I am writing this as soon as the World Cup draw in Germany has been completed. Here are my thoughts:

Group A — Host Germany heads a pretty weak group, with Costa Rica, Poland and Ecuador. The Germans got lucky and should win this group. Only Poland stands in their way. I wonder if the Polish will remember 1939?

Group B — It was the Group of Death until Trinidad & Tobago joined it. It’s still tough with England and Paraguay and Sweden. England should win it, provided the English can put their great individual talent together. I like Sweden and Paraguay to battle for the second spot.

Group C — The Group of Death. The United States is lucky not to be here. Argentina and the Netherlands are powers. Serbia and Montenegro finished ahead of Spain in their qualifying group, and Ivory Coast is no slouch in Africa, either. It’ll make for great viewing when this group plays.

Group D — What in the hell is Mexico doing as a seeded team? The United States won the CONCACAF group, gave up fewer goals and has owned Mexico everywhere they play except in Estadio Azteca — including the 2002 Cup, a 2-0 U.S. victory in the second round. I know FIFA came up with some strange, complex, numerical formula to determine the seeds, and I know the U.S. missed by one point. Finishing last in 1998 must have done in our boys. Still, if the U.S. was heading a group with Iran, Angola and Portugal, I’d say it would be a shoo-in that the Americans advance (You really think the USA would let Iran beat it again?) Instead, Mexico and Portugal advance.

Group E — Now I’m really wishing the USA was in Group D. Group E is strong, with Italy and the Czech Republic. The USA gets an easy one with Ghana, but it might come down to goal differential. Thank goodness Kasey Keller is at the top of his game. Italy will win the group. The U.S. can only hope for second. The Americans won’t be taken lightly after 2002.

Group F — Defending champion Brazil heads a weak group, which is too bad because the Brazilians are so good. Their first match, against the Croatians, will be their toughest. Australia and Japan do not figure to put up much fight. I’ll bet those two will play inn defensive shells and try to tie 0-0 or get lucky with a breakaway. Yawn. Brazil and Croatia advance.

Group G — This is one place I wanted to see the USA. France, Switzerland, South Korea and Togo. My God! How weak! Yet I’m rooting for South Korea to pull and upset somewhere and advance. It could happen. France is old, Switzerland is boring (couldn’t beat Israel!), and Togo is a first-time contender.

Group H — The other place I wanted to see the USA. This group might be the weakest of all. Spain is seeded but didn’t win its own qualifying group. The Ukraine is from the weakest European qualifying group, and Tunisia and Saudi Arabia are not powers. Someone here will advance who is not deserving, while a better nation such as the United States, Sweden, Paraguay and anyone from Group C, goes home early.