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Who's the greatest of them all? 2006 supplies the answers
(China Daily/Agencies)
Updated: 2005-12-31 07:37
PARIS: The sporting year of 2006, packed with high-profile events dotted
around the globe, will reignite fresh debates over best teams and greatest
players.
Brazil, England or Argentina
for the World Cup?
Bode Miller or Hermann Maier to snatch the Winter Olympics limelight?
Can Australia salvage its battered teams' pride by dominating the
Commonwealth Games on home soil?
Will Rafael Nadal halt the Roger Federer express?
What about a 30-year-old Tiger Woods and his pursuit of more Majors?
By the time the Asian Games brings the curtain down on the year in December,
we will have some of the answers.
Top billing will be Germany from June 9 to July 9, when Brazil will start as
overwhelming favourites to lift a sixth World Cup.
Inspired by World and European Footballer of the Year Ronaldinho and with the
likes of Ronaldo, Kaka and Robinho leading a roll-call of dizzying talent, the
other 31 teams may be playing for second place.
"Brazil are the favourites for me," said Germany's World Cup winner Franz
Beckenbauer.
"I watched them at the Confederations Cup and they were brilliant."
Twice-winners Argentina are second favourites but have a tough opening group
where the Netherlands are lurking.
But coach Jose Pekerman remains confident.
"When the going gets tough we always produce the goods," said Pekerman.
However, many observers insist 2006 will be England's year, 40 years after
their first and only success, their optimism based on the talents of deadly
striker Wayne Rooney.
By the time the World Cup gets underway, the Winter Olympics in Turin in
February will be a distant memory.
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