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World Cup 2014: The Major Questions, Team by Team – Group E

By on June 7, 2014

With just days to go till the big kick-off, what are the major questions going into the 2014 World Cup? James Cartwright reviews the questions surrounding Group E.

Group E

Will France unite?

Even if France had Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in their team, people would still expect them to capitulate. It’s rudimentary to expecta French collapse and this World Cup is no different. They have an easy group, which is a banana skin in itself and their performance in Ukraine in November showed they can still shoot themselves in the foot under Didier Deschamps.

On the flip side, they have great blend of youth and experience from Antoine Griezmann to Patrice Evra. Pound for pound, their squad is perhaps in the top five in terms of strength in the tournament. Furthermore, their performance in the second leg against Ukraine showed they do have team spirit under Deschamps. If they can find the right blend, they could be a real dark horse. But taking into account it’s the French, you can’t make any solid predictions.

Will the Napoli players deliver?

Switzerland will be relying on their core of Napoli players heavily at this tournament, with Gokhan Inler set to be at the centre of it all. His contribution from midfield will be monumental if Switzerland are to perform well at this tournament. Blerim Dzemaili and Valon Behrami will also be relied on to added the creative spark required to perform well in a World Cup.

Can Jefferson Montero live up to the hype?

According to South American football journalist Tim Vickery, Ecuador’s Jefferson Montero has everything to his game to enable him to be a star
in the sport. However after some spells in Spain with Levante and Real Betis, it seems time is running out for the 24-year-old. The group isn’t
majorly difficult for Ecuador, so it does provide with a big chance to prove his worth to the world.

Will Honduras return home with pride?

It is the last chance for the current Honduran team to make a real statement at the World Cup, with most around of their squad aged around 30. They will be hoping to perform better than in 2010 when they finished with just one point in Group H. Hopes will rest on the shoulders of New England Revolution striker Jerry Bengtson – his performances in the 2012 Olympics showed he does have the quality to perform in a major international competition.

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Who do YOU think will advance from Group E? Comment below!

About James Cartwright

Sports Journalism student - Long suffering Boro and Steelers fan.