Christine Jackson/Sports Editor
First on my list of teams to watch during this years’ World Cup is 2006 World Cup Champion, Italy.
The team has nine returning from the 2006 squad, including the worlds best goalkeeper, Gianluigi Buffon and the highly intimidating and powerful Gennaro Gattuso. Though some speculate that this team is past its prime, with this many experienced team members, the Italian squad is sure to blow past their Group F opponents, Paraguay, New Zealand and Slovakia and eventually advance to the semi-finals at least.
Next, Spain. While they have never won a World Cup before, Spain is a huge favorite to win this year. Spain’s National Team has lost only one of its last 47 games and won all of its 10 World Cup qualifiers. Though injuries to Spanish powerhouses Xavi and Fernando Torres may cause some trouble for Spain in the beginning, there’s no doubt they will advance past the first round, and probably, to the final.
Finally, as a die-hard England fan, I have to put a word in for the Three Lions. The English won nine of ten qualifiers and bring with them forward Wayne Rooney, one of the best and most team-oriented players in the world. Their chances to get to the final may be slim, but there is definitely potential. The English will almost definitely advance out of Group C with opponents like Slovenia, Algeria and, yes, the United States.
Gian Wessel/Sports Editor
Three teams that stand out in this year’s World Cup are Argentina, Brazil and Spain. Led by 2009 FIFA Player of the Year Lionel Messi, Argentina’s potent offensive attack will make all the difference in low-scoring games. Having gained confidence from a 1-0 victory over Germany in March, the team should go as far as Messi’s explosive play takes them. The Argentines shouldn’t have any trouble in Group B, which includes Nigeria, Greece and South Korea.
Although the Spaniards have disappointed in recent Cups, they dominated qualifying with a 10-0 record and enter the tournament as a trendy pick to reach the final. An easy Group H schedule and a loaded roster should allow Spain to overcome injuries to stars Xavi and Fernando Torres.
The Brazilians certainly have history on their side, having won a record five World Cups. But this team is no longer centered around the kind of stylish play displayed by Ronaldo and Ronaldhino. Instead, new coach Dunga has the team focused on discipline and world-class midfielder Kaka leads the game’s most balanced squad. Playing in this year’s “group of death” will surely prepare Brazil for elite competition, assuming they survive superpower Portugal and a dangerous Ivory Coast squad.
Max Thoman/Managing Editor
There will be very few upsets in the year’s FIFA World Cup. For instance, after advancing easily over South Korea and Serbia respectively, France and England will face off in the quarterfinals, advancing England to the semifinals. France seems to have dropped out of contention for this year’s cup. England, on the other hand, is led by forward Wayne Rooney and midfielder Steven Gerrard, along with several other A-List stars.
The next quarterfinal will most likely be between the Netherlands and Brazil, one of the few places where an upset could potentially occur. The Netherlands have been strong this year and have proven to be a formidable opponent for every team they have faced in the past month. However, Brazil’s defense is equally as strong, boasting defender Lucio and a strong midfield led by Kaká. This, and Brazil’s strong strikers are going to prove to be too much for the Netherlands to handle, and for that matter, England. So, after a tough and an English defeat, Brazil will find its way into the finals.
In the next quarterfinal match-up, Argentina will continue its dominance over Germany (Germany having beat out the United States) to move onto the semifinals. The end of the road for Argentina lies at the hands of Spain who, beating out Italy and Portugal, will ultimately advance to the finals. Spain is stacked this year, boasting strikers Fernando Torres and David Villa who will no doubt be putting the ball on target over and over again during the course of the tournament. Overall, Spain’s security lies within the hands of its world renowned goalkeeper, Iker Casillas. Without Casillas, Spain’s defense would be terribly weak and have to rely on offensive strategy.
The final game will inevitably be between Spain and Brazil. Brazil will inevitably come out on top after a rough game between two stacked and heavily offensive teams, but it is the defense that will make the difference in the final. Though he may be the best goalkeeper in the world, I doubt Casillas will be able to stand up against the likes of Brazil, while Brazil’s will hold its own against Torres and the famed Spanish strikers. While Brazil’s win will not come easily, after a tough, low scoring and defensive game, it will come.
