The Vuvuzela View as many of you may well be aware is written by two. Two mere mortals whose opinion is thrased out and splashed out across the world wide web for all to see. Whilst it’s safe to say we largely agree with one another our views can conflict at times and sometimes it’s just nice to have healthy competition in the camp. With this in mind we have racked our brains and gone for the bold options for some of the important issues surrounding the World Cup.
Whether you agree or not with us; as always is up for debate…
Winners:
Alex Crocker: If I’m pushed, which I’m fairly certain is the point of this article and therefore is happening; Germany. There’s something there, there is little expectation and the old adage of “you can never write off the Germans” is ringing in my ear. With key players out and uncertainty surrounding the manager, so what? The way I look at it, they’ve got a top quality side, a well respected tactical manager and none of the pressure expected of the others.
Will Donovan: Oh it’s bloody Spain isn’t it. No they didn’t win the Confederations Cup, but that was because they couldn’t extend their winning streak to 16 games. Or their unbeaten streak to 35. They’re the favourites for a reason, and it’s an obvious answer but it would be a major shock to see them lose to anyone, unless it’s because they’re utterly knackered from how much brilliant football they’ve had to play this year.
Golden boot:
AC: Whilst it’s hard to look past the obvious players I’m going to be slightly outlandish. Bar Villa grabbing seventy-six in the group stages I shall punt for another; Gilardino of Italy. A player who’s shown his worth at Fiorentina, and is under the radar. Schillaci did it before and Klose did it as well, so Gilardino.
WD: David Villa, even if Spain don’t win the thing he could have it more or less wrapped up with plenty of goals during the group stage. I’m off to cry for being so bloody obvious.
Golden ball:
AC: De Rossi. I’ve got a feeling he may dominate games for the Azzurri. De Rossi is a big game player who tarred his own World Cup in 2006, with a needless elbow to McBride that ruled him out for pretty much the entire tournament (and if I’m being honest made me hate him a little). Making up for lost time and perhaps doing so by taking on the World’s best as Italy are likely to have a difficult route on the way to the final should they get there.
WD: Xavi. Simply, the best central midfielder in the world. Some of his passes this season have been the best things I’ve ever seen done with a football (see both goals away against Real Madrid and Messi’s winner against Malaga).
Dark horses:
AC: Well on the basis I’ve already plumped for Germany to win the whole thing, I will select my other tip for the World Cup; Italy. Underperforming and lacking that backs against the walls attitude that saw them succeed in 2006, the defending champions have got a lot to live up to. But interestingly they also – don’t. With the burden of responsibility on Spain, Brazil, Argentina and co, Italy have been largely ignored. World class players from back to front Italy could quite easily go all the way.
WD: Netherlands. The fifth favourites on a popular betting sites (not named in case any others want to contact us for lucrative sponsorship deals), but they just don’t seem to be getting much mention. Perhaps not the best defence, though it will be fine if organised well, but even the loss of Robben wouldn’t be a disaster when you could still have a front four from Kuyt, Van Persie, Sneijder, Babel and Huntelaar. With such strong favourites it can be easy to forget other big sides, but if Spain can overcome their tag of perennial underachievers, why can’t the Dutch?
Surprise package:
AC: Denmark. A solid outfit defensively that offers a little more than many other typically defensive sides. Qualified ahead of Sweden and Portugal, which tells its own story and have perhaps a group that could see them progress. And if they were to nick something off of the Netherlands could meet a team from one of the weakest groups at South Africa. The only stumbling block could be a meet and greet with the Italians.
WD: Mexico. Well organised, playing very well in friendlies (as England found out), and were they to meet again in the quarter finals a similar performance could well break our hearts for another four years.
Biggest disappointment (player and team):
AC: Ronaldo is pretty much queued up ready for this title. An odd and surprisingly lackluster Portugal outfit when going forward will not help his case and being the world’s most expensive player only sees him play with the sword of Damocles above his head. Hasn’t done it for Portugal for a while now, and I can’t see it changing. With regards to the team; Spain seem to strike me as the team that will fall. So much expectation and so much class. They are brilliant, you’d be a fool to ignore that. But that’s precisely why they won’t win it, and anything less than winning it has to be a disappointment. Their potential battle with perennial rivals Italy could see them crash out once again (perhaps not dissimilar to the Barca v Inter game we witness earlier this year)
WD: Ronaldo will struggle to make an impact from a wide position where he isn’t as effective, and his urge to win single-handedly when Portugal struggle could make him a high profile flop. For the team, Italy. Won’t do anything particularly bad, and barring a major shock will reach the quarter finals, but I don’t see the holders being able to put together a real defence of their trophy, and that’s always a real disappointment.
Who’ll play their way into a big move:
AC: There’s a few, so for the purpose of keeping it short I’ll crack on with two. Angel De Maria of Argentina currently at Benfica. Maradona says he is their next legend and he doesn’t look to be wrong. A superb season has seen Europe’s finest take note and the De Maria will most likely assume the role of playmaker in a hugely talented Argentina side, a big move is not far away. The other is another creative playmaker at a smaller “big” European outfit; Mesut Özil is the one who’ll make the Germans tick and with Ballack out, it’s his time to shine. He’s young, he’s more than capable and could be huge.
WD: Steven Pienaar’s already linked with a move to other Premiership clubs, he’s on a free and at 28 could be looking at his last chance for a big contract – though he’s already high profile, this could further alert clubs in Europe to his performances. Germany have a promising squad of young players: big clubs will be linked to Germany’s Thomas Müller who’ll shine and had a fantastic season, but he won’t leave Bayern. More likely would be Werder Bremen’s star midfielder Mesut Özil.
Which of the superstars will impress the most:
AC: Of the four that are widley dubbed “the best”: Rooney, Ronaldo, Kaka and Messi, only one will shine. Wayne Rooney is that man. An England outfit with players in the team specifically to get the best out of him should see that happen. Coming off the back of his best season (in terms of goals at least) and United finally making him star of the show can only benefit England. All of the others have either had weak seasons (Kaka) or aren’t given the same role for the nation (Messi and Ronaldo) that will see them struggle. Remember the name – Wayne Rooney, ahh the days…
WD: Without a decent system around him, Messi is going to struggle to shine – though this would be more Maradonna’s fault than the Barcelona man’s. Ronaldo gets farmed wide for Portugal, Kaka’s coming off a weak season and if he falls short then Brazil will really lack a creative spark. So damn it all, I’m going for Rooney. The system of playing off Heskey and combining with Gerrard works for him, and he can still score from a slightly deeper lying position instead of as an out and out forward as he was for United this season. Let’s just hope…
Potential upsets:
AC: North Korea are going to pick up something at some point. I’ve just got a feeling. Whilst any defeat to France in the group stage wouldn’t really be an upset with Mexico, South Africa and Uruguay all having enough reason to state they can beat them.
WD: I’ve stuck a sly couple of quid on Portugal to draw with North Korea. Portugal have struggled against defensive sides recently, and I reckon they could underestimate their mysterious opponents.
Semi finals:
AC: England vs Brazil, Germany vs Italy. You’ll notice no Spain in there… that’s about as bold as I can get. However England are there using logic, not just blind faith. An easy run in should see them into the Semi’s. The other side of the draw seeing Germany, Argentina, Spain, Italy, Netherlands and Portugal all in the mix, making it a much tougher call.
WD: England vs Brazil, Germany vs Spain. I really wish I had more surprising predictions. But a mix of hope and not seeing where the strong teams will face major challenges means I think it’ll be the obvious choices.
The Vuvuzela View 