The 2010 World Cup has seen its share of failures and fairytales, and following each team’s elimination the futures of the managers have been under immediate scrutiny. Some nations exceeded expectations, while others failed to meet them – so which bosses live to fight another day?
STAYING
Fabio Capello will continue as England manager despite their second-round elimination in South Africa.
Netherlands – Bert van Marwijk – Final
Guiding Netherlands to their third World Cup final should be sufficient to secure Van Marwijk’s job, especially when you consider their 2-1 victory over five-time champions Brazil in the quarter-finals.
Spain – Vicente del Bosque – Final
Del Bosque has built on the success achieved by Luis Aragones and taken Spain to their first World Cup title. With a squad containing talents such as David Villa, Xavi and Andres Iniesta, the 59-year-old will be sitting pretty at the end of the tournament.
Uruguay – Oscar Tabarez – Semi-finals
As the surprise package of the 2010 World Cup, Tabarez’s Uruguay were narrowly beaten in the last four by the impressive Netherlands. Their quarter-final win over Ghana will live long in the memory, and Tabarez will take plenty of credit for his team’s gutsy performances.
Paraguay – Gerardo Martino – Quarter-finals
After a respectable World Cup campaign, Martino’s contract expired, but after a week in which to consider his future he announced that he would staying on until the 2011 Copa America tournament.
England – Fabio Capello – Second round
His reputation was ripped apart by a dismal showing, but the FA’s decision to remove a get-out clause a week before the tournament means he will stay as it cannot afford the £12 million severance package
Serbia – Radomir Antic – Group stage
Antic believes his team’s 1-0 victory over Germany should ensure he keeps his job. Although he may wish to continue as Serbia coach, he may be forced to accept a cut in his £1.2 million salary.
Slovenia – Matjaz Kek – Group stage
Kek’s side came within seconds of advancing to the second round only to be denied by USA’s last-gasp winner against Algeria. Despite their disappointment, Slovenia far from disgraced themselves in South Africa and Kek’s position should be secure.
Switzerland – Ottmar Hitzfeld – Group stage
Hitzfeld has confirmed he will stay as Swiss coach, as long as he is wanted by the fans. After a shock win over Spain, defeat to Chile and a limp goalless draw with Honduras, opinion will be well and truly divided on his future.
Honduras- Reinaldo Rueda – Group stage
After defeats to Chile and Spain, Honduras avoided the shame of heading home without a point after a goalless draw with Switzerland. Expectations were low heading into the tournament, and they were duly met. Rueda should be safe.
GOING/GONE
Dunga came under heavy pressure for his conservative tactics
Brazil – Dunga – Quarter-finals
Unpopular before the tournament, anything but bringing the trophy back to Brazil would’ve been a failure for Dunga. After their quarter-final exit at the hands of Netherlands, the writing was on the wall for the Seleção’s former captain. But he had always said he would quit.
South Korea – Huh Jung-Moo – Second round
Following Huh’s announcement prior to the tournament that he was to step aside as coach, South Korea have had time to plan for his departure. A shortlist has now been drawn up of a dozen Koreans who could potentially take his place.
Mexico – Javier Aguirre – Second round
Aguirre resigned as Mexico boss following his team’s failure to reach the last eight in South Africa, saying it was, “the most honest thing to do.” Mexico are now looking for their sixth coach in four years.
Japan – Takeshi Okada – Second round
Okada announced before the World Cup he would be leaving his position and retiring to become a farmer. Having watched his team play their way to the second round, Okada can plough his fields content in the knowledge he performed his duties adequately.
Ivory Coast – Sven-Goran Eriksson – Group stage
Hardly value for money – $3 million for ten weeks in charge and three poor matches – Eriksson has walked away with his bank balance yet again enriched without achieving anything to shout about.
South Africa – Carlos Alberto Parreira – Group stage
When his contract expires at the end of July, Parreira will head back to Brazil to consider his future. After managing the first host nation to be knocked out in the first round of a World Cup, he is unlikely to return as Bafana Bafana coach.
Greece – Otto Rehhagel – Group stage
Rehhagel ended his nine-year spell as Greece coach by resigning after their elimination. After leaving South Africa on a low, the German coach can always look back on the unbelievable highs of Greece’s Euro 2004 triumph.
Italy – Marcello Lippi – Group stage
Entering the tournament as champions, Italy left South Africa having finished bottom of a group containing New Zealand. With the Azzurri’s ageing squad failing so dismally, Lippi stepped down and former Fiorentina boss Cesare Prandelli has stepped into the breach to lead a much-needed overhaul.
Cameroon – Paul Le Guen – Group stage
Simply put, Cameroon had a torrid time in South Africa. Defeated in all three games, Le Guen also made the baffling decision to play Samuel Eto’o on the right wing. After such a poor campaign, Le Guen was bound to be Le Gone.
Australia – Pim Verbeek – Group stage
Verbeek will leave his post and will do so after a disappointing tournament. Publicly criticised by Socceroos’ striker Josh Kennedy, his reign has ended on a sour note and he leaves to take up the role of national youth technical director for Morocco.
UNCERTAIN
Germany – Joachim Low – Semi-finals
Low’s team were far and away the most entertaining team in South Africa and he has been awarded the German Federal Cross of Merit for his side’s achievement. But he has said that he needs a few days off to consider whether to continue with Die Mannschaft and as previous negotiations have been tricky, Germany fans won’t be counting their chickens just yet.
Argentina – Diego Maradona – Quarter-finals
It has been announced Maradona will be the man to decide whether or not he continues as Argentina coach. After his squad flattered to deceive in a limp quarter-final exit to Germany, will El Diego have the heart to give it another go?
Ghana – Milovan Rajevac – Quarter-finals
Rajevac will look back on this World Cup with pride having led Ghana to within a penalty kick of the semi-finals. With rumours of a lucrative offer from Al Sadd in Qatar, the Black Stars will struggle to hold onto their Serbian coach.
Portugal – Carlos Queiroz – Second round
Portugal limped through their World Cup qualifying campaign, and headed home having only managed to find the net in one game, against North Korea. Combined with Cristiano Ronaldo’s South Africa no-show, Queiroz will be lucky to get a second chance – although the signs are that he might.
Chile – Marcelo Bielsa – Second round
After seeing his side beaten by Brazil, Bielsa would not be drawn on his future as Chile coach. Their vibrant attacking football won them admirers during the group stage, and Bielsa will be keen to develop talents such as Alexis Sanchez, so he may stay.
USA – Bob Bradley – Second round
Bradley made the not-so-cryptic comment of saying he “always enjoys new challenges” following USA’s defeat to Ghana. He has been linked with a move to Fulham but having moulded the Stars and Stripes into a respected unit, fans will be hoping his new challenge is qualification for Brazil 2014.
Slovakia- Vladimir Weiss – Second round
Appearing in their first World Cup as an independent nation, Slovakia produced a major shock to defeat Italy and make it to the second round. Weiss has a promising batch of youngsters in his squad (including his son) and will surely want to see how they can develop over the next four years.
New Zealand – Ricki Herbert – Group stage
It seemed impossible prior to the tournament, but somehow New Zealand managed to leave South Africa unbeaten. Herbert may now face a choice between coaching the All Whites or continuing as the boss of A-League side Wellington Phoenix, as a dual role could be out of the question.
Nigeria – Lars Lagerback – Group stage
Nigerian football has been in turmoil since they were knocked out in South Africa. With the government attempting to stop the national team playing altogether, the Swede who oversaw their failure was offered a renewed two-year deal and is making his mind up.
North Korea – Kim Jong-Hun – Group stage
North Korea lost all three of their games in South Africa, although having been grouped with Brazil, Portugal and Ivory Coast this was hardly surprising. They may have been hammered 7-0 by Portugal, but a battling 2-1 defeat to Brazil could be enough to keep Kim Jong-Hun in the job.
Denmark – Morten Olsen – Group stage
After a decade in the Denmark hot seat, Morten Olsen may feel it’s finally time to relinquish his position. Denmark looked lively at times in South Africa, until they were soundly beaten by Japan and he has already said there must be improvements.
Algeria – Rabah Saadane – Group stage
Speaking after their defeat to USA, Saadane claimed a lot of people would like to see him leave. Having finished bottom of Group C, with one point and without scoring a goal, he might find himself leaving the post for the fifth time in his managerial career.
In claiming its first World Cup championship with a 1-0 win over a hardworking but ultimately overmatched Dutch team, Spain demonstrated that playing beautiful football isn’t a reward in itself. If you want the trophy, sometimes you’ve got to win a little ugly. And this game was no a piece of art. Spain was more than willing to play, but Holland was not going to allow it.
It was an understandable choice. In its earlier appearances in the finals of 1974 and 1978, Holland was considered soccer’s elite squad. This time those shoes were on Spanish feet, and Holland made no pretense about trying to copy the precious possession game that brought Spain the European championship in 2008.
It would all come down to one cross in a hundred that Holland couldn’t deal with. It was a just ending, ample reward for Spain’s skill and industry. This game had the potential to be tremendous, yet it was tremendously disappointing.
A thunderous roar erupted across the Spanish capital and fans danced in the streets and chanted “Viva Espana!” as the country’s first ever FIFA World Cup™ trophy sparked a nationwide fiesta. The centre of the capital was a sea of the red and gold national colours as Spain celebrated its agonising 1-0 extra-time win over the Netherlands on Sunday.
In claiming its first World Cup championship with a 1-0 win over a hardworking but ultimately overmatched Dutch team, Spain demonstrated that playing beautiful football isn’t a reward in itself. If you want the trophy, sometimes you’ve got to win a little ugly. And this game was no a piece of art. Spain was more than willing to play, but Holland was not going to allow it.
It was an understandable choice. In its earlier appearances in the finals of 1974 and 1978, Holland was considered soccer’s elite squad. This time those shoes were on Spanish feet, and Holland made no pretense about trying to copy the precious possession game that brought Spain the European championship in 2008.
It would all come down to one cross in a hundred that Holland couldn’t deal with. It was a just ending, ample reward for Spain’s skill and industry. This game had the potential to be tremendous, yet it was tremendously disappointing.
A thunderous roar erupted across the Spanish capital and fans danced in the streets and chanted “Viva Espana!” as the country’s first ever FIFA World Cup™ trophy sparked a nationwide fiesta. The centre of the capital was a sea of the red and gold national colours as Spain celebrated its agonising 1-0 extra-time win over the Netherlands on Sunday.
In claiming its first World Cup championship with a 1-0 win over a hardworking but ultimately overmatched Dutch team, Spain demonstrated that playing beautiful football isn’t a reward in itself. If you want the trophy, sometimes you’ve got to win a little ugly. And this game was no a piece of art. Spain was more than willing to play, but Holland was not going to allow it.
It was an understandable choice. In its earlier appearances in the finals of 1974 and 1978, Holland was considered soccer’s elite squad. This time those shoes were on Spanish feet, and Holland made no pretense about trying to copy the precious possession game that brought Spain the European championship in 2008.
It would all come down to one cross in a hundred that Holland couldn’t deal with. It was a just ending, ample reward for Spain’s skill and industry. This game had the potential to be tremendous, yet it was tremendously disappointing.
A thunderous roar erupted across the Spanish capital and fans danced in the streets and chanted “Viva Espana!” as the country’s first ever FIFA World Cup™ trophy sparked a nationwide fiesta. The centre of the capital was a sea of the red and gold national colours as Spain celebrated its agonising 1-0 extra-time win over the Netherlands on Sunday.
Every World Cup final since the quadrennial tournament began in 1930 has involved at least one of just four teams: Brazil, Italy, Germany and Argentina. That this year’s final will break that 80-year quadropoly is cause for celebration: Either Spain or Holland will win the World Cup for the first time on Sunday at Johannesburg’s Soccer City on Sunday. (The last time a country won the cup for the first time was France in 1998 — thanks to commenters for pointing that out — before that Argentina in 1978.) Of Sunday’s contestants, the Dutch have the greater pedigree, having twice lost the final (in 1974 and 1978) to palpably inferior sides (Germany and Argentina respectively). 
But Spain are reigning European champions, and were ranked favorites to win the 2010 World Cup by many pundits ahead of the tournament [EM] to be sure, anyone who had read most pre-World Cup predictions and then tuned out the tournament till the final game would be a lot more surprised to find Holland on the field than they would be to see Spain there. Indeed, even the Dutch team’s management had expected an earlier exit — they didn’t book hotel accommodation in South Africa beyond July 5.
Not that Holland was lacking stature: On the contrary, they arrived in South Africa on the back of a 23-game unbeaten run, the only team that managed to maintain a 100% record in the qualifying campaign. Their lavishly talented attacking trio of Robin Van Persie, Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder were clearly going to pose a major threat to most rivals, while the likes of the steely duo of Van Bommel and De Jongh at the base of the midfield would screen an unremarkable defense from excessive interrogation by opposing forwards. The problem, most pundits predicted, was that the luck of the draw had determined that they would face the mighty Brazil in the Quarterfinals, should both teams win all their games — which they did. And conventional wisdom held that Holland’s considerable talents would be no match for those of Brazil, whom most had picked to be the ones facing Spain in the final.
But two weeks into the tournament, there were reasons to doubt that the Brazilians would live up to their promise, and in the end, Holland outplayed them with a combination of workmanlike midfield harrying and an attacking verve that repeatedly revealed the Brazilians’ weak spots. Eventually, Brazil simply imploded, and the plucky men in orange marched on. The Dutch have hardly been dominant — once deemed the Brazilians of Europe for their extravagant attacking displays (which seldom won anything), today’s version is built on foundations of defensive solidity and hard work: The two players that have shone brightest for the Dutch in game after game have been Wesley Sneijder, the Inter Milan playmaker who quarterbacks most of their attacking play, and Dirk Kuyt, a fan favorite at his club Liverpool precisely because he covers more ground and sheds more sweat than any other player on the pitch, providing more assists than goals and tracking all the way to his own penalty areas to provide occasionally crucial defensive interventions.
This Dutch team has hardly dominated its opponents — Uruguay were dispatched by a margin of 3-2 in the semifinal — although in none of their games did they appear in any serious danger of losing. Like the Brazilians they sucker punched, this Dutch team emphasized efficiency over their more artful traditional game. But it will take a Herculean effort to repeat the feat against the other tournament favorite on Sunday. Because in swatting aside a German team so rampant that it had three times scored four goals in a game during the tournament, the Spanish suggested that they were only just getting going.
Despite concerns that the hard-running young Germans could rattle Spain’s possession game, the men in the red shirts once again conducted a passing master class: Their confidence in possession is terrifying — Spain more than once took short free kicks to players who had an opposition defender literally on their backs, the gesture showing their players’ confidence in holding on to the ball no matter how close the opposition got. On the rare occasion that they lost it, they simply grabbed it back within a split second. And in the process, they played some gorgeous attacking football with little flicks and feints putting their players through — although that sometimes maddening Spanish habit of seeking to pass the ball all the way into the net rather than sometimes simply pulling the trigger was occasionally in evidence.
Coach Del Bosque’s decision to bench the misfiring Liverpool striker Fernando Torres and instead field the young Barcelona attacking midfielder Pedro looked to be a masterstroke as he repeatedly unlocked the German defense with sublime passing and runs, although he was guilty of the mistake of the game when he chose to go for glory rather than slip the ball inside to the better-placed Torres (on for the hard working David Villa) to score the second that would have made the game safe.
Spain, with their embarrassment of riches in all the key attacking positions — Fabregas, Llorente and Navas didn’t even make it on as subs against the Germans — and their growing confidence will surely start Sunday’s game as favorites. But the Dutch know that starting as favorites can be a psychological burden, having twice lost World Cup finals from the same position. The world, and the home fans, simply expect Spain to bring home the trophy; the Dutch fans are pleasantly surprised to find their own team in the final. Holland can play with the freedom of the underdog on Sunday, and they have the resources to punish Spain — particularly the speed of Robben on the right wing against Capdevilla, and also the pace and close control through the middle of Van Persie. And, of course, the guile and creativity of Sneijder who is every bit a peer to the Spanish supremos Xavi and Iniesta.
The weight of expectation could drag Spain down. On the other hand, they could legitimately argue that they’re just beginning to find their rhythm. If both teams play at their best, you’d have to give the edge to Spain. But as the legendary English striker and pundit Jimmy Greaves was fond of saying, it’s a funny old game, eh?
Anything is possible. Uruguay beat Ghana because of a foul in the final minute. Holland beat Brazil because Felipe Melo got in his goalkeeper’s way, and then later, let his demons take over and got himself sent off for a violent foul. Every Dutch fan knows that had Rob Rensenbrink been just inches to the left with his shot that hit a post at 1-1 in the final minutes in 1978, Holland would have beaten Argentina — which won 3-1 in extra time. If there had been a half-competent referee when Spain played South Korea in the quarterfinals in 2002, Spain, not the hosts, would have gone on to meet Germany in the semifinal, and who knows after that?And so on. In football, as in life, the future is unwritten.
Which is why hundreds of millions of people around the world will be glued to their TV sets when the game kicks off 2.30pm (EST).
Every World Cup final since the quadrennial tournament began in 1930 has involved at least one of just four teams: Brazil, Italy, Germany and Argentina. That this year’s final will break that 80-year quadropoly is cause for celebration: Either Spain or Holland will win the World Cup for the first time on Sunday at Johannesburg’s Soccer City on Sunday. (The last time a country won the cup for the first time was France in 1998 — thanks to commenters for pointing that out — before that Argentina in 1978.) Of Sunday’s contestants, the Dutch have the greater pedigree, having twice lost the final (in 1974 and 1978) to palpably inferior sides (Germany and Argentina respectively). But Spain are reigning European champions, and were ranked favorites to win the 2010 World Cup by many pundits ahead of the tournament [EM] to be sure, anyone who had read most pre-World Cup predictions and then tuned out the tournament till the final game would be a lot more surprised to find Holland on the field than they would be to see Spain there. Indeed, even the Dutch team’s management had expected an earlier exit — they didn’t book hotel accommodation in South Africa beyond July 5.
Not that Holland was lacking stature: On the contrary, they arrived in South Africa on the back of a 23-game unbeaten run, the only team that managed to maintain a 100% record in the qualifying campaign. Their lavishly talented attacking trio of Robin Van Persie, Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder were clearly going to pose a major threat to most rivals, while the likes of the steely duo of Van Bommel and De Jongh at the base of the midfield would screen an unremarkable defense from excessive interrogation by opposing forwards. The problem, most pundits predicted, was that the luck of the draw had determined that they would face the mighty Brazil in the Quarterfinals, should both teams win all their games — which they did. And conventional wisdom held that Holland’s considerable talents would be no match for those of Brazil, whom most had picked to be the ones facing Spain in the final.
But two weeks into the tournament, there were reasons to doubt that the Brazilians would live up to their promise, and in the end, Holland outplayed them with a combination of workmanlike midfield harrying and an attacking verve that repeatedly revealed the Brazilians’ weak spots. Eventually, Brazil simply imploded, and the plucky men in orange marched on. The Dutch have hardly been dominant — once deemed the Brazilians of Europe for their extravagant attacking displays (which seldom won anything), today’s version is built on foundations of defensive solidity and hard work: The two players that have shone brightest for the Dutch in game after game have been Wesley Sneijder, the Inter Milan playmaker who quarterbacks most of their attacking play, and Dirk Kuyt, a fan favorite at his club Liverpool precisely because he covers more ground and sheds more sweat than any other player on the pitch, providing more assists than goals and tracking all the way to his own penalty areas to provide occasionally crucial defensive interventions.
This Dutch team has hardly dominated its opponents — Uruguay were dispatched by a margin of 3-2 in the semifinal — although in none of their games did they appear in any serious danger of losing. Like the Brazilians they sucker punched, this Dutch team emphasized efficiency over their more artful traditional game. But it will take a Herculean effort to repeat the feat against the other tournament favorite on Sunday. Because in swatting aside a German team so rampant that it had three times scored four goals in a game during the tournament, the Spanish suggested that they were only just getting going.
Despite concerns that the hard-running young Germans could rattle Spain’s possession game, the men in the red shirts once again conducted a passing master class: Their confidence in possession is terrifying — Spain more than once took short free kicks to players who had an opposition defender literally on their backs, the gesture showing their players’ confidence in holding on to the ball no matter how close the opposition got. On the rare occasion that they lost it, they simply grabbed it back within a split second. And in the process, they played some gorgeous attacking football with little flicks and feints putting their players through — although that sometimes maddening Spanish habit of seeking to pass the ball all the way into the net rather than sometimes simply pulling the trigger was occasionally in evidence.
Coach Del Bosque’s decision to bench the misfiring Liverpool striker Fernando Torres and instead field the young Barcelona attacking midfielder Pedro looked to be a masterstroke as he repeatedly unlocked the German defense with sublime passing and runs, although he was guilty of the mistake of the game when he chose to go for glory rather than slip the ball inside to the better-placed Torres (on for the hard working David Villa) to score the second that would have made the game safe.
Spain, with their embarrassment of riches in all the key attacking positions — Fabregas, Llorente and Navas didn’t even make it on as subs against the Germans — and their growing confidence will surely start Sunday’s game as favorites. But the Dutch know that starting as favorites can be a psychological burden, having twice lost World Cup finals from the same position. The world, and the home fans, simply expect Spain to bring home the trophy; the Dutch fans are pleasantly surprised to find their own team in the final. Holland can play with the freedom of the underdog on Sunday, and they have the resources to punish Spain — particularly the speed of Robben on the right wing against Capdevilla, and also the pace and close control through the middle of Van Persie. And, of course, the guile and creativity of Sneijder who is every bit a peer to the Spanish supremos Xavi and Iniesta.
The weight of expectation could drag Spain down. On the other hand, they could legitimately argue that they’re just beginning to find their rhythm. If both teams play at their best, you’d have to give the edge to Spain. But as the legendary English striker and pundit Jimmy Greaves was fond of saying, it’s a funny old game, eh?
Anything is possible. Uruguay beat Ghana because of a foul in the final minute. Holland beat Brazil because Felipe Melo got in his goalkeeper’s way, and then later, let his demons take over and got himself sent off for a violent foul. Every Dutch fan knows that had Rob Rensenbrink been just inches to the left with his shot that hit a post at 1-1 in the final minutes in 1978, Holland would have beaten Argentina — which won 3-1 in extra time. If there had been a half-competent referee when Spain played South Korea in the quarterfinals in 2002, Spain, not the hosts, would have gone on to meet Germany in the semifinal, and who knows after that?And so on. In football, as in life, the future is unwritten.
Which is why hundreds of millions of people around the world will be glued to their TV sets when the game kicks off 2.30pm (EST).
There are but four games remaining in World Cup 2010, and we shouldn’t even count the third/four place game, which is about as pointless as putting your money on England to win the whole shebang in the first place.
It’s arguably worse to lose the semi-final than the final itself as, from the fans’ perspective, you have a day to remember and if you’re lucky enough to be participating, it might add a zero to your transfer valuation. But enough of such frivolities! This may well be a blog but that doesn’t mean we take these games lightly. Far from it: so let’s look ahead to whether the Dutch can continue to dominate or if Uruguay will usurp them. And will it be ground-breaking Germany or the slightly stuttering Spanish? Alliteration be damned! Here’s your semi-final preview.
Tuesday, July 6: Uruguay vs. Holland — Ode to Orange
Many tears were shed come the end of Uruguay’s get out of jail victory over Ghana last Friday. The only African side to make it through to the knockout phase were caught with a sucker punch of their own: Luiz Suarez’s handball denied a certain winner, the ensuing penalty kick was missed by Asamoah Gyan who, despite scoring in the shootout, couldn’t prevent his team from losing. Suarez, of course, is banned from the semi-final (though FIFA’s confirmed he’ll be eligible to play in the final) but will this prove a match too far for the rest of his side? Uruguayans will be looking to Diego Forlan and Sebastian Abreu (who didn’t just score the cheeky quarter-final winner but the goal that got Uruguay to South Africa last year) to shoot them to glory, while the back line attempts to stop one of Holland’s key men, winger Arjen Robben, who is now fit and flying after missing the start of the tournament due to a hamstring injury. Canny coach Oscar Tabarez has apparently drawn up a plan to stop him — perhaps he’s been speaking with the German students — and this should be the clash of the day.
The Dutch have quietly gone about their business, and presumably pay no mind to the criticism that’s come their way — in a word, unambitious — but you feel like they couldn’t care less, happy to show you their 100% record in their eight qualifying games, which now has added to it a further five victories in a row in South Africa. In total, Holland’s unbeaten run stretches to 24 matches. Manager Bert van Marwijk has managed to keep the all too common demon from infiltrating the ranks — in a word, self-implosion — and will be delighted from the effort shown by the likes of Wesley Sneijder, goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg (Edwin van der Who?), Dirk Kuyt and Joris Mathijsen. They’ve been so impressive that they’ve even been able to carry Robin van Persie, who has yet to deliver. As for Uruguay, the feeling persists that they still can’t believe (their luck?) that they’ve reached the semis, and quotes of, “We are among the four best teams at this World Cup…This is something we would never have imagined before coming to South Africa” (said by coach Tabarez) aren’t uncommon. Indeed, they should be delighted with making the semis for the first time since 1970 but it’s unlikely they’ll go any further. But perhaps lasting longer than neighbors Brazil and Argentina is almost akin to winning the World Cup itself.
Prediction: Uruguay 0-1 Holland
Wednesday, July 7: Germany vs. Spain — Boys Become Mannschaft
This re-run of the EURO 2008 final could just be the best game of the 2010 World Cup (no pressure lads!). And as surprising as it would have sounded on June 11, it will now be perceived as a slight shock if Germany doesn’t win the game. They’ve put four goals past three teams, and are two games from their one true goal: lifting a fourth World Cup. The Germans have never gone more than 20 years without winning the trophy and, ominously for the remaining teams, their last triumph was in 1990. They’ve been brilliantly led by coach Joachim Löw, who has been utterly unafraid to believe in youth (he’s also been utterly unafraid to wear those shocking shirts, but that’s for another blog entry), with the core of the 2009 Under-21 European championship side (and can you guess what score they won that final by? Yup, 4-0) performing with a style and swagger beyond their years. The likes of goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, centre-back Jerome Boateng and, the breakout star of this World Cup, midfielder Mesut Özil have effortlessly stepped up a gear and, notwithstanding the group defeat to Serbia — which even included the rare missing of a penalty! — have been ruthless in the knockout phase, putting England and Argentina to the sword. Diego Maradona’s mouth is still agape.
Löw has admitted that he’s modeled his team on the opposition this Wednesday and stated that Spain’s “passing game is a celebration of football.” But despite reaching their first ever World Cup semi-final, the Spanish have yet to truly click and the fact that there’s uncertainty surrounding their starting XI puts them on the back foot. And the back foot is where striker Fernando Torres has spent the tournament: it wouldn’t be a surprise if Vicente del Bosque drops him for either Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas or Manchester City’s new signing David Silva. What is in their favor is that the other David, Villa, has been sublime, Iker Casillas won’t be easily beaten at the other end and Germany will miss the suspended Thomas Müller, another product of the youth system, who has been on a tear thus far. But while Spain will look to past glories to spur them on, Germany’s young guns will be feeling as if they can’t lose. And with their own old boy, Miroslav Klose, closing in on the all time World Cup scoring record, destiny seems to be with Germany. It will take a Spanish Armada to stop them.
Prediction: Germany 2-1 Spain
European champions Spain just keeps getting better and better. They survived a stern test from Portugal to book their place in the quarter-finals of the World Cup through David Villa’s goal.
Two years to the day since they beat Germany to triumph at Euro 2008, Vicente del Bosque’s side showed their slick brand of passing football is still just as effective by edging out their well-drilled Iberian rivals.
Cape Town’s stadium was seduced to oohs and aahs by a sublime Barcelona-style Spanish passing-and-pressing game, particularly in the second half, that had Ronaldo, and most of his Portuguese teammates reduced to ineffectual spectators.
Spain had to survive a succession of missed chances by the Portuguese in the first half but, once Villa broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute with his fourth goal of the tournament, they rarely looked threatened.
Portugal, semi-finalists in Germany four years ago, had Ricardo Costa sent off for an off-the-ball clash with Joan Capdevila before the end but by then their fate already looked sealed.
The only concern for Spain, who play Paraguay in the last eight, is the continuing lack of form shown by striker Fernando Torres, who seems to still be feeling the after-effects of the knee operation he had in April.
Spain should have added to their lead before the end, with Eduardo saving from Ramos and Villa, while the impressive Llorente headed wide.
But one goal was enough for them to secure victory and they look in good shape to go past the last eight, which is as far as they have progressed at a World Cup since they finished fourth in Brazil in 1950.
Nigeria lost its first two World Cup group stage matches but still came just one goal short of advancing with their draw against South Korea. As one of the more heavily favored African nations, the early elimination was certainly a disappointment. So how is Nigeria handling that disappointment?
From the BBC:
Nigeria’s president has suspended his nation’s football team from international competition for two years after a poor showing at the World Cup.
Special presidential adviser Ima Niboro told reporters the decision by Goodluck Jonathan will “enable Nigeria to reorganize its football.”
He said: “This directive became necessary following Nigeria’s poor performance in the ongoing World Cup.”
Of course. How do you improve an underachieving team? Ban it from competing for two whole years. Spur them on to playing better by not allowing them to play at all. Maybe England should try that.
Now, FIFA probably won’t like this given its distaste for government meddling in the national team, so maybe Nigeria should try suspending FIFA, too. It might work. I mean, how do you say no to a guy named Goodluck Jonathan?
Rotimi Amaechi, head of a special presidential task force on the World Cup campaign, said Nigeria would write to football’s world governing body Fifa to explain its decision.
“We went to the World Cup and found all sorts of problems and we felt we should sit back and look inward,” Amaechi told reporters.
Under Fifa rules, government interference with national teams is strictly forbidden.
“At the time of writing, we have no official information on this matter,” a Fifa statement read.
Nigeria lost its first two World Cup group stage matches but still came just one goal short of advancing with their draw against South Korea. As one of the more heavily favored African nations, the early elimination was certainly a disappointment. So how is Nigeria handling that disappointment?
From the BBC:
Nigeria’s president has suspended his nation’s football team from international competition for two years after a poor showing at the World Cup.
Special presidential adviser Ima Niboro told reporters the decision by Goodluck Jonathan will “enable Nigeria to reorganize its football.”
He said: “This directive became necessary following Nigeria’s poor performance in the ongoing World Cup.”
Of course. How do you improve an underachieving team? Ban it from competing for two whole years. Spur them on to playing better by not allowing them to play at all. Maybe England should try that.
Now, FIFA probably won’t like this given its distaste for government meddling in the national team, so maybe Nigeria should try suspending FIFA, too. It might work. I mean, how do you say no to a guy named Goodluck Jonathan?
Rotimi Amaechi, head of a special presidential task force on the World Cup campaign, said Nigeria would write to football’s world governing body Fifa to explain its decision.
“We went to the World Cup and found all sorts of problems and we felt we should sit back and look inward,” Amaechi told reporters.
Under Fifa rules, government interference with national teams is strictly forbidden.
“At the time of writing, we have no official information on this matter,” a Fifa statement read.