Stars Set To Sparkle -Daily Guide

AT LONG last the much-awaited maiden campaign of Ghana?s Black Stars in the prestigious World Cup finals will commence this evening, in Hanover, Germany, writes Isaac Franklin.

Significantly, the Stars find themselves in Group E, which comprises three time world champion, Italy, Czech Republic, as well as the United States of America (USA).

Today, the Stars will encounter a tough battle against Italy?s Azzuri, a fixture likely to explode with nerve-rackings, and excitements. Often, there is one African team that does ever so well, and this time around, it looks like it is Ghana?s turn to showcase the real soccer prowess brewed in Africa.

Italy-based players such as Samuel Osei-Kuffour, Sulley Ali Muntari, as well as Skipper Stephen Appiah and John Mensah who have had good Italian spells, have gingered the Ghanaian team to match the Azzuri boot for boot.

The Stars boasts of a goalkeeper such as George Owu, who exhibited brilliant goalkeeping prowess against a number of the Azzuri forwards, in Athens 2004 Olympic Games, alongside, industrious goalkeeper, Sammy Adjei, as well as half-fit Richard Kingston, a senior goalie.

Likely to thrill Ghanaian fans today are midfield marshal, Michael Essien, and the Stars? talisman, Appiah.

With determination and hard-work, Ghana could come out as the surprise package, and that is the side which the Azzuri take on, first.

The Italian team has been branded the interesting team in this group, because of everything that is happening on and off the field. Italy has been a little unlucky in Cup competitions in recent years, losing on penalties and going out to a golden goal at the hands of South Korea in 2002, after its forward, Francesco Totti, who had been both average and bemusing in the big tournaments, was sent off. Historically though, the Azzuri perform well in World Cups, which is why soccer analysts expect them to top Group E. But they are not without their problems, particularly in the full-back area, and Alessandro Del Piero is not quite the player he was. They have goal scorers in the likes of Alberto Gilardino, who impressed and scored in the draw with Switzerland, in a friendly match. And at the back, the Azzuri have Fabio Cannavaro who was excellent as ever against the Swiss. He doesn?t hang about and batters everything, even for a short central defender, he must be a nightmare to play against, and makes a fine partnership with Alessandro Nesta. But it is not all about 'on the field' for Italy with the betting scandal stories of Serie A hanging over the Italians? preparations for Germany. It is a difficult one for the Italians, but maybe, the World Cup is a place where they can be away from it for a few weeks and concentrate on what they should be doing, playing soccer.

Perhaps, it comes out in the wash after the World Cup, but if they do well and some findings come out afterwards, it would take away from any success they have enjoyed.

The Azzuri have been tipped to top the group, leaving the revolving door for the other three teams and which one produces enough to upset the others and sneak through behind the Italians.

However, impressions of this group is that it will be a tough one to get out of, and intriguingly a number of soccer pundits? gut feelings are that Ghana will upset the apple cart.

First matches have always emerged the important ones, because they set the tones for the group, and Stars versus Azzuri in Hanover, this evening, is no different.

The preceding fixture would be a massive game for the Italians, since they have to get off to a good start, as former world champions.

Should Italy lose, they would be playing catch-up while Ghana would be off and running with fantastic belief, knowing a win against USA, which the Ghanaians are perhaps on a par with, could see them through.

Although Italy and Czech are favourites to record victories in today?s fixtures against Ghana and USA, respectively, there are surprises in World Cups. And that is what makes them so great! On their good day, all of these teams are capable of beating one another, and results for Ghana and USA on the opening day could turn this group on its head.

But, if there would be any upset, Ghanaians might be the ones to provide. For now, all are waiting to see how the Stars get on, as their victory against the Italians is doubted, but are expected to stun the Czechs and the Americans, in subsequent battles.

Ghana has experts? gut feelings; the USA might nick a decent result or two, and for the Czech Republic to do well, it will need to have all of its key players back fit and in form.

The Czechs? progress will require them to have all of their big names back and fit.

They have lost Vladimir Smicer already, news which makes it increasingly important for Pavel Nedved, Tomas Rosicky and up-front Jan Koller and Milan Baros to be at their best, although Vratislav Lokvenc, a bit of a blast from the past, scored for them in a pre-tournament friendly against Costa Rica and adds depth.

They have got good players and did well in their last big tournament, reaching the semi-finals in Euro 2004.

They have had a decent build-up and although their wins have come against Trinidad and Tobago and Costa Rica, you can only beat the sides in front of you, and arrive in good form - they just need the big names to get fit, and stay fit.

In Group E, Pavel Nedved is anticipated to shine as the star of the group, should he be at the top of his game.

Nedved, undoubtedly, emerges top drawer, when he plays marvellously well. Nedved though, is one of the players everyone will want to watch; he has energy, he is hungry, he is clever and he can perform on a big stage. There are plenty of good players like Andrea Pirlo and Gennaro Gattuso in the Italian midfield, but they are not players who would have you on the edge of your seat.

Del Piero doesn?t muster up the stuff he used to, in four or five years ago, while there is no idea of what will burst out from Totti.