World Cup Predictions

4 years of waiting and we finally have the 2010 world cup starting in 2 days. There are lots of things to blog about such as significance of this world cup being the first in Africa, the horrible pitch conditions, security at the games, the 'wacky' nature of the game ball, the injuries to many of the superstars but I will focus on who will win each group and my picks for the championship.

Group A: Group A is a three team race between Uruguay, Mexico, and France. (Sorry South Africa the only reason you are in this tournament is because you are the host). France is the favorite on paper but is continuing age. Furthermore the recent scandals with their top players and the fact that the only reason they qualified was a Henry handball does not bode well to the soccer gods. I think the Gods go against France and Mexico and Uruguay qualify over them the blues. \

Group B: The Argentinians are the overwhelming favorites with Greece, Nigeria, and South Koreans also in the division. This will be the world cup that Messi who is considered the best player in the world shakes off the reputation of under performing for his national team. Maradona will provide more drama then the actual games but Argentina should win the group easily. The 2nd spot is up for grabs between Greece and Nigeria. I will pick Nigeria.

Group C: USA will play its biggest match in recent world cup history this Friday against England. It should be a great match and determine who wins the group and gets second place. I don;t believe Algeria or Slovenia will challenge USA or England. With that being said England is nursing several injuries and have not played well leading up to the game. This game means a lot more to the Americans and I believe USA shocks England and takes first place in the group.

Group D: D is a very strong group but with the injury of Esien Ghana will fall out of the race. The Germans are missing several players but should still be able to win the group with Serbia on their tale qualifying in 2nd.

Group E: Holland is looking very strong going into the world cup and I believe they will have a cake walk through this division. The 2nd spot is up between Cameroon and Denmark. I believe Cameroon will win and has the best chance of all the African teams to advance in the world cup.

Group F: Italy received the easiest draw in the world cup and will advance to the 2nd round. 2nd place is up for grabs I believe Paraguay will grab the spot.

Group G: The so called "group of death" has become a little weaker with injury to Drogba weakening the Ivory Coast. Big story lines in the group are North Korea's return to the world cup, can Ronaldo perform wel for Portugal, and will the Brazilians win without their usual attacking formation and without Ronaldinho. Brazil wins the group with Portugal coming in 2nd.

Group H: Spain is one of the big favorites in the tournament and is nursing a lot of injuries. This group does not offer them too many challenges and they should be able to qualify. Honduras is a very talented team but Chile should hold them off for the 2nd spot.

2nd Round:
1A vs. 2B
Mexico vs. Nigeria - Mexico
1C vs. 2D
USA vs. Serbia - USA

1E vs. 2F
Holland vs. Paraguay - Holland
1G vs. 2H
Brazil vs. Chile - Brazil (Tough match for Brazil)

1B vs. 2A
Argentina vs. Uruguay - Argentina
1D vs. 2C
Germany vs. England - Germany (Toss up here)

1F vs. 2E
Italy vs. Cameroon - Italy
1H vs. 2G
Spain vs. Portugal - Spain (Portugal has talent to knock off Spain here)

Quarter Finals
USA over Mexico
Brazil over Holland (I like winner of this game to win the World Cup)
Argentina over Germany (Magician comes again)
Spain over Italy (Youth take over the aging Italians)

Semifinals
Brazil over USA (Could easily be England here but Brazil wins regardless)
Spain over Argentina (Both teams not known to perform well in world cups)

Finals
Brazil over Spain. (Brazil wins every other world cup and continues that pattern)