FIFA World Cup 3/4 Final and Championship

Once again I had a split decision with my FIFA World Cup semi final predictionns.  I was tempted to say that Germany would run away with it against Brazil in my prediction but I used more discretion.  Turns out a bolder prediction would have probably even fallen short of the anihalation that Germany pulled off against the home favorites.

I do feel for the Brazilian fans.  I remember wanting the United States to do better than they did back when the World Cup was held here in 1994 I believe. I did not expect a championship but I hoped for a deep run into the tournament that never came to be.  I know that my disapointment for the U.S.A. back then and even now does not even compare to what the Brazilian people must feel.  With that said, as a die hard Mets/Chargers and Islanders fan my entire life I have a little bit better sense for the heart break that comes with losing.  The perspective I do not have even with my fandom in those sports is that of a fan who is used to his team being dominant or used to his team having a storied history and the expectation that comes with that kind of sustained success.  I imagine when you're used to disapointment you have to mitigate the sting a bit or you would be in perpetual depression.  When you're not used to disapointment then I think the sting of defeat might feel sharper to those people.

As I type Brazil is competing against Holland for the 3/4th place finish.  I want Brazil to win because the Holland coach supposedly made some kind of comment playing down the importance of the 3/4 match up.  I say supposedly because I heard about his comment from a third party and have not looked into them myself as of yet.  IF something like what I was told is true than I would definitely support Brazil.  Plus it would be nice for them to save some face anyway after the difficult and embarrassing lose to Germany. 

I predicted the Netherlands would make the finals against Germany in an all Euro FIFA final.  Argentina however held up their end of the bargin in the originally favored final of Brazil v. Argentina.  I think that both the Netherlands and Argentina played a defensive minded game and were evenly matched.  I still hate the penalty kick as a deciding factor in this sport.  As much as I've come to enjoy football I do not know if I'll ever feel comfortable with excepting the penalty kick as a deciding factor in important games.  Even though I expected the Netherlands to come out on top I am happy that Argentina won.  Messi has been my favorite player in the tournament and I wanted to see him win a title once the U.S. was eliminated.

Semi Final Prediction: the Netherlands 2 Brazil 1.  I think that Brazil will show much better in the 3/4 place final then they did against Germany.  I believe though that without Neymar and after the difficulties and stresses of the loss to Germany that a more talented Netherlands team takes it.  I HOPE though that Brazil is able to prove me wrong and give their fans at least a small sense of redemption and pride for a team they had such great expectations for.

Finals Prediction:  Germany 4 Argentina 2.  I think that the final will be a wide open contest with both teams showing off their offensive chops.  I was extremely impressed though by Argentina's goal tender during the penalty portion of their match against Holland.  The German goal tender has impressed me a lot during the entire tournament and I believe should another penalty kick situation arise that he would be much more up to the test than the Dutch goalie was.   I have hopes for both Argentina and Germany in the final.  I would like to see Argentina win because I think that Messi deserves to have a World Cup title on his already impressive resume.  I also have made some online friends from Argentina over the years.  I would like to see Germany win because from a team stand point they have impressed me the most of any team in the tournament.  I also have online friends from Germany who I would be happy for should the German side win.  Not to mention that it would be kind of nice to see the top team from the U.S. group take the title, with the knowledge that the U.S.A. played a close 1-0 contest agains the eventual World Champion.  My biggest hope is that the final will not come down to penalty kicks.  I would like to see one team or the other win it in either regulation or extra time.

After the Championship match tommorrow I hope to give my final thoughts on this year's FIFA World Cup. 

FIFA World Cup Semi Final Match Ups

The semi finals are now wet with Brazil, Germany, Argentia and Netherlands advancing out of the last round.  I finished 2-2 in the last round as my hope for Colombia and France faded in two closly contested match ups against Brazil and Germany.

First Semi Final: Brazil v. Germany

The big controversy of the World Cup to this point had been Luis Suarez's affinity for biting opponents but that was trumped in the Colombia v Brazil match when National Hero,  Neymar broke a bone in his back after having been kneed in there by a Colombian player.  Leave it to the Sports world to provide the best reality dramas on t.v. today.  Will Brazil collapse without their Super Striker?  Or will the team find inspiration and relief do to lowered expectations and surge into the finals by defeating a German team that became the first team in World Cup history to reach the semi finals four World Cup tournaments in a row?

I like the way both teams have played.  I just wonder if Brazil will lose their flare and lose heart without Neymar.  I think this game really hinges on the first half.  If Brazil is even or ahead at the half I don't see them losing to Germany.  The confidene gained with a first half lead  or goal less tie will be enough as the home crowd carries them the rest of the way.   If Germany can score an early goal then I think we might see the Brazilians succumb to the stresses that have weighed upon them for a good deal of the tournament and lose by 2 or 3 goals. 

Prediction: Germany 2 Brazil 0

I think that the loss of Neymar is too much to overcome against a solid and experienced German team that has been here often and will not feel the pressure that Brazil will in front of its home crowd with a berth in the World Cup Finals at stake.

Second Semi Final: Argentina v. The Netherlands

The Netherlands were a finalist last World Cup and have a talented group of players who are chomping at the bit to get back to the finals and bring home the countries first World Cup championship.  They have several accomoplished players who can put the ball in the back of the net of their opposition.  I think that the number of dangerous offensive players on the Netherlands team gives them an edge over Argentina.

Argentina has the best player on the planet though in Lionel Messi and virtually every goal that the team has scored this tournament has been directly off the foot of Messi or an assist from Messi to one of the other Argentinians.  Messi's importance can not be understated.  Can the Neterlands come up with a game plan to keep him in check and force the other Argentinian footballers to step up?  Will Argetina be lifted on the capable shoulders of Messi Dependence and complete the much anticipated Brazil v Argentina final so many were hoping for?

Prediction: Argentina 2 Netherlands 3

I think that what has been a high scoring tournament thus far will prove to carry out to form in this semi finals match up.   Messi will have an impact as he has all tournament long but that the Netherlands talent up front will provide just enough fire power to counter Messi's star power and get them a return visit to the World Cup Finals.  The Netherlands will then have their eyes and hearts set on the country's first World Championship in a battle against Germany.  The all Euro final may disapoint the South American fans but fate struck a cruel blow to the Brazilians chances and Argentina will need to depend on someone else to step up alongside Messi if they hope to add a 3rd World title to their ledger.  

FIFA World Cup 2014 (predictions included)

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Call me late to the party, but I have to admit that in the last few years I've begun to enjoy soccer (football) a bit more and have a cheering interest for the U.S. team come the World Cup every four years now.  This really began to ratchet up for me four years ago as I watched more FIFA World Cup matches that year than the number I had watched in the previous 9 world cups that I've been alive for.  I believe the only other year I watched any matches was in 1994 when the USA hosted the World Cup.  Why the sudden interest in a sport I never followed before?

I think I can attribute it to a few things.  International Football is televised more than ever before now so I hear the names and occasionally see the star players from other countries more than in the past.  While I do not understand all the rules of Soccer I had the opportunity to watch soccer live a few times for three or four years while my niece played the sport for her high school team.  Watching those games gave me a little bit more knowledge of the rules even though I am by no means an expert on them now.  I think the U.S. success four years ago relative to how they have done in the past also factored in a bit.  It was nice to see the U.S. get out of their first round group and it built some hope and expectation for the future. 

I didn't just watch to see the U.S. play though.  I watched as many of the matches as I could and it was fun to see the talent of teams like Spain and Brazil and Germany, but also exciting to pull for some of the less notable teams trying to pull a major upset.  The FIFA World Cup seems to function as something of a Olympics for one sport.  There is an excitement in the pomp and celebratory nature of the event as it is exhibited by the home country and by the fans of all the teams competing.

Here are the predictions of a very novice World Cup Soccer fan for the teams I expect to survive and advance during the first round.  If I'm right, the top two teams from each group advance.  If I'm wrong then my predictions won't mean a thing.  Haha... well, here goes...

The teams in bold print advance

GROUP A

Brazil 
Cameroon
Croatia 
Mexico

I know that Brazil is supposed to be one of the favorites to win it all every year and I would think that is especially true as the host country this year.  Mexico gets the most press here of any team outside of the United States.  I know the expectations are high but that they needed a bit of an assist from the U.S. team to make the tournament.  Perhaps they ride the momentum of their recent play and make it out of group A, but I'm betting on the Croats to advance along with the Brazilians.  ranking: Brazil-Croatia-Mexico-Cameroon

GROUP B

Australia
Chile

Netherlands
Spain

OUCH!  The news here says that the U.S. is in the "pool of death" with regards to their group, but looking at group B I can't say this one would be much fun to be in either.  My sentimental pick would be Australia, but my head must take priority over the heart on this one.  Spain is a perennial powerhouse and the defending champion.  The Netherlands are returning as the runner ups in 2010.  Chile and Australia are up against it in this group.  ranking: Spain-Netherlands-Chile-Australia (sorry Carlyn >.<)  I hope Australia pulls the upset though and advances. 

GROUP C

Colombia
Cote D'Ivorie
Greece
Japan

Hmmm.  An interesting group here.  I have to humbly admit that I never heard of Cote D'Ivorie in my life.  I had no idea it even existed. >.< (embarrassed face) Unless it's the French name for the Ivory Coast? So please excuse my ignorance here.  I know South America has a long and great history in Soccer so Colombia should expect to get out of this group.   Japan is improving a lot recently and could be a force to reckon with in the future.  I don't like to count them out here but I'm going to say Greece and Cote D'Ivorie (I like the name) fight it out for the second spot.  Sometimes you just need to use advanced metrics a la liking a team name to predict their success.  Greece has had a rough go of things though recently (not talking soccer here) and could use a pick-me-up.  So Greece is the sentimental choice over the other sentimental choice of Cote D-Ivorie.  ranking: Colombia-Greece-Cote D'Ivorie-Japan

GROUP D

Costa Rica
England
Italy
Uruguay

I'm realizing that none of these things are easy to pick as I go group by group.  I seem to remember Uruguay doing well 4 years ago and while I know that does not guarantee anything this time I think they edge England who is always a tough out for the second spot.  If I recall correctly Italy was one of the favorites 4 years ago and underachieved.  Perhaps now they are flying a bit under the radar and overachieve?  I think Italy takes a closely bunched group.  Costa Rica is a beautiful vacation spot. =)  (I like to say something good about every team) Hopefully Jon Bear did not just get his rights to travel to Costa Rica revoked.  ranking: Italy-Uruguay-England-Costa Rica

GROUP E

Ecuador
France
Honduras
Switzerland 

Why do I feel like this group should be thrown into a hat and I should just pick teams out?  I remember a lot of controversy around the French team during the last World Cup.  I think that the shadows of the past rise up and bite the French, with Ecuador edging them out barely for the second spot in group E.  The Swiss make Swiss Cheese of this group.  Sorry I could not resist the cheesy reference.  OMG I just did it again! >.<  Honduras should not be a walk over and it could be I have this group upside down.  ranking: Switzerland-Ecuador-France-Honduras

GROUP F

Argentina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Iran
Nigeria

Argentina's soccer legacy is legendary.  I have an online friend from Argentina which also makes me like to see them do well.  I think Iran comes out on top of this group though as the possible surprise first round pick.  Argentina, Bosnia/Herzegovina and Nigeria fight it out for the second spot with Argentina getting the nod.  ranking: Iran-Argentina-Bosnia and Herzegovina-Nigeria

GROUP G

Germany
Ghana
Portugal
USA

The dreaded "GROUP OF DEATH", even though looking at it now I prefer this group to the one that Australia is in.  It may not matter as the U.S.A. has an uphill climb no matter how you look at it.  We're probably the consensus to take last in this group.  I have high hopes that we overachieve and advance.  With that said.  I've been making my picks with my head (mostly) and not my heart.  If I'm fair about things I must continue with that methodology.  I think that Renaldo will play for Portugal, but will he be 100 percent?  Are his injury issues just "posturing"?  I mean, I know soccer does not have anything like players who dive or fake injuries.  It's completely transparent right?  Well, if it's legit or if it's posturing I think that the injury issues around Portugal sink the Portuguese here.  Germany one of the favorites for the entire tournament take the group and Ghana who is no slouch takes second.  The U.S.A. makes a fun push for U.S. fans but it's not our year yet. =(  ranking: Germany-Ghana-USA-Portugal

GROUP H

Algeria
Belgium
Korea Republic
Russia

I think this group looks the least intimidating of the groups to me.  Belgium stands out to me, but picking the second team is more of a challenge.  I think it would be nice if Asia had a representative in the second round, but I think it's most likely that the Asian and  the North American continents get left out of the advance.  Can Russia build off the momentum of their Olympic successes?  Algeria has just enough to fend off Russia though in my opinion and advance.  ranking: Belgium-Algeria-Russia-Korea Republic

We'll see how it all works out in the end.  No matter what I hope that the tournament is as injury and controversy free as possible.  Sure those things make the tournaments more memorable but I feel for the athletes who compete and put their hearts and souls into the game.  Yeah, several of them are millionaires and many revered and idolized, so perhaps I should not feel too bad.  Playing for your country though often seems to bring out a pride that super cedes the sometimes prima donna nature of some of today's athletes.  Hopefully this year's tournament helps to grow my enthusiasm for this global sport.  Best of Luck to all!  but with that said... GO TEAM USA! =D

I look forward to making my second round picks and eating some crow when I get to pick team USA and Australia to make it to the finals! =D