My predictions for the rest of the tournament
Round of 16:
BRAZIL d. Chile
NIGERIA d. Denmark
HOLLAND d. Yugoslavia
ROMANIA d. Argentina
ITALY d. Norway
FRANCE d. Spain
GERMANY d. Mexico
ENGLAND d. Croatia
Quarter-finals:
BRAZIL d. Nigeria
HOLLAND d. Romania
FRANCE d. Italy
GERMANY D. England
Semi-finals:
HOLLAND d. Brazil (revenge!!!)
FRANCE d. Italy
FINAL
HOLLAND d. France, finally defeating the host nation after losing in the championship game in 1974 to West Germany and in 1978 to Argentina.
The Germans will have to play much better than they did today to reach the semifinals, though I cannot see them losing to either Mexico or Croatia.
The Germans are very lucky they will have such an easy road to the semis. Of course, if they have a tight game against Iran (though I doubt it) and Yugoslavia blows out the USA, then we have another story: Germany will have to face Holland in the second round, and that is a game they have not a chance in Hell of winning. (Also then I would have to place Yugoslavia in the semifinals) I almost would like to see that happen. The Germans need taking down a peg. They did not deserve a tie today against the Yugoslavs. They were badly outplayed, but, as I stated here earlier, it takes skill, teamwork, and also a definite amount of LUCK to win the Cup. Brazil had the good fortune to have a Costa Rican referee in '94 in Dallas against Holland. This time around, the Dutch have the good fortune to have to play only two afternoon games (Mexico and the quarter-final) during France '98. I believe they play better in the cool weather at night.
Of course, these predictions assume I am correct in predicting the winners and second-place finishers of the various groups. The only real questions in my mind are:
Group D
I cannot imagine Spain not qualifying, though their time is running out.
Group F
Whether Germany or Yugoslavia win the group, though I think Germany will blow out Iran and the Yugoslavs will have a close match with the USA, who I don't think can win after the dominating performance I saw today.
Group G
Romania or England? I think Romania is the better side, but, in one of those quirky twists of fate that always take place in the Cup, England will win anyway.
We'll see how these picks pan out. Hup Holland!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
