Confederations Cup Power Rankings

[Dark Horse]

Confederation Cup Power Rankings

I wasn't going to do this for a non-serious tournament, but what the heck. Motivations per team may vary widely, but aren't included.

1) Spain
2) Brazil
3) Italy
4) South Africa
5) Egypt
6) USA
7) Iraq
8) New Zealand

No real surprises in round 1. Let's see how this holds up going forward.

Round 2:
South-Africa - New Zealand
Spain - Iraq
Brazil - USA
Italy - Egypt

Egypt could surprise Italy. Egypt is much more motivated than Italy.

[sportsguy04]

Confederation Cup Power Rankings

I wasn't going to do this for a non-serious tournament, but what the heck. Motivations per team may vary widely, but aren't included.

1) Spain
2) Brazil
3) Italy
4) South Africa
5) Egypt
6) USA
7) Iraq
8) New Zealand

No real surprises in round 1. Let's see how this holds up going forward.

Round 2:
South-Africa - New Zealand
Spain - Iraq
Brazil - USA
Italy - Egypt

Egypt could surprise Italy. Egypt is much more motivated than Italy.

Yeah I would switch USA and S. Africa though just because of the opponent, but I know its based on current standings.

[Dark Horse]

Historically I would have placed the US somewhat higher, but this team is very bad. South-Africa is upgraded as home team.

This would also have been my pretournament rating. Spain is the hottest team. Brazil is always a contender for the final, and they love their soccer group outings. Italy was coming off a disinterested 4-3 friendly win over New Zealand. Italy is not motivated, but are still full of class. S. Africa is home team, highly motivated.

Then from the bottom up. Kiwis are pretty much amateurs. Iraq is a close second; country in shambles. That leaves a toss up between the US and Egypt. Based on recent games, in which the US looked horrible, I'm giving the nod to Egypt. Egypt has more skillful players than the US. The US can make up for that with organization, but this team does not comprehend 'space'.

[Dark Horse]

All very predictable so far. Hoping for an upset in the Italy-Egypt game. Egypt is the African champion. That means something (Cameroon, Nigeria). And I would expect them to be more motivated than Italy. Then again, Italy grows into tournaments.

[Dark Horse]

Egypt 1 - Italy 0

That's why this tournament is interesting from a handicapping perspective. In the World Cup every team is 100% motivated. But here? A much wider spectrum of motivations. The game meant everything to Egypt and relatively little to Italy.

[Dark Horse]

Games for round 3
Iraq - New Zealand
Spain - South Africa
Italy - Brazil
Egypt - United States

Upset potential: South Africa, using the term upset lightly, to include ties for dogs.
Likely tie: Italy-Brazil