GROUP A
I picked Germany correctly, but I sure didn’t see Poland falling on its face or Ecuador playing as well as they did.
GROUP B
I picked England and Sweden correctly.
GROUP C
I picked Argentina and Netherlands correctly.
GROUP D
I picked Portugal and Mexico correctly.
GROUP E
I picked Italy correctly, but where did Ghana come from? Ranked 46 or so by FIFA, Ghana topped both the Czech Republic (ranked #2 and my pick) and the USA (ranked #5). Hats off to the Black Stars.
GROUP F
I picked Brazil correctly (which was hardly a tough call), but flipped a magical three-sided coin and chose Japan wrong. Turns out that the Socceroos of Australia advance.
GROUP G
I picked France correctly, though I wrongly expected them to be much improved over their 2002 showing. I missed by picking South Korea to advance instead of Switzerland. Almost but not quite.
GROUP H
I picked Spain and Ukraine correctly.
OVERALL: 12 of 16 correct.
SECOND ROUND GAMES
Germany v. Sweden: Germany
Argentina v. Mexico: Argentina
Italy v. Australia: Italy
Switzerland v. Ukraine: Switzerland
England v. Ecuador: Ecuador
Portugal v. Netherlands: Portugal
Brazil v. Ghana: Brazil
Spain v. France: Spain
Regardless of the outcome, I hope we get some great games!