The so-called Groups of Death did not materialize at last Friday's draw in Cape Town for the 32 nations taking part in the Fifa 2010 World Cup finals. Most teams are generally happy with the draw that was broadcast to 250 million viewers worldwide.
The closest to a Group of Death this time, as pundits see it, is Group G where five-time winners Brazil will be pitted against the likes of Portugal, Ivory Coast and North Korea.
Is it any surprise that the team from Samba Land are usually installed as favourites?
Although Brazil and Euro 2008 champions Spain were quickly installed by bookies as joint favourites, the Brazilians have to be wary of Portugal and Ivory Coast who are in the same Group G.
The last time when Brazil were hot favourites was in the 1982 World Cup finals in Spain but they were bundled out of the tournament by a resurgent Italy who went on to win the Jules Rimet trophy in style. Paulo Rossi was the Italian star of the tournament.
In the words of Brazil's pragmatic coach Dunga, playing against Portugal would be "like Brazil against Brazil," as the Portuguese have the same flair and style of play as the Brazilians. Not to mention they speak the same language - Portuguese.
The other team that could pose a big problem is Ivory Coast. The West Africans are one of the strongest teams out of Africa and they have some of the best players from the continent.
Everyone will place a big question mark on North Korea. The last time the North Koreans played in a World Cup finals was in 1966 in England where they shocked the soccer world by beating Italy in the group phase.
Portugal, who were also there in 1966, in turn beat the North Koreans in one of the World Cup’s most famous games. The North Koreans romped ahead 3-0 within 24 minutes before a four-goal Eusebio inspired the Portuguese to win one of the greatest comebacks in soccer history.
So will history repeat itself here in South Africa? Bet you it's not likely this time, but it will be an interesting game to watch between two past adversaries who are to meet each other again after all these years.
There will always be an element of surprise in the world's most watched spectator sports which is a multi-billion dollar industry employing more than 450 million people across the world.
If the likes of Kaka (picture), Luis Fabiano and Robinho are on song, then Brazil need not worry about topping their group. 
But then Portugal have the world's most expensive footballer in Cristiano Ronaldo to strut the stage.
And don't forget that the Ivory Coast can boast of deadly striker Didier Drogba (picture) and other experienced players such as Didier Zokora, Salomon Kalou, Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue in their line-up. Watch the Elephants to produce some good results.
Group G is definitely a hot plate, so be prepared for a couple of shocks.
World Cup hosts South Africa and Brazil are in for a tough time. Friday's draw for the 32-nation tournament has placed them in difficult groups where they may face early exit.
These two nations aside, the draw has conjured up "easy groups" for the other seeded teams. South Africa are seeded for being the host nation.
The Grouping at a glance with seeded team in bold:
Group A: France, Mexico, South Africa, Uruguay
Group B: Argentina, Greece, Nigeria, South Korea
Group C: Algeria, England, Slovenia, United States
Group D: Australia, Germany, Ghana, Serbia
Group E: Cameroon, Denmark, Japan, Netherlands
Group F: Italy, New Zealand, Paraguay, Slovakia
Group G: Brazil, Ivory Coast, North Korea, Portugal
Group H: Chile, Honduras, Spain, Switzerland
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