It might also be that the european-based players play a lot more often and havne't had a long break prior to the World Cup tournament. While you'd think that would be a bonus, and it is with respect to level of play, too frequent competition or for too long detracts significantly from performance.
As most Canadians know, this is also a factor at the hockey worlds.
Marco
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> | Civil liberties are always safe <
> Marco Anglesio | as long as their existence doesn't <
> mpa at the-wire.com | bother anyone. <
> http://www.the-wire.com/~mpa | --New York Times editorial, <
> | Jan 3, 1941 <
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