Group E

[Ziyad]

1- Italy

2- Ghana

3- USA

4- Czech Republic

[Ziyad]

This is going to be another HELL of a group..

[Ziyad]

MILAN - On Italy's World Cup draw, which sees the Azzurri in Group E with Ghana, USA and Czech Republic, Nerazzurri defender Marco Materazzi said: "Only Brazil are missing... It's a very tough and difficult group, as difficult as Argentina's and a bit less so than England's Czech Republic football is important in Europe now, everyone says that Ghana are the most competitive of the African teams, while you can't define the United States as an unknown."
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A bit less so than ENgland's??!!

[Stefan]

If italia doesn't win this group they will face brazil in the second round.

[Adriano@10]

Man so i guess it s lucky Italia again

This realy sucks. But i guess if the ref s are not payed again were able to win this!!

[BlueBacchus]

I am going to root for the USA.

[shahz_nerazzurri]

I would have preffered any other African team rather than Ghana, Appiah, Kuffour, Sulley Ali Muntari & Essien are all very good players.

Czech have always been inconsistent, I dont know whether we will see the Czech's of Euro 2004, or the one that failed to qualify for WC 2002 and had difficulty qualifying for this one, as they were hammered by a very strong dutch side & had considerable problems agaisnt Romania.

USA, I just dont know much about them, but I hope Italy hammer them totally bad.

[brehme1989]

Man I really hope Italy finish 2nd and Brazil win their group so we have an early "final"... In such tournaments, I only support football! I don't give a damn of who scores, who is playing etc etc, I just want to see the best football possible.

On the other hand, Czech Rep V Brazil doesn't sound bad

[UhUhOleguer]

good group..US won't make it to the next round out of this..so it's really cool.

[Cro Nerazzurro]

let's go USA :-)

[1919]

Pretty straightforward : 2 good teams and 2 excellent teams on paper

Dont think there will be much competition unless Lippi's Italy screws up (as they have a habit of doing in recent tournaments)

[1919]

Reactions from www.goal.com ...

Italy coach Marcello Lippi: "I’m not disappointed, I’m satisfied. It will be tricky, but they are all strong teams at this level. It’s not a problem."

Czech Republic coach Karel Bruckner: "Please write down, ’Italy is the favorite’ for this group, not us."

USA coach Bruce Arena: "We will have our hands full. We know they are all going to be difficult games."

Ghana midfielder Stephen Appiah: "Every team will be difficult but we like challenges and we take this seriously."

[Roberto]

1919 is right on the money Italy should most definetley win this group with only little difficulty. Its up to Lippi getting the players to start putting in good efforts early and screwing around like in tournaments past we're Italy has gained a reputation for being slow starters. I respect the other 3 teams and think they are very good teams so this group is tough but Italy is Italy. Italy will only lose if they beat themselves. I'm glad with this drawing because it forces Italy to play from the get go. They have dangerous opponents so they can't be lazy and not care. Also having to face Brazil if we finish in 2nd has to be inscentive for Lippi to fire them up.

[Frisko]

In such tournaments, I only support football! I don't give a damn of who scores, who is playing etc etc, I just want to see the best football possible.

I feel exactly the same mate.

[BFC82]

Tough luck for Team USA, they will have to bring their A game. They do not have such a good record against european teams. I say the best they can do is 2nd, right behind Italy. Im just hoping Donovan, Beasley and Keller are at 100%.

[Stefan]

I have a feeling ghana will spring a surprise.

[1919]

Well really wanna see Landon Donovan firing all guns ... last WC he was simply superb.

[Stefan]

Well really wanna see Landon Donovan firing all guns ... last WC he was simply superb.

That guy failed twice in europe. I rather see the taltned ghana players show some african flair.

[brehme1989]

My prediction:
1)Italy
2)Czech Republic
3)USA
4)Ghana

I simply don't know Ghana, but I know that they have quite a strong midfield. They'll probably be a hard team to beat, but still able to beat
The USA will try to exceed last WC's campaign, but there it is very hard to do with such a draw. The first place will be decided in the Italy-Czech Rep. game, and Italy has the upper hand since it has more depth and a better starting squad!

[CafeCordoba]

I made an application for tickets to these matches on this group:

Italy - Ghana
Italy - USA