European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 1, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Friday Junel 1990 the stars and stripes world cup �?T90for betting favourites Italy Brazi Lwell balanced group of finalists profits from exhibition games this Spring regardless of their performance in Italy. The United states is Back among the soccer elite for the first time since 1950, when it pulled the biggest upset in tournament history with a 1-0 Victory Over England. This time the americans will Surprise if they score a goal in their three opening round games against Czechoslovakia Italy and Austria although it  be As bad As the last time a . National team played in Italy a a 10-0 she lacking in 1975 at the hands of an italian team out for blood. The . Team was made up entirely of players from the North american soccer league which Hadnot played for seven months. They practice for two Days before heading out to the Slaughter. Italy a Giorgio Chinaglia who during the regular season played for the new York Cosmos of the Nail did no to take it easy on his . Friends. He scored twice As Italy handed the United states its second worst loss in a full International equalling England a 10-0 Victory in new York in 1964. Norway gave the United states its worst beating 110 in Oslo in 1948. A for any team in the world the world cup is a difficult experience a Argentina coach Carlos Bilardo said. A a it a hard even for a team with experience. A a in be seen some of the  players play a Paul Caliguiri Eric Eichmann Tony Meola. I saw them play against Trinidad and Tobago. But its a Tough group for the ., a group with rivals with world cup experience. A a it a a great achievement just to get there. One thing is that they re there and they will get the experience for the next world  the 1994 championships will be held in the United states for the first time. While the americans Are the longest of Lon shots things Are close enough at the top that West Germany England the soviet Union Yugoslavia Spain Ireland and Belgium All Are considered capable of challenging. There Are no teams Likely to make a Clear run through the tournament. A Maradona and Van Basten Are almost unstoppable players and can make the difference Between their teams and the others a italian manager Azeglio Vicini said. Maradona did it in 1986, when Argentina won its second championship. Van Basten or teammate Ruud Gullet if he is healthy could be the Star this time. Or perhaps brazils Areca England a Gary Lineker Yugoslavia a Dragan Stojkovic the soviet Union s Oleg Protasov Spain a Emilio by Tragucco Italy a Franco Baresi West Germany a Lothar Matthaeus will grab the spotlight a and the most coveted trophy in International sports. The most pressure of course will be on the hosts whose fans arc known for their Strong ties to local and regional teams. Those fans certainly will rally behind the National squad a at least until the first sign of problems on the Field. A the pressures on the italians will be tremendous Quot said Bobby Charlton who helped England win the 1966 world cup and whose brother Jackie is coaching Ireland. A they Are a very passionate people when it comes to football and they will expect nothing less than a  the italian teams preparations got so serious that Vicini put a ban on sex Tor the players until after the tournament ends. A would i make a similar recommendation a brazils Lazaroni said. A sincerely no. On Days off they re free to do what they  As Kickoff approaches 9 group e 1. Spain a in the most balanced group one goal could decide which of the four teams does no to move on. Three certainly should Advance from this sector. The Spanish have the Best Midfield and the one player striker Emilio Butr Gueno who can turn around a game. They also have an excellent keeper Andoni Zubizarreta. The Star midfielders Are Rafael Martin Vas Quez and Michel. Their main shortcoming is a tendency to let up defensively. There a just so much even a Quality goalie like Zubizarreta can do. 2. Belgium a the Surprise team of 1986, finishing fourth Belgium does no to appear As Strong this time. But it does have some experience and striker Mark Degryse is one of the Best in Europe. The belgians need More stability a a coaching change earlier this year Hurt a and Degryse has to get some help. A big contribution from Marc Van Der Linden and anything from temperamental Enzo Scifo is critical. 3. Uruguay a a disappointment in Mexico Uruguay probably Isnit As Good four years later. The defense is particularly slow and goalie Fernando Alves has been spotty. For Uruguay to do damage it needs big performances from striker Ruben Sosa and midfielder Enzo Frances Coli a disappointment in the 1986 tournament which has been called Quot the disaster in Mexico by uruguayans. Sosa plays for Lazio of Rome and is a popular player among italian fans. 4. South Korea a this is the Best team Ever to come out of Asia but it had the misfortune of being placed in such a rugged division. Speed and experience Are the Strong Points for a team that outscored opponents 30-1 in qualifying. One new player is Forward Lee Taeho who is expected to improve the teams striking Power. Leadership comes from former National team Captain Chung Hae won in Midfield and Forward Kim jul Sung twice named asians player of the year. South Korea has a weak unschooled Midfield and will get beaten to Loose balls by its divisional opponents. A group f i. Netherlands a along with Brazil e dutch have the most talented roster. Their ars Are two time european player of the year Larco Van Basten innovative Ruud Gullet and rank Rikja Ard. Van Basten ranks with mar a Ona and Areca As the Best players in the ornament and Gullet is close to them if he is or a series of knee injuries. Both will be guarded closely making Rikja Ard extra dangerous. Coaching changes have caused turmoil on the team which might not have had enough preparatory time. In 1978, the dutch won their first major championship taking the european title and Frank Rijk aard displaying a Strong defense to go along with the explosive attack. They had a Good qualifying series too beating West Germany in their group and finishing at 4-0-2. If Gullet is healthy the Netherlands will be Tough. 2. England a a team rounding into form at the right time England might have the Best offence of arty european team with Gary Lineker John Barnes Chris Waddle and Peter Beardsley. But All four have been inconsistent recently. This is an experienced squad with several players Back from 1986, along with manager Bobby Robson. It wont give up Many goals a Terry Butcher and Des Walker Are excellent defenders and 40-year-old Peter Shilton is one of the Best goalies. But the English need some spark from the Midfield where Neil Webb and Bryan Robson Are recovering from injuries. The coaching staff has been reluctant to use creative but undisciplined Paul Gascoigne. 3. Ireland a like Yugoslavia the Irish could be troublesome particularly on defense. The Irish can shut Down most opponents and have the big goal Man in John Aldridge. But they will need production from elsewhere because Aldridge will have a Shadow All Over the Field. Niall Quinn and Tony Cascarino might have to Supply the punch. This is the first world cup for Ireland although most of its players have decent International experience. The key for Ireland in the first round is a big win Over Egypt and getting at least a tie with one of the other Powers. 4. Egypt a its first world cup in 56 years will Quot be a Short trip for Egypt. There have been injuries and coaching controversies and there Isnit nearly enough Talent to compete in this group. Egypt will try to keep things tight defensively and Hope for scoreless ties. That a no Way to do anything at this level. Brazil s Mauro Galvao expects to go head to head again for world cup. A