Group G Preview

Group G	FIFA	ELO	Best Finish	WC 2010
Germany	2	3	1st(3 times)	3rd
Portugal	3	8	3rd	11th
Ghana	38	37	3rd Round	7th
USA	14	13	3rd	12th

Germany have been going deep in international tournaments since 1982. They have one World Cup trophy, 3 Second place finishes, and have finished 3rd in the previous two tournaments. They were European Cup runner-ups in 2008, and finished 3rd in 2012. It came as no surprise last tournament when they won their group. A 0-1 loss to Serbia served as a blip as the Germans scored 8 goals in rounds two and three combined. Eventual champs Spain held them to a 0-1 loss before the offense reinvigorated for a 3-2 3rd place finish over Uruguay. Without question this year's group is a lot tougher than 2010's. Called the Group of Death, Germany will battle Portugal, Ghana again, and the United States. Tough games should lead to close results, but this team keeps showing they are very good. Advancing to the second round is a must, and I can't see the Germans finishing worse than two of these teams.

Portugal are ranked 3rd, but I feel that has more to do with their star and captain Cristiano Ronaldo than anything else. Their best finish at a World Cup was 3rd place in 1966. They've been starving for that kind of success since. 2010 saw Portugal finish second behind Brazil in a three way race for two spots. Two draws meant that a 7-0 drubbing of North Korea would be the difference in advancing Portugal to the knockout round. They lost to Iberian rivals and eventual Champs Spain by the final of 0-1in the round of 16. Looking to make better than that, Portugal may not be able to beat Germany, but success against the US should be certain as they've never struggled against them. Ghana may be the only threat to them if the Africans pick up where they left off four years ago.

Ghana's run to the Quarterfinals last Cup ended with a bit of controversial talk. The Black Stars were certain to go ahead 2-1 when Luis Suarez reached up and knocked a ball down that was goalbound. Even a man up, Ghana lost momentum and couldn't score a goal in extra time. They lost on penalty kicks and would watch as Uruguay would go on to finish fourth, wondering what if. They're one blemish in the group stage was a 0-1 loss to eventual 3rd place Germany. Having lost to both teams that played in the 3rd place playoff shows how good Ghana were. They get to test their metal this time around. Another match against Germany, a tough outing with Portugal, and a rematch with the US will require the best that Ghana has.

The US were riding high four years ago. They won their group against Algeria and Slovenia, but even finished ahead of England. They opened up holding England to a 1-1 draw before seeing themselves take first by outscoring England overall. In that 2nd round they met Ghana. In a hard fought battle, the Americans found themselves eliminated after extra time 1-2. In 2006, a last gasp win by the US against Ghana could have seen them make the second round. That last game ended 1-2 to Ghana. The Stars and Stripes are hoping this won't be the third cup in a row that the Black stars see them out.

Key Match:

It has to be the Ghana vs USA game. They open up against each other, and three points will be huge. Germany may be held to a point by Portugal, so getting an early lead in this group may be enough to get you into the second round. A loss for either team, and you're looking at an early exit. A draw, and it'll be excruciating to watch as both teams look to make up lost ground.