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Kosta Rica
FIFA ranking: 26
Qualification: 3rd place in the group
Friendly matches: 2-3 against Iran, 0-4 against Ukraine, 0-1 against the Czech Republic
Form and position: Costa Rica is capable of surprising even the best teams - but not in the form it is in now. Losses to Iran, Ukraine, and the Czech Republic might not be very bad, but a 3-2 loss to Germany's regional team made up of third, fourth, and fifth division amateurs does not promise anything good. Costa Rica's national team can play both well and poorly, but their form before the World Cup is very poor.
Prediction: Tough opponents who can cause surprises and take second place in a unpredictable group.
Ecuador
FIFA ranking: 39
Qualification: 3rd place in the group
Friendly matches: 0-1 against Japan, 1-1 against Colombia, 1-2 against Macedonia
Form and position: Ecuador's national team, famous for performing poorly away, like Costa Rica, has not shown good results lately. However, the team's coach Luis Fernando Suarez remains optimistic: - "I am happy with the way we play". How can he be happy? Lately, they lost to Macedonia's national team, and the players constantly coughing and sneezing, complain about the climate of Germany.
Prediction: They have no chance. The lack of European experience will cost them dearly.
Germany
FIFA ranking: 19
Qualification: did not participate
Friendly matches: 7-0 against Luxembourg, 2-2 against Japan, 3-0 against Colombia
Form and position: Trying to understand their opponents' mindset, the national team watched a film about Costa Rica. "It was enlightening," said team captain Michael Ballack. - "We really liked the view of their culture." Chelsea's newcomer is troubled by a calf injury and is now training separately from others. Germany's national team will need their captain and a good start from the team in the World Cup.
Prediction: Considered favorites in the group, but, even though playing at home, it might be too early for this talented and promising team to become world champions this time.
Poland
FIFA ranking: 29
Qualification: 2nd place in the group
Friendly matches: 4-0 against the Faroe Islands, 1-2 against Colombia, 1-0 against Croatia
Form and position: Team coach Pawel Janas seems to have some similarities with S.G. Eriksson. Strange decisions in choosing players - there is no Tomasz Frankowski and Jerzy Dudek in the team, and the chosen tactics surprise many. A win against Croatia using a 4-4-2 tactical scheme is a significant step forward for the national team after losses to Colombia and Lithuania playing with five defenders. Therefore, it is believed that the Poles will use the tactical scheme that produced positive results against Croatia in the match.
Prediction: A fairly favorable group allows Poland to hope for advancement to the second stage of the championship, but it is not expected that they could go further.
