with the yellow and orange boots of Felipe Caicedo then this overlooked South American team could surprise a lot of their counterparts. They are a very dark horse and a slim pick but they seemed to be lined up on the rail with empty track ahead for the taking. You want to go with an emotional pick? Then this is your team.
Switzerland:
Switzerland was seeded in the tournament. That says more about FIFA politics then it does about their quality and chances. They are not one of the top 8. Not by a long shot! But they aren't to be overlooked. They are young and confident (and have no expectations on them) and love to bomb forward. For entertainment sake, the hope is that they will really go for it.
Where Switzerland is really going to have to watch out is in the back. They have a lot of experience with players like Philip Senderos anchoring the D. But, like him, most of their back two thirds are in their late 20s and early 30s. That could be a concern when going up against the speedy strikers of the teams around them. The Swiss are strong and anyone can make an argument for them to go through to the knockout rounds. After that though, it's all about the match up... And how long their old legs can last.
Honduras:
Fellow CONCCAF opponents Las Cocharitas are fun to watch. They're quick, they're talented, and they have players playing in some of the best leagues around the world. They have a lot of former MLS talent like Roger Espinoza, who now plays for Wigan athletic in the Premier league in England and formerly starred Real Salt Lake. Anyone who watched the Sounders, or a lesser MLS team, will know that he can put the ball in the back of the net at any moment. The question for Honduras is; do they have the talent assist him?
Keep your eye on Jerry Bengston. This guy is a good, whether he is playing for the New England Revolution or for his home nation. He might just be what Honduras is looking for to partner with Espinoza to create goalscoring opportunities. And goalscoring opportunities is what they're going to need! In 2010 they went out of the group stage without a single goal scored. That's a stat they won't want to repeat.
Happy picking!
Happy picking!
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