BERLIN, June 7 (UPI) -- With three highly ranked teams in the Czech Republic, Italy and the United States, the World Cup's Group E has been given the "Group of Death" label.
The Czechs are rated No. 2 by FIFA, with the United States at No. 5 and Italy 13th. By that standard no other 2006 World Cup group comes close.
But rankings aren't World Cup wins and Italy, even with the lowest mark of the trio, may be the best suited for play in this tournament.
The Italians traditionally are strong on the defensive end and have improved offensively behind the veteran Francesco Totti and Luca Toni, who is just beginning to make his mark.
The Czech Republic fields one of the most balanced teams in the tournament with Jan Koller and Tomas Rosicky among five players who had at least four goals each in qualifying. And in young Peter Cech, it has one of the best goalkeepers in Europe.
The United States has been growing into a force in international soccer and Group E play should tell just how far the Americans have advanced. Goalkeeper Kasey Keller is appearing in his fourth World Cup and will be given support on the other end of the field by Brian McBride and Landon Donovan.
Ghana has the tough chore of facing three teams rated in the top 13 by FIFA, so it would be difficult for it to advance. The team is young, with 14 players under 27, and could use this experience to build on but probably not for success in 2006.
It comes down to three strong contenders playing for two spots to advance out of the "Group of Death." As to which move out of group play and into the elimination bracket probably won't be decided until the June 22 Czech-Italy game.
Italy and Ghana are paired in the first Group E game, which will be Monday in Hanover, Germany. The United States and the Czech Republic also play Monday but in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.
