Soccer: World Cup

08:58 PM CDT on Monday, June 5, 2006

By STEVE DAVIS / The Dallas Morning News

FIFA rank: 19

Looks good: Michael Ballack's stewardship, huge home-nation boost.

Trouble spots: Young back line, burden of expectations.

Overview: If the selection of anti-establishment manager Jürgen Klinsmann as national team boss didn't sufficiently rile the masses, he subsequently stripped Oliver Kahn's No. 1 status in goal. So Jens Lehmann will backstop a young defense and a so-so attack (one that's troublingly reliant on Ballack.) Miroslav Klose had five goals in World Cup 2002.

FIFA rank: 26

Looks good: Carefree spirit and desire to attack.

Trouble spots: Marking on set pieces.

Overview: A win over China and a draw with Turkey wasn't enough to get the Ticos into the Round of 16 four years ago as they strained to match a surprise second-round appearance from 1990. Injuries have rendered dangerous striker Paulo Wanchope an "old" 29, and yet he remains the team's best hope. Manager Alexandre Guimaraes also guided Costa Rica in 2002.

FIFA rank: 29

Looks good: Goalkeeping, a settled lineup.

Trouble spots: Some starters don't play much for their clubs.

Overview: Everything builds around passionate midfielder Miroslaw Szymkowiak, whose passing has made him the man at Turkish club Trabzonspor. And Jacek Krzynowek can cause trouble on the left. Maciej Zurawski recorded seven goals in qualifying, when Poland lost only to England. Poland's World Cup stay was short in 2002 – but its first appearance since 1986 should pay dividends in experience.

FIFA rank: 39

Looks good: Tactical structure, growing experience.

Trouble spots: Goalkeeping, overall ability in the air.

Overview: The team qualified for its second World Cup (2002 was the other) by exploiting a huge home advantage. Playing in the high altitude of Quito, the Ecuadorians collected 23 points. They gained just five points away from home, however. The combo of low altitude and European opposition could be their undoing (although a win over Croatia was an upset highlight in 2002).

• German coach Jürgen Klinsmann lives in Huntington Beach, Calif. He commuted monthly to Germany over the last year to manage the team.

• Around here, the Tricolor is Mexico. But Ecuador is also known as the Tricolor (for its red socks, blue shorts and yellow jerseys.)

• Costa Rican striker Paulo Wanchope will retire from international soccer after the tournament.

Michael Ballack, Germany: Since his professional debut 10 years ago (and international debut in 1999), Ballack has been the face and the hope of a German soccer machine in decline. World Cup matters aside, the stylish (on and off the pitch) Ballack is also huge news in Germany because he’s just jettisoned Bayern Munich, exchanging his homeland’s top club for a pricey deal with England’s well-healed Chelsea. Ballack’s demeanor, once branded as lazy or nonchalant, is now more frequently interpreted as smooth and cerebral. In terms of skills, he’s the full package: a slick passer, quick of thought, adept with both feet, able to score from long range or with his head near the goal. Home teams do well in World Cups. Can Ballack be in 2006 what Zinedine Zidane was to France’s host-nation triumph in 1998?

Costa Rica vs. Poland: Germany is the group’s alpha dog, which means everyone else is pecking for the second-place scraps. It’ll come down to the last day, when Costa Rica and Poland meet inside Hanover’s recently renovated 44,000-seat stadium.

Assuming Jürgen Klinsmann’s youth movement doesn’t backfire, the group is easy pickings for the host nation. After that? If Michael Ballack isn’t magnificent, Germany falls in the quarters.