Klinsmann stepping down as coach of Germany. Hmmm wonder where he might coach next. The man loves the U.S.A. and the U.S. team. Germany probably played the most exciting and best soccer in the World Cup. Meanwhile Bruce Arena and the U.S. dissapointed and shot just 4 shots on goal in their early exit. Now I am not underestimating the talent Germany has and their great soccer heritage, but I also believe Klinsmann is a great coach.
It is prediction time again. A month of crazed competitive play preceded by four years of preparation and trials will come to a close this Sunday. Two of the greatest Futbol countries history has to offer face off in a match that culminates in pride, glory, and some other spectacular word. I can not really do justice to all it has taken these two teams and countries to get to this point so I will end here. Lets get to the predictions.
The appetizer: Germany vs. Portugal A third and fourth place match that has two terrific teams trying to end their tournament on a positive note. Portugal's stingy defense and intense goalkeeper has been nearly impossible to score on in this tournament. Giving up only goals off PK's in the last three matches. Germany's defense has also has been tough to break coming off a 118 minute stuffing of Italy before finally faltering. That makes this a match that looks to be a very defensive one. it will be a battle featuring sparks from both offenses and spectacular saves from both keepers, but in the end the home crowd will will its team to victory. Germany wins a 1-0 game of####oal from Miroslav Klose. Giving Klose the golden boot and leaving the generous host with one last moment to celebrate.
Italy Gianluigi Buffon and Fabion Grosso have been the heroes for this Italian squad. Buffon has cemented his place as the best goalie in the world and Grosso has lead with his defense and his offense. Setting up or scoring game winners in two elimination matches. Francesco Totti has been the x-factor coming off a long injury he is still not at full fitness but has lead his team with several assists. Italy has not had the prettiest victories causing distress for diving amongst even the Italian fans, but it looks like that is all behind them after a hard fought and even pretty victory for the Italians against the home team Germany. The Italians are looking for their fourth World Cup victory and arch-rival France is all that is standing in the way.
France Zenedine Zidane is supposed to be aging and slower. Fans were hoping to see glimpses of his former self in this tournament, but instead are being treated to the full length feature. Zizou is back and dominating in a tournament that was supposed to further glorify the greatness of youngsters Ronaldinho and Torress. The three-time World player of the year came out of International retirement to help his team qualify for this World Cup and will retire at the end of this World Cup. Now the legend is one game away from not only making the greatest comeback of all time but growing his legend and placing his name near the greatest players of all time. Zidane is not all on his own though the defense shutdown Brazil, Spain, and Portugal. Makelele and Gallas continue to fight. Young Ribery has provided youth and speed to the attack, and Thierry Henry is finally on the same page as his captain. France is on a roll.
This is what it is all about. This may be the hardest match of the tournament to confidently predict, and I guess that is what makes it such an appealing final. The best goalie in the world versus the best player in the world. The best striker in the EPL against the best striker in the Italian league. Midfield geniuses Zidane and Totti face off. Slightly insane Gattusso against slightly insane Ribery. The luxury of having Del Piero or Trezeguet, Saha or Gilardino coming off the bench. I think this game will end in a 0-0 tie. I don't think it will see PK's. I have to look at history to find the winner. Something about Zidane just creats champions. The 1998 World Cup champion and the 2000 Euro Cup champion (that beat Italy in the final) will do it one last time. Zenedine Zidane ends his career in glory scoring in overtime to beat Italy to become the 2006 World Cup champion and seal his title as player of the tournament and one of the best players in history.
Ok join in with your predictions. This is going to be a wild final.
Germany vs. Italy This will be an all out battle on the futbol pitch. The always physical Germans against the sneaky and feisty Italians. I expect Germany to continue their uncanny ability to score early with a goal in the first 20 minutes. The Italians will try desperately to counter befor the half but instead it will be the Germans who take a 2-0 lead. One of the two goals will be a Klose goal. Italy will get one back in the second half and make the final 15 minutes extremely interesting, but will be unable to find the net and lose a close one 2-1.
France vs. Portugal After a scoreless first half Thierry Henry finds the net early in the second half. After the Portuguese try all their dirty dives and other cheater moves in desperation for a good 20 minutes Zidane will break down the defense with wonderful dribbles and a pass that leads to a tap in goal for Ribery. France wins 2-0.
The sweet sixteen starts tomorrow and as Tommy Smythe put it the matchups are "mouth watering." If you hate soccer then you don't know or care what is going on and I guess you will probablyy skip this blog, but if the salivating sixteen makes you #### all over your keyboard then take a look at my Preview and Predictions and join me with your own.
Germany vs. Sweden A matchup of two European power houses is enough to keep any futbol fan glued to their television. I love Sweden and Ljundberg has been phenomenal but Germany at home is going to be too much for the Swede's to overcome. Look for Klose and Ballack to find the net in a 2-1 win. Ibrahimovic will bounce back from a dissapointing World Cup with the lone goal for the Swedes. Germany wins 2-1.
Argentina vs. Mexico Un guerro de futbol. Mexico is quick, talented, and motivated. Argentina has looked as good or better than any team in the world. Mexico has looked great in the second half of all their World Cup games, but it will be their slow start that ruins them against the explosive Argentina. Crespo will score on a ball from Riquelme in the first ten minutes and Saviola will add a second goal before the first half ends. Mexico will awnser with another brilliant second half with a goal from Fonseca, but it will be too little too late as Carlitos Tevez comes off the bench to drop in one more for the Argentines in a 3-1 victory. Argentina wins 3-1.
England vs. Ecuador Rooney is back and England finally has some offense. This is bad news for Ecuador, but they are not scared. After resting their star strikers and captain against Germany the Ecuadorians are too fresh and confident for England to handle. Ecuador wins a 1-0 battle that features a frustrating plethora of near misses and post clangers for the English. Ecuador wins 1-0.
Portugal vs. Netherlands Young superstars Christiano Ronaldo and Arjen Robben duel off in a game that features some flashes of brilliance from individual stars. The Dutches defense is the difference maker in a 2-0 win for the Netherlands in a game that could have gone either way. Netherlands wins 2-0.
Italy vs. Australia The Italians once again overlook a World Cup opponent and come in way too confident. The Socceroos capitalize on this mistake and take an early lead off a Tim Cahill goal. A refocused Italy comes out in the second half with Pirlo tieing it up with one of his infamous blasts. The first extra time game of the World Cup is a real thriller and the Socceroos wear there glass slipper for a little longer after shocking the Italians in the 12th minute of overtime off of another Cahill goal. Australia wins 2-1.
Switzerland vs. Ukraine A game that is a little boring for the casual fans but a real nail biter for the hardcore. The Swiss defense post another shutout and wins 1-0 on a goal in the 68th minute by Raphael Wicky. Swiss win 1-0.
Brazil vs. Ghana A match that everyone will enjoy. the Ghanians shock the world with another early goal. This one by Stephen Appiah in the 8th minute. All of Brazil is in dismay as Kingston stops shot after shot in the first half. The hopes of the black stars are high going into half up 1-0. Brazil will not be stopped this early though. Ronaldinho makes a run from midfield complete with a give and go with Ronaldo before squirting a shot just out of the reach of Kingston. Ghana knows they are in trouble and the floodgates open wide. Robinho scores from 25 yards out, then Ronaldo breaks the World Cup all time scoring record off a brilliant chip from Kaka. Ghana has a glimmer of hope when Gyan breaks away for a goal, but that is quickly put to rest by a goal from late sub Juninho. The Brazilians win a shootout 4-2.
Spain vs. France France comes out of the gates looking strong but Ribiero fails to find the net after getting a few pretty passes from Henry. The French panic and try to play everything through the aging Zenidine Zidane and the Spanish feast on their weakness. Spain wins easily getting goals from Raul, Torres, and Villa. It is not until the 80th minute that the French stop relying on Zidane and get the ball to Henry who bends a beauty around the blond headed Spanish keeper to keep France from being completely embarassed. Spain wins 3-1.
OK join in on the fun and lets all see how incredibly wrong we all are. And brag our heads off if we get one right. : )
Wow game 1 of the World Cup opener was worth the wait. I did not sleep much last night in anticipation of the best sporting event in the world and now I know why.
Germany started things off with a blast from Lahm from the corner of the 18 yard line. An absolute rocket with no spin moved into the upper right V of the goal off the post and in. Beautiful strike left the Ticos keeper Porras looking helpless. But the overmatched Ticos did not wait long to strike back. Minutes later Wanchope escaped for a one on one with Lehmann and punched it in the net. I can only imagine the uproar that ensued in little Cost Rica who declared today a national holdiay to watch the match.
The celebration would not be allowed to continue for long though. Germany struck back with a nice cross that left Klose all alone for a back door goal that again Porras was helpless to stop. 2-1 Germany and we are only 16 minutes into the game.
2nd half Germany is dominating and looking to put the little Ticos away. Klose again is a lone back door this time for a header that Porras gets his hands on, but he should have wrapped the ball up or punched further away. Instead he set it right back up for Klose who pounded it into the net. At this point I thought Deutschland had the game out of reach.
But the Ticos made it interesting once again. This time with a beautiful goal set up by a nice little chip of a through ball to Wanchope. Wanchope hesitated as Lehmann came out and a German defender sprinted from the side. Calmly or tranquilo in Spanish Wanchope did a stutter step and floated a pretty little lob right past the German keeper and sliding German defender and into the net.
Suddenly the Ticos looked like they could pull out an unlikely tie. But that hope would not come to fruition. It was the Germans that awnsered again with a Goal. With Famed German striker Juergen Klinnsman as the coach it is no wonder that this once brutal defensive squad is playing like an offensive powerhouse. It is strange seeing Germany protect the lead by adding to it and not by hanging back and beating up its opponent, but by scoring. It was Frings who would put the incredible icing on the cake today and set his Nation's hopes on fire. If Lahm's goal was a rocket than Frings must have been something faster than a rocket a warhead perhaps. A onetimer blast from 40 yards out that moved from the center of the goal to the outside and past the outstretched finger of Porras. A goal we will see a hundred or so times in this World Cup because of its brilliance.
Germany wins it 4-2. An opener as thrilling as any and a game that will set the stage for what is sure to be another epic World Cup.
