Each of the 32 World Cup finalists have been paired with one of the 32 Irish counties, as follows: GROUP A GERMANY - CORK Not everyone's favourite team. Behemoths of their sporting worlds and can go a long way without anyone really noticing Compatibility rating: *** POLAND - OFFALY 1982 was a big year for both. Defeated many more illustrious opponents. Struggling to relive those glory days. Compatibility rating: ** ECUADOR - FERMANAGH Overshadowed by their neighbours but have made their mark on the big stage in recent years. Compatibility rating: ** COSTA RICA - LEITRIM. Wouldn't have the biggest pick in the world. Unlikely to make an impact in this year's championship. At least the scenery's impressive. Compatibility rating: * GROUP B ENGLAND - DUBLIN Rarely live up to pre-tournament hype hope and expectation. Few tears shed by opposition's fans at their demise. Compatibility rating: ***** SWEDEN - CAVAN Decent success in the fifties and have players capable of causing shocks but lack consistency and killer instinct. Compatibility rating: *** PARAGUAY - ROSCOMMON Tend to do well despite the presence of overbearing neighbours. Less exciting since losing a semi-insane free-kick taking goalkeeper. Compatibility rating: **** TRINIDAD & TOBAGO - LONGFORD Avery John revered by both. Getting more attention because of their opposition. Not going to trouble the trophy engraver. Compatibility rating: **** GROUP C ARGENTINA - TYRONE God-like status for their retired heroes. Magic to watch when at their best; but expect things to turn nasty if things don't go their way. Compatibility rating: **** HOLLAND - LIMERICK Flatter to deceive but never quite won the big one. A good internal row to destroy their chances never seems far away. Compatibility rating: *** SERBIA & MONTENEGRO - TIPPERARY A clear divide exists and footballing success looks unlikely for a few years yet. One or two fine players can only carry them so far for now. Compatibility rating: ** IVORY COAST - LOUTH Appear to be an emerging team but grounds for optimism will be sorely tested on step up the highest level. Compatibility rating: ** GROUP D PORTUGAL - ARMAGH Both have managers justifiably known as 'Big'. Ageing squad probably missed chance for immortality Compatibility rating: **** MEXICO - GALWAY Famous for lethal drinks (tequila/buckfast) Progress because of geographical advantage, could benefit from moving province. Compatibility rating: *** IRAN - CLARE Former Ayatollahs still hold plenty of sway. Goalkeeper always likely to see plenty of action. Compatibility rating: *** ANGOLA - ANTRIM Had more than their fair share of dark periods away from sport. Provide novelty value but likely to be hammered by the big boys. Compatibility rating: ** GROUP E ITALY - DERRY Complaints of systematic fouling brushed off once they win. Haven't delivered the number of trophies their talents should have. Compatibility rating: **** CZECH REPUBLIC - DOWN Tasted success in sixties and nineties. Plan B based on lobbing high balls into beanpole forwards. Compatibility rating: *** GHANA - CARLOW Turn your county colours ninety degrees and you have a ready made flag. Compatibility rating: **** USA - WEXFORD Managing to flourish on football field despite strong presence of other sports. A better team than they are given credit for. Compatibility rating: *** GROUP F BRAZIL - KERRY Nothing less than victory - with panache - is enough for demanding public. Fans come out of woodwork for finals. Compatibility rating: **** CROATIA - SLIGO Jersey's a bit of an eye-sore. Occasional flutters of hope. Markievicz Park could easily be in the middle of Zagreb. Compatibility rating: **** AUSTRALIA - KILKENNY Not shy about telling people how good they are at many sports. Football isn't one of them. Compatibility rating: ***** JAPAN - KILDARE Technology-reliant economy and a fondness for horse-racing. Haven't progressed after experiment with big-name managers. Compatibility rating: ** GROUP G FRANCE - MEATH Glory in the 1990s but a fading force. Over-reliant on heroes of the past. Compatibility rating: **** SWITZERLAND - WESTMEATH Landlocked and without a reputation for too much excitement. Hugely reliant on a couple of good players. Compatibility rating: ** SOUTH KOREA - WATERFORD Surprise packages in 2002 but ultimately fell short. Living in the shadow of a People's Republic. Compatibility rating: **** TOGO - WICKLOW Have as much chance of each other of success on the big stage this year. Boys among men. Compatibility rating: ** GROUP H SPAIN - MAYO Everyone's dark horse but never step out of their permanent silhouette. Pretty on the eye but ultimately infuriating for long-suffering fans. Compatibility rating: **** UKRAINE - DONEGAL Good forwards will probably only take them so far. Enormous mass of land; weather generally awful. Compatibility rating: *** TUNISIA - LAOIS Both have drafted in managers from places of greater pedigree. An improvement has been noted but yet to fully deliver. Compatibility rating: ** SAUDI ARABIA - MONAGHAN All tenuous links have been exhausted. They are a match made in heaven. Compatibility rating: *
