World Cup South Africa 2010

[The Phantom Eyebrow]

Well, another four years has passed and its World Cup time once more!

It should be another gloroius celebration of all things football.  Brazil and Spain seem to be the favorites (probably deservedly so) but there's a few more teams in there that might give them cause to worry:

Argentina - some of the best players in the world, but with a madman in charge. 
Holland - always brilliant, always tempermental, and pretty much always underachievers
Ivory Coast - I had a sneaking regard for their chances until Drogba's injury

Any many more...  roll on the opening game this friday!

[murs47]

I hate to throw a wrench in your predictions TPE, but Mexico is gonna win it all.

Anyways, I'm pretty excited about this World Cup.

[cripp12]

Yes, its that time again. Heres an analysis of the situation:

1. The most convincing theory is the one that says World Cups alternate
between Europe and South America each time. (true since 1962) Since
Italy won last time, it stands to reason that South  America's turn is
next. In all likely hood, it means either Brazil or Argentina. Although
Uruguay has qualified, they are a real long shot, considering they
haven't won it in over 70 years. And Paraguay has never  won it, so you
can probably rule them out entirely.
The fact that the World Cup is being played for the first time on a
different continent makes no difference.  This theory has held true
(since 1962)

2. I think its definitely too soon for a Brazil repeat. Brazil won their
last World Cup in 2002, and also in 1994. But they had been on a silent
streak from 1970 till 1994, a period of 24 years. My guess is that they
wont repeat until 24 years from 2002, or in other words, 2026.

3. There's something about the number 24: Argentina won its last world
cup 24 years ago, in 1986. The country  that won it before them was Italy
in 1982. The country that won the last World Cup in 2006 was Italy, 24
years after winning its last one in 1982. So Argentina it seems is due
for a win because its been 24 years, and  also because Italy,
coincidentally, won it the prior time before them.

4. Argentina has some great World Class players, like Messi and Mellito.
And their coach is Maradona. So they have some pretty good credentials
going in. Although Brazil has some defenders who play in Italy, I  don't
think they enough firepower compared to Argentina, so I give the
advantage to Argentina.

5. Another theory I've read about is that whoever
wins the World Cup has the same form  of government that Brazil has at
the same time. In other words, the World Cup winner has to have a
Federal/Presidential government. Well, guess what? Argentina has a
Federal/Presidential style of government.

So based on these statements, my conclusion is that Argentina will win
the 2010 World Cup.

But I wouldn't bet the house on it.

[President Raygun]

Ya I'm really hoping for Argentina to take it.The fact I was born there not withstanding (because I've lived in the U.S. practically my whole life), I feel that as long they're not considered heavy favorites(which thanks to the qualifiers, they're not) the odds are on their sides. There are some parallels with the '86 team too, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. My only worry is this new lighter ball that FIFA is using this year, I think that's gonna be an equalizer

[pr1983]

as long as france don't take it, i'm happy.

[The Phantom Eyebrow]

Good to see there's some interest here in what will hopefully be a great tournament.  And, as the posts show, there's any number of ways you can use to come up with a winner (good too, to see Cripp bringing some intellectual rigour to proceedings  ).  Seeing as it all kicks off tomorrow, I thought I give it my at-a-glance preview of the groups. 

Group A - South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay and France
Crikey, this is a tough one to call.  Four good teams, and I could see any two of them getting through.  France are the most talented of these teams, although also the most flakey and with something of a character in charge.  (And I'm not a petty man, so I won't labour on about that handball incident that got them through to the final in the first place).  I reckon though that they'll click at the tournament and get through.  I'm also plumping for South Africa here - as the hosts they might just have that extra lift to get them to the knockout stage.  So expect Uruguay and Mexico to qualify then...

Group B - Argentina, Nigeria, South Korea, Greece
Well, Argentina obviously. Maradona (much as I loved him as a player) is not good manager I fear, but with the players they have, Argentina simply have to get through.  After that, it's going to be a tough call isn't it?  Nigeria... Greece... Korea... oooh... let's go for...um... Nigeria then.

Group C - England, USA, Algeria, Slovenia
I have to pick England here.  They're being over-hyped but nonetheless they are good.  Again it'll be a bit of a dogfight for the second place but I think the USA will have enough about them and will make it too.

Group D - Germany, Australia, Serbia, Ghana
As I continue to opt for the biggies it'll be no surprise that I have Germany qualifying from the group (they always do).  Again, all the other teams will fancy it, but I think Ghana are gonna do it. 

Group E - Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon
The Netherlands will get through.  As will... oh... another tough one this.  Cameroon I think.

Group F[ - Italy, New Zealand, Paraguay, Slovakia
Italy, the Azurri, the reigning champions... they'll qualify all right. I don't rate NZ at all I fear (apologies to any fans) so its between the other two.  I think Paraguay will do it.  I think.

Group G - Brazil, Ivory Coast, North Korea, Portugal
This is it! Every World Cup has a Group of Death, and this is this World Cup's Group of Death!  Brazil will surely get through, but the second place spot is going to be keenly contested between Ivory coast and Portugal.  Their match against each other (early next week I think) will be The game of the group stages.  I'm going to hedge my bets here and call Ivory Coast to get through if Drogba is fit, and Portual to do it otherwise.

Group H - Chile, Honduras, Spain, Switzerland
Spain should breeze through this group.  At a canter.  i think Chile will make it through in second.


I'm not really all that confident about most of these predictions though.

[murs47]

I'd say these are all solid predictions. I can't say I disagree with any of them.

[Swingman]

Well, I agree with most of your predictions, Phantom Eyebrow, but you're definitely wrong about group E. Denmark's gonna kick Cameroons arse, and move on from the group, despite some questionable preparation matches of late. You'll see. This has nothing to do with my nationality, but Denmark's probably gonna win the worldcup:)

[The Phantom Eyebrow]

Well the World Cup continues apace.  Bit of a slow burner this one perhaps - fear of getting off to a bad start has some teams being more defensive than I'd like, and perhaps the new ball is having an influence, but there's been some good play and some upsets as well, so what more could you want at this stage? Seeing as every team has played once by now, lets have a quick recap of the groups...

Group A - 2 matches, 2 draws.  This one remains impossible to call
Group B - Argentina and South Korea are both off to winning starts.  I was impressed with the bit I saw of their match; and Nigeria will have to beat them now to have any real chance of qualifying
Group C - England v USA was quite the eye-opener.  I still think they'll both get through, but England will have to buck up their game if they want to match their expectations.  The USA team was impressive - well drilled and skilful players who clearly knew their game plan. 
Group D - Germany were mighty impressive in dismantling the Aussies.  Ghana and Serbia I didn't see, but it looks very much like Ghana will be joining Germany in the next round
Group E - Netherlands beat the Danes as expected (sorry Swingman  ), while Japan caused something of an upset by beating Cameroon.  This has thrown my predictions somewhat awry here
Group F - Surprisingly, two draws in the two games in this group!  Take a bow Paraguay and New Zealand both.
Group G - Ivory Coast and Portugal ends in a draw, making it impossible to pick which of them might get through.  Brazil win, as expected, but North Korea are no slouches and will give the other two problems
Group H - Chile apparently played Honduras off the park, but only won 1-0.  Spain apparantly played Switzerland off the park, and lost 1-0!

Some bigs names with work to do now if they want to get to the knockout phase...

[bat1987]

Woot! Serbia defeats Germany!!! TBH i thought they were going to nail us, very unexpected 

[Glitch Girl]

Okay, I don't normally follow World Cup, but this year... wow.

USA lead our bracket, who saw that coming? 
Last World Cup leaders are both gone?  Again, who saw that coming? 

[murs47]

Ya, this World Cup has been exciting. Lots of surprises and not a lot of blow outs.

[deano_ue]

none have called it soccer, you may continue to live

[The Phantom Eyebrow]

Oh its been crazily unpredictable so far.  Which explains why some of my predictions proved a little short on accuracy in places...

Group A.  Okay, so technically I predicted the wrong two teams here.  That's true.  But I did flag the general flakiness of their manager and pointed out that this was a proper four way battle, and gave myself a get-out clause, pointing out that my predictions would likely be completely wrong.
So I got that much right...

Group B.  Argentina made it all right, and in fact have not put a foot wrong.  Very impressive so far.  Nigeria didn't reach the heights I expected and so South Korea deservedly took the second spot.

Group C.  Mine, I think, as both my teams got through.  You asked the question, Glitch, as to who would have predicted US winning the group eh?  Okay, so you could perhaps read my prediction and think I had England winning the group rather than the US, but... er...

Group D.  Again, two from two.  Germany and Ghana made it.  Although Serbia had a great chance to take the second spot and can feel disapppointed not to make it, escpecially after beating Germany too.  Hard luck there Bat...

Group E.  The Dutch made is, predictably enough. Another point in their favour is that in this World cup notable for turmoil and fractiousness(?) among the big teams, The Dutch are all sweetness and light.  Japan both surprised and impressed me by taking the second spot.  They looked very impressive any time I've seen them so far.

Group F.  Paraguay made it.  I called Paraguay, right? Well done me!  What's that, Slovakia made it as well?  But that means... no, surely not... 
I would never have predicted that Italy, reigning champions, would crash out bottom of their group.  Amazing stuff.

Group G.  Brazil never looked in trouble negiating their way out of the Group of Death (its been called that, but I think Group D had a good claim for that title too).  Portugal edge through over Ivory Coast by virtue of a better goal difference.  What's that, I didn't predict that outcome?  Ah, who's counting?

Group H.  Spain topped the group all right, although not in as comfortable a manner as I predicted.  Chile made it through as well.  Always nice to finish on a good one...

10 out of 16 correct then.  Slightly better than you probably would have got by just tossing coins!


So, now we get to the meat of the tournament, the knockout phase!  Drama!  Extra time!  Penalty Shoot Outs!  All will figure as we whittle the pack down from 16 to 1 in what can only be described as a sequential manner. 

Rather than making myself a hostage to fortune by predicting the whole thing, I'm just going to call the 8 matches upcoming:

Uruguay to beat South Korea
Ghana to edge out the USA (sorry, any US fans.  Although you can console yourself with the thought that my prediction that a team will do well is akin to the kiss of death)
Germany to beat England.  On penalties too, probably...
Argentina to beat Mexico in a high scoring thriller why not?
The Netherlands to beat Slovakia using their patented Total Football. 
Brazil to beat Chile
Japan to beat Paraguay
Spain to beat Portugal in an all-Iberian final match.

And thence to the Quarter Finals!  Oh you gotta love the Soccerball World Cup!

[Dreaded Porcupine]

GO YANKS! Beat Ghana. Should be a great match but I have to give this one to the cardiac kids. Ghana's only 2 goals came on penalty kicks. Only the officials stand in the way of the USA and the quartefinals. We are a team of destiny this cup. We win it in the 121st minute in dramatic nerve wracking style. Jozy Altidore gets the winner.

[Sevenforce]

England, you deserved to go out. I haven't seen such a horrible, horrible match in a long long time, especially with the skill we've had to play with. Germany has outclassed them every step of the way, and they have played such a bad match. Absolutely disappointing.

[The Phantom Eyebrow]

Hard luck to fans of both the US and England teams.  The US were pipped in a tight-fought game with Ghana but England were well beaten by an impressive German side. 

After the debacle of my predictions for the group phase, I got 7 from 8 for that last round.  Aren't I clever then? 

Now we reach the Quarter Finals, and the games just get bigger and bigger!

Uruguay v Ghana - two teams that may be punching above expectations here, but they've both performed well to get here.  50/50 this one I think, but with more local support at their backs, and with improving form with each game, I'm plumping for Ghana here.

Germany v Argentina - two very impressive sides here, both playing an attractive brand of football.  Given their form and their pedigree, both teams must have an eye on the final.  But one will fall here.  ER... I don't know which one though.  Argentina to edge it?

Holland v Brazil - Total Football vs Joga Bonito.  Or something.  You have to back Brazil though.  They're my tip for the top here!

Spain v Paraguay - Paraguay have exceeded expectations (and my predictions) to get this far.  Spain might over-elaborate a bit in their build up play, but they should get through here. 

[Sevenforce]

I have Germany in the office sweepstakes, so *crosses fingers*

They bombed our chippies though...I'm so conflicted!

Ghana going out was possibly the saddest thing I'd ever seen. So much hope, and it comes down to a crossbar...

[The Phantom Eyebrow]

The Ghana - Uruguay match will be the one that lives longest in the memory though Seven, and I liked both teams so I didn't feel too put out by Suarez's intervention.  Sure it was wrong, but he was caught and punished for it, and I think pretty much any other player would do the same thing in the same situation.  Doesn't make it any easier for Ghana to stomach though, although I did read some reports saying that they were offside in the build up, so it shouldn't have even been a penalty.   (assuming that they were offside)

The final was disappointing though, and I lay the finger of blame at the door of the Dutch, who seemed to have been watching WWF or MMA tapes as part of their preparation for the game.  Spain did well in the face of such... tactics. 

All in all, not a tournament for which too many games will be remembered as classics I think, but I enjoyed it.  (And am experiencing some slight withdrawal symptoms at the thought that there's no more of it...)