WC2006: Group A

Teams:

Germany (predicted top)
Costa Rica
Poland (predicted runner-up)
Ecuador

GERMANY

Main Player: Michael Ballack (Chelsea)
Personal fave: Robert Huth (Chelsea), Gerald Asamoah (Schalke 04)

The hosts will walk through the group stages blindfolded. Its power-play midfield is the driving force of the team. Even though Ballack and Hanke misses the first game, they'll have enough to push Costa Rica away.

Oli Kahn will have to sit for at least the first two games for Lehmann, who had a solid season at Arsenal. The fit-again Philippe Lahm is a bonus - it was a problem position for Klinsmann in the past. Friedrich is a solid defender, and no matter who plays at defence, they're very tall and stingy with the ball. Frings is in top form, and Schweinsteiger will shine in this tournament. And the captain, Ballack, is a marvelous player.

POLAND

Main Player: Maciej Zurawski (Celtic)
Personal Fave: Tomasz Kuszczak (West Brom), Ebi Smolarek (Borussia Dortmund)

An industrious side that often qualifies for a World Cup, they appear more solid but less flair than 4 years ago. The Celtic pair of Boruc and Zurawski are vital for the side. Controversy plagued the team selection, players like Jerzy Dudek of Liverpool and Tomas Frankowski of Wolves were omitted when they should have earned a place.

Jacek Bak, playing in Qatar, is a strong defender and his experience is vital to the team. Smolarek is an accomplished midflielder and is dangerous when going forward. Rasiak of Southampton is an aerial threat which serves as a good option for Poland.

ECUADOR

Main Player: Ivan Kaviedes (Argentinos Juniors)
Personal Fave: Agustin Delgado (Necaxa)

More powerful than how small the nation is, stronger than they look, Ecuador qualified again for the finals, finishing third behind Brazil and Argentina just like last time.

Their success in qualifying was partly due to a 12th player in the name of altitude, as Quito is 2,000m above sea level. Now that the plains of Germany await them, how much will the forsake of altitude affect the team, we shall find out.

Their home-based players serve as a mysterious quantity. Aston Villa reserve De La Cruz is fast marauding the right flank, and long-travelled Kaviedes is dangerous in attack.

COSTA RICA

Main Player: Christian Bolanos (Saprissa)
Personal Fave: Alvaro Saborio (Saprissa), Paulo Wanchope (Herediano)

Tonight will start a painful World Cup for Costa Rica. Unlike last time, there's no China to scrape a win for, and only resilience will save this attractive-playing but quality-lacking side.

Gomez, Wanchope and Saborio are proven goalscorers in the world stage, though, and with the right service, they will score.