Here’s my quick preview for the World Cup. Mostly I wanted to get my predictions down before the first game. I did it March Madness style by just picking teams and seeing how the games unfolded. My bracket has some GREAT second round games. For each group, I also highlighted one or two under-the-radar players that should be fun to watch.
Group A
France * Mexico * South Africa * Uruguay
One of the more interesting groups. France, a supposed powerhouse, are struggling and many would not be surprised by a repeat of the 2002 disaster. South Africa are weak but should be buoyed by the home crowd.
Players:
Luis Suarez – Uruguay
He averaged more than a goal a game for Ajax. Can Suarez convince a big club to take a risk on him by proving he can score on the biggest stage?
Yoann Gourcuff – France
One moment he’s being touted by everyone, the next he’s under the radar. A gifted midfielder, I think France’s hopes rest with his play.
First: Mexico
Second: South Africa
I’m going with the trendy pick of France failing at the first hurdle and I think South Africa will have enough to reach the knockout rounds. FIFA needs them to make it.
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Group B
Argentina * Greece * Nigeria * South Korea
Argentina should win this group at a canter despite a poor qualifying campaign. The other three teams have had better days.
Players:
Angel di Maria – Argentina
I’m excited to see this winger. I haven’t seen him play but from all I’ve read he’s on another level on the flanks.
First: Argentina
Second: Nigeria
Argentina with nine points. Nigeria is just a random pick. Wouldn’t be surprised if Greece bored their way into the next round.
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Group C
Algeria * England * Slovenia * United States
Many people think it’s cut and dry but I think Slovenia has a very good chance of advancing and Algeria are actually decent.
Players:
Robbie Findley – USA
I saw this guy in a couple of friendlies and he has enough pace and wiliness that he can cause havoc in opposing defenses as an impact substitute.
First: England
Second: USA
England are good against this level of competition. I was tempted to pick Slovenia but I don’t know how well they’ll do so far from home.
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Group D
Australia * Germany * Ghana * Serbia
A fascinating group. Injuries make things more even – Germany’s captain Ballack is out and so is Ghana’s best player Michael Essien.
Players:
Mesut Ozil – Germany
I wonder how much time he’ll get but he’s the kind of offensive creator that Germany don’t often have.
Milos Krasic – Serbia
I’ve heard a lot about this guy and I’m excited to see him in action. Supposedly a fantastic talent.
First: Serbia
Second: Germany
Serbia is a popular pick but that’s because they are seriously good. Australia are unlucky to be in this group cause they have second-round talent and Ghana can cause problems even with a depleted squad.
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Group E
Cameroon * Denmark * Netherlands * Japan
Looks straightforward to me. Cameroon are missing Mikel due to injury and Samuel Eto’o is not happy. Japan don’t have enough quality.
Players:
Eljero Elia – Netherlands
I’m not sure if he’ll get a chance because of all the other attackers in the squad but this winger is something special.
First: Netherlands
Second: Denmark
Netherlands even without Robben should get through although they do make it tough sometimes. Denmark are sneaky good.
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Group F
Italy * New Zealand * Paraguay * Slovakia
Similar to Group A in that Italy are not what they used to be. Except New Zealand have no chance.
First: Slovakia
Second: Italy
Italy refused to go young in their squad and that could cost them. Slovakia have a lot of good players and had a great qualifying campaign.
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Group G
Brazil * Ivory Coast * North Korea * Portugal
Three good teams (on paper) and a complete unknown.
Players:
Kader Keita – Ivory Coast
I saw him quite a lot this year because he plays in the Turkish league. A winger who’s strong and quick and with a nose for the goal. Usually comes on as a sub for the Ivory Coast.
First: Brazil
Second: Ivory Coast
Didier Drogba may have a broken arm but he’s set to play for the Ivory Coast and Portugal have been abysmal in the last two years. So bad that North Korea have a chance of a point against them.
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Group H
Chile * Honduras * Spain * Switzerland
Spain will win the group but the other three teams are all good. There are no whipping boys here.
Players:
Eren Derdiyok – Switzerland
A young striker who keeps improving and keeps scoring.
Juan Mata – Spain
Spain have a lot of young, exciting firepower on the bench and Juan Mata is the type of winger who can inject some instant excitement as a substitute.
First: Spain
Second: Chile
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Second Round:
If it works out this way some really exciting matches in the first knockout round.
Mexico v Nigeria – Wow, this is a dud. Could be France here instead of Mexico.
England v Germany – Hard to bet against either team but it’s hard seeing Germany NOT in a quarterfinal.
Serbia v USA – Serbia are good. No good strikers but still really quite good.
Argentina – South Africa – The hosts get to bow out of the competition with a marquis matchup.
Netherlands v Italy – Repeat of Euro 2008 where Netherlands crushed Italy? With these squads I wouldn’t be surprised.
Brazil v Chile – Chile is good but Brazil is too good.
Slovakia v Denmark – Looks a dud on paper but could be one of the more exciting games.
Spain v Ivory Coast – Spain have too much for Africa’s best team in the competition.
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Quarterfinals
Netherlands v Brazil – Brazil are very solid defensively. Very very solid. What’s a World Cup without Brazil beating the Netherlands?
Mexico v Germany – It could be France here instead of Mexico.
Serbia v Argentina – In 2006, Argentina won 6-0. World Cups have recently had surprise semifinalists and Serbia can easily be one.
Spain v Denmark – Denmark can be another. But Spain is too good.
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Semifinals
Germany v Brazil – Rematch of 2002 final but as has been the case for Germany their quality just isn’t enough at this stage.
Spain v Argentina – This what everyone wants to see. Spain or Argentina against Brazil in the final. I’ve seen Spain crush their opponents too many times in the past four years to think they won’t make it to the final.
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Finals
Spain v Brazil – The bookmakers’ favorites for a reason. The Spanish squad is just oozing with a level of quality that even Brazil must envy at this point.
So there it is. Spain win the World Cup after winning Euro 2008 and cement their position among the greatest sides ever.
Group AFrance * Mexico * South Africa * Uruguay
One of the more interesting groups. France, a supposed powerhouse, are struggling and many would not be surprised by a repeat of the 2002 disaster. South Africa are weak but should be buoyed by the home crowd. Mexico and Uruguay have quality but cannot be considered anything but average.
Players:
Luis Suarez – Uruguay
He averaged more than a goal a game for Ajax. Can Suarez convince a big club to take a risk on him by proving he can score on the biggest stage?
Yoann Gourcuff – France
One moment he’s being touted by everyone, the next he’s under the radar. A gifted midfielder, I think France’s hopes rest more with his play than with that of Franck Ribery.
First: Mexico
Second: South Africa
I’m going with the trendy pick of France failing at the first hurdle and I think South Africa will have enough to reach the knockout rounds. FIFA needs them to make it.
Group B
Argentina * Greece * Nigeria * South Korea
Argentina should win this group at a canter despite a poor qualifying campaign. The other three teams have had better days.
Players:
Angel di Maria – Argentina
Yes we all know about Argentina’s forwards but I’m most excited to see this winger. I haven’t seen him play but from all I’ve read he’s on another level on the flanks.
First: Argentina
Second: Nigeria
Argentina with nine points. Nigeria is just a random pick. Wouldn’t be surprised if Greece bored their way into the next round.
Group C
Algeria * England * Slovenia * United States
Many people think it’s cut and dry but I think Slovenia has a very good chance of advancing and Algeria are actually decent.
Players:
Robbie Findley – USA
I saw this guy in a couple of friendlies and he has enough pace and wiliness that he can cause havoc in opposing defenses as an impact substitute.
First: England
Second: USA
England are good against this level of competition. I was tempted to pick Slovenia but I don’t know how well they’ll do so far from home.
Group D
Australia * Germany * Ghana * Serbia
A fascinating group. Injuries make things more even – Germany’s captain Ballack is out and so is Ghana’s best player Michael Essien.
Players:
Mesut Ozil – Germany
I wonder how much time he’ll get but he’s the kind of offensive creator that Germany don’t often have.
Milos Krasic – Serbia
I’ve heard a lot about this guy and I’m excited to see him in action.
First: Serbia
Second: Germany
Serbia is a popular pick but that’s because they are seriously good. Australia are unlucky to be in this group cause they have second-round talent and Ghana can cause problems even with a depleted squad.
Group E
Cameroon * Denmark * Netherlands * Japan
Looks like a straightforward group to me. Cameroon are missing Mikel due to injury and Samuel Eto’o is not happy. Japan don’t have enough quality.
Players:
Eljero Elia – Netherlands
I’m not sure if he’ll get a chance because of all the other attackers in the squad but this winger is something special.
First: Netherlands
Second: Denmark
Netherlands even without Robben should get through although they do make it tough sometimes. Denmark are sneaky good.
Group F
Italy * New Zealand * Paraguay * Slovakia
Similar to Group A in that Italy are not what they used to be. Except New Zealand have no chance.
Players:
Miroslav Stoch – Slovakia
Not really a special player per say but he can make a difference.
First: Slovakia
Second: Italy
Italy refused to go young and that could cost them. Slovakia have a lot of good players and had a great qualifying campaign.
Group G
Brazil * Ivory Coast * North Korea * Portugal
Three good teams (on paper) and a complete unknown.
Players:
Kader Keita – Ivory Coast
I saw him quite a lot this year because he plays in the Turkish league. A winger who’s strong and quick and with a nose for the goal. Usually comes on as a sub for the Ivory Coast.
First: Brazil
Second: Ivory Coast
Didier Drogba may have a broken arm but he’s set to play for the Ivory Coast and Portugal have been abysmal in the last two years. So bad that North Korea have a chance of a point against them.
Group H
Chile * Honduras * Spain * Switzerland
Spain will win the group but the other three teams are all good. There are no whipping boys here.
Players:
Eren Derdiyok – Switzerland
A young striker who keeps improving and keeps scoring.
Juan Mata – Spain
Spain have a lot of young, exciting firepower on the bench and Juan Mata is the type of winger who can inject some instant excitement as a substitute.
Second Round:
Mexico v Nigeria
England v Germany
Serbia v USA
Argentina – Uruguay
Netherlands v Italy
Brazil v Chile
Slovakia v Denmark
Spain v Ivory Coast
Quarterfinals
Netherlands v Brazil
Mexico v Germany
Serbia v Argentina
Spain v Denmark
Semifinals
Germany v Brazil
Spain v Argentina
Finals
Spain v Brazil
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