Binge Media Sports: 2014 FIFA World Cup-Group E & Group F

 

GROUP E

SWITZERLAND

ECUADOR

FRANCE

HONDURAS

 

TV SCHEDULE

Sunday, June 15-Switzerland v. Ecuador-Noon Eastern/11:00 Central-ABC

Sunday, June 15-France v. Honduras-3:00 Eastern/2:00 Central-ABC

Friday, June 20-Switzerland v. France-3:00 Eastern/2:00 Central-ESPN

Friday, June 20-Honduras v. Ecuador-6:00 Eastern/5:00 Central-ESPN

Wednesday, June 25-Honduras v. Switzerland-4:00 Eastern/3:00 Central-ESPN2

Wednesday, June 25-Ecuador v. France-4:00 Eastern/3:00 Central-ESPN

 

GROUP PREVIEW: This may not be as tough of a group to call as some of the previous groups I’ve looked at, but this still has the chance to be an entertaining foursome.

France is considered to be the group favorite, but their play has been up and down for years. They were winless in 2002, but reached the final in 2006. They followed that up by going winless once again in South Africa in 2010. But, they pulled a good draw here, even though they needed a playoff with Ukraine just to make it to Brazil. Hugo Loris, Patrice Evra, and Franck Ribery lead the way as the French look for a decent showing.

Switzerland is young and eased through their qualifying and are the favorites to join France in the round of 16, but ability may not take them much further than that. Granit Hxaka, Xherdan Shaquiri, and Valon Behrami will lead the way for the Swiss this time around, and their match against France should be the best match in this group.

Ecuador will have some interest in that match as well, as a loss by either team could open the door for them to sneak into the knockout stage. France or Switzerland will really have to slip up, but Walter Ayoui and Antonia Valencia lead a talented squad that could surprise some people.

Honduras comes in with only three previous World Cup appearances, and have never won a match. In South Africa four years ago, they did play Switzerland to a 0-0 draw in group play, but couldn’t score against anybody else either and left the tourney with zero goals to speak of. They’ll certainly be the underdogs of this group, but Wilson Palacios and Roger Espinoza will look to make history for Honduras.

 

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GROUP F

ARGENTINA

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

IRAN

NIGERIA

 

TV SCHEDULE

Sunday, June 15-Argentina v. Bosnia and Herzegovina– 6:00 Eastern/5:00 Central-ESPN

Monday, June 16-Iran v. Nigeria-3:00 Eastern/2:00 Central-ESPN

Saturday, June 21-Argentina v. Iran-Noon Eastern/11:00 Central-ESPN

Saturday, June 21-Nigeria v. Bosnia and Herzegovina-6:00 Eastern/5:00 Central-ESPN

Wednesday, June 25-Nigeria v. Argentina-Noon Eastern/11:00 Central-ESPN

Wednesday, June 25-Bosnia and Herzegovina v. Iran-Noon Eastern/11:00 Central-ESPN2

 

GROUP PREVIEW:  Group F features a developing rivalry, one of the biggest stars in the world, and a newcomer to World Cup play. Tons of good storylines here.

Lionel Messi leads Argentina into Brazil, looking to bounce back after a humiliating 4-0 defeat at the hands of Germany in the 2010 quarterfinals. Messi has been one of the best players in the world for a while now, but when playing for his country, he tends to struggle a little bit. “The second coming of Maradona” looks to get help from Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain as Argentina is the clear favorite to win Group F.

New Argentina rival Nigeria comes in after winning the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and easily making their way to Brazil. Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama is considered Africa’s best and Victor Moses, Victor Obinna, and John Obi Mikel lead the Nigerians.

Bosnia and Herzegovina are making their first ever World Cup appearance in 2014, and they are exciting to watch, bringing a wild and adventurous style to Brazil. If you watched their friendly last year against the U.S., then you know what I’m talking about. Edin Dzeko and Vedad Ibisevic will look to make history and lead the Bosnians to the round of 16, which is certainly a real possibility. Their match against Nigeria on June 21st may be the most important match in the country’s history.

Iran isn’t expected to do much here. They’ve got some decent players like Reza Ghoochannehjad, Javad Nekounam, and Karim Ansari, but they are expected to finish last in this group. However, they did defeat a decent South Korean squad during qualifying to get here, proving that anything is possible.

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Check back soon for a preview of Group G, considered this year’s “group of death” and also features the U.S. & Group H. If you missed the preview for Group A and Group B, click HERE. If you missed the preview for Group C and Group D, click HERE.  If you feel the need to justify your picks or just have some thoughts on the World Cup in general, feel free to comment below, or even better, follow me and tweet @THElukenorris.