Over the last several weeks, I’ve analyzed all the groups in the World Cup and made my predictions, moving from the least interesting groups to the most interesting. This week I tackle the last group, the one I consider the Group of Death. This week it’s Group E. In case you’ve been under a rock the tournament starts this Friday.

Group E
1	Italy
2	Ghana
3	United States
4	Czech Republic

My Prediction
Group Winner: Czech Republic
Runner-Up: Italy

Why is this my Group of Death? Because Italy always has a strong squad even at the worst of times. Is this the worst of times for Italian football? Not really. The Azzurri have some problems with corruption in their domestic league right now but I don’t think that’s going to effect the national squad. You know, the team that dumped Germany 4-1 in a friendly a few months back. The squad isn’t a favorite this time out and don’t have the single shining personality that draws attention to World Cup teams, but that doesn’t mean a thing. This is a solid, solid squad. The Italians have a reputation for starting slowly and that could bite them in the ass in such a tough group. I’m betting this group will be decided on the last kick of the ball in group play and the Italians have a knack for doing just enough to get through.

Why is this my Group of Death? Because few groups have an X factor like Ghana. Ghana has been a heavyweight in youth championships for a long time but they’ve never stood up and been counted at the full international level. Could this be their year to flex their muscles? Why not? With contract killer Michael Essien running the midfield, expect this team to run hard, play hard, and tackle hard. Teams like Nigeria and Cameroon have shown us that what African football often lacks in finesse it can often compensate with raw power. Of all the first-timer African nations, Ghana and the Ivory Coast are the best built teams and will take some beating. The big question will be whether the Italians can pass it around Ghana and whether the US can hold up against physical play. If the answers to these questions are both no, Ghana goes through.

Why is this my Group of Death? Because the world still underestimates how good the United States has gotten. Most of the non-US media thinks we’re the punching bags of the group whereas much of the US media somehow thinks that anything other than improving on 2002′s quarterfinal group will be a step backwards. Neither is true. The US has the distinct advantage of being overlooked in this group. The order of games works against the US because the toughest match comes first against the Czech Republic and, frankly, even a draw would be a miraculous result here because the US has never fared well against the physical side of the European game. Ghana’s game is speed and physical dominance as well, which doesn’t suit the US. The problem? Attacking speed results in fouls around the box, and fouls around the box result in goals on set pieces. The US’ biggest World Cup wins–against Colombia, Portugal, Mexico–have been against finesse teams; the losses have come against big European teams like Germany, Yugoslavia, and Poland. On set pieces no less. Should the US lose their opener, they need to focus on beating Italy and facing a Ghana team desparate for a win which might leave them overextended and exposed at the back.

Why is this my Group of Death? Because the Czech Republic are one of the dark horses of the tournament and could, conceivably, make a run to the semifinals. They’re big and bruising, fast as hell, and insanely talented. Pavel Nedved is one of the world’s best midfielders and Jan Koller is a giant in the penalty area. They have a good chance of steamrolling the US and Italy and the match with Ghana will resemble a heavyweight title fight. There is a chance, however, that they’ll just not show up–which is true of any team. They could be in trouble if they look past the US and walk through their opener but I don’t think that will happen. You get the feeling that the Czechs know they have a great shot at going the distance and will start off focused. Like Ghana, this is the Czechs first World Cup as a team but it won’t seem like it.

I hate to say it, but I don’t think our boys are getting out of the group. It’s not just that they’re facing hungry, talented teams; it’s that they’re facing hungry, talented teams they don’t match up well against. Anything can happen though. Mustering a point or, good lord, a win against the Czechs changes the complexion of the group–although the counter-point is that in 2002 they managed an unbelievable win against Portugal, a draw against hosts South Korea, and still almost didn’t make it to the second round because they lost focus against Poland. Having said that, I think the Czechs win the group without too much trouble. It’s that second spot that’s killer–and what makes it worse is that the second-place team will face the winner of Group F in the second round, which is almost guaranteed to be Brazil. Some reward.

So that’s it! Done and dusted. Nothing left but they crying. If you think I’m wrong in my picks, join my World Cup pool and show the world how smart you are by picking Togo to beat France or some smack like that.

Oh, by the way, here’s a link to the handy-dandy World Cup television schedule for the US. All games broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC. First match, Germany versus Costa Rica, Friday at 11:00 AM central time.

I. Can’t. Wait.

Previous weeks: Group A,Group B, Group C, Group D, Group F, Group G, Group H