Saturday's World Cup round-up

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said Brazil's quarter-final defeat by the Netherlands was not a surprise to him.
"I don't think it's a lesson knowing the reality of football," said the Spaniard following the favourites' World Cup exit. "We know that every match can be complicated. We start off on an equal footing and the nature of sport is that anything can happen."

Argentina forward Lionel Messi has admitted he was surprised by England's performances at the World Cup in South Africa.
"I expected England to do well, so I am surprised they had a very poor tournament," he said. "They seemed to freeze. If [Wayne] Rooney, [Steven] Gerrard and [Frank] Lampard are not at their best, the team is bound to suffer. Defensively, England were poor." 

Germany coach Joachim Loew has admitted that he is in awe of Diego Maradona because he feels the Argentine coach won the World Cup on his own, back in 1986.
"He galvanised the whole football world with his skills," said Loew as his side prepare to face Argentina in Saturday's quarter-final match.
"He was simply magic. The culmination of his career was 1986. He virtually decided that World Cup on his own. He left a mark on football like no other player has ever done."

www.bbc.co.uk

WC 2010 - 25.06.

Post will be updated through the day.

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Portugal - Brazil, Correct score Brazil to win 1-0 @ 7.00 (888sports)  0-0 LOST 

With all due respect to Portugal,it will be a matter of Brazil only.They don't need a win,probably some fringe players will get a chance.And Dunga is not Maradona,he doesn't care about 9 points,sending a message to public and such things.If Brazil doesn't win WC he'll be crusified (as Maradona if fails).So,a draw would be fine for him.On the other hand,although Brazil looks tactically perfect,playing for a draw carries some risk.And that risk is second top favorite for winning WC!

Portugal will try to compete,CR will perform some of his tricks,but they're safe as Ivory Coast won't do too much (surely won't win by 9).They'll be playing on the same way as they did against them.

I expect a tough game and Brazil to nick one in the 2nd half.

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UPDATE I:

Chile - Spain, Spain -1ah @ 1.93 (Pinnacle)  1-2 DRAW

Chile won both games 1-0 against two defensive sides.Today they need not to lose by more than 1 (my assumption is Switzerland won't win by 2 or more).Problem is they can't adjust their attacking style of play to opponent.It works when they're favorites,but against Brazil in their qualifications it brought 7 conceded goals in 2 games.3 players in defense line make them vulnerable on the flanks (tonight,vulnerable to Silva,Mata,Navas,Villa...).And I'm not sure playing pressing against Spain will bring them anything good.

After two games,I have impression that Spain has much more potential than they've been showing so far.First game was a bad luck imo,in second only their arrogance and selfishness each to other stopped them not to score few more.Now they feel a fire under the feet and it's the final time to become serious.

Personally don't like Del Bosque and big expectations brought some pressure,but I think they're simply too strong to end WC in a group.

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WC predictions - last part

My vote for WC winners goes for Brazil.

Argentina has Maradona as a coach. Best player in the history and my real idol from the childhood, but coach. No, no way. Considering names (including those that El Pibe wrote off) the best squad in the tournament. But, personally can’t imagine Veron and El Loco with the trophy. Enough.

Spain. Second strongest squad in my opinion. I don’t rate Del Bosque too high, but definitely better solution than Luis Aragones. As the best group they look best, tactically perfect. Bad things, Torres was injured couple of times through the season and he’s not in the best shape. Also, they’re well known as WC “underachievers”, this time a trophy is expected. Something simply doesn’t fit. More instinct than facts, but I’m pretty sure they won’t win WC.

Netherlands, great team with huge attacking potential. If I have to find bad sides, I’d say not so good defense (I mean, not good as other top sides) and Robben who probably won’t be fully fit. I would consider them as favorites, but tragically they’ll face Brazil in quarter-final and will finish the competition.

Italy, too old. France, they maybe won’t even pass the group (personally,would be glad to see it). Anyway, can’t see them further then second round. Other teams have no chance.

Brazil. Dunga looks much better than at the beginning. He wrote off some lazy bags (Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Adriano…) and got a good dressing room atmosphere and the team that looks united on the pitch. The spine of the team: Julio Cesar, Lucio, Kaka and Luis Fabiano. Looks great for me. Also, expect from Robinho to shine (6.50 for him to be Brazil top scorer, hm…). And maybe it’s not so important, but Africa (climate conditions) should suit more to South American teams, than European.

Any comment would be appreciated.

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Normally, bets will follow. Stay tuned.

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Confederations Cup - Third place

Spain - South Africa

Game for the third place. After shocking defeat against USA, Spain will try to save their pride. Vincente Del Bosque has a difficult task to shake the lads. Probably will put some players with lower minutes rate on this competition, into first eleven, but there is no doubt they’ll go for a win.

The hosts come into this game after defeat from Brazil 0-1. Team played over the expectations, defending all the game, successfully stopping attacks from one of the best squads on the world. Bafana Bafana needed just two more minutes to resist, but Danny Alves scored from free-kick, putting the things on the right place and sent Brazil to final. However, players got the confidence, will be more motivated than opponent and the most important without a pressure.

Bookmakers favor Spain, but strange things have already happened in third place games in past Confederations Cups, Australia defeated Brazil (2001.), Turkey beat Colombia (2003.). I can’t see any reason for calculation from both sides and go for goals, rather than winner. Pinnacle offers 2.05. Over.

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Few words about final, later.

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Spain - USA

After the winning of EURO 2008, Spain continued with trashing their opponents. They finished an impressive group stage in the 2009 Confederations Cup by defeating hosts South Africa 2-0 on Saturday night. The victory has given Spain a world record of 15 consecutive international wins. And not just that, by avoiding defeat in tonight’s match, they would also set a new all-time record for unbeaten matches – they are currently level with Brazil on 35. First place in the group with eight goals scored and zero conceded, while strikers Fernando Torres and David Villa both have 3 goals apiece. Vincente Del Bosque has probably the best team in Spanish history. Attacking duo Torres-Villa is certainly the best on the world. Midfield, even without Senna and Iniesta looks masterful, while defence conceded just two goals from last 16 games and a clean sheet has been kept in a remarkable 25 of mentioned 35 fixtures (over 70%)! Considering their current shape, they’re big favorites in this semi-final.

After the first two displays, situation looked hopeless for USA. Two defeats, from Italy and Brazil, with six goals conceded and two red cards deserved. They needed a wonder to pass the group stage. But, in the third game, lads humiliated confused Pharaons (who btw. played defensive in the second-half, trying to keep the minimal defeat!) and with the favor from Brazil who defeated Italy, booked a ticket to semi-finals. Players confidence raised, they’ll undoubtedly put up a good fight in this encounter, but Spain isn’t Egypt. On the other half of the pitch will be (probably) the best eleven on the world. Semi-final is a big success for the Bob Bradley’s squad, but it seems they came till the end of the road. They already beat the odds once, but this time, anything except the convincing defeat is hard to imagine. USA’s main hope will be the underestimation from Spanish side.

It is unnecessary to be said who is closer to final. Spain is much better side and it’s hard to expect USA can repeat the performance from Egypt game. I think we’ll watch an open game and choose bet on goals, rather than Spanish win. Pinnacle offers 1.85. Over.

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