World at their feet.

It's do or die time now for the four remaining teams in this competition. I'm excited about what's going to happen over the last four games.
Here is how I see it going down.

• Uruguay:
  

This side qualified last for the competition finishing fifth in their south American qualifying group and having to go to a playoff. Getting to the last 4 is an awesome achievement for these guys. I won't bring up the handball saga but let's just say we can all understand the decision. Either way it paid off. They are the underdogs and will have most of the world behind them which is always an advantage.They got nothing to lose so will be going out without as much pressure as Holland. One other thing that Ro said about Uruguay was he guaranteed this would be their last game. Ronan thinks they are planning on boycotting the 3rd and 4th Place play off. I certainly hope not :).

• Germany:

The old saying never write off the Germans has never been more truer. This side has helped light up this competition with goals and plenty of excitement. They came into this tournament without their star player and captain Michael Ballack. This was perhaps a good thing as it resulted in the Germans being underrated by the other teams. They will have a tough game against Spain though and will need to continue with their high pace and army like performance. Klose is looking to achieve the top goalscorer of all time so will be fired up for their game. At the moment it is their cup to lose.

• Holland:
  

I see this team reaching the final and then who knows. I have had my eye on this team like Ro. they just have a lot of quality. I hope my early prediction of Wesley become player of tournament comes through. With 4 goals he is looking good. He was instrumental in gaining the win against Brazil. It is good to see Europe kick the worlds butt. Van Persie needs to pull up his socks.

• Spain:
  

As Ro put it the Spanish team without a doubt has the best man to man team but we all know that it's not individuals who win competitions but teams. The Spanish team is winning games but just not as easily as the German team. This is either a sign of a good team or else just a team not good enough to be champions. David Villa is on fire with 5 though and if he can continue it will go along way to defeating the Germans. Torros needs to show up in this game as upto this point
the team has been carrying him. I hope these teams can provide us with a classic game.


In conclusion I see a Holland and Germany/Spain Final lol. Jokes my heart says Spain so I'm going to stick with my heart.

Come on the final 4. Let's hope the real winners of these games will be football.

Always watching
conor

Ro's Dodgey Predictions

Well....! What an awesome world cup! Definitely expected another call from the land lord today after all of my shouting at the tv late at night over the weekend. And yes!!! I have moved the TV to block my bedroom door so I can shout at it in the comfort of my own bed.... I recommend this to you all. The benefits far outweigh the fact that my balls get a right squeezin every time I need to go to work or get a glass of water for half time.

In my own personal opinion I reckon there are only four teams that can win it now. . . . With only four teams left in the tournament, I think all of you logical readers out there can deduce who these four teams I am talking about are.... Correct! Holland Holland Holland and the Netherlands. I rub my bookies docket for luck before each game! Van Persie will really need to lift his game for me though, I am confident that he is saving his best for last though.

Uruguay, where I do rate them and love Mr. Forland will play their last game this Wednesday. They've done well to make it this far thought, (all be it by a shootable hand ball offence). It may cost them a life or two if they don't keep low to the ground while still in Africa but never the less "fair play". Take one for the team!!!

What a crackin team Germany have turned out to be. Of course it does help when you've been playing with a new ball for a year before every other team. I wonder why klose couldn score before?? I smell a rat! Watch this space.... the euro is about to jump in value!! The new Jabulani economy is upon us! As gary says .... I just cant see them holdin the trophy though. The Germans always think too big, trying to take over the world and such. Their evil Jabulani plan won't work this this time either, the other teams have now got used to the ball which levels the playing pitch (pardon the pun). Spain, the best man for man team in it, have left it too late to hit top form I fear. I do hope torres shows his class before the end of the competition though.

In Summary:

There's only 4 teams in it......

Quote of the Tournament (Fuckin Hilarious)

Maradona pre Germany Game in cheap German accent:

"Vhat's de matter vith you, Schweinsteiger, are you nervousssh?"

Best Quote ever!!!!!!.... Man I miss him.

Euro 2010

World Cup 2010 was officially changed to Euro 2010 last night!

With Holland, Germany & Spain competing in the Semi-Finals you would be forgiven for confusing the WC with a Euro Championship; with Uruguay the only exception.

In two of the most exciting games so far, Holland & Germany sent the two South American superpowers crashing out of the Cup with convincing performances. Neither Brazil nor Argentina could answer the European's attacks.

It's been a mixed bag for European teams so far this year with France, Italy & England bowing out with disappointing form while their 3 counterparts fight it out for the cup. However South America had some serious contenders with Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay & Chile all producting some amazing performances. However their only hope rests with Uruguay after Spain scraped past Paraguay last night.

In my opinion the South African World Cup will be remembered for two things: Vuvuzelas & the controversial Jabulani football. There's no doubt in my mind the ball has benefited a couple of teams over others i.e. Germany!

Joe

Divided Loyalty

So in my earlier predictions I thought Paraguay would be the surprise team of the tournament. I thought they would get out of the group and maybe go out in the next round. So why are people not raving about them?

The football they are playing is not winning them too many fans. They are to the World Cup what Greece was to Euro 2004. They are playing really solid football and I think we are going to see the shock of the tournament against Spain.

Spain have found it hard to get going against very compact teams like Switzerland and Portugal and I think Paraguay are very good defensively. Spain have quality all over the pitch but where they suffer is with their width. Players like Navas and Pedro need to have very good games out wide and hope the likes of Villa and Torres can get the service they need.

I know I have Spain as the runners up to Brazil but I love the football they play and the type of players they have. So my predictions for tonight is as follows:

Brazil to beat the Netherlands comfortably. Brazil will close down the likes of Sneijder and Lucio will have Van Persie in his pocket. I hope Holland start with Robben and two up front to help out Van Persie.

Uruguay will beat Ghana with Forlan to have a bit too much for the Ghana defence.

Argentina v Germany! I'll be honest I don't have a flucking clue who is going to win this game! I have a feeling Messi is due a big game and this could be the one. If Argentina do win I think I will have to start taking Maradonna seriously and that is a scary thought...

Enjoy the games!

Charlie

Lets get ready to rumble!!!!!!

Italy and France met in the 2006 final,in 2010 they met at the airport!!!

Things will get very interesting from here on in.Teams will have to go for goals now and we will see more exciting games.Some peoples comments about this being the worst world cup ever have been very harsh.People had said this after just a handfull of games. Group stages are always like this. You just have to get the job done. Teams who have not impressed in their groups have often went on to win the World Cup. Thats why you can't write England,Spain etc.. off

A lot of people have questioned the defensive aspects of a lot of sides in the World Cup....but why does that surprise anyone???I can't speak for the South American teams or Asian teams, but in Ireland and England why does this surprise us?If you try and do a piece of skill (a backheel,a flick etc...) you get lamented by the other players "cut out the tricks.....stop the messing!!!!".I remember once I did a great piece of skill and still got abuse from my own players. This sort of culture exists in football today,in a lot of countries. The South American teams encourage skill because they know how important it is to turn a game. The great players are great because they are masters at one on one situations,their skill can beat their opponent,with a little shimmy or faint. That may well be the key to winning this World Cup. It is decision maijg plus your skill. Thats the problem these days, people don't express themselves enough!!!They stay within themselves!!!!

I am still backing Brazil to win because they have players who have skills,combined with discipline (bar last night lol) and experience to win the World Cup :-)

Gary

Aussie Aussie Aussie Bye Bye Bye

It's was upsetting to see the exit of our adopted nation today from the glory of the World Cup. Many people are blaming Pem and his slighlty negative play, but it was really lost with two moments of madness from Tim Cahill and Harry Kewell. Noone can deny that those two incidents jepordised the team getting enough points and goals.

With that said the side showed real guts, determination and a never say die attitude that would make any man proud. Let's hope the future manager of Australia witnessed this fight. One learns more from a loss than a win so this could be the silver lineing.

One final acknowledgement for a super effort by the team. CLAP CLAP CLAP

Finally after 35 games we got to witness a free kick from South Korea of all nations. Let's hope it's got the ball rolling (pardon the pun). The Asian sides seem to have a great master of this ball and always seem to get the height perfect.

Also a mention must go to 7-0 Portugal V Korea DPR. Fantastic and I witnessed it and taught there you go Tom. Some goals for you. Most ever in FIFA world cup game.

I sit here right now about to watch New Zealand V Paraguay and pray that perhaps I will witness another Magic Moment. Twice now New Zealand have dazzled (slightly over flattering) and shocked the world can they do it again.Fingers and toes crossed. Was Going to put up Kiwi flag but Amy would give out to me.

Enjoying the Cup,

Conor

Seeing Red

Apart from the poor performances from England & France, the level of refs at the WC also leaves a lot to be desired. Not surprising really when Fifa recruit refs from Uzbekistan, Mali and the Seychelles!!

Many of these refs have shown themselves to be very trigger-happy with their cards, racking up some ridiculous stats. Nine days into the WC and we've already had as many red cards - 9 averaging one for every 3 games! Refs have also dished out an astonishing 111 yellow cards!

The worst effected teams have been the Socceroos with 2 reds/ 4 yellows & their group rivals Serbia with 1 red/ 8 yellows. The game with the most cards so far, was Germany Vs Serbia with 1 red and 8 yellows!

Harry Kewell received the fastest red card so far, 24mins into the Ghana game on Saturday night. While Kaka took the record last night for the least time between bookings with 2 yellows and a red in 3mins!

It's easy to give out about the referees and obviously a lot of the bookings were warranted. But their split-second decisions have been off the mark, inconsistent & have made a massive impact on games for the wrong reasons. I hope Fifa intervene and get it sorted before the knockout stages.

*Update: 11 days - 11 Red cards!