And Then There Was 4

[Spit the Dog]

So, who is going to win the World Cup now? The much anticipated final of Brazil and Argentina won't happen as they are both out, and England have been sent homewards to think again after failing to deliver in yet another major tournament.

We know now that the World Cup will be won by a European team, but which one?

As the Germans are playing on home soil and have played the best football of the remaining 4 teams, they will be many people's favourites. However being the favourites doesn't guarantee success.

The Italians look strong and are always capable of grinding out a result. If they can overcome the Germans, then they will be confident of beating whoever they face in the final.

After the first 2 games of their group, France were written off. Zidane was past it. Henry couldn't perform in the big games. Well, they have made improvements and have since disposed of the impressive Spanish and the mighty Brazil.

The Portugese are very ordinary. They couldn't create anything against a struggling 10 man England side and their theatricals and negative tactics haven't won them many friends amongst the neutrals. In their favour, star player Deco will return from suspension and could provide the spark that they were missing agianst England.

If I could choose a final, then I would go for a Germany v France final. As for the eventual winners, I would probaly go for Germany although I wouldn't stake my house on it.

[OneeyedJohn]

Dear sir,

I couldn't care bloody less.,,Is Wimbledon still on?

Yours sincerely,

England supporter.

[aaaaaa]

The Portugese are very ordinary.....

that might be - however their coach Scolari is not. he's got credit for Brazil's 2002 trophy and Portugal's second place performance in UEFA Euro 2004 (got to the final, lost at last to Greece). "Win or die trying" - said about his motto.

[Spit the Dog]

Dear sir,

I couldn't care bloody less.,,Is Wimbledon still on?

Yours sincerely,

England supporter.

I think all the English are out of that tournament too, John.

[OneeyedJohn]

Reading between the lines here,,,does that mean that Murray character is still there ??

[Pink Mist]

where is the fly when he is needed to mouth off?

[Sing_Sling]

I'd agree . . . if Germany can beat Italy - which is by no means a given - then I can't see either France or Portugal beating Germany.

Final:

Germany : France

Winner . . . gulp . . . Germany . . .

[aaaaaa]

Dear sir,

I couldn't care bloody less.,,Is Wimbledon still on?

Yours sincerely,

England supporter.

England sucked !

allow me to use your own phrase (in another thread) to characterise their preformance :

"pity they didn't go straight to penalties"

I bet that would save a lot of time and energy. after all, they couldn't do even as much as Ukraine and Portugal !

[kayo]

Final will be France ' Germany.

France will take it 3 '1

Henry will score two and trezeguet will score a last minute Cherry on the pie.

[aaaaaa]

wait just a bit - there might be no Germany in finals at all !

Italy and Portugal proved to be unpredictable. Italy are trice World champs previously, perhaps next only to Brazil (5 times).

so, if Portugal is so easily dismissed - then Italy I don't think should be. it might be Italy-France finals. won't that be such a sweet revenge on germans for their getting World cup in Italy in what' '94 ?

[kayo]

ok.... As long as france wins.

(After Holland and England, I support france... you know, in case you missed that... (spent time there as a kid, and my mother still lives there))

[rainman]

this one is going to germany. quote me after the world cup on this.

[lambous]

The 3-0 scoreline was flaterring for Italy. Ukraine broke down the Italian defence and had a number of golden opportunities to equalise when they were 1-0 down. Italy were struggling untill the last 20 minutes when they eventually finished them off. They struggled to beat Australia and got away with a 2-2 draw against USA. If a poor team like Ukraine (4-0 loss to spain, lucky penalty to beat Tunisia) can do that to Italy, Germany shouldn't have any problems. The likes of Klose, Podolski and Ballack will put away any chances they are presented with. Germany have dominated every match they've played apart from the last one against Argentina however they showed enough spirit to come back from 1-0 and down against a very good side. Germany will be too strong for Italy at home.

Not impressed with France at the beginning of the tournament but as Henry said, "all the teams that played well early in the tournament are now watching the World Cup on TV". After watching them play well against Brazil I'm tipping them to beat Portugal who seem like they are fading as the tournament progresses, however France won't win as easily as some people might think because Scolari will have the Portugese tactically prepared for the match.

It will be a Germany vs France final with a Klose header to decide it in extra time.

Edited July 2, 2006 by lambous

[Rinrada]

At least now there are four half decent teams in the semi finals after all that farfing around over the last couple of weeks.

Italy and the Pork and Cheeseses look good but recon the "Grande Finale" will be between the French and Germans.

Obviously the Berlin bruisers are favourites and are playing real good football at the mo but I wouldnt underestimate Les Francais ....silent but deadly. ..old ..un deu trois.... et sacre bleu..

Hopefully now a good run up to the final and no red cross parcels in sight....

[Insight]

this one is going to germany. quote me after the world cup on this.

Preemptive quote on this one, but I think you’re right.

[lampard10]

Portugal beat the best, so theorecically they must win it. I would like to see Portugal win it, but with Poofter Ronaldo sent off in the semi's and miss the final.

[kayo]

Yeah, true... they beat Holland....

[Sing_Sling]

wait just a bit - there might be no Germany in finals at all !

Italy and Portugal proved to be unpredictable. Italy are trice World champs previously, perhaps next only to Brazil (5 times).

so, if Portugal is so easily dismissed - then Italy I don't think should be. it might be Italy-France finals. won't that be such a sweet revenge on germans for their getting World cup in Italy in what' '94 ?

Though it's true that Italy are three-times World Champions - as is Germany - but Italy won two of their crowns in the 1930's . . .

I still wouldn't put it past Italy to beat Germany, they have a fantastic player like Pirlo to direct play and some deadly strikers.

Ballack has been a great disappointment and Borowski should really take his place.

Portugal seem too decimated and flogged to put up a real fight with France.

[adjan jb]

Final will be France ' Germany.

France will take it 3 '1

Henry will score two and trezeguet will score a last minute Cherry on the pie.

If France make it to the final, you can be sure that Zizou will score (at least) one goal.

[tigerbeer]

portugal gonna win! and everyone is going to see CR kiss the cup.

[Khun Yak]

I'd agree . . . if Germany can beat Italy - which is by no means a given - then I can't see either France or Portugal beating Germany.

Final:

Germany : France

Winner . . . gulp . . . Germany . . .

I second that without any gulp. It's time for more confidence now

....won't that be such a sweet revenge on germans for their getting World cup in Italy in what' '94

If I may correct you on that:

54 74 90 2006...

Edited July 4, 2006 by Khun Yak

[thankuverybig]

not sure i'd be particularly overjoyed if italy won it.have you seen how many draws they had leading up to the world cup?

i'd go for the team thats had the least luck,getting where it is.not sure thats easy to judge though on this world cup.

[AsiaWolfie]

just 5 hours to go, but even I wished my home country could win the CUP this year, I am not very optimistic..... I dont think they will be able to beat ITALY tonight..... ITALY is my big favorite to win the title now.... they have the best defence in the world, and a lot of players who can score at any time needed..... if they score the first goal in a game, its almost impossible for their opponents to come back.... I think the winner of this semi-final will make it to the throne then later on....

[Backpack_thailand]

Italy!

Had a tenner on them from about a month before the World Cup @ 12/1.

Lovely Jubbly!

[aaaaaa]

Final will be France ' Germany.

France will take it 3 '1

Henry will score two and trezeguet will score a last minute Cherry on the pie.

see - just as I told you - perhaps no Germany in final at all !

[aaaaaa]

this one is going to germany. quote me after the world cup on this.

sorry, mate - seems like you won't be quoted after all.

I might be though ! (two posts before your this one I said Germany might be ousted)

I feel realy GOOOOOOD. I am not Italy's supporter, but I'm glad they've revenged Argentina in some sense. I'm still angry with Germany and Klose for their performance in that match.

[rainman]

this one is going to germany. quote me after the world cup on this.

sorry, mate - seems like you won't be quoted after all.

I might be though ! (two posts before your this one I said Germany might be ousted)

I feel realy GOOOOOOD. I am not Italy's supporter, but I'm glad they've revenged Argentina in some sense. I'm still angry with Germany and Klose for their performance in that match.

you sure? after all you just quoted me

[aaaaaa]

I'd agree . . . if Germany can beat Italy - which is by no means a given - then I can't see either France or Portugal beating Germany.

Final:

Germany : France

Winner . . . gulp . . . Germany . . .

I second that without any gulp. It's time for more confidence now

....won't that be such a sweet revenge on germans for their getting World cup in Italy in what' '94

If I may correct you on that:

54 74 90 2006...

well, would you please GULP now ? it is the right time to gulp, you know!

and thanks for your correction, yes, that was '90. in '94 Germany couldn't make it even to semi-finals, beaten by ...

Bulgaria, who had never won a FIFA World Cup match in 16 previous attempts, were the biggest upsets beating Germany en route to the semi-finals.

UA5555555555555

and in '90, that time they also beat Argentina in the same fashion - on penalties:

A disappointing FIFA World Cup™ with too much dull defensive football and matches won on penalty kicks. The final itself between West Germany and Argentina was the least inspiring in the history of the competition and ironically decided by a late penalty converted by West Germany's Andreas Brehme.

seems like Germans often adopt this tactic : dull defense, then winning on penalties. (well, England or Sweden couldn't do even that much )

but now, if I may correct you :

54 74 90 2006

oh, and about ... - isn't it TOO EARLY to say at the moment, if even THIS final, 4 days from now was too early to predict WITH or WITHOUT GULP. what to say then about next one, 2010, which would be in 4 years, not days ?

I mean, German team , all their fans and supporters (as you) were SOOOOO sure and confident WITHOUT GULP. and such a turn of events !

as one of players (I think that was either Arg or BRazil's) said - World Cup final is like a lotery .....

[aaaaaa]

you sure? after all you just quoted me

well, that's true. but then - so did you just now - didn't you ? I guess we are even then ...

anyway, you know very well what I mean.

[rainman]

anyway, you know very well what I mean.

no, explain.

i would have rather seen a 'mixed' world cup final this year than all-european teams, but it seems that's just the way its going to be. the worst thing of a final would be italy vs. france, both teams played really bad in the group stages and never really took off in the next rounds, so i'm hoping on portugal now... but either way wimbledon just became a whole lot more interesting.