The favorites' tag is not won worn lightly, however.
"It is always the same. Brazil will win it. Brazil are the favorites -- the other teams want to take the attention off themselves and the pressure," Kaka, only a bit-part player in 2002, complained in a media interview.
The Croatians will not arrive as lambs to the slaughter but they have been battling a mysterious virus since arriving in Germany last week.
Doctors could not determine the cause of the infection which had stricken stars including Darijo Simic, Ivica Olic, Bosko Balaban, Dado Prso, Stjepan Tomas, Anthony Seric and Joseph Didulica.
As they sweat on their fitness, Asian champions Japan and Australia make up the remainder of the group as the Brazilians set off to ignite the event with their magic touch.
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