A short peek at a few teams that have made it to the Fifa World Cup 2010...
South Africa - The hosts... African teams are known for their physical approach and the Bafana Bafana are no different... They will try and close the opposition down and will fight hard for the ball... Might make it through to the Round of 16 as Group A runners... Argentina will run them through...
Italy - Easy Passage... In my opinion are not a force that they used to be... they are defensively very good(nothing new about it) but offensively, they will be found wanting!!! Midfield is not so strong as it used to be(old legs) and too much of reliance is on experience and defence. Will make it to the quarters... I wouldn't bet on em beyond that...
Germany - Der krieg Maschine!!! Brutally efficient in grinding out results when it matters... Will reach the quarters for sure(Germany/Mexico being their most probable opponent)... But keeping is their spot of concern and it might prove to be their undoing!!!
France - Au revoir... Id prefer not to speak about them... None of the areas are all that strong... Weaknesses everywhere... heavily dependent on ribery and henry... Will get through to the Round of 16... Greece will be awaiting them.. that could be their stumbling block...
Portugal - Done in by Fate... A good team, decent coach and with a fair bit of luck could have found themselves in the quarters if not for the Group!!! They will be the valiant losers in the group of death and will find themselves falling for the Samba Magic and Ivorian Strength!!! A long walk back for the best footballer on the planet!!!
Ivory Coast - Tough Group!!! If they do make it outta that, they would mostly run into spain... They got a real tough team there, but still might not reach the quarters...
Netherlands - Orange Blitzkrieg!!! One of the most talented and fast teams around, they will have an excellent campaign(till the quarters)... Will breeze past their opponents till they encounter brazil in the quarters... And thats where they'd most likely fall...
Argentina - Talent Aplenty!!! They have the flair and the guts to go all the way, but sadly lack the coach who could take em there!!! :( A brilliant squad with excellent players could be scuppered by an inept coach... Maradona was an extrodinary player, but makes a sad coach... Quarters would be easy... They would'nt make it beyond the semis though!!!
England - Blooper Boys!!! Might try hard... Quarters is what they are accustomed to... Semis are my best bet... they might make it to the semis (Ghana is 16 and France/Greece in the quarters)... That's brazil waiting for them there... Deja vu!!! Third Place could still be theirs(Germany/Argentina most probable opponents)
Brazil - Jogo Bonito!!! Hope for some Samba magic!!! They are most definitely the team to watch out for apart from spain. Brazilian players are extremely technically gifted and have that uncanny ability to provide the moment of magic that turns the match on its head!!!
Spain - Viva Espana!!! The team to watch with so many players in the form of their lives!!! A look at their bench and you know why they are the best... If Fabregas, Jesus Nevas and David Silva warm the bench alongwith Victor Valdes and Pepe Reina(Marcos senna and Negredo didnt even make the squad), you got to know the quality of the first 11.
Brazil Vs Spain Final!!! Bring it on!!!
