Whether Group G (United States, Germany, Portugal and Ghana) is the new Group of Death or not is very much up for debate. But before we get into all that, lets take it back for a second and acknowledge a little history about the O.G (Original Gangsta) G.o.D’s
There have been many “Groups of Death” (GoD) in all the World Cups but the first one to be actually given that title was in the World Cup of Sweden 1958 and it featured Brazil, England, Soviet Union and Austria.
Brazil in the 1958 World Cup
Along with a 17 year old Pele, Brazil won that World cup beating Sweden 5-2 in the final match and setting in motion a tradition and expectation that would ultimately lead Brazil to win the World Cup 5 times.
Groups of Death and World Cup winners within
1958: Brazil, England, USSR, Austria (Winner: Brazil)
1966: England, Uruguay, France, Mexico (Winner: England)
1970: England , Brazil, Romania, Czechoslovakia (Winner: Brazil)
1978: Italy, Argentina, France, Hungary (Winner: Argentina)
1982: Italy, Brazil, Argentina (Winner: Italy)
1990: Argentina, Romania, Cameroon, USSR
1994: Italy, Ireland, Mexico, Norway
1998: Spain, Nigeria, Paraguay, Bulgaria
2002: Argentina, England, Nigeria, Sweden
2006: Argentina, Netherlands, Ivory Coast, Serbia
2010: Brazil, North Korea, Ivory Coast, Portugal
Do you notice anything interesting from the list? The winners of the world cup that were also in the group of death completely seize to exist after Italy wins it in 1982. Which might pose an interesting question, is the group of death really that deadly?
The current group being touted as the supposed “GoD”has a somewhat unlikely cast. Group G consists of United States, Germany, Portugal and Ghana and most will agree that what makes them the new “GoD” is not so much the high level of skill and ranking but more likely the back story behind these teams.
Back Story
In the the last 2 world cups in a row U.S and Ghana have had to meet in and eliminate each other, cultivating a nemesis like aura this matchup will be a grudge match of sorts. Meanwhile, in the last World Cup Ghana had a good run but were ousted by Uruguay in a controversial manner (relating to a seemingly deliberate handball by Luis Suarez) and they are looking to further extend their stay this time around.
Jurgen Klinsman, famed German player turned coach for Germany in the 2006 World Cup is now coaching the U.S and will meet and try to beat his fellow countrymen and former team (Germany) who sailed through the qualifiers easily.
Jurgen Klinsman, (U.S Coach)
Popular Portuguese International and winner of Ballon D’or 2013, Cristiano Ronaldo will as usual be the face of the Portuguese team and face the highly skilled German national team to kick off the group’s first match.
Cristian Ronaldo accepting Ballon D’or Award
Now it isn’t clear that Group G is the new “GoD” and they certainly might not be yours for 2014 after-all there are many. Groups of Death are all relative subjects of debate. The fact that all these teams made it out of their groups in the last World Cup says a lot, but in the end there can be only 2 to make it out of the knockout stage and we’re all wondering who will survive to die another day.
