Of course I'm referring to the FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa. and here are my predictions for said event.
Group A
South Africa (RSA)
Mexico (MEX)
Uruguay (URU)
France (FRA)
Winner: FRA
Runner-Up: MEX
FRA will prove that they are the world class team they are, beating the much lesser opposition presented to them. MEX will advance solely by being the next best team in the group, though URU should present a nice challenge for them. Don't be surprised to see URU advance on the shoulders of Diego Forlan, who is enjoying a nice spell at Atletico Madrid. Poor RSA though, they deserve better than this, being the host country. Too bad this is one of the weaker groups.
Group B
Argentina (ARG)
Nigeria (NIG)
South Korea (KOR)
Greece (GRE)
Winner: ARG
Runner-Up: NIG
Despite having one of the worst coaches in the world, ARG will previal based on raw talent. A very strong group, I would not be surprised if any combination of teams advance. However, this group will come down to sheer strength, and the NIG are the next best team, and they will only be helped by playing on African soil.
Group C
England (ENG)
USA (USA)
Algeria (ALG)
Slovenia (SVN)
Winner: ENG
Runner-Up: SVN
Now don't blast me for being an anti-patriot yet. I think we'll have a decent showing in South Africa. We're just not ready for the big stage yet. I wasn't convinced by our Confederations cup showing, given that ESP and BRA played atrocious. One thing I've learned though in my years of soccer, is to never count out any Slavic country, no matter how small. They're not all about churning out ridiculously hot woman one after another anymore. SVN, the smallest country in the draw, beat Russia to get to South Africa, and I don't think they're going down without a fight. Sorry ALG, a narrow win over Egypt isn't enough to get my attention.
Group 4
Germany (GER)
Australia (AUS)
Serbia (SER)
Ghana (GHA)
Winner: GER
Runner-Up: GHA
Ah, GER, continually, the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Luckily for you, Joachim Low is running the show. The other three teams are quite evenly matched, though AUS is on the decline and SER is on the rise. I anticipate GHA moving on with Michael Essien running the show. Their speed should be enough to overtake their rivals for the time being.
Group E
Netherlands (NED)
Denmark (DEN)
Japan (JPN)
Cameroon (CAM)
Winner: NED
Runner-Up: CAM
NED are another safe bet to win the group, I would have to say, no disrespect to the other teams here, who are definitely earned their place. JPN just doesn't have the firepower to keep up, and I don't think DEN has enough star power to be able to progress. CAM is an extremely fast team with one of the worlds best strikers in Samuel Eto'o and a decent keeper in Carlos Kameni to boot.
Group F
Italy (ITA)
Paraguay (PAR)
New Zealand (NZE)
Slovakia (SVK)
Winner: ITA
Runner-Up: SVK
For the most part, a one team group. ITA, as much as I absolutely despise them, should run away with this group. I'd be surprised if they conceded a goal. As I've said, never underestimate the Slavs. They don't get a lot of press, which works to their advantage. PAR looks a little outmatched and NZE, well sorry, but you don't really belong here. Congrats for making it, kiwis.
Group G
Brazil (BRA)
Ivory Coast (CIV)
North Korea (KPR)
Portugal (POR)
Winner: BRA
Runner-Up: CIV
Welcome to this year's group of death everyone, someone's going home early. . . and so is KPR. Welcome back to the big time, KPR. As a team, you deserve better. As a country? I wouldn't have it any other way. Have fun trying to salvage a point. Now the real question, who goes through? Dunga has quite a side in BRA, and expect them to roll through. CIV or POR? Both squads have immense talent, POR probably more, and you can never forget the Ronaldo factor. However, I feel CIV wants this just a little bit more, expect them to put on a show.
Group H
Spain (ESP)
Switzerland (SUI)
Honduras (HON)
Chile (CHI)
Winner: ESP
Runner-Up: SUI
Expect the world #1 to rake in at least 10 goals and move clear. Smooth like buttah. The rest seem to be fairly evenly matched, with no one having any one player to push past everyone else. I like SUI's midfield pairing in Almen Abdi and Johan Djourou, though, I think their balance should see them through for another day.
Round of 16
FRA v NIG
Here's where the tournament's big 'upset' comes into play. Every tournament has it, and the World Cup is no exception. Raymond Domenech's ineptitude should prove to be FRA's downfall, and they will not be able to mentally overcome the Golden Eagles. NIG's fast paced balanced play should demoralize FRA. You never know though, FRA could cheat and get away with it again.
Winner: NIG
ARG v MEX
Two spanish speaking countries at it. MEX won't be able get the ball away from ARG, who should still be the better side despite Maradona's lack of ability.
Winner: ARG
ENG v GHA
ENG class (and arrogance and sense of entitlement) surpass GHA vivance.
Winner: ENG
GER v SVN
SVN's luck has run out in facing the Rhineland giants. Low's squad should be too much for them to handle.
Winner: GER
NED v SVK
NED will prove once again they are a dominant force in football. All these tiny Slavic countries can only be upstart for so long before the talent is whittled down to the creme d'la creme (sp?).
Winner: NED
ITA v CAM
The reigning world champions will show why they deserve another shot. CAM won't make it easy for them though. *sigh*
Winner: ITA
BRA v SUI
BRA in a landslide victory. This one is over before it even starts.
Winner: BRA
ESP v CIV
Along with FRA v NIG, the best match of the first knockout round. Two very talented attacking teams, with CIV being led by players like Didier Drogba and Salmon Kalou, and ESP having the strongest striker pair in football. In the end, ESP will show why they are the world's #1. Their complete dominance in every aspect of the game should put CIV down for the count.
Winner: ESP
Quarterfinals
NIG v ENG
In what should be a compelling match, ENG should outclass the upstart Golden Eagles and put an end to what will be a fine showing for them. Sadly the clock has struck midnight, and Cinderella must go home now.
NIG 0-3 ENG
ARG v GER
A classic Brains vs. Brawn matchup here, with Maradona's side trying to muscle their way into the semifinals. Germany is no slouch however, and always has extremely competitive showings at any given event. Expect this game to come down to the wire, with Joachim Low's tactics containing the explosive ARG attack. Or maybe they'll get some lucky strike. Who knows, but GER is winning this fixture.
ARG 1-2 GER
NED v BRA
An all-out attacker against a counter-attacking team. . . which side can break through? Dunga has a rock solid defense with the break neck speed to counter back and score in a heartbeat. The crafty Dutch will find a way to make some noise but in the end will be overmatched.
NED 2-3 BRA
ITA v ESP
Another Attack vs. Defense battle, but ESP also has the defense to hold off anything ITA throws at them. ESP should show another classy affair.
ITA 1-2 ESP
Semifinals
ENG v BRA
This is just another stepping stone for the Brazilians. Clearly the better side, ENG will refuse to go down. The country that shows their passion for the game like none other, we'll definitely a lot of back page tabloids accuse Dunga's side of foul play, but it will all be for naught. They'll keep it tight though, closer than BRA would like. ENG wants this more, but passion won't be enough to win.
ENG 2-4 BRA
GER v ESP
A rematch of the Euro 2008 final. Tactics can only get you so far. Eventually you meet someone as good as you tactically, but with better players. As much as you've seen me respect Low, ESP should walk away with it. However, it won't be the cakewalk this could easily be.
GER 0-1 ESP
Finals
BRA v ESP
The world's outright two best teams for a reason. Both have the balance, the playmakers, the tactics, the passion necessary to win any given night. This will be one of the greatest games you will ever watch. Two teams at the height of their game in the biggest night of the sport. This will be a game to remember for years to come. So many intriguing matchups here: Torres/Villa v. Julio Cesar, Fabiano/Robinho/Ronaldinho v. the best keeper in the world, Kaka, Xavi, and Iniesta weaving through defenses, Puyol and Pique, guarding against the crosses of Alves and Maicon. . . I think Spain needs this and is a bit deeper than Brazil, so I think they'll just narrowly, by the slimmest of margins. This is one for the history books, folks.
BRA 1-2 ESP
FIFA 2010 WORLD CUP CHAMPIONS: SPAIN
Runner-Up: Brazil
Third Place: England
Fourth Place: Germany
well i actually read it. and honestly... based on my little knowledge, I was able to pick out the same winners of the groups as you did. i feel accomplished. yay.
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