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I sure hope you're right, Alumbrado.

Regarding Damned lies and statistics, the only team ever to win outside its own continent is Brasil.  The "mediocre" Seoul/Tokyo WC was made so by the horrific humidity and heat.  Give Brasil their due, they won.  Brasil always has infighting.   

But still, there's a slim chance that England, with the right coach, could win in South Africa.   I have a feeling the South Africans will be rooting for England among the European and Latin American nations.  I'd love to see Australia and one of the African nations (Ivory Coast maybe?) make some noise in 2010!

Smyslov_Fan wrote on 07/01/08 at 07:43:08:


Even Brazil can be quite disappointing.  There seems to be some in-fighting in the federation as to who gets selected.  In qualifying, Brazil is relying on the old guard who seem to lack cohesion.  No sign of any young phenoms.  And let's be honest: they were the least mediocre in a very mediocre 2002 World Cup when they won and were dismal in 2006.  Argentina probably deserved to win in Brazil in their recent qualifying encounter.  It's my same old line: but Brazil is back to looking vulnerable at the back and that's a bad sign as we approach the World Cup.  Spain and Argentina seem to be much more disciplined in their play and both are very effective at unlocking other teams' defenses...

It is clear who will win the World Cup.  On Sunday Spain won their first major tournament in 44 years.  In 2010 it will be 44 years since England last lifted a major trophy.  It's a no-brainer - assuming we qualify for the darned thing 

Argentina certainly looks dangerous already.  But who will they have in goal?

In the mean time, Spain looks fierce right now, and I don't see even Argentina beating them.

How can we look past Brasil though?  They are contenders in every single World Cup!  They are truly amazing.

I wonder which African nation will shine in 2010.  It won't be South Africa.  On the pitch and off, this may be a disastroush WC for the RSA.  

Oh, happy birthday Nelson Mandela!  (Amy Winehouse actually performed pretty well at the concert.)

Did you notice that I deftly didn't actually pick anybody to win yet? 

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Yes, Liverpool was only third/fourth best in Europe this year.  They were also fourth best in England, which isn't surprising considering the two best club teams in England were also the two best in Europe.

Oh, btw, which Dutch teams made it to the Euro Semis?  

Yes, I *know* that the EPL is the best league in the world, and that Liverpool wasn't the best team (either in the EPL or Europe) this year.  We have been in the past, and will be again!

chk wrote on 06/30/08 at 11:27:35:

Oranje in the group were way better. Then they crumbled, sadly 

Spain and Argentina have to be the early favorites for South Africa...

LIVERPOOL WINS!

Oh.  Wait.  Torres plays for another team in addition to Liverpool?

Spain Wins!

Not quite as exciting.

But Spain fully deserved the tnmt, and went through without giving up even one draw (Pace, Italia.  I know the regulation score was 0-0, but that game wasn't drawn.  Spain won 4-2 on PKs.)

I enjoyed the game, except for Ballack's repeated fouls.  He doesn't do that so much at Chelsea.  I wonder why he feels the need to do this for his national team.

Anyway, this was a good game. Not a great game, because only one side was great. The tournament as a whole was fantastic, and the best team in Europe in 2008 won.  Can't ask for much more than that.