Semi Finals

[NeSCio]

Re: Semi Finals

This was my post about two months ago.
And I’ve been quite accurate in my prediction (apart from England perhaps)

@NeSCio

btw this year it’s the best chance for Holland or England to win the cup. Considering the competition from other teams this is their best opportunity in years to claim the prize:

Argentina: one of the most talented teams; but some glaring omissions (Cambiasso, Zanetti); They have TWO big problems: their midfield is very old (who selects a 36-year old past-his-prime-playing-in-Argentina Veron as playmaker? ). Their second problem is even bigger: Maradona is their coach. My prediction: semi-final

Brazil: again some unbelievable omissions: Pato and Ronaldinho. Apart from Kaka (who is out of form) they don’t seem to have a daunting attack. My prediction: quarter-final

France: Domenech is a fool. My prediction: first knock-out stage.

Spain: on paper the best team. However, whereas their football was innovative and appealing, it seems as if other teams are starting to understand how to play against them. One could notice it already last year when they got beaten comprehensively by US during the Confed Cup. Moreover, when looking at club level, you again see that the likes of Inter have the tools to dislodge their style of play and they don’t have a back-up plan. Moreover, keep in mind that most of their most important players have played close to 50 games this season (Xavi, Iniesta, Fabregas, Villa, Puyol). My prediction: (semi-)final

Italy: too old a team; basically the same as 4 years ago, but without Totti and without any good striker. My prediction: They should be happy if they survive the first knock-out stage.