England should qualify for the knockout gig easily.. but securing first place in the group will be vital methinks.. and Sweden will prove difficult.
As for winning the whole thing :?.. No chance.. they have a manager with a palpable fear of heights :? I see them reaching at least the Quarter finals… Semi finals tops.
Methinks Italy are strong.. they came to Dublin recently, and for the first half hour played with a gusto and purpose that was a breath of fresh air from an Italian team. They battered us to bits (not too difficult nowadays, but they were awesome), and this new found urgency coupled with their perennial tight professionalism will make them a force to be reckoned with.
Together with an on-song Brazil and typical work-horse Germany.. I can’t see any other team doing it.