In just over 4 hours time, the draw for the 2006 soccer World Cup Finals takes place. England are seeded second behind Brazil and its potentially going to be the most open tournament in the last 20 years. I'll post the results in the morning.

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Damn, Australia got put in a group with Brazil, Japan and Croatia. We're doomed.

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World Cup Finals 2006 Groups

GROUP A
Germany
Costa Rica
Poland
Ecuador

GROUP B
England
Paraguay
Trinidad & Tobago
Sweden

GROUP C
Argentina
Ivory Coast
Serbia & Montenegro
Holland

GROUP D
Mexico
Iran
Angola
Portugal

GROUP E
Italy
Ghana
USA
Czech Republic

GROUP F
Brazil
Croatia
Australia
Japan

GROUP G
France
Switzerland
South Korea
Togo

GROUP H
Spain
Ukraine
Tunisia
Saudi Arabia

I'm not sure you are actually doomed Splin. Beat Japan, draw with Croatia and hope that Brazil don't defecate on you too freely and you could go through in second. I suspect second place in your group will be decided on goal difference.

As far as England go, I'd have said thats a pretty soft draw, with the only team I'd even raise and eyebrow to the chance of a negative result being Sweden, and they're probably a safe bet for a draw anyway.

I think the USA's chances of reaching the next stage will be determined in the same way as Australia's, with them and the Czech Republic duking it out for second behind Italy.

My personal pick for match of the first round is Holland v Argentina. 2 giants of world soccer and I suspect whoever wins that match will go on to figure in the semi finals, maybe even the final.

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Hmm....maybe. If Harry Kewell and Viduka really fire, we might just be in with a chance. Fingers crossed Brazil dont mercillessly muder us...

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