France started this year’s World Cup playing as poorly as any team, barely surviving a horrible group, and barely able to score a goal. As the tournamen has gone one, they have gained confidence, and Zidane has started to dominate the midfield and pace of the game. He has not played like this in a couple of years. Without Zidane, France would not have even qualified, and now they are in the final. France is very strong up the middle, with Zidane, Henry, Makelele and Viera, and with those four playing well, have been able to control every game they have been in once out of their group.

I really don’t see much offense in this match. France should be able to control the midfield again, but Italy has been so good in the back, and they make great runs up top, I think they may be able to get the first goal, and then bunker in for the win. I just don’t see more than one goal being scored in the is match, and penalty kicks is a likely ending. No one likes to see a World Cup final end in pealty kicks. Prediction: Italy 1 – 0

Germany and Portugal get one more match in the World Cup to decide third place. This is a great chance for both countries to get their young players some experience on the world stage. While both teams will want to win, I hope we will be able to see some players who have yet to see any time this year. Germany should have an advantage playing in front of the home crowd, and should have more incentive to win this match. If Germany can control Portugal’s speed, they should be able to control this match, and put in a couple of goals. This should be a good match, as most of the pressure of winning is off both teams, win or lose, they are both going home. This could be wide open, and I would be surprised if we see a 0 – 0 draw at the end of regulation. Prediction: Germany 3 – 1

Semifinal Predictions

Match 1 – Germany vs. Italy: This one is going to be hard to predict. Germany is playing well, but not fantastic, but they are at home. Italy is playing as well as any other country, but they have had an easy path so far in the second round. Germany should have the advantage in this match, but Italy is capable of playing horribly through 89 minutes and come out of no where to win. Germany should be able to control the midfield if Ballack is healthy. This should be a tight match all the way through, and I can see one team scoring, and the other team having to throw everyone forward, opening their defense up to counter attacks. Prediction: Germany 2 – 0

Match 2: Portugal vs France: I think everyone is stunned to see France here. I am pretty sure no one outside of France even gave them a chance at winning. They played the perfect match against Brazil, slowed them down and kept possession. They will have to do the same with Portugal, as they depend on speed more than any other team in the field. Portugal played well against England without Deco and Costinha, which was a bit of a surprise. This will be a great match-up in the midfield, really a fun match to watch. If Zidane can play like he did against Brazil, I see them having a chance. Henry is dangerous up top always, and has a good chance of scoring in this match. In the end, I think Portugal will be too fast and too good. This could easily go into PKs. Prediction: Portugal 2 – 1

These are two really great matches, you couldn’t ask for much more. I am excited to see what happens. Two of these teams will be going onto the final. I am having a hard time figuring out who I would like to see in the finals, and I think all possible match-ups will be fantastic.

Game 1 – Germany vs. Argentina – what more could you ask for, the home team, playing better than expected, and the team playing the best in the tournament so far. Being in Berlin, this could be a much better match than the next match in Berlin, the finals. Argentina has been so fluid in the midfield, and creative near the box, they could be hard to beat. Germany has had no problem at all in their matches taking control early and not letting their opponent back into the match. This match could go either way, Argentina is the better team, but the crowd will be with Germany. Whoever can get a lucky break should win this match Prediction: Argentina 3 – 2

Game 2 – Italy – Ukraine vs. Italy Italy is fortunate to be here, benefiting from a questionable call in the dying minutes against Australia, while Ukraine is just flat out lucky. Switzerland doesn’t give up a goal in 4 matches, and is sent home. Italy should be able to dominate this match. They need to be careful and not let Shevchenko get loose anywhere in the final third. If they can do this, they should be able to advance easily. Prediction: Italy 2 – 0

Game 3 – England vs. Portugal – Portugal dominated their first three matches, and found a way to win against Netherlands, even though they were outplayed for most of the match. They will be missing both Costinha and Deco due to red cards. They are fairly deep, but Deco has been dangerous, and will be hard to replaced. Christiano Ronaldo has a hamstring injury, but it looks like he may play, giving Portugal a huge boost. England has struggled horribly trying to get the ball in the back of the net. They lucked out on a misplay of a Beckham free kick to get by Ecuador, and they will need much more offensive punch to get past Portugal, which has been scoring at will. England will have to go away from their 4 – 5 – 1 if they want to the semi-finals. While Crouch has not been playing well, but they must pair someone up top with Rooney. England will control the midfield, but will have trouble getting quality chances, while Portugal will need to take advantage of their chances, but should have plenty of counter attack chances. Prediction: Portugal 1 – 0

Game 4 – Brazil -vs. France – While it is nice to see France doing so well in this tournament, I just don’t see the run continuing, even if they weren’t playing Brazil. Spain mysteriously faded in the last 10 minutes, but Brazil is too experienced for that. Brazil is too fast and too skilled to not win this match. If Brazil gets bogged down in the midfield, France may have a chance if they can keep control of the ball, and be careful when they take their chances, so they don’t expose themselves to counter attacks. Brazil just kills you, they can move the ball so fast, and get numbers on the counter attack faster than anyone else in the world. Too bad Zidane has to end his career like this. Prediction: Brazil 3 – 1

Game 2 – Argentina vs. Mexico – Argentina has been the most dominant team so far in this years cup, while Mexico limped into the second round. With Borgetti most likely playing, Mexico will become better, but probably won’t have the fire power to beat Argentina. You have to figure Mexico will have to play perfect defense, and get lucky on the offensive side to win. If Argentina can control the midfield like the have been, they should easily advance past this match. Prediction: 2 – 0 Argentina

Game 3 – England vs Ecuador – England looked pretty dangerous in the first two matches, but fizzled against Sweden. With Michael Owen gone, and the fitness of Rooney in question, England is forced to play Crouch up top for the full 90, and hope that Rooney can play a quality 90 minutes, or they will have to play Walcott, a 17 year old, or just play one up top. England may be stuck in a dangerous situation, finding themselves down a goal with 20 minutes left, and Rooney out of gas. Ecuador has been dangerous, probably the biggest surprise of the world cup. Not having won a match in qualifying away from the home feild at 9,000 feet above sea level. Many expected them to not advance out of group play, and they had a chance to win their group until they faced Germany. This should be a great match. If Ecuador had a better midfield to match their strikers, they would be a favorite to win this game, but I think they will struggle agains Lampard, Gerrard and company. Ecuador will score a fantastic strike, but it won’t be enough. Prediction: 2 – 1 England

Game 4 – Portugal vs. Netherlands – What more could you ask for. Two of the world’s best teams matched up in the round of 16. Portugal has not been challenged yet, and the Netherlands tied Argentina for first in their group. Portugal will not be able to run crazy agains Netherlands like they were able to in the group stage. Portugal is dangerous, and fast, but Netherlands should be able to advance if they can control the runs of Portugal. This should be a great match for all. Prediction: 2 – 1 Netherlands

Game 5 – Italy vs. Australia – After surviving the group of death, Italy will get a pass against Australia. Italy has been playing well, despite the 1 – 1 draw with the US. Australia had to play a qualifying match to even get into the World Cup, and had played well in a poor group. They have been lucky to move this far, and should go out with a wimper against the stong Italy team. Prediciton: 4 – 1 Italy

Game 6 – Switzerland vs Ukraine – Two middle of the road teams, one of which will advance to play Italy in the quarter finals. Neither really belongs here, but Switzerland has been the better of the two teams, winning their group. I am not sure anyone outside of Switzerland and Ukrain and possibly Italy even care about this match. Prediction: A World Cup first, a 0 – 0 tie, and both teams are sent home (actually, Switzerland will win this 1 – 0 in one of the most boring games in World Cup history)

Game 7 – Brazil vs Ghana – Brazil will match up with the Brazil of Africa. Brazil has not been challenged at all, and could have won their three mathces with guys they left at home. While Ghana got some lucky breaks and calls against the US to advance, they won’t get the same against reigning champion Brazil. Predicion: 3 – 1 Brazil

Game 8 – Spain vs France – France has looked horrible in their qualifying and first three matches, while Spain is unbeaten in something like 400 matches. Spain should cruise easily through this match, with speed on the wings and in the strikers, and wonderful control in the midfield. France is aging everywhere, and just are not playing well enough to even score on Spain. Prediction: 3 – 0 Spain

Group G
Despite the fact that France should have been able to walk out of this group playing any of their 23 players, they found themselves with only 2 points after the first two matches, and in serious danger of not advancing. France needed a win over lowly Togo to advance. Despite being a 0 – 0 draw at half time, France had controlled the match, and was unlucky to not score. You knew it was just a matter of time. Shortly after half, they easily scored two goals, and kept the pressure on, and advanced out of the sissy group onto the second round.

Switzerland on the other hand, had taken advantage of the weak group, taking four points from their first two matches, and needed a win or tie over South Korea to advance. South Korea also was in position to advance, needing a win. Switzerland was by far the better team, moving on with an easy 2 – 0 win. South Korea and Japan both looked really weak, just not showing any spark they showed at home in 2002.

Group H
Spain had already booked a ticket to the second round after easy victories over Ukraine and Tunisia, and needed either a win or tie to secure first place, though even with a loss, strange things would have had to happen to push them down to second. Facing a horrible Saudi Arabia team that had already lost to Ukraine 4 – 0, Spain rested all of their regulars, and for the most part, played back ups the entire match. They easily advanced 2 – 0, to take 9 points from a group they should have gotten 9 points from. France should have done the same, but didn’t.

Ukraine on the other hand, after a humiliating loss to Spain, realed off two wins to advance along with Spain into the second round.

Second Round
These were two horrible groups that didn’t provide many good matches at all. Spain will match up with France in Hanover on June 27. The winner will most likely get Brazil in the quarter finals. Spain would have been better taking second in their group, as Ukraine gets Switzerland. The winner of this match will move on to most likely face Italy.

Once I saw the groups, I figured that the US would have to win one of the two matches against Italy or Czech, and then beat Ghana in their final match. You would have to figure that the winner of the Italy, Czech match would also advance, and would probably be the winner of the group.

After a 3 – 0 lashing at the hands of the Czechs, and a spirited 1 – 1 draw with Italy, the US needed a win against Ghana to advance. Two weeks ago, if the two had played, the US would have been favored heavily. After beating the Czechs, Ghana was confident. Ghana gets a goal on a mistake by Reyna that should never happen at this level, and a second goal on a phantom foul in the box. The US finally scored their first goal of the tournament, and their last, as they lost 2 – 1. During all three matches, it was apparent Bruce thought he could get two draws and a win against Ghana to advance. The 4-5-1 should never appear again in US soccer, and may have cost Arena his job.

In the end, the US was picked third in the group, and it would have been a small upset had they advanced, but being ranked 5th in the world, this team sure doesn’t get any respect. And why should they?

Group C
Both Argentina and Netherlands had already qualified for the second round with 2 wins out of 2 matches, leaving today’s matchup of world powers without many stars on the pitch. Most of them were sitting on the bench with no intentions of entering the match. They might as well have watched it at the local pub. Argentina need a draw or win to take first place in the group, while Netherlands required a win to avoid second place. While it was entertaining, it seemed more of an exhibition than a real match. In the end, a 0 – 0 draw gave both teams what they wanted, no injuries, no yellow cards of note and onto the second round.

The Cote D’Ivoire and Serbia and Montenegro match on the other hand was a slug fest. CIV fell behind at half, 2 -0, and came storming back with 20 total shots in the match, and 9 corners, good enough for a 3 – 2 win, and 3 points. Though both teams are headed home, it was a great match to watch.

Argentina takes first place with 7 points, while the Netherlands takes second in the group with 7 points as well. Argentina had a much better goal differential, thanks to its 6 – 0 beating of Serbia and Montenegro.

Group D
Portugal entered their third match knowing it had all but secured first place in the group, and therefor, rested many of it’s stars. Mexico, on the other hand, needed a tie or win to secure their second round spot. Too bad Mexico didn’t show up, and lost 2 – 1 to a watered down Portugal. They were in the match, but just never seemed to control it at any one point. You just knew that if Portugal were in trouble, they could substitute a couple of guys and score at will. When Omar Bravo missed the PK that would have tied it at 2, you knew the match was over. I am sure as the match came to a close, all of the Mexican players and fans were watching the Angola – Iran game more closely than their own.

With Mexico losing, Angola had a shot to advance to the second round with a win over previously winless Iran. All they had to do was beat Iran by 2 goals, and they would advance. It was just too much, as Iran and Angola tied, leaving both teams out of the second round. So. Mexico advances with 4 points, the lowest so far in the tournament.

Second Round
Argentina and Mexico will match up on June 24 in Leipzig, and you have to figure Mexico will once again drop out in the round of 16. The winner of this match will move on to play the Germany/Sweden winner. Portugal gets a great prize for winning their group, the Netherlands. They will match up on June 25 in Nuremberg, with the winner to play the England/Ecuador winner. This should be one of the highlight matches of the round of 16, with two great teams going at each other.

Group A
Both Germany and Ecuador had qualified for the second round after just two matches, but going into their clash, each had 6 points, and Ecuador had the goal differential, so a win by Ecuador or a tie would give Ecuador first place in Group A, while Germany had to win the match to secure first place. With a 3 – 0 win, Germany crushed Ecuador, and ended up with 9 points after three matches, and first place in Group A. Ecuador takes second in Group A. Poland did defeat Costa Rica 2 – 0 to finally win a match in 2006, but it was not enough, as they will be making the trek home along with Costa Rica.

Group B
Going into the match, England had qualified for the second round, while both Sweden and Trinidad and Tobago had a chance to move on. If Sweden were to win or tie their match, they would automatically qualify for the second round, while T&T would require a win in their match and a loss by Sweden. The England/Sweden match ended up being one of the best so far in 2006, ending in a 2 – 2 tie, meaning England ended group play with 7 points and first place while Sweden ended up with 5 points and second place. Paraguay won their first match in a 2 – 0 win over Trinidad and Tobago. Both of those teams are now heading home.

Second Round
Germany will be facing Sweden on June 24, while England and Ecuador will face off on June 25. Two good match ups in the first round of the knock out stage. Fortunately for England and Germany, they avoided each other, and could possibly face of in the finals on July 9.

So, group C turned out to be nothing much at all, the two favored teams move on easily with the other two are still without a point. Group E on the other hand, is still wide open after 2 matches. Italy is the only one that controls its own destiny, if they win, they win the group and are onto the second round. Both Ghana and Czech Republic are in a good position, and if they each win, they are both in. The problem is the Czech Republic will be matched up with Italy while Ghana will be matched up with the US, and Italy is a big favorite over Czech Republic. Asuming Italy wins, the winner of the Ghana vs. US game will advance in second place and will most likely have to play Brazil.

The Group of Death has come down to the last day, and is the only group that no one has clinched a spot in the second round and all four teams are still alive going into their last match.