ved them over .500 for the first time since July 23 as they try to stay in playoff contention. "Theres something to be said for keeping on

Ladies and Gentlemen, start your printing presses. Now that the World Cup draw is complete, millions of words will be typed in previewing the tournament and thousands of publications will print previews. These are always enjoyable to read but can easily sway your opinion one way or the other. It really is amazing what can happen over time, how a team can go from nobodies to contenders just by certain people talking up their chances. With that in mind, it is important to remember how you feel about these teams today. Things will change, players will get hurt and their form will change, for better or worse, so now is not the time to marry yourself to your picks but it is a very good idea to stick to the majority of what you think today. With that in mind, here are my picks from each group to progress, with a few other predicitions thrown in there too. GROUP A – Brazil, Croatia, Mexico, Cameroon Initial thoughts on the draw – Brazil will have wanted this kind of group where they can (and will) win it but be challenged and, in Mexico and Croatia, they have teams that will not be cannon fodder. The problem for Brazil is how tough group B is and thats who they will be paired with in the last 16. Most anticipated game – Brazil vs Croatia: Opening game of the World Cup. Pressure is incredible on a host starting a tournament (I am surprised so many hosts want to start the tournament off) but in Croatia, they have an opponent who they can beat. Group Winner – Brazil Runner-up – Mexico GROUP B – Spain, Netherlands, Chile, Australia Initial thoughts on the draw – I am not a fan of the term Group of Death but if you are looking for the strongest group, this is it – by a mile! Chile were the team no seeded team wanted to face and Spain, much like four years ago, get them again. Throw in the Dutch and you have an absolutely fantastic group. Spain are a wonderful side but their style of winning tight, narrow games could come back and cost them in this very competitive group. Most anticipated game – Spain vs Netherlands: it is the first match and anyone who loses with Chile still to play will be in massive trouble. Spain cannot afford to start slow again and the road back from an opening game loss is even tougher in 2014 than it was in 2010 with Chile playing in South America. Group Winner – Chile Runner-up - Netherlands GROUP C – Colombia, Greece, Ivory Coast, Japan Initial thoughts on the draw – On paper, this does not look like a group to get excited about but we should see some wonderful football on display in this group, featuring three teams who can be expansive and easy on the eye (sorry Greece). For Colombia, this is a dream group to help them build confidence as they move towards the knock-out rounds. Most Anticipated Game – Ivory Coast vs Greece: The Africans have been harshly treated in each of the last two World Cup draws but now they have a real shot at qualifying. Their final group, up against Greece, will be a stern test to see if they can climb a hurdle theyve never jumped before. Group Winner - Colombia Runner-up - Ivory Coast GROUP D - Uruguay, Costa Rica, England, Italy Initial thoughts on the draw – You will read in the next few months how Uruguay are old and past their prime, finished fifth out of nine in qualifying and can be beaten but this team is built for tournaments like this and they get to play Costa Rica first. England, however, play Costa Rica (which is not an easy game for them either) last and could be out of the tournament by then. Italy need a group where they can be tested early (like 2006, not 2010) and although this is a tough one for them, they are more than good enough to win it. Most anticipated game – England vs Italy in Manaus: The latest kick off in the tournament will help, but the weather will be hot in the Amazon region. Hopefully, it wont be a tense 0-0 with so much to come afterwards but dont bet against it! Group Winner – Italy Runner-up - Uruguay GROUP E – Switzerland, Ecuador, France, Honduras Initial thoughts on the draw – France have been dealt a hand they wanted. Questions around their mental state are warranted but these three games, against teams they can beat, will go along way to helping restore the confidence they need to show their talents. Honduras, ironically, gets the E4 slot that a European team so wanted for climate purposes. Seeds Switzerland get a chance to show why they deserved their ranking. Most anticipated game – Switzerland vs Ecuador: The first match of the group is a true match of confederations that will likely help one team advance over the other. Group Winner – France Runner-up - Ecuador GROUP F – Argentina, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Iran, Nigeria Initial thoughts on the draw – Lost on all the debates of what the group of Death is, is the fact that Argentina were handed a fantastic path towards the final stages. Not only were they given an easy group they should win, they were paired with second in E for the last 16 and winner of H or second in G for the last 8. They also went on to the opposite half of the draw than the winner of group A, likely arch-rivals Brazil. Most anticipated game – Bosnia & Herzegovina vs Nigeria: Another game of contrasting styles that is likely to be a playoff to make the last 16. Group Winner – Argentina Runner-up - Nigeria GROUP G – Germany, Portugal, Ghana, USA Initial thoughts on the draw – Klinsmann vs Germany; Ronaldo vs Ozil, so many storylines in this group but lost in it all will be how Africas strongest nation got a very difficult draw once again (much like Ivory Coast in 2006 and 2010). For the Americans, it is a nightmare draw, placed in G4, forced to play all three games in the heat of northern Brazil, and against three very good nations. Most anticipated game – Germany vs Portugal: Forget the Klinsmann Derby, another opportunity to see Cristiano Ronaldo against the Germans (like in Euro 2012) will be magnificent. Group Winner – Germany Runner-up - Portugal GROUP H – Belgium, Algeria, Russia, Korea Republic Initial thoughts on the draw – Absolutely perfect for Belgium. Handed H1, they avoid any games in the tropical north and get three opponents that they will be comfortable with. Russia, against Algeria and Korea Republic, will also be happy but dont rule them out for failing to deliver on the biggest stage once again. Most anticipated game – Belgium vs Algeria: Marc Wilmots side are going to get a lot of love between now and the first game. They were already many peoples sleeper pick and that will intensify with this draw and the game against Algeria finally gives the world a chance to see what Belgium do on the big stage. Group Winner – Belgium Runner-up – Korea Republic Y.A. Tittle Jersey . Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane wanted to stay in Chicago and the Blackhawks wanted to keep the high-scoring forwards in the only NHL uniform they have ever known. Terrell Owens Jersey .com) - The surging Montreal Canadiens will try to match their longest winning streak of the season when they visit the Florida Panthers for Saturdays clash at BB&T Center. http://www.authenticsf49erspro.com/Deion-sanders-49ers-jersey/ . The defeat leaves the 41-year-old Nestor to concentrate on the mixed-doubles event after winning 12 straight matches and winning Australian titles in Brisbane and Sydney with two different partners. "This was a little bit of a let down, but all credit to them," said Nestor. Steve Young Jersey .C. -- After turning Tobacco Road into "Raleigh Top," Tennessee is headed to the round of 16. Dwight Clark Jersey . And Richard Bachman, their rookie goalie, is facing a penalty shot a few seconds after the opening face-off. No pressure, right? Bachman stood his ground against Zack Kassian and saw the puck dribble off the Canuck rookies stick, then settled in and backstopped the Stars to a 5-2 win over Vancouver Tuesday that put Dallas in first place in the Pacific Division.CLEVELAND -- With a 2-51 record when trailing after eight innings, things looked bleak for the Cleveland Indians on Sunday. Two dramatic swings changed that in a 4-3 win over Texas. Michael Brantley hit a leadoff homer in the 12th inning to touch off a celebration at home plate, but a big moment three innings earlier made that possible. David Murphys two-run homer with one out in the ninth off Neftali Feliz tied the game and set the stage for the Indians seventh win of the season on a game-ending hit. "Dramatic moments like that are the best things about baseball," Murphy said of his ninth-inning blast. "Its an awesome feeling." Brantley, a first-time All-Star this season, belted a 3-2 pitch from rookie Phil Klein (0-1) into Texas bullpen in right field, but gave credit to his teammate. "Without Murph hitting his home run, I dont get a chance to hit mine," he said. The win gave the Indians (56-55) a three-game sweep and moved them over .500 for the first time since July 23 as they try to stay in playoff contention. "Theres something to be said for keeping on playing," Cleveland manager Terry Francona said. "There wasnt a lot to yell about in the game, but our pitching kept us close, and then Murph hit one out of the park." Murphy, who played for Texas from 2007-13 before signing with the Indians, batted .480 (12 for 25) with seven RBIs in seven games against his former team. He had an RBI double in the second, and was 4 for 4 with two RBIs Friday. "Its fun to play against your friends," he said. "You like to have some bragging rights." Murphy also robbed Chris Gimenez of two hits with a diving grab in the ninth and a catch at the wall in the 12th. Scott Atchison (5-0), the Indians seventh pitcher, retired the final batter in the 12th. Texas has lost six straight on the road and has dropped 19 of 22 away from home. The Rangers (43-68) have the worst record in baseball. Yu Darvish allowed one in seven inniings, but saw an opportunity for his 11th win go down the drain.dddddddddddd The All-Star right-hander held the Indians to four hits and struck out eight. Trevor Bauer gave up three runs in a career-high 7 1-3 innings for Cleveland. Chisenhall batted .452 (14 for 31) with five homers and 15 RBIs against the Rangers this season. QUITE A DAY Murphy had several reasons to be happy, including the fact his daughter, Madison, celebrated her seventh birthday. "I love a double anytime, but I was kind of mad at myself because I wanted to hit a home run on her birthday," he said. "It was fun to do that for her. That made it even more special." ON THE WAY DOWN Indians right-hander Zach McAllister was assigned to Triple-A Columbus, two days after being designated for assignment and placed on optional waivers. McAllister went 3-6 with a 5.91 ERA in 14 starts for Cleveland. Right-hander Josh Tomlin will be recalled to start Tuesday. TRAINERS ROOM Rangers: Left-hander Derek Holland, who has yet to pitch this season because of surgery on his left knee, will make his second minor league rehab start Monday at Triple-A Round Rock. He pitched two scoreless innings for Double-A Frisco on Wednesday. Indians: Designated hitter Nick Swisher was removed from the game in the ninth inning due to a strained right wrist. Swisher, who was wearing a brace after the game, struck out in all three of his plate appearances. Francona said he would be evaluated Monday. ON DECK Rangers: RHP Nick Martinez (1-7) will start the opener of a three-game series in Chicago against the White Sox on Monday night. He allowed six runs in 5 2-3 innings against the Yankees in his last start. RHP Hector Noesi (5-8) will start for Chicago. Indians: RHP Corey Kluber (11-6), coming off his first career complete game shutout, will start the opener of a two-game interleague series against Cincinnati at Progressive Field on Monday night. RHP Alfredo Simon (12-6) will start for the Reds. 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