World Cup: News Junkie Post’s Prognostics

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Every now and then at The News Junkie Post we dust off our crystal ball and make prognostics. We did it for the Oscars, and we thought it was appropriate to do it for the global sporting event that is the world cup. The stakes are high for the eight teams still in the competition, and it is not only the case for each teams playing the Beautiful Game on the fields of South Africa, but also for each countries and their respective national pride. Some will be joyful, others will be sad and a lot of money will be changing hands as gambling on the games is at record high worldwide. However, the last eight fighting for the ultimate price which are Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Ghana, The Netherlands, Uruguay, Paraguay and Spain, regardless of the outcome, will leave South Africa with pride, a sense of accomplishment, and holding their heads high. The ones who left Africa in shame are already gone, and they were Italy and France.

The first two quarter final are playing tomorrow, July 2ND, they will oppose The Netherlands to Brazil and Uruguay to Ghana. The Netherlands versus Brazil will be broadcast live in the United States at 10:00 AM (ET) on ESPN, and Uruguay versus Ghana can be seen in the US at 2:30 PM (ET). The first game is likely to determine one of the team who will play in the final. As far as the second game ,Uruguay vs Ghana, the odds are not in favor of the only African team left in the competition. Uruguay has a great defense, a tactically strong midfield and the talented striker Forlan who is likely to score. Ultimately, Uruguay should prevail and qualify for the semi-final where they will face either The Netherlands or Brazil.

If The Netherlands manage to beat Brazil the orange squad is likely to reach the final by beating Uruguay. From what they have displayed so far, The Netherlands can prevail against a Brazilian squad which has not shined as much as expected. Strangely, under the impulse of their coach, Brazil has become a defensive team where in each games it is only about the result, and not producing a creative and exiting game. On the contrary, The Netherlands seems to be in a “football zone” where every moves is  flowing harmoniously between the players with great speed in an effortless and joyful manner. The orange team has also two gifted players in the person of Robben and Schnieder. If both of them are fully “on” tomorrow they will send Brazil packing, and carry on to beat Uruguay to reach the final.

The second two quarter finals are playing the next day, on July 3RD, it will be a face off between Argentina and Germany in the first game which you can catch live on ABC at 10:00 AM (ET), and in the second game of the day Spain will face Paraguay-live on ABC at 2:30 PM (ET). Spain is likely to prevail against Paraguay and will face either Argentina or Germany in the semifinal. The most decisive and potentially thrilling game of the day is of course Argentina vs Germany. Both teams have so far displayed incredible abilities both in defense and attack. Argentina seems to be slightly more focus than the German squad, and they also have what is arguably the best attack of the competition featuring a man with “killer instinct” for goals in the person of Melito, and of course a master mind in the person of Messi, who is probably the best and most creative offensive player of this generation.

Following our logic here, we are heading for a Spain vs Argentina face off in the semifinal, and if a team can beat the Argentinians it is Spain. The Spanish midfield is the strongest in the world cup so far with an unsurpassed ability to keep the ball and build an intricate yet efficient football. However, one of Spain’s weakness and what could be its potential downfall with a team as clinical as Argentina is its defense. Pujol, the great defender from Barcelona is no longer in his prime, and as the anchor of the Spanish defense has being a bit shaky and heavy legged on occasion. However, Spain has a ace in the hole in the person of Villa. But Spain will not make it against Argentina with Villa alone, and unless under performing Torres pulls all the stops, and finally have a great game, Argentina will prevail.

According to this, the countries  we will have facing off  in the final of the 2010 world cup are Argentina and The Netherlands. Argentina will win, and both Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona will be holding the cup in triumph. But of course, other outcome such as yet another win for Brazil or Germany can not be ruled out. Two of the teams are sentimental favorite for one reason: they have never won the world cup, and they certainly deserve to do so considering their historic contributions to the Beautiful Game. It is of course, Spain and The Netherlands.

All photographs are from this link.

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