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First lets review how I did with my Round of 16 picks.
Correct picks--Uruguay, Argentina, Netherlands, and Brazil.
Wrong picks --USA (Ghana won), England (Germany won), Japan (Paraguay won), and Portugal (Spain won).
50%. Umm not all that great.
Ok now to pick the Quarterfinal winners. Hopefully this will all work out.
Uruguay/Ghana --- Uruguay has scored 6 goals and given up only 1 goal. Ghana has scored 4 goals and given up 3 goals. Ghana has great team speed, which has proven to cause problems with their opponents, and will do the same here. Uruguay thus far have shown they repel opponents goal attempts. I'm seeing one goal scored and Uruguay wins.
Netherlands/Brazil --- Netherlands, thus far, no draws or losses, 7 goals and 2 goals allowed. Brazil, no losses and 1 lackluster draw, 8 goals scored and 2 goals allowed. This is a toss-up. Both can score and defend. I am going to pick Brazil for this one reason. Creativity. I feel Brazil has the talent to score a goal from out of nowhere. But I won't be surprised if Netherlands pulls out the win.
Germany/Argentina --- Germany has 3 wins, 9 goals scored, 2 goals allowed. One of their wins was a 4-1 rout of England. Argentina has 4 wins, 10 goals scored, 2 goals allowed. Do I give the Germans the chance to prove me wrong again? Yes I do. I'm a glutton for punishment I guess. I'm going with Argentina. Why? Maradona is letting his team play and has not tried to rein in anyone. As a player for Argentina in the 1986 World Cup they won. Can he win the cup as a coach? All of Argentina thought he didn't know what he was doing during the qualifiers. He used a large number of different players throughout. Now, with their advancement through this years tournament, the whole of Argentina is completely behind him. Seems he is coaching as he played, by doing it his way.
Paraguay/Spain --- Will it be an all South American Final Four? Nope. Paraguay can defend, but score they cannot. 3 goals in group play and no goals against Japan in regulation and 30 minutes of overtime in the Round of 16. Paraguay beat Japan 5-3 by penalty kicks. What was amazing about the win was Japan selected as their 4th penalty kicker a defenseman. I don't know why Japan would do that to themselves. Japan was, surprisingly, a strong team. I just feel Spain is too strong and talented to fall to Paraguay. I pick Spain in what will be the biggest goal difference in these 4 matches.
Well there you have it. 3 teams from South America and 1 European team in the World Cup Final Four.
Hmmm I wonder if I have gone over the edge with these picks?
I guess we will watch and find out.
One other note. It seems every game in this tournament has had one or more horrendous calls by the referees. I don't see this changing. It will be a huge black mark on this sport and FIFA if a blown call by a referee, late in any match, decides the outcome. The president of FIFA has steadfastly supported all the officiating in this World Cup. Now, however, there seems to be a ray of light. The president of FIFA announced tuesday June 29, 2010 they will look into the issue of incorporating technology to assist referees. Earlier in the tournament FIFA released a statement saying technology incorporation into the game will not occur.
