2010 World Cup UEFA Predictions

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As was the case in 2006, the Europeans will probably control the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Italy trumped France in Germany. In 2002 Germany fell to Brazil in Japan. As always, the European qualifiers seem to hold the champions again. Comprised of eight groups of six and one group of five, teams strive to top their group, guaranteeing them a spot in the World Cup. As a note, all points are current as of March 13th, 2009.

Group One, formed of Denmark (7pts), Hungary (7pts), Algeria (6pts), Portugal (5pts), Sweden (5pts), and Malta (1pt). While the only team that stands no chance is Malta, the favorites seem to be Portugal, and Denmark. If Portugal can find some luck, and hope that the Danes do not run with the group, Portugal can make a strong comeback to the top. Hungary, while tied with Denmark, has yet to play Portugal. While Algeria is no favorite, they are a formidable dark horse, and with perfect luck, could find themselves in South Africa.

Group Two: Greece (9pts), Israel (8pts), Switzerland (7pts), Latvia (4pts), Luxembourg (4pts) and Moldova (1pt). While Greece is the obvious favorite thus far in qualifying, the Swiss could muster a comeback in their two back-to-back games against Moldova. As a surprise in the 2006 World Cup, the Swiss have a chance to get through to the finals in South Africa, if they show the same strength as they did in Germany.

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Group Three holds: Slovakia (9pts), N. Ireland, Czech Republic, Poland, Slovenia (all with 7pts), and San Marino (0pts). While this seems like a five team group, San Marino holds points that give the second place teams the points to contend with Slovakia, the favorite from Group Three. N. Ireland has developed over the years, but has yet to mature to World Cup talent yet. Poland has an outside chance and so do the Czechs, if Slovakia misses a beat, watch for these teams to take advantage.

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Group Four is home to: Germany (10pts), Russia (6pts), Wales (6pts), Finland (4pts), Azerbaijan (1pt), and Lichtenstein (1pt). Germany and Russia are the far favorites in this group, but as Germany has the advantages this far into qualifying, I see it difficult for the Germans to falter so greatly that they fail to qualify. Russia might have a chance to make it through in the qualifiers between a UEFA team and an AFC (Asian) team. The Fins are finding themselves in a bad group, as they have shown maturity in the 2006 qualifiers, 2010 seems like a farfetched dream for the Finnish.

Group Five: Spain (12pts), Turkey (8pts), Belgium (7pts), Bosnia-Herzegovina (6pts), Estonia (1pt), Armenia (0pts). This group was decided before the first game kicked off. The Spaniards are and were the heavy favorites, as defending Euro champions, Turkey was the only team to stand a chance against Spain. It's a safe bet to say Spain will be in South Africa in 2010, fighting for the World Cup.

Group Six: England (12pts), Croatia (7pts), Ukraine (7pts), Belarus (3pts), Kazakhstan (3pts), Andorra (0pts). Yet again, England is the safe bet from Group Six. While failing to qualify for the Euro Cup in 2008, the Brits have something to prove to the world, and they will show the world in South Africa in May of 2010.

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Group Seven is: Serbia (9pts), Lithuania (9pts), France (4pts), Austria (4pts), Romania (4pts), and the Faroe Islands (1pt). While France was a favorite at the start of qualifying, they have failed to live up to expectations, and are in jeopardy of not qualifying for the World Cup. Serbia is now the likely favorite to move on to the finals.

Group Eight: Italy (10pts), Republic of Ireland (10pts), Bulgaria (3pts), Montenegro (2pts), Georgia (2pts), and Cyprus (1pt). Look for Italy to advance from this group with some struggle, but the Irish are not in top form, since their last visit in 2002. The remainder of the group is too far behind to be contenders, but look for them to be spoilers, nonetheless.


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Group Nine: Netherlands (9pts), Scotland (4pts), Iceland (4pts), Macedonia (3pts), Norway (2pts). Look for the Oranje to fight for the World Cup after they pass through this group with relative ease, only finding minimal trouble from the Scots, which they had to fight to qualify for the 2006 World Cup as well, and did it undefeated. The Scots are on the outside looking in, getting a bad group due to the Oranje. Iceland, Macedonia, and Norway will round out the group.

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Now, moving beyond the scope of this article, my personal predictions for the World Cup. Expect to see some fascinating, inspiring football/soccer, and lots of surprises. As always look for the Azure (Italians) to compete, as well as the Spaniards, the Brits and the Dutch to contend as well. As always, look out for Brazil and Argentina from CONMEBOL (South America) to be favorites too. Notables in the final 16 will be the Dutch, England, Spain, Brazil, Portugal, and Italy. For the final four, I predict that Brazil will face off against Italy for third place honors, while the star-studded Dutch footballers fight against Argentina for the World Cup. See you in South Africa!

NCAA Football 2010 for Your Xbox

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X-box 360 Gamers eagerly awaiting the arrival of NCAA Football 2010 should be quite happy to know that Electronic Arts (EA) Inc. had recently set the launch date for the game to be at July 14, 2009. This is only the official North American release date, however, so if you’re living elsewhere, your best bet would be to make an online reservation.

What to Expect from NCAA Football 2010
NCAA Football from EA Sports is not the world’s highest-selling college football video game series for over ten years for nothing. The excitement is all due to the fantastic gameplay and the equally fantastic gaming experience it offers to users.

Season Showdown
This all-new feature will be a delight for fans with strong passions for their respective school favorites. Every fan counts in Season Showdown as the credits are not only accrued during the game but also by playing online. With Season Showdown, every student’s participation counts if they want to make their school the #1 college for the season.

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Authentic Gaming Experience
Authenticity has long been a primary and ongoing concern of fans, and it’s a challenge that EA Sports doesn’t hesitate to meet with each game they release. With NCAA Football 2010, each and every school making up the Football Bowl Subdivision is ably represented in the game from mascots to cheerleaders to school colors. That’s over a hundred schools for students to choose from!

Simming
Sometimes, we get lazy even while we’re playing. But that doesn’t mean you’re lacking enthusiasm. You’re just…feeling lazy. That’s all there is to it. EA Sports understand that kind of response and it’s why they’ve presented the option for simming.

With simming, all a player has to do is pick the play and it’s up to AI to figure out the rest. Whether this is effective is something we’ll have to see to believe on July 14.

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Procedural Awareness
Don’t you just hate it when games are purported to be realistic and then you notice how their eyes aren’t even able to look at what they’re going? Color NCAA Football 2010 different! With procedural awareness, it allows your defensive backs and wide receivers to look at the ball prior to making a play for them.

Other Features People Want to See in NCAA Football 2010
If you check out the game’s official website, you’ll notice the scarcity of news available regarding the other new features of NCAA Football 2010. No surprise there, though, since anticipation makes everything sweeter. The mystery and excitement surrounding the game, in any case, has induced game enthusiasts and experts into creating their own wish lists for NCAA Football 2010 features.

More Teams?
If EA Sports can do it with basketball, surely they can do it with football, too? Thanks to the unexpected victory of Appalachian State over Michigan, fans are clamoring for additional FCS teams in NCAA Football 2010. Will EA listen?

Better Line Play
Everyone hopes so. A lot of players are exasperated with the predictability of line play and excessive use of stiff arm locks. Could there be a change?

Everyone wants NCAA Football 2010 to be better but whether or not EA Sports makes people’s dreams a reality remains to be seen on July 14. Mark that day on your calendar, folks!

2009 NFL Draft Predictions(Aaron Curry)

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Wake Forest senior linebacker Aaron Curry is ranked as the top overall candidate in the 2009 NFL Draft.

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The 2008 Butkus Award winner and a Bronko Nagurski Award finalist, Curry finished his final season leading Wake Forest with 105 tackles, sixteen of them for a loss. His junior year was excellent as well with 99 tackles including 13.5 for a loss and three interceptions returned for2009 NFL Draft Predictions: Aaron Curry
Date: March 20, 2009
Centerburg, OH
United States of America touchdowns. His overall NCAA career ended with 320 tackles, six interceptions and five forced fumbles. Curry achieved all-ACC honors three times during his Wake Forest Career and an All-American designation.

Curry is overwhelmingly rated the most versatile linebacker in the 2009 draft class.

Aaron Curry has good things going for him entering the 2009 draft. At 6'2", 254, he is a strong athlete with very long arms. Curry is adept at breaking up the pass and his hands have strength for interceptions. He shows the ability to work both the inside and outside run and is able to shake off blockers. His reading and diagnostic skills are an advantage as Curry follows the play.

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Combine and scouting reports list very few disadvantages to the team who successfully drafts Aaron Curry. He is believed to be a bit stiff in the upper body, an advantage in a straight line play but creating difficulty in shifting directions. The combine report would like to see Curry drive into his tackles more, rather than using his arms.

Most of the mock drafts predict Curry as the number three pick by Kansas City, who hopefully filled their quarterback hole with Matt Cassell. Kansas City has a lot of needs, but a strong defense should now be their most important priority.

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If Kansas City is confused and passes on Curry, Seattle should definitely use their number four pick to heal their broken defense.

2009 Final Four to Send Final Two Invites

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The 2009 Final Four will need to be great to redeem a poorly received NCAA Tournament. However, Villanova and Pittsburgh's regional final got the process off to a great start. With the 2009 Final Four halfway filled out, the rest of the2009 Elite Eight looks to continue the 2009 NCAA Tournament's new momentum. The headline game to end the Elite Eight is North Carolina vs. Oklahoma, but the historic Elite Eight game could be earlier, with Louisville against Michigan State.

The 2009 NCAA Tournament can be labeled the Big East conference tournament, by and large. Two Big East schools are already in the Final Four, though many didn't expect Villanova to get in over Pittsburgh. But after Villanova and Pittsburgh provided one classic Big East clash in the NCAA Tournament, Louisville can ensure a sequel today.

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Louisville can make it three Big East schools in the 2009 Final Four, if the Cardinals defeat Michigan State in the Midwest Regional final. Not only that, Louisville's Final Four opponent would be none other than Connecticut, which faced its first real test of the 2009 NCAA Tournament against Missouri and passed.

But in order to avenge a blowout loss at home against Connecticut earlier this season, Louisville has to get to Detroit by beating Michigan State. The Spartans are one of the few non-Big East schools left in the 2009 NCAA Tournament, and a win would be a big boost for them and the embattled Big Ten.

If Louisville gets to the Final Four, the only non-Big East spot in the Final Four will be determined in the Elite Eight's final game. The South Regional finals pits North Carolina against Oklahoma, two teams that had the easiest time getting to the Elite Eight.

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North Carolina has been expected to roll through the NCAA Tournament all season. Now that Ty Lawson seems to be set to play through an injured toe, the Tar Heels could steal the national championship from all the Big East powers.

However, this regional final pits what may be the ultimate NCAA Tournament team, against the year's ultimate player in Blake Griffin. Having recovered from his own late season injuries, Griffin has averaged 30 points through three easy wins for Oklahoma.

North Carolina or Oklahoma will get Villanova in the 2009 Final Four. After this final berth is determined, the 2009 NCAA Tournament will be three games away from its conclusion, and from crowning a new national champion. The odds of a champion not coming from the Big East will be long if three teams get in, but a little better if North Carolina is that sole Final Four team from another conference.

Louisville and Michigan State clash at 2:20 in Indianapolis, with North Carolina and Oklahoma meeting after 5 in Memphis.