WC 2010 - 07.07.

Germany - Spain, Germany to win on penalties @ 10.00 (Various)  0-1 LOST

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I've been thinking a lot about this one and couldn't find any bet in some normal range 1.70-2.50. Germany is maybe is slight favorite, but wouldn't put any money on dnb, or clear win in 90 minutes. They're very young and wouldn't exclude a possibility to crash under the big pressure at one moment.

Spain is a kind of mystery, for me. I have impression they've played much under their full potential. And in all games were playing against extremely defensive formations. Tonight, they'll have more space. On the other hand, some Del Bosque's decisions were really shocking. Keeping Torres in starting eleven, playing with 5 central midfielders, David Silva on the bench... I don't like him, seriously doubt in his coaching abilities and wouldn't be too much surprised if Spain ends the competition even without using their full potential.

Don't have some specific reason for this bet, it's based on instinct. We rarely see some tournament where Germans don't bury someone on the penalties. He he Gamble, of course.

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Tuesday's World Cup round-up

Thousands of supporters thronged Ghana's main airport to welcome home the national team following their agonising World Cup quarter-final defeat by Uruguay .
Kotoka international airport was packed with fans - many drumming and dancing - who started gathering six hours before the team's expected arrival.
National flags were waved at the players as they stepped out of the plane amid a deafening sound of vuvuzelas. Fans carried placards reading 'We love you our heroes, you made Ghana and Africa proud'.
"You've really held high the flag of Ghana and the entire African continent," Nii Nortey Duah, deputy minister of sports, told the players at the airport.
Captain Stephen Appiah said to the crowd: "We did our best but luck was not on our side but we'll go to Brazil in 2014 to be major title contenders."

Diego Maradona and his Argentina World Cup squad declined an invitation by the country's president Cristina Kirchner to be received at the presidential palace because they deemed themselves unworthy.
Kirchner also said that she had tried to speak to Maradona following Saturday's 4-0 quarter-final defeat by Germany but the 49-year-old had been too upset to talk. 
"You know that this president shows her true colours to the people in the difficult moments and not just the good ones," the 57-year-old told a rally in the northern suburb of San Miguel. 
"And I invited our squad to come to the presidential palace. The players refused because they felt they did not deserve such an accolade but I believe they are wrong because they all deserved it and I will wait for them. Yes, long live Argentina. 
"On Saturday, Argentines were very sad. But have patience, Maradona, the squad and the country, even if the sadness, will last. I called him after his press conference on Saturday but he was not able to talk because he was crying. 
"I offer my support because nobody has ever given as much pleasure on the pitch than Diego Armando Maradona gave us." 
Her speech went down well with her audience who answered with joyous cries of: "Ole, ole, ole, ole, Diegoooo, Diegooooooo!". 

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque admits misfiring striker Fernando Torres may not start against Germany. "He continues to be an important player for us and one that the other squad members are used to," he said.
"All strikers go through good and bad runs but he brings his work rate and his personality to the team and he is still our forward.
"You should not necessarily take my words to mean that he is definitely going to be starting (the Germany match) but we have full confidence in him."
A survey in newspaper Bild has shown that 83% of Germans believe their side will win the World Cup.

www.bbc.co.uk

WC 2010 - 29.06.

Paraguay - Japan, Lucas Barrios Man Of The Match @ 7.00 (bet365)  Honda is MOM!Feel I'm gonna puke!

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Japan is a side without a minimum of creativity.Major threats are Honda and free kicks.I'm not at least impressed with their defense line as well.Only reasons is they're here are mentioned two and the fact they had a biggest rival in Denmark.

Paraguay,as all South Americans,play impressive so far.I'm not concerned with their draw vs. New Zealand,more with the fact they've progressed from the probably the weakest group. Key midfielder is suspended.

I think,this will be a tight game and not so sure about backing Paraguay in 90 mins.On the other hand,odd on them to qualify is a misery.Hm...My gambles have been a pure money wasting lately,but will try once again. Simply addicted.

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Spain - Portugal, Spain @ 2.10 (William Hill)  1-0 WON

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Spain played group games under their full potential, did just enough to secure 1st place.The things that worry me here are Torres who's completely out of form and Del Bosque who left his wingers on the bench in the previous game and adjusted Spain's play to Chile! (Miss to use advantage over 3 defenders in Chile's back line.) I'm really scary of his football philosophy,to be honest.Beside that,Spain looks as one of the top favorite to win WC (beside Brazil and Germany,I'd say).

Portugal has a tough defense,13 clean sheets in last 15 games.Not so great opponents though.They played a quiet game vs. Brazil and chose to face Spain (I still don't understand why).They look fine, will be as always when play Spain fully motivated,but...In my opinion,class difference is obvious.And in such type of a games,mental strength (can easily imagine CR to get red) will have important role.

Maybe my bet is not so based on the facts,but really can not imagine any other outcome than Spain's win in a regular time. 

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WC 2010 - 28.06.

Holland - Slovakia, Slovakia to score first @ 3.75 (bet365)  LOST

The Dutch played a perfect qualifications and started WC with all 3 wins and just a single goal conceded (after a doubtful penalty).However,they have a long list of failures on big competitions after underestimations of the opponents and this time they're already seen in a quarter clash against Brazil.Robben is fit,but same as Rooney and Torres and I don't expect (still) great performances from him.

Slovakia made a first class surprise,now they're full of self confidence and can play without any pressure.In a positional game however,they don't have too much chances and it would be only a matter of final result.I expect not so defensive Slovakia and who knows,maybe Weiss got some silly idea to attack Holland.

Class difference is obvious,just I don't see Holland at 1.40 worth of backing and easily can imagine this game going in the wrong way.A gamble for me.

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Bets for tonight will follow.Stay tuned.

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Brazil - Chile, Brazil -1ah @ 2.08 (bet365)  3-0 WON 
red card in the game - yes @ 3.00 (bet365)  NO LOST 

Brazil is top favorite to win WC.In group games,only against Ivory Coast they showed a piece of the full potential.Dunga rested Kaka,Robinho and Elano,all 3 will be in the squad tonight.Both teams know each other very well and I'd exclude any tactical surprise.Brazil likes to play against Chile,6 win in a row,5 of those were with 2 or bigger winning margin.In last 5,Brazil scored 21 goals(!),conceded just 3.

Chile looked good in the group games.Despite two 1-0 wins,they play very attacking.Bielsa forces some little weird formation,with 3 players in a defense line.Del Bosque made a stupid decision,left his wingers on the bench and actually adjusted Spain's game to Chile's,which was scandalous in my opinion.Dunga won't be making such favors.Also,Bielsa will be without his 2 key defenders.

Chile is good enough to keep Brazilians fully focused.Can't see any sign of a surprise.Also,Chile's disciplinary record suggests a big possibility it won't ended peacefully.

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