FMF World Cup 2008 Update for the uninformed
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 4:54 pm
On Saturday, the draws were made for the group stages of this years World Cup, leaving some particularly exciting match-ups to look forward to.
Group A: Amokolia, Passas, Interland, Stormark
This group brings only one nation from last years World Cup, Passas, who finished third, and are likely to top their group again this time around. They shouldn't count out the other three teams, though, and must be ready for a good challenge from the strong Stormark and Amokolia squads. Interland, while able to field a good team, may not be able to compete with the rest.
Qualifier recap: Stormark 4W-2D-0L (AEFA), Passas 9W-1D-0L (EMUFA), Interland 6W-2D-2L (EMUFA), Amokolia automatically qualifies as host
Prediction: 1st: Passas, 2nd: Stormark, 3rd: Amokolia, 4th: Interland
Group B: Toketi, Alexandria, Batavia, New South Vietnam
In last year's World Cup, both Toketi and Alexandria finished atop their groups in the first round. Alexandria was eliminated in the quarterfinals by the reigning champions, Cräiteland, and Toketi fell in the finals match to the same nation. Neither Batavia nor NSV participated in the last World Cup, so their on shows so far have been in qualifiers, where both proved to be serious international competitors.
Qualifier recap: Toketi 5W-1D-0L (AEFA), Alexandria automatically qualifies due to little interest in CTFA (CTFA), Batavia upset Beaugium in qualifying match (WMFA), New South Vietnam 8W-0D-2L and beat Ocia in qualifying match (EMUFA)
Prediction: 1st: Toketi, 2nd: Batavia, 3rd: Alexandria, 4th: New South Vietnam
Group C: Cräiteland, Hurmu, Shireroth, United Empire
This draw was a disaster for Shireroth and the United Empire. Cräiteland, the returning champions, are favorites to take the World Cup again, and Hurmu, 4th Place last year, crushed their group in qualifiers with a +12 goal diffnce. This is the first appearance for Shireroth and the United Empire, and, unfortunately, they will probably not be able to field the skill needed to topple the two much more experienced teams. BUT THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE! THEY DON'T HAVE A DEMON TREE GOD!
Qualifier recap: Cräiteland automatically qualifies as last years champions (EMUFA), Hurmu 6W-0D-0L (AEFA), Shireroth 1W-1L v Istvanistan with +2GD and beat Mania in qualifying match (WMFA), United Empire 5W-1D-0L (AEFA)
Prediction: 1st: Cräiteland, 2nd: Hurmu, 3rd: Shireroth, 4th: United Empire
Group D: Kavalos, Hamland, Nova England, Bobalania
A comparatively weak group, although it is given that none of these teams participated in last years World Cup. Kavalos is untested, since it was unnecessary to hold qualifiers for the CTFA. Bobalania edged out New Vaduz for a spot in the World Cup, but wasn't spectacular in qualifiers. Nova England and Hamland both topped their groups is fantastic form.
Qualifier recap: Kavalos automatically qualifies due to little interest in CTFA (CTFA), Hamland 10W-0D-0L (EMUFA), Nova England 9W-0D-1L (EMUFA), Bobalania 5W-2D-3L and beat New Vaduz in qualifying match (EMUFA)
Prediction: 1st: Hamland, 2nd: Nova England, 3rd: Kavalos, 4th: Bobalania
Group A: Amokolia, Passas, Interland, Stormark
This group brings only one nation from last years World Cup, Passas, who finished third, and are likely to top their group again this time around. They shouldn't count out the other three teams, though, and must be ready for a good challenge from the strong Stormark and Amokolia squads. Interland, while able to field a good team, may not be able to compete with the rest.
Qualifier recap: Stormark 4W-2D-0L (AEFA), Passas 9W-1D-0L (EMUFA), Interland 6W-2D-2L (EMUFA), Amokolia automatically qualifies as host
Prediction: 1st: Passas, 2nd: Stormark, 3rd: Amokolia, 4th: Interland
Group B: Toketi, Alexandria, Batavia, New South Vietnam
In last year's World Cup, both Toketi and Alexandria finished atop their groups in the first round. Alexandria was eliminated in the quarterfinals by the reigning champions, Cräiteland, and Toketi fell in the finals match to the same nation. Neither Batavia nor NSV participated in the last World Cup, so their on shows so far have been in qualifiers, where both proved to be serious international competitors.
Qualifier recap: Toketi 5W-1D-0L (AEFA), Alexandria automatically qualifies due to little interest in CTFA (CTFA), Batavia upset Beaugium in qualifying match (WMFA), New South Vietnam 8W-0D-2L and beat Ocia in qualifying match (EMUFA)
Prediction: 1st: Toketi, 2nd: Batavia, 3rd: Alexandria, 4th: New South Vietnam
Group C: Cräiteland, Hurmu, Shireroth, United Empire
This draw was a disaster for Shireroth and the United Empire. Cräiteland, the returning champions, are favorites to take the World Cup again, and Hurmu, 4th Place last year, crushed their group in qualifiers with a +12 goal diffnce. This is the first appearance for Shireroth and the United Empire, and, unfortunately, they will probably not be able to field the skill needed to topple the two much more experienced teams. BUT THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE! THEY DON'T HAVE A DEMON TREE GOD!
Qualifier recap: Cräiteland automatically qualifies as last years champions (EMUFA), Hurmu 6W-0D-0L (AEFA), Shireroth 1W-1L v Istvanistan with +2GD and beat Mania in qualifying match (WMFA), United Empire 5W-1D-0L (AEFA)
Prediction: 1st: Cräiteland, 2nd: Hurmu, 3rd: Shireroth, 4th: United Empire
Group D: Kavalos, Hamland, Nova England, Bobalania
A comparatively weak group, although it is given that none of these teams participated in last years World Cup. Kavalos is untested, since it was unnecessary to hold qualifiers for the CTFA. Bobalania edged out New Vaduz for a spot in the World Cup, but wasn't spectacular in qualifiers. Nova England and Hamland both topped their groups is fantastic form.
Qualifier recap: Kavalos automatically qualifies due to little interest in CTFA (CTFA), Hamland 10W-0D-0L (EMUFA), Nova England 9W-0D-1L (EMUFA), Bobalania 5W-2D-3L and beat New Vaduz in qualifying match (EMUFA)
Prediction: 1st: Hamland, 2nd: Nova England, 3rd: Kavalos, 4th: Bobalania
