Stats Update

As the party charged with keeping and tracking the pool selections, and with two of the first three first-round games behind us, I thought this might be the right time for an introductory post. Team selections have been set in stone since each team's first game, but there is still much to be decided in the group stage. Many thrilling dramas will unfold here in the final four days of the tournament's opening round.

Group A: France, Uruguay, Mexico, South Africa

Finishing today, Group A hinges on numerous factors, but starts with the Uruguay/Mexico match. Selections were scattered between France, Mexico and Uruguay, with only three brave teams picking the host nation. Seven of the tournament's eight top-seeded teams were near unanimous picks; apparently the disarray and strife that marked the French camp before the tourney were a harbinger to many in this pool. Rightly so, it seems. France will be lucky to advance. The 17 teams that chose Mexico will hope for a positive finish today to secure 6 points. The South Africans have a big hill to climb, but are not yet eliminated. Hopes of an advancing African side are dwindling, especially after Cameroon became the inaugural squad to leave the tournament (see Group E, below).

Group B: Argentina, Greece, Nigeria, South Korea

As mentioned above, most of the top-seeded teams were unanimous selections. Other than the French, Brasil (missing one vote, if you can believe it) and Germany (missing two votes) were the only other teams not to gain the support of all pool participants. All teams were confident that the Argentina nine would push through. And though La Albiceleste was unable to finish many chances in their opening match against Nigeria, the team showed why they are favorites in a 4-1 slogging of South Korea. The South Koreans are still in the fight, though, and that will make many in the pool quite happy. Eleven teams picked the team to advance, but much still hinges on today's matches. The South Koreans will need to play well against a hungry Nigerian team that has yet to play consistent soccer. The Greeks will need to find a new level of play to defeat the Argentinians. And Nigeria, looking to sneak in, will need a definitive win against the Koreans to keep hopes alive. It could happen, but they are a longshot.

Group C: England, USA, Slovenia, Algeria

This is a fairly straightforward group. Everybody selected England. All but one selected the US. If the US win their match against Algeria, they advance. If England defeats Slovenia, they're through to the next round. Only problem is, this group has been anything but straightforward on the pitch. Perhaps the one team that selected Slovenia will find an unpopular 6 points.

Group D: Germany, Serbia, Australia, Ghana

Along with South Korea, the Ghanaians were the other popular lowest seed to gain support, with 10 teams picking the Black Stars. As previously mentioned, Germany garnered near unanimous support; remaining votes were mostly in favor of Serbia, with only two teams picking the Aussies. Though the team currently stands in first place, Ghana still has an uphill battle to advance. They will need to manage at least a draw against an angry German bunch to collect a critical fifth point. Still, the simple calculation is: if Germany and Serbia win, they will advance. Australia has big problems with a -4 goal differential heading into their final group match.

Group E: Netherlands, Cameroon, Denmark, Japan

The critical match in this group will take place on Thursday, when Japan face Denmark to determine the second advancing Group E team. The Dutch looked good, not great, in their opening matches, but certainly played well enough to clinch a spot in the knockout round. A keen decision was made by the seven teams that selected the Danes, but Olsen's Eleven will advance only with a win against Japan. A draw will put through the Samurai Blue, but no pool teams chose Japan. The Japanese provided an unexpected first-game win against Cameroon, the Indomitable Lions looking very domitable, never really presenting themselves at this tournament.

Group F: Italy, Paraguay, Slovakia, New Zealand

Again, all pool participants showed unanimous support for the reigning world champs, Italy. But Paraguay have looked the strongest side in this group to-date, with a convincing win over Slovakia. Pool selections were split between Paraguay and Slovakia, with only two teams picking New Zealand. The Kiwis have shown spirit so far, with ties against Slovakia and Italy in its first two matches. Still, they will need to dig deep to defeat Paraguay in their final game. Italy will be the favorite over Slovakia, but certainly this group is up-for-grabs with much to be determined on Thursday.

Group G: Brazil, Portugal, Ivory Coast, North Korea

Brazil, one vote shy of unanimity, looked strong against the Ivory Coast, and put Les Elephants into a goal differential hole that will be difficult to surmount. Portugal, on the other hand, took a huge step towards the next stage with a 7-0 romping of the North Koreans. The pool votes were split between Portugal and the Ivory Coast: 14 votes went to the Portugese; 8 went to the Ivory Coast; one team picked both at the expense of Brazil. No team picked the North Koreans, with good reason it seems. It will take a miracle for the Ivory Coast, but clearly North Korea are ripe for picking. Who knows what continental courage la Cote will conjure?

Group H: Spain, Chile, Switzerland, Honduras

Some were quick to air concern about the broad, tall, defensive-minded Swiss, but only three were bold enough to select the squad for advancement. Those picks look smarter today, as the Swiss remain hopeful and very much alive. All teams selected the Spanish, and most picked Chile. Chile controls the standings today, but still have to match the Red Fury. If Spain and Switzerland both win, three teams will have 6 points and all will ride on goal differential. Much drama to come in this group.

Good luck to all!