World Cup Preditions Re-visited

Not so long ago, I made a few predictions on the upcoming softball…oops, I mean Football World Cup. Now the tournament has gone through the formality of filtering out the rubbish and got down the nitty-gritty, it might be worth revisiting those predictions.

Prediction Number 1: Winners: Brazil.

Looking good at the moment. They’re still in the contest, which is always a good start and scoring goals from off-side positions for fun. After a slow start they seem to have got into their groove and the still overweight Ronaldo seems to be finding some form.

Verdict: Still on course.

Prediction Number 2: Runners Up: Czech Republic

After their 3-0 trouncing of the US, they were looking a good shout. But reality should have told me that, no matter how well you play, beating a team from a country that thinks that football is played with helmets and Kevlar padding isn’t really a good indicator.
They got unlucky with injuries, especially with Jan Koller going off pretty early on and that has probably cost them a spot in the last 16.

Verdict: Think again buddy!

Prediction Number 3: Third Place: Germany

So they’re still in the competition, playing well and looking a good shout. But the thing is, their quarter final opponents, the Argies.
Argentina look good. In fact, they look very good. Riqueleme is running the show for them and they easily have the best passing game of all the sides in Germany.
There’s also the small matter of me having Argentina on the work sweepstake. Germany have the ability to beat Argentina, I just don’t think they will.

Verdict: Don’t count on it.

Prediction Number 4: England: Eliminated in second round.

Another prediction that I marginally got wrong. England have stumbled through to the quarter finals, putting in a series of ‘half’ performances. In some senses, it’s only the luck of the draw that has seen them get this far as, apart from Sweden, their opponents have been a bunch of misfits from South and Central America.
It’s Portugal in on Saturday for Beckham and Co, and if they don’t perform, they’ll be back in Blighty just in time for Sunday lunch.

Verdict: It’s good but it’s not right

Prediction Number 5: Player of the Tournament: Ronaldinho

On current form, it’s a resounding no. He’s been played out of position on the left hand side and hasn’t shown many of the tricks that Spanish league supporters have come to expect.
At the moment, Riqueleme looks to be taking that mantle although there is still competition out there. Don’t write off Ronaldinho though, apart from Riqueleme, nobody has really stood out, and the buck-toothed Brazilian has the ability to change a game in an instant

Verdict: It’s going to be a close one

Prediction Number 6: Top Goal-scorer: Miroslav Klose

This tip’s looking good. Klose is top of the charts as I type this, sticking four in the onion bag before the quarter finals kick-off. If the Germans can overcome Argentina, I confidently predict that he’ll end up with the Golden Boot.

Verdict: Dam! I should have gone to the bookies!

Well, that’s that for my predictions. Looks like I won’t be far out with a few either.

Enjoy your over-hyped, play-acting dive-fest folks!