Well, Those Grapes Were Probably Sour, Anyway

[kevin_standlee]

I am working from home again today (and it's legitimate, for reasons discussed in a friend-locked post), so once again I get to see (sort of; it's on in the background while I hunch over the computer responding to analysis requests) World Cup matches. This morning it was Cinderella team Ghana against Brazil. While Ghana seemed to actually play better than Brazil, especially in the first half, Ghana had to try a risky strategy and ended up losing 3-0.

I take some cold comfort in knowing that even if the USA had managed to beat Ghana in group play, they would have taken Ghana's spot in the round of sixteen and run into Brazil, and that almost certainly would have been that for the USA anyway.

It still was a great tournament for Ghana.

The last round-of-sixteen match is being played today. My "brackets" for the remainder of the tournament are:

Quarterfinals:

Germany - Argentina: Germany in a very rough and tumble match

Italy - Ukraine: Italy, probably on penalties after 0-0, with both teams down at least one man

England - Portugal: Portugal, but England could surprise me

Brazil - Winner of France-Spain: Brazil, probably without much difficulty


Semifinals:

Germany - Italy: Germany

Portugal - Brazil: Brazil


Finals:

Germany - Brazil: Very tough call, but I'll guess that Germany's home-pitch advantage is just enough to overcome Brazil


Now in a few days you can all come back and laugh at me.

Comments

[cherylmorgan.livejournal.com]

I know the Germans have home field advantage, but I'm still not convinced that their defence can keep Argentina out. Their best hope is to score a couple of quick goals again. As for Portugal-Brazil, remember then Big Phil used to manage the Brazilian side. No one knows them better than him. The Portuguese might not have as many star players, but if Deco and Maniche fire and Ronaldinho doesn't Brazil could be in trouble.

[debgeisler.livejournal.com]

Current music: Spain vs. France

Well, the Gipsy Kings are from southern France, but their hit songs are in Spanish. :-) That'd work.

[thirdworld.livejournal.com]

Quarterfinals:
1) Germany - Argentina: Argentina. The Germans have one of the weakest ever German sides and have done better than expected and you can never count out the home team, but Argentina are the better side and should prevail. Chances I'm wrong: high, because it's the home team.

2) Italy - Ukraine: Italy -- their experience and confidence should overwhelm the "happy to be here" Ukrainians. Chances I'm wrong: low, because this is the most uneven of all the semifinals.

3) England - Portugal: England. This one is a tough one as both nations posses mental fragility. England are better than they have looked thus far and Portugal needed home field advantage to beat them last time. Portugal's brutal encounter with Holland hurt them in cards and missing players. Still their coach is lucky against England. Whichever team finds its balls (pun intended) first will likely win. Chances I'm wrong: high, because who can predict how two chokers will deal with each other.

4) Brazil - France: Oddly, I'm going with France. Against Brazil France believe and Brazil's numbers have flattered. All it takes is a team without stars in its eyes. France are that team. Chances I'm wrong: very high, because it's Brazil dammit.


Semifinals:
1) Argentina - Italy: Argentina. They look the better team. Chances I'm wrong: very high, because at the world cup Italy get better with every game.

2)England - France: England. You know, England will feel good against the French, but even I cannot believe that I'm predicting England to get to the finals. Chances I'm wrong: very high because this French team is strong, if mentally fragile.

Third place game:
Italy - France: Italy, because their pride would demand it. Chances I'm wrong: high -- it's really hard for a team to give a crap about this game --they just want to go home and cry.

Finals:
Argentina - England: Argentina. England suddenly realize they have no balls and can't beat Argentina anyway. Chances I'm wrong: high, because this England team is strong and on their day can beat anyone, and also because somehow I've predicted England in the finals, and that's just plain impossible.

[thirdworld.livejournal.com]

I too am wide open to correction. I meant to add that the most likely one I'm wrong on is Brazil - France, and if Brazil beat France then they will beat England too. I'll still pick Argentina against Brazil though.