| GROUP G | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
 |
| France | Switzerland | South Korea | Togo |
The Big Match
Switzerland vs. South Korea: With the French expected to finish first in Group G, this match will decide second place. With that in mind, you can expect an open game with both teams fielding attacking formations, as the Swiss and Koreans will be fully aware that they will need to win to ensure their passage to the next round.
| Date | Teams | City |
|---|---|---|
| June 13 | 
France vs. 
Switzerland |
Stuttgart |
South Korea vs. 
Togo |
Frankfurt | |
| June 18 |
France vs.
South Korea |
Leipzig |
| June 19 |
Togo vs.
Switzerland |
Dortmund |
| June 23 |
Togo vs.
France |
Cologne |
|
Switzerland vs.
South Korea |
Hanover |
What the experts say:
John F. Molinaro, Editor, World Cup 2006, CBC Sports Online:
This is France's group to win or lose. With the triumervate of Zinedine Zidane,
Thierry Henry and Claude Makalele, Les Bleus look a sure bet to finish
first in the group, although they were expected to sweep to a first-place
finish four years ago and we all remember what happened. Look for the French
to finally put that embarrassing chapter in their history to rest once and
for all.
Swizterland impresses me quite a bit. I like striker Alexander Frei and defender
Philippe Senderos is coming off a great season with Arsenal. They'll be in
tough against South Korea for second place, but I think the Swiss have a bit
more quality and that will push them past their Asian counterparts. Don't
expect another miracle from South Korea - winning on home soil is one thing,
winning in Europe is quite another.
Togo are going to be slapped silly by the other three teams in this group.
Predicted finish: 1) France, 2) Switzerland, 3) South Korea, 4) Togo
Peter Mallet, Soccer reporter, Globe and Mail:
After their quarter-final exit from Euro 2004, midfielders Zinedine Zidane
(Real Madrid) and Claude Makelele (Chelsea) and defender Lilian Thuram (Juventus)
had called an end to their international careers. However, before last year's
nail-biting European Group Four qualifying campaign was completed, the return
of the three veterans along with newer French stars such as strikers David
Trezeguet (Juventus), Thierry Henry (Arsenal) and Djibril Cisse (Liverpool)
were the key ingredients in the mix to push France past Ireland, Switzerland
and Israel.
South Korea, who are led by midfielder Park Ji-Sung (Manchester United) and Lee Young Pyo (Tottenham), will be out to prove their fourth place finish at the last World Cup had little to do with home field advantage even though the country has yet to win once in five previous overseas tournament appearances.
Switzerland, who qualified for Germany after controversy filled playoff against 2002 third place finishers Turkey, have an uphill battle at this year's tournament despite striker Alexander Frei (Rennes) as one of their weapons.
Meanwhile, Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal) will carry the hopes of the mighty
'Sparrowhawks' of Togo in their first World Cup appearance but few have given
them much of a chance of soaring.
Predicted finish: 1) France, 2) South Korea, 3) Switzerland, 4) Togo
David Pye, Soccer reporter, Grimsby Telegraph:
The South Koreans won many friends in the soccer world for their boundless
energy and 'never-say-die' attitude in the last World Cup . Four years on
and that experience should stand them in good stead to make a fight of it
in this group.
France is the favourites and with Thierry Henry in their lineup they can go all the way. But several players are ageing and in their last tournament - the likes of Lilian Thuram and Zinedine Zidane. Nevertheless, they should improve on their first round exit in the Far East when they didn't even score a goal.
Switzerland is a danger after qualifying with the French from a tough group.
The big game will be France against Switzerland - a match that could end in a draw and open a path for the Koreans to qualify. New boys Togo will just enjoy the ride.
Predicted finish: 1) France, 2) Switzerland, 3) South Korea, 4) Togo