World Cup 2010 / Feizal Rahman / 18 October 2009 / Leave a comment

Poland in '74, Cameroon in '90 and Bulgaria in '94 - Feizal Rahman looks back at the sides who have come from nowhere to take the World Cup by storm and asks who will be 2010's surprise package?

"Russia are equipped to trouble any major side. Having reached the last four of Euro 2008, the [40.0] currently available on Guus Hiddink's side looks generous."

Despite France and Portugal facing a play-off ([1.26] and [1.31] to qualify respectively), the likelihood is that the first nine in the World Cup outright market will all be present at next year's finals.

But while the World Cup has only ever been won by seven big-name nations, the competition has consistently thrown up a surprise package. Those looking for a lively outside chance to trade on next summer should study the make-up of the tournament's previous dark horses.

The first outsider to make an impact was Poland who, having infamously eliminated England in qualification for the 1974 tournament, went on to beat Argentina and Italy before winning a third-place playoff against holders Brazil. Striker Grzegorz Lato was tournament top goalscorer and aided by the brilliant Zbigniew Boniek eight years later in Spain, again led the Poles to the semi-finals.

Similarly, the sublime skills of Enzo Scifo and Jan Cuelemans enabled Belgium to reach a semi-final ay Mexico '86, while the super-sub efforts of a 38-year-old Roger Milla inspired Cameroon to very nearly do the same at Italia '90.

USA '94 saw several big nations fail to perform, allowing the underdogs a chance to impress. Orchestrated by two of Europe's most talented players at the time, Bulgaria and Romania reached the semi-finals and quarter-finals respectively, eliminating Argentina and Germany on their way. Bulgaria's Hristo Stoichkov ended up the joint top scorer while Georghe Hagi conducted Romania's free-flowing football that entertained neutrals.

What is most apparent about past surprises is that the teams have tended to derive from Eastern Europe and have approached tournaments with an uninhibited attacking instinct. Other than Argentina and Brazil, no side from the Americas has reached the quarter-finals of a World Cup since Mexico in 1986. With this perhaps ruling out Chile [48.0] and Paraguay [85.0], a look again to Eastern Europe may provide some value next summer.

As the second-largest nation in the tournament, Russia are obvious contenders. Denied automatic qualification by Germany, the Russians now face a play-off to secure their place in the finals, though can be confident of progressing at [1.42]. In Guus Hiddink they have a manager with a history of enabling teams to exceed expectation. The Dutchman guided South Korea to the semi-finals in 2002, albeit on home soil. However, now armed with a far more talented squad, boasting the likes of Andrei Arshavin, Russia are equipped to trouble any major side. Having reached the last four of Euro 2008, the [40.0] currently available in the outright market on Russia looks rather generous.

Had the former Yugoslavia not been broken up, then its national football team may very well be one of Europe's most potent. While Croatia have failed to qualify, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina have represented the Balkan region admirably.

Serbia topped their group ahead of France and have a solid look throughout the spine of the side. They lack the individual flair that has been the hallmark of previous attempts to upset the status quo but perhaps in the modern day game, their organisation could see them go far at [70.0].

Neighbours Bosnia and Herzegovina, however, averaged 2.5 goals per game in qualification, despite finishing well behind group winners Spain. Unlikely to be fearful of any play-off opponent, should they reach South Africa, Bosnia and Herzegovina could be the tournament's entertainers.

In Edin Dzeko, they have a striker who scored 26 times for Bundesliga champions Wolfsburg last season and netted nine goals in World Cup qualification. The [310.00] currently available looks huge - even with a play-off still to overcome - and as previously seen, a team able to ride a wave of momentum for just two weeks of a tournament can leave an impression that lasts for years.

Tags: Andrei Arshavin, Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cameroon, Croatia, Feizal Rahman, Germany, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Spain, World Cup 2010 Betting odds, World Cup 2010 Betting tips, World Cup outsiders