Group F
Italy: As usual, they will come through because they got an easy group and because no referee has the courage to punish them for their fakes and dives. I wish they would get the ref from the Germany-Australia game that gave 2 yellows for diving. They will beat Paraguay and unfortunately pass to the next round.
Paraguay: Played the best football of this group, only the unbelievable rally from the Kiwis robbed them of a sure place in the final round. Even with a loss to Italy they will advance on the next round.
New Zealand: I am rooting for them and I wish that they will pass to the next round. But realistically, I do not see them beating Slovakia. They lack the offensive punch. But I will be very happy to be wrong.
Slovakia: Pathetic showing for this team. They are a shadow of their qualification self.
Italy
Paraguay
New Zealand
Slovakia
Group G
Brazil: I am still worried since without the handball, the game against Ivory Coast would have been a lot closer. They did not show their usual dominance, but they did what they needed to qualify.
Portugal: They revealed themselves and North Korea for what they were. They had fun in that last game and looked good. They are starting to build up momentum, if they can beat Brazil, they are going to be the team to beat in the final round.
Ivory Coast: Sad, they still have a mathematical chance but will most likely play only for pride.
North Korea: If I was a player for that team I would start to think about defecting. They looked good against Brazil but Portugal revealed them for what they are: a team that does not belong there.
Brazil
Portugal
Ivory Coast
North Korea
Group H
Spain: Looks like they are now starting to play for real. Nice trashing of Honduras, there is just too much talent in that team and they need the win.
Chile: Is under pressure not to lose to avoid Brazil, but the alternative, Portugal, is not much better. Even a 0-1 loss would give them the top to the group. Unfortunately, they will probably lose by 2 goals to Spain.
Switzerland: Played well, but they do not have enough offense to get what they need to qualify (a 3 goals difference win and a Chile defeat). But anything is possible since this group turned out to be the group of death.
Honduras: Outclassed by everyone, practically eliminated.
Spain
Chile
Switzerland
Honduras
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Sunday, June 20, 2010
World Cup update - Groups D and E
Group D
Germany: Were the victim of very bad refereeing but they have only themselves to blame for the loss. They had a lot of opportunities to tie it and failed to capitalize on it. They were really impressive with 10 men against Serbia. Be afraid, this team is very very good. Needs to win against Ghana to advance.
Serbia: Got lucky against Germany but have proven that they are as good as expected. Needs to win against Australia. Should be able to do it.
Ghana: Yes they are leading the group, but a loss to Germany and a Serbian win would kick them out. Unfortunately, this is the most likely scenario. They struggled against a 10 men Socceroo squad when Germany destroyed them. Their defense is just not up to the task of shutting down the Germans.
Australia: 2 red cards spoiled their tournament. They have shown great thing against Ghana, but they need to win by a lot of goals against Serbia and they do not have the players to do it.
Germany
Serbia
Ghana
Australia
Group E
Holland: The dutch did not show anything impressive but they won 2 games. They make me think of the 1990s German team, they find a way to win 1-0. Should be able to qualify playing against an eliminated Cameroon.
Japan: They need not to lose against Denmark. I was disappointed by the pre-world cup performance of the team, but they are playing well right now.
Denmark: Played a good game against Cameroon but Japan is a better team right now and needs only not to lose. I however, would not bet on the result of this last game.
Cameroon: I am disappointed since they have shown great things against Denmark. Are now eliminated and will probably get hammered by Holland
Holland
Japan
Denmark
Cameroon
Germany: Were the victim of very bad refereeing but they have only themselves to blame for the loss. They had a lot of opportunities to tie it and failed to capitalize on it. They were really impressive with 10 men against Serbia. Be afraid, this team is very very good. Needs to win against Ghana to advance.
Serbia: Got lucky against Germany but have proven that they are as good as expected. Needs to win against Australia. Should be able to do it.
Ghana: Yes they are leading the group, but a loss to Germany and a Serbian win would kick them out. Unfortunately, this is the most likely scenario. They struggled against a 10 men Socceroo squad when Germany destroyed them. Their defense is just not up to the task of shutting down the Germans.
Australia: 2 red cards spoiled their tournament. They have shown great thing against Ghana, but they need to win by a lot of goals against Serbia and they do not have the players to do it.
Germany
Serbia
Ghana
Australia
Group E
Holland: The dutch did not show anything impressive but they won 2 games. They make me think of the 1990s German team, they find a way to win 1-0. Should be able to qualify playing against an eliminated Cameroon.
Japan: They need not to lose against Denmark. I was disappointed by the pre-world cup performance of the team, but they are playing well right now.
Denmark: Played a good game against Cameroon but Japan is a better team right now and needs only not to lose. I however, would not bet on the result of this last game.
Cameroon: I am disappointed since they have shown great things against Denmark. Are now eliminated and will probably get hammered by Holland
Holland
Japan
Denmark
Cameroon
Friday, June 18, 2010
World Cup Update - Group C
Slovenia
Shown that it was a team, played well and is now in the driver seat of that Group. Need just not to lose to England to survive.
England
Played 2 horrible games. It is a collection of individuals. Needs to beat Slovenia to advance or a draw and help. There is too much talent in that team for it not to win that last game.
USA
They showed today that they are a legitimate team. This comeback was incredible. Needs to beat Algeria to advance, they could do it.
Algeria
Good game against England, they need to win and help from Slovenia to have a chance to survive.
Group C
England
USA
Slovenia
Algeria
Shown that it was a team, played well and is now in the driver seat of that Group. Need just not to lose to England to survive.
England
Played 2 horrible games. It is a collection of individuals. Needs to beat Slovenia to advance or a draw and help. There is too much talent in that team for it not to win that last game.
USA
They showed today that they are a legitimate team. This comeback was incredible. Needs to beat Algeria to advance, they could do it.
Algeria
Good game against England, they need to win and help from Slovenia to have a chance to survive.
Group C
England
USA
Slovenia
Algeria
World Cup update
OK, just one game to play in groups A and B, lets see what we learned.
Group A
We knew that France was bad but not that bad! They played 2 horrible games being incapable of generating offense. They now need to destroy South Africa 4-0 and a close win from either Mexico or Uruguay. I do not see them being able to do it.
The Vuvuzela advantage was not enough for the Bafana Bafana. They came close to win against Mexico, but just got outclassed by Uruguay.
Mexico should come through, but I do not like their chances of going far in the tournament since they have been inconsistent so far
Uruguay will finish first of this group and they have deserved it.
Uruguay
Mexico
France
South Africa
Group B
Argentina. They are legit, it took them a little bit of time to wake up but they are worthy to be considered a favorite to win the tournament. They will take first place in that group.
South Korea. Have the best chance to finish second. They should win against Nigeria. Although they got destroyed by Argentina they dominated Greece and should beat Nigeria.
Greece. They still have a chance but they got to beat Argentina. You never know with that team. They were awful until the red card in the Nigeria game.
Nigeria. I am not surprised, this team is highly dysfunctional. They should lose badly to South Korea.
Argentina
South Korea
Greece
Nigeria
Group A
We knew that France was bad but not that bad! They played 2 horrible games being incapable of generating offense. They now need to destroy South Africa 4-0 and a close win from either Mexico or Uruguay. I do not see them being able to do it.
The Vuvuzela advantage was not enough for the Bafana Bafana. They came close to win against Mexico, but just got outclassed by Uruguay.
Mexico should come through, but I do not like their chances of going far in the tournament since they have been inconsistent so far
Uruguay will finish first of this group and they have deserved it.
Uruguay
Mexico
France
South Africa
Group B
Argentina. They are legit, it took them a little bit of time to wake up but they are worthy to be considered a favorite to win the tournament. They will take first place in that group.
South Korea. Have the best chance to finish second. They should win against Nigeria. Although they got destroyed by Argentina they dominated Greece and should beat Nigeria.
Greece. They still have a chance but they got to beat Argentina. You never know with that team. They were awful until the red card in the Nigeria game.
Nigeria. I am not surprised, this team is highly dysfunctional. They should lose badly to South Korea.
Argentina
South Korea
Greece
Nigeria
Monday, June 07, 2010
World Cup 2010 Bracket
OK, here is a cheat sheet for you North Americans that know nothing about soccer but wants not to look like complete idiots around the water cooler for the following month.
Group Results
Group A
France
South Africa
Mexico
Uruguay
France got very lucky with that draw, they should sail through the group stage without problems. Here the logical second place should be Mexico, but because of the advantage of playing at home, that is historically 1 goal per game, I give the Bafanas Bafanas a place in the final round
Group B
Argentina
Greece
South Korea
Nigeria
Maradona’s men seem to have found their way. There is just too much talent in that team not to sail through this group even if it is the official Group of Death of this World Cup. Again I see an upset with Greece making it over South Korea and Nigeria since these are two teams that are very vulnerable to “Germinised” system of Greece.
Group C
England
Slovenia
USA
Algeria
Again the favorite should sail through. I have Slovenia and the USA neck to neck but Slovenia got in the World Cup over Russia and will field the same squad as during the qualification round.
Group D
Germany
Australia
Ghana
Serbia
Yes Ballack and three others are out with injuries, but there is too much depth in German football and the coach is too good. Expect a though first game against Australia. As for Ghana and Serbia their recent performances were less than convincing.
Group E
Holland
Danemark
Kameroun
Japan
Holland will sail though. The recent performances of Japan are pathetic, therefore Danemark should make it to the final round.
Group F
Italy
Slovakia
Paraguay
New Zealand
Again, an easy group for the Europeans.
Group G
Brazil
Portugal
Ivory Coast
North Korea
I do not see how Ivory Coast can survive with a less than a 100% fit Drogba. North Korea is the big unknown in that group, but with a second rate Ivory Coast it should not be enough to mix things up.
Group H
Spain
Switzerland
Chile
Honduras
Unless Chile finds a way to play better than during their qualification campaign and recent friendly, they will not be able to beat the better organized Swiss.
Final Round
Sweet Sixteen
1. Greece over France – the pathetic showing of France and the easy group will come back to haunt them. Greece will win in injury time or on penalties.
2. England over Australia – The Socceroos are just not there yet. They could beat a second tier country, but not England, unless the Lions chose this game to choke.
3. Argentina over South African – Even with the bonus of playing at home, this is too big a bite for the Bafanas Bafanas to chew.
4. Germany over Slovenia – Germany is much better than Russia, no hope for Slovenia.
5. Holland over Slovakia – The dutch always bring their A-game to the World Cup
6. Brazil over Switzerland – Samba beats banks every time. Do I need to say more?
7. Italy over Danemark – I hate the Italians, but the Danes can’t do it this year.
8. Spain over Portugal – This is the toughest one, Spain is overrated in my opinion but I was disappointed by Portugal. But with Christiano Ronaldo leading the way anything can happen if there is one player that can reverse the course of a game, it is him.
Elite Eight
1. Greece over England – This is the game that the Lions will choose to play horrible football, let a soft goal in or take a stupid red card. They do that at every World Cup and this one will be no exception. Or they will just play it a little too safe, end up in penalty shooting and loose as usual.
2. Germany over Argentina – Rematch of 2006. Germany has the better overall squad, Argentian got the better individual talent, Germany got the better coach and will be better prepared. Will be one of the best game of the tournament.
3. Brazil over Holland – Again, not much to add. The Dutch could win it, but they would need a crappy game from Brazil and quite a bit of luck.
4. Spain over Italy – Overated, but too good to contain with boring defensive football. There is no way you can play defensive football and win against Spain. Germany tried it in the Euro 2008, did it very well but lost.
Final Four
1. Germany over Greece – The Cinderella team will meet its match. Germany is another team that you can always count on, they will smell blood. It will be the most boring match of the final round.
2. Brazil over Spain – The weakness of Spain will be exposed violently by the Brazilians. You got to score more goals to win.
Third place match
Spain over Greece – Playing for no stakes, the Greeks will get destroyed by the B team of Spain
Final
Germany over Brazil – Brazil will not be able to take on the new offensive type of football that the Germans will bring to South Africa. Özil and Kroos will flood the midfield, Cacau and Podolski will give nightmare to the defenders, draw free kicks and Germany will socre on set pieces. I know that it goes again the logical choice, but allow me to make my only partisan choice of the bracket.
Try to have fun and to pretend that 1-0 is an exciting result.
Group Results
Group A
France
South Africa
Mexico
Uruguay
France got very lucky with that draw, they should sail through the group stage without problems. Here the logical second place should be Mexico, but because of the advantage of playing at home, that is historically 1 goal per game, I give the Bafanas Bafanas a place in the final round
Group B
Argentina
Greece
South Korea
Nigeria
Maradona’s men seem to have found their way. There is just too much talent in that team not to sail through this group even if it is the official Group of Death of this World Cup. Again I see an upset with Greece making it over South Korea and Nigeria since these are two teams that are very vulnerable to “Germinised” system of Greece.
Group C
England
Slovenia
USA
Algeria
Again the favorite should sail through. I have Slovenia and the USA neck to neck but Slovenia got in the World Cup over Russia and will field the same squad as during the qualification round.
Group D
Germany
Australia
Ghana
Serbia
Yes Ballack and three others are out with injuries, but there is too much depth in German football and the coach is too good. Expect a though first game against Australia. As for Ghana and Serbia their recent performances were less than convincing.
Group E
Holland
Danemark
Kameroun
Japan
Holland will sail though. The recent performances of Japan are pathetic, therefore Danemark should make it to the final round.
Group F
Italy
Slovakia
Paraguay
New Zealand
Again, an easy group for the Europeans.
Group G
Brazil
Portugal
Ivory Coast
North Korea
I do not see how Ivory Coast can survive with a less than a 100% fit Drogba. North Korea is the big unknown in that group, but with a second rate Ivory Coast it should not be enough to mix things up.
Group H
Spain
Switzerland
Chile
Honduras
Unless Chile finds a way to play better than during their qualification campaign and recent friendly, they will not be able to beat the better organized Swiss.
Final Round
Sweet Sixteen
1. Greece over France – the pathetic showing of France and the easy group will come back to haunt them. Greece will win in injury time or on penalties.
2. England over Australia – The Socceroos are just not there yet. They could beat a second tier country, but not England, unless the Lions chose this game to choke.
3. Argentina over South African – Even with the bonus of playing at home, this is too big a bite for the Bafanas Bafanas to chew.
4. Germany over Slovenia – Germany is much better than Russia, no hope for Slovenia.
5. Holland over Slovakia – The dutch always bring their A-game to the World Cup
6. Brazil over Switzerland – Samba beats banks every time. Do I need to say more?
7. Italy over Danemark – I hate the Italians, but the Danes can’t do it this year.
8. Spain over Portugal – This is the toughest one, Spain is overrated in my opinion but I was disappointed by Portugal. But with Christiano Ronaldo leading the way anything can happen if there is one player that can reverse the course of a game, it is him.
Elite Eight
1. Greece over England – This is the game that the Lions will choose to play horrible football, let a soft goal in or take a stupid red card. They do that at every World Cup and this one will be no exception. Or they will just play it a little too safe, end up in penalty shooting and loose as usual.
2. Germany over Argentina – Rematch of 2006. Germany has the better overall squad, Argentian got the better individual talent, Germany got the better coach and will be better prepared. Will be one of the best game of the tournament.
3. Brazil over Holland – Again, not much to add. The Dutch could win it, but they would need a crappy game from Brazil and quite a bit of luck.
4. Spain over Italy – Overated, but too good to contain with boring defensive football. There is no way you can play defensive football and win against Spain. Germany tried it in the Euro 2008, did it very well but lost.
Final Four
1. Germany over Greece – The Cinderella team will meet its match. Germany is another team that you can always count on, they will smell blood. It will be the most boring match of the final round.
2. Brazil over Spain – The weakness of Spain will be exposed violently by the Brazilians. You got to score more goals to win.
Third place match
Spain over Greece – Playing for no stakes, the Greeks will get destroyed by the B team of Spain
Final
Germany over Brazil – Brazil will not be able to take on the new offensive type of football that the Germans will bring to South Africa. Özil and Kroos will flood the midfield, Cacau and Podolski will give nightmare to the defenders, draw free kicks and Germany will socre on set pieces. I know that it goes again the logical choice, but allow me to make my only partisan choice of the bracket.
Try to have fun and to pretend that 1-0 is an exciting result.
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