Final Round

Eight teams have qualified for the last 16 from 6 groups (all with 6pts), while seven teams have already been eliminated from 5 groups (all with 0pts), but no team has yet won their group. This means that there are still 17 teams fighting for the place in the last 16, a fight that begins today with Group A and Group B (featuring England) and going on until Friday.

In group A Germany and Ecuador have already qualified, so all that is left to decide is who is going to finish top and have the 'supposedly' easier game in the last 16 knock-out round, while Poland will be playing Costa Rica to see who avoids ending up with the group's wooden spoon.

In group B England are already through, but need at least a draw against Sweden to claim top spot, while Sweden need at least a draw to guarantee qualifying for the next stage. TNT will need to beat Paraguay and hope that England with a net goal difference of +3. Meanwhile Paraguay will want to avoid the wooden spoon by beating Trinidad.


My Predictions:

• Group A:
  Ecuador will beat the home team, exposing the German's weaker defense.
  Costa Rica will rediscover the form that put two goals past Germany in the opener while Poland will go home with the heads held in shame.
  
  
• Group B:
  As much as I want England to win we just don't seem to be able to beat Sweden, so a draw or a loss is most likely. However, with Rooney playing from the start, I'm hoping that it will kick start this England team and give us a resounding victory.
  As for TNT, I'm hoping they can upset the South Americans and pull off a win (together with an unlike England mauling of Sweden) will see the islanders qualify ahead of Sweden - nice! More likely though Paraguay will win regaining some pride.