Rehhagel resigns after World Cup exit

It didn't take long after Greece's exit from the World Cup but as expected Otto Rehhagel resigned as national team coach and the search for his successor is on. The Greek FA now have under 3 months to find a replacement before qualifying starts in September for the European Championships. Now the question on all Greeks minds is what ripple effect will this have within the squad. A number of aging veterans look to have played their last game for the national side in Polokwane against Argentina. Loyalty will be put aside with a new coach stepping in, thus giving some of the younger players the chance to crack the first team. In 9 years Rehhagel took the team from soccer obscurity into the limelight. In one of his first games in charge he almost provided a shocking victory at Wembley, which would have ended England's hopes of qualifying for the 2002 World Cup; only a trademark David Beckham free kick in injury time ruined the fairytale start for Rehhagel. The team jumped from 57th (2001) to 18th (2004) in 3 years under the German, his biggest achievement coming in Portugal by lifting the European Cup. All Greeks have a soft spot for Rehhagel and will be forever grateful for the success he brought to the team and the nation, however everyone has come to realize a change is needed after results have became stagnate. Players like Seiteridis, Karagounis, Katsouranis and Charisteas will make way for the new breed and hopefully this will revitalize the squad for a strong qualifying campaign for Euro 2012. Reports out of Greece state a coach will be in place in time for the friendly vs. Serbia on August 15th. The three names being floated around are Nikos Nioplias (former Greek U-21 coach), Dusan Bajevic (current AEK Athens coach) and Fernando Santos (former Benfica & PAOK coach). The latter is the early favorite to take over for Rehhagel but nothing has been confirmed. One thing is certain; Greece will have a different look and style of play come qualifying and hopefully can build on the foundation laid down by King Otto.

World Cup dream ends for Greece

As the referee blew the final whistle in Polokwane Tuesday night, Greece's elimination from the World Cup was confirmed. Naturally my disappointment was evident, as were the many other Greek supporters who watched the game in various cafés, bars and houses around the world. However this time I was proud of the performance displayed on the pitch. The team did what they had to, and that was put up a defensive wall and look to strike on the counter attack.

Despite Diego Maradona making 7 changes to his starting lineup the Greeks were outclassed by a superior opponent. From the opening kick Argentina were in control and trying to breakdown the ruthless line of defense Otto Rehhagel had set up. Diego Milito and Sergio Aguero provided the offence for the Albiceleste with the ever present Lionel Messi pulling the strings from the right side. It seemed like the Greeks had everyone behind the ball content on defending, with Georgios Samaras playing as the lone striker. Possession was almost 70% in favor of Argentina but Messi and Co. found it very difficult to penetrate the back line. Sokratis Papastathopoulos did very well shadowing Messi and limiting his scoring threat. But the greatest footballer on the planet still found ways to work his magic, creating multiple opportunities throughout the game. My man of the match goes to Alexandros Tzorvas, displaying a string of outstanding saves to keep Greek hopes alive. His form was vital if Greece had any chances of making the next round. Tzorvas produced a handful of fantastic saves inside his 18 yard box, robbing Argentina of the early lead. The end result doesn't give justice to the fine performance he produced.

Hopes were high after the first half ended goalless, Rehhagel's defensive fortress so far was able to withstand Maradona's offensive onslaught. Argentina looked frustrated trying to weave through the minimal space provided. Messi was on the wrong side of some hard challenges that although clean and legal were being questioned by Maradona on the sidelines, even going as far as flashing invisible cards in the referee's direction looking for the booking. Some bad luck hit the starting line-up for Greece as Giorgio Karagounis, Kostas Katsouranis and Vasilis Torosidis all had to be subbed off due to injury within 10 minutes of the second half, but the team stuck to the game plan and pushed through and defended as a unit. Samaras provided the only real scoring chance for Greece when he got behind the defence only to have his initial shot blocked and sending his rebound wide of the post. A key moment in the game which could have provided the shift in momentum needed for a Greek victory. That was it offensively for the blue and white after that missed chance, Argentina kept pressing and a goal seemed imminent.

News kept filtering in about the other group game and my emotions resembled a rollercoaster, the constant up and down was too much to bear. Unlike in Portugal, the stars wouldn't align to produce a miracle result for Greece; all hope was lost in the 77th minute when Martin Demichelis scored to put La Albiceleste in front for good. The defence couldn't clear the corner kick and Tzorvas was hung out to dry as the loose ball was smashed into the back of the net by Demichelis. The entire cafe I was watching the game in deflated as the ball crossed the line, although no one was screaming obscenities and blaming players, which normally follows a poor result. Simply put, Greece was outclassed and did well to stay in the game for as long as they did. If nothing else showed the remaining teams a system capable of beating the strong Argentines. All I asked for was a solid performance for 90 minutes, and if elimination followed oh well. Greeks could still be proud and hold our heads up high, and the team did exactly that.

Greece's World Cup campaign in South Africa lasted only 10 days; roughly what all the experts predicted would happen. A terrible opening performance was the team’s downfall; a result was needed against South Korea. A great comeback against Nigeria followed with the team capitalizing on the Super Eagles misfortunes. But needing points from Argentina was always going to be a tall order. Report's have surfaced stating  Rehhagel intends to step down as coach but nothing has yet to be confirmed. The national team has made tremendous strides under the leadership of the German in nine years, but after winning the Euro Cup the results have been mixed at best. If Rehhagel steps down the Greek FA have under 3 months to appoint a replacement before qualification for Euro 2012 begins. Going forward with a fresh outlook and system is a must, the addition of promising youth players with the departure of some aging veterans will only help push Greece into a positive direction for the future.

Preview: Argentina vs. Greece

The deck is clearly stacked against Greece progressing to the knockout round. The aim coming into South Africa was clear; don’t go into the game against Argentina needing a result for qualification. But after the humiliating defeat in the opener, Diego Maradona's Albiceleste stand in the way. Anything short of a miracle will be needed to sneak out a victory, a combined team performance is crucial. Greece possesses the capability of playing the type of game needed and have proved in the past able to topple stronger opposition. The win vs. Nigeria has done wonders on lifting the team’s confidence and hopefully Otto Rehhagel will select the right starting XI to frustrate Argentina. Also mistakes must be taken out entirely, all three of the goals allowed by Greece were horrible errors, and the players need to keep their focus for the full ninety minutes and not giveaway silly fouls.


Alexandros Tzorvas will be on the hot seat and have his hands full trying to keep the ball out of his goal. Just like Antonios Nikopolidis did in Portugal six years ago, Tzorvas form will have to be perfect in order for Greece to get a positive result. His blunder against Nigeria would be near suicide if it were to happen against Argentina. He looked visibly shaken after the goal and took a while to settle down. Despite the early set-back he did make a great breakaway save in the second half kept Greek hopes alive and pushed the team forward to score the winner later on. It's open for debate which players Maradona decides to rest on Tuesday; since Argentina have qualified we might find the likes of Messi, Tevez and Higuain on the bench. But the squad has a tremendous amount of depth in attack; Sergio Aguero and Diego Milito are just as dangerous and probably will start since they have been used sparingly so far by the Argentine coach. Judging from last game, Sokratis Papastathopoulos will likely play in front of the back four and will take the majority of the responsibility in stifling the Albiceleste attack. Sotirios Krygiakos played well against Nigeria and should get the start at the back; he lacks pace but makes up for it with his desire and physicality. He reads the game well and wins majority of the aerial balls in the defensive zone and can be a threat in the opponent’s 18 yard box on set pieces.

All the stars must align for Greece to pull out a win. Even if Maradona rests some of his star men, Argentina have good depth and will still be dangerous. With everyone counting them out the pressure is off as they have nothing to lose and everything to gain. A promising position the Greeks know all to well. Plus the team seems to play better with their backs against the wall. The World Cup has already provided a handful of upsets so why not one more? A more realistic outcome would be to hold out for a tie and hope Nigeria can beat South Korea. The World Cup curse was broken last Thursday and a heavy burden has been lifted off the team’s shoulders. I’m going against the grain with my prediction and will put my money on the underdog. Admittedly being Greek has a little to do with it, but we saw how Argentina can get caught on the counter attack pushing too many men forward, Nigeria were very unlucky not to score against them in the opener. Also Maradona isn't the greatest coach and can be outplayed tactically by Rehhagel, which would help silence all the critics calling for the German's resignation. Provided Greece play a flawless defensive system a shock result is a possibility.

Prediction: Greece wins 1-0

Greece break their World Cup curse and keeps hope alive

As I was sitting in my usual cafe in Toronto's Greek town waiting for the game to start, streams of people were filing in trying to find a seat.  Blue and white was the dominant colour, chants could be heard coming out of every establishment along the Danforth. I promised myself not to get drawn into the euphoria and keep my expectations low. All I wanted to see was the starting line-up, and fingers crossed Otto Rehhagel will put out a starting XI capable of causing problems for Nigeria. 

When the line-up flashed on the screen I noticed that the team was intent of fighting to the bitter end and leaving nothing in the tank. Sotiris Krygiakos got the start but as a right back. Sokratis Papastathopoulos was a great addition as the holding midfielder directly in front of the back four. Kostas Katsouranis and Girogos Karagounis also started and were looking to make up for their poor effort in the opener. I was sad to see Sotiris Ninis on the bench, however the sight of Dimitrios Salpingidis made me breath easy. Rehhagel was holding nothing back and slowly my optimism grew.

The game started with energy and Greece were pushing early just like in the opener. Much of the possession was theirs but again lacked that final ball to threaten the Nigerians. Just when I felt things could be turning around my heart sank. A bad back pass by Loukas Vyntra forced Sokratis Papastathopoulos to commit the foul. Kale Uche's ensuing free kick opened the scoring after fooling Alexandros Tzorvas early in the half. Peter Odemwingie helped by dummying the cross, which sent Tzorvas the opposite way, but the Greek keeper's gaffe dug the hole even deeper. Another silly mistake was Greece's undoing once more; the supporters now started losing their cool as are hopes were slowly evaporating. I couldn't see a way back for Greece.

I love this game for many reasons, momentum can shift quickly and a moment of madness can be any teams downfall. Unfortunately for the Super Eagles that instant came in the 33rd minute. Sani Keita was sent off for kicking out at Vassili Torosidis; the crowd erupted with joy.  Every team needs a little bit of luck and finally Greece caught a break. A quick sub followed as Georgios Samaras entered the game to add to the attack and after that happened the game quickly shifted. Finally Greece was on the offensive and were creating chances all over the pitch. After being criticized for their poor play in the first game; Giorgos Karagoounis and Kostas Katsouranis seemed like different players. The service they provided from midfield was instrumental. Only a save by Vincent Enyeama and a clearance off the goal line by Lukmaan Haruna kept Greece from scoring, but we could all feel something was about to happen. 

The long wait was over; Dimitrios Salpingidis became the first Greek to score at the World Cup, beating Enyeama on a deflected shot late in the second half. The place erupted; people were hugging and even crying tears of joy. After having to endure all the jokes from friends about not being able to score and being the worst team at the World Cup, when that ball crossed the line I felt relieved.  From that moment on Greece were in control and dictated the pace of the game. Another goal was needed and the players responded to the pressure by pinning Nigeria in their own half and bombarding the net with chances. If it wasn't for Vincent Enyeama the score line could have been worse. The Super Eagles had one good chance and it came on the counter after Theofanis Gekas was robbed of a goal in close. Greece were caught pushing everyone forward and on the breakout Yakubu was denied by Tzorvas, but the rebound fell to Chinedu Ogbuke who missed an open net. Greece continued to press and everyone was on the edge of his or her seat hoping for a winner. The prayers of all Greeks were answered midway into the second half, Enyeama spilled a low shot by Alexandros Tziolis and Torosidis scored on the rebound. Greek town went bananas, a huge weight was instantly lifted and   hope was restored, Greece was back in the tournament.

The game ended and the party began on the streets. Drums could be heard and flags were being waved as all the supporters exited the cafes and bars along the Danforth to join in on the celebration. I know its just one win but it took us 16 years to get it. Despite needing a result against Argentina to progress and a little help nothing was going to dampen our spirits. The curse was lifted and if only for one day Greeks can rejoice worldwide.  

Preview: Greece vs. Nigeria

My expectations on seeing change in Greece's lineup and tactics Thursday against Nigeria are minimal at best. The spirits of the supporters are down but the players remain up beat, which is a positive sign. It’s going to be an uphill battle for the Greeks, moral within the camp is surprisingly high but the quality on the pitch must match. Nigeria was really impressive in the loss to Argentina, holding one of the favorites to a single goal in the opener. Much of the credit goes to keeper Vincent Enyeama's star studded performance, coming up with spectacular saves that kept the Super Eagles alive.

Waking up Thursday morning to see the starting XI include Sotiris Ninis, Dimitrios Salpingidis and Sotirios Krygiakos would help ease the nerves already beginning to fester. That would show Otto Rehhagel has decided to play for the victory and that Greece will throw caution to the wind. One more loss for either country will knock them out of the competition; both need a win to revive their World Cup ambitions. Another goalless loss will be devastating to Greek football after having such high hopes 6 years ago. I agree expectations are extremely high after winning the European Cup and a generous FIFA ranking (#13) doesn't help ease the pressure. For the first time my expectations are low, deployed to ease the blow I normally feel right after witnessing a gut wrenching loss. After seeing how Lars Lagerback's squad played against Maradona's Argentina, how can Greece's lack of offence compare to the juggernaut which peppered the Nigerian goal? My heart says Greece but my brain screams the opposite, luckily this is football and anything can happen.

Reports in the media suggest the players will go all out for the victory on Thursday as it's now or never, but Rehhagel's cautious tactical approach might prove to cut short Greece's tournament. Not having a superstar caliber player is no excuse to play uninspired football, something the German coach is trying to imply in recent interviews. It's fine to play defensive but you can't forget the other side of the game, eventually a goal is needed to earn the victory. Theofanis Gekas needs help up front, and shouldn't be expected to produce chances out of thin air. I wouldn’t mind seeing Georgios Samaras given the second strikers role where he can be more effective rather then out on the wing.

An early goal will certainly boost the player’s confidence, breaking the curse of scoring that elusive first goal at the World Cup can revive Greek hopes. The fans deserve to watch their heroes perform at the highest level, to do so the best players need to be on the field. The results so far in South Africa have been difficult to predict; Greece have the potential to win on Thursday if they go after the game. Sitting back to absorb pressure and trying to catch Nigeria on the counter won't work. Naturally I will go with my heart and pick Greece. Despite all the analysis, facts and stats I've looked at for the past five days, the Greeks were embarrassed by the Koreans and will want to prove all their critics wrong.

Prediction: Greece win 2-1

Has Rehhagel become Greece's Achilles Heal?

Defence can only take you so far. It's goals that win games, and unfortunately Greece is missing that spark to ignite the offence. Looking lost and confused the Greeks stumbled to an embarrassing loss to South Korea at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, taking their tally to 4 games without a goal at the World Cup.

Without any creativity and speed in the midfield the team is forced to play a long ball style of game, defenders just punt the ball up the pitch; the forwards are then expected to create chances without any support. A huge hole exists where the midfield is supposed to be found. Otto Rehhagel's insistence on starting his slow aging veterans from Euro 2004 is the reason for Greece's failure in attack; by leaving players like Sotiris Ninis on the bench for the entire game was a big blunder. His pace and creativity was needed against South Korea. Dimitrios Salpingidis was the best player for Greece by far in the opener, and he only played 30 minutes coming on as a sub. Unless a change is made vs. Nigeria, the result will be the same.

Angelos Charisteas' best days are behind him,  clearly lacking the speed needed to cause problems. He is a one trick pony and a sub at best.  Same goes for captain Giorgos Karagounis, only caring about taking all the set pieces and never tracking back. Kostas Katsouranis is another one of Rehhagel's golden XI, he was mainly responsible for the opening goal allowed vs. South Korea; completely mistiming the header to clear the free-kick. The reliance on out of form players is Rehhagel’s mistake. Sotiris Kyrgiakos exclusion from the line-up also made me wonder what exactly Rehhagel was thinking, his size would have provided an added weapon in the air on offence and his physical style of play was needed desperately on the defensive end. The German coach needs to put his best players on the pitch right from the start and forget about pleasing the players who won him the Euro Cup, loyalty has to be set aside for the greater good.

Shouts can already be heard for Rehhagel's resignation back in Greece. The miraculous run in Portugal aside, the team hasn't really built on their success and failed to live up to lofty expectations since.. Simply put, Rehhagel has failed to get the best out of his players and deploys his usual defensive minded tactics that won't catch anyone by surprise anymore. Naturally the Greeks lack star quality, their isn't a player on the roster who can single handedly change the outcome of a game. A combined team effort is needed; but you can't expect to improve by playing the same tired system. This is the main reason Greece hasn't been able to build on the success of '04. An embarrasing 2006 World Cup qualifying campaing followed, then the team endured a dreadfull defense of their crown in 2008. In all competitions the common deneominator was the lack of fresh faces who could make a difference and breath new life into the squad. Once again the starting XI, formations and tactics stayed the same; and so did the results for Greece.

The writing is on the wall, Greece will need a miracle to get past the group stage and unfortunately they used up all that magic in 2004 when they caught everyone by surprise. To move forward positvely the team needs a change and Rehhagel stands defiant to making them on the pitch, so the next step is an obvious one. All Greeks are grateful for all that the German has accomplished for the country, but its time for a new outlook and a fresh start. Its been 6 years and you can make the arguement the national team is going down the wrong path and getting worse. Qualification is not enough anymore, Greek fans deserve to see quality on the pitch when it counts, the supporters deserve better. I believe we have the players capable of elevating the team, they just need a chance to do so. The past won't be forgotten, the Greek Gods of Lisbon will always have their place in history, after all it was them who put Greece on the footballing map. The recent influx of foreiners in the Greek Super League is proof of this; add to that the amount of Greeks playing abroad, the future is looking bright. But its now time for the old guard to step aside and let the new blood come through the ranks. Only then will Greece reach their full potential.

Greek's voice frustration as hopes dwindle

It's tough feeling optimistic after witnessing the disaster which was Greece's opening game. Not that Greek fan's had anything to be optimistic about after team's terrible display in the warm-up matches leading up to the World Cup. But for some reason we were all blinded by our patriotism and thought with our hearts instead of our heads. The economic crises hit the country hard; everyone hoped a good run in South Africa could lift the spirits of the entire nation and all Greeks living abroad. After watching the national team's uninspired performance against South Korea, the fans hopes of getting out of the group are all but extinguished. Across the globe, most Greeks have the same opinion about what the problem is, and that’s the team selection of coach Otto Rehhagel. Personally upon seeing his starting XI, I was left scratching my head at all the talent that was left on the bench. How can you start out of form players who don’t have the speed or creativity to challenge the Koreans fast hard working style? That's a question only Rehhagel can answer; here’s hoping he does so against Nigeria. I watched the game on the Danforth; Greek town in Toronto, the mood was upbeat to start and quickly deteriorated. Shouts of anger could be heard coming out of all the cafes and pubs. The players looked slow and lethargic, often lost by the speed of the game, having all kinds of possession but not being able to muster up a decent scoring chance. Teammates were even seen arguing on the pitch as frustrations mounted.  It was almost like USA '94 all over again, fans had nothing to cheer for all game, which dampened the mood even further. Greek's are very proud, even in defeat we would put on a brave face and support our team till the end, all us fans ask for in return is a positive effort and to work hard for the full ninety minutes; unfortunately that didn't happen on Saturday. The team deserved to lose and I’m surprised the score line wasn't worse. Flags still flew high as fans exited the cafes and pubs; frustration was the dominant emotion on display by the thousands littered on the street. The only positive coming out of the opener is the team can't play any worse (hopefully). Winning against Nigeria is a must but won't come easy; both teams need a win at this point after opening the tournament with a loss. Despite losing the Super Eagles looked impressive against Argentina and will make things difficult for Greece. A result is then needed against Argentina if Greece has any shot of making the knockout rounds. The Greek tally now stands at four games played at the World Cup, four losses and zero goals scored! Rehhagel must answer his many critics and produce a positive outcome moving forward, or he might find himself looking for a job as calls for his resignation will be on the lips of all Greeks.

Game Recap: Greece vs. South Korea (0-2)

To say Greece played lousy is an understatement, down right embarrassing is more fitting. I wasn’t optimistic after seeing the Starting XI, all the speed and creativity needed was left on the bench by Otto Rehhagel. Early on Greece had lots of possession and Geogios Samaras was causing early trouble down the left. Vasilis Torosidis had an early chance in front of goal just missing after a great cross by Giorgos Karagounis. After that everything fell apart. South Korea took a page out of the Greek playbook and scored early off a set piece, Ki Sung-Yueng cross was volleyed home from in close by Lee Jung-Soo. Terrible man-marking by Greece led to the early goal, and that seemed to unravel the Greek defence which looked shaky from then on. South Korea won almost every aerial ball and was able to go through the Greece's back line at will, two key areas of strength for Otto Rehhagel’s team. The midfield was also owned by the Koreans, forcing their opponents to try and beat them on the wings and by playing the long ball. Alexandros Tzorvas did all he can to keep his team in the game, denying Park Chu-Young on the breakaway after Loukas Vyntra was caught on his heels out of position; leading the pair into a verbal confrontation that showed Greece’s frustration. Karagounis delivery was awful all game long, same goes for Giourkas Seitaridis. Kostas Katsouranis was invisible all game long leaving Greece without any options in attack. Theofanis Gekas was left alone up front chasing balls all over the pitch as the service wasn’t there. Karagounis was subbed off to start the second half but his replacement Christos Patsatzoglou was average at best. Sotirios Kyrgiakos exclusion from the starting line-up in favor of Avraam Papadopoulos was another mystery, his physicality and aerial dominance was sorely missed. Speaking of exclusions, Sotiris Ninis couldn’t even get on as a sub, despite the lack of creativity and needing a goal Rehhagel left the speedy winger on the bench. The inclusion of Dimitrios Salpingidis in the 60th minute was welcomed, he changed the game and Greece looked more dangerous on the attack. It was too little too late unfortunately, by that time the game was lost. Newcomer Pantelis Kapetanos had a perfect chance to get one back after great work by Salpingidis , but the shot was sent way over the bar. Aside from that chance keeper Jung Sung-Ryong had few tests, usually just having to catch long balls sent into the box. It wasn’t till the 81st minute that he had to make a proper save to deny Theofanis Gekas from in close. When the final whistle blew Rehhagel stood on the sidelines looking visibly upset at his team’s performance. Greece were slow all game and played without energy, they lacked the kind of focus and determination needed to win at this important stage. Part of the blame goes to the players but I place the majority of it on Rehhagel. His reliance on the heroes of Euro 2004 is the teams Achilles heal and until he plays the best players available Greece will struggle. Im hoping those errors will be corrected for the game against Nigeria or all Greeks will have to endure another quick exit from the World Cup without scoring a goal.

Preview: Greece vs. South Korea

Less than 24 hours stand in the way before Greece makes their return to the World Cup. It’s been 16 years since the embarrassment that was USA '94, and I’m hoping for a better showing in South Africa. Things couldn't have gone worse for Greece in their inaugural campaign, 0 wins, 3 losses, 10 goals conceded, and 0 goals scored! As a fan I had absolutely nothing to cheer about.

Fast forward to present day and my how things have changed. The European Cup has its place in the Greek trophy cabinet; albeit the only piece of silverware Greece owns, a miraculous accomplishment for the tiny Mediterranean nation. More Greeks are playing abroad, which helps the national squad immensely and the Greek Super League is filled with talented foreigners that also helps the cause. Missing out on the World Cup in '06 hurt, and a dismal defense of the European crown in '08 made things ever more depressing. Still I have many reasons for optimism going into South Africa, and it starts with South Korea on Saturday.

No doubt winning the group is next to impossible with Argentina being heavy favorites but I believe Greece have what it takes to progress. South Korea come into the tournament as an unknown, much like Greece their play of late has been erratic. Similarities don't end there; both nations also lack star power, rather looking to a combined team effort to win games. Park Ji-Sung by far is Korea's best weapon and has the skill to push the Greek defence on its heels. Overall Greece has more depth, but Korea's pace will cause all sorts of problems if the defence gets caught chasing down the wings. If they can maintain their shape things should be fine. Being bigger and stronger then South Korea will help, establishing aerial dominance is a must early on, Greece are set piece specialists. Theofanis Gekas will carry the scoring load and will look to add to his impressive 10 goal performance in qualifying. Captain Giorgos Karagounis delivery is vital for Greek success and watch out for newcomer Sotiris Ninis, his pace adds a different weapon in attack.

An opening win looks to be in the cards; even a tie wouldn't be that bad of a result. However a loss spells disaster. Greece will want to avoid needing a result going into the final group game vs. Argentina. Otto Rehhagel must answer his critics and play a more attacking style, winning isn't possible if you can't score. Defending is Greece's style but more is needed on offence to make it out of the group.

Prediction: Greece wins 1-0

My World Cup Predictions: Knockout Rounds

Round of 16:


Mexico (1A) vs. Greece (2B)

The Greeks did well to make it out of Group B, but their World Cup journey will end at the hands of an in-form Mexican side. Speed will be a key factor in this game, unfortunately for Greece they don't have enough offensively to impose a challenge.

England (1C) vs. Serbia (2D)

This will be a tough test for Fabio Capello's squad. The Serbs play strong defensively and will frustrate the Three Lions attack. Wayne Rooney has the quality to breach Serbia's back line and England’s arsenal of weapons will overwhelm the White Eagles.

Germany (1D) vs. USA (2C)

Bob Bradley did well to get the American's this far but the dream will end here; the Germans experience will be too much to overcome. Joachim Low's side is well balanced and always performs well in the tournament. It will be close but the USA doesn't have enough to pull an upset.

Argentina (1B) vs. France (2A)

Probably the best game of the knockout rounds, this is Diego Maradona's first real challenge as coach on the grand stage. Argentina has the talent to go all the way but France can play spoiler. Both coaches were heavily criticized about their selections, although Raymond Domenech is hated by most French, Maradona is treated like a god despite his obvious shortcomings as leader. La Albiceleste's attacking options will be too much for the French to handle. Argentina will win comfortably.

Netherlands (1E) vs. Paraguay (2F)

After winning their group with ease, the Dutch wont find much of a struggle in Paraguay. Its offence vs. defence, but the Oranje have too many weapons at their disposal that will cause problems for La Albirroja. Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder have the ability to unlock any defensive system, which gives Netherlands the edge.

Brazil (1G) vs. Switzerland (2H)

Coming from the "Group of Death", the Selecao proved their superiority by finishing first. The Swiss did well to make it out of their group but are outclassed by Brazil in this round. Dunga and Co. will progress into the quarterfinals with relative ease.

Italy (1F) vs. Cameroon (2E)

The Azzurri were lucky to be drawn into a defensive group, the weaknesses on their roster couldn't be exploited properly. Cameroon has the players capable of outrunning the Italians aging back line into the ground. Speed down the wings will be the key factor for the Indomitable Lions and the reigning World Cup Champions will exit the tournament at this stage.

Spain (1H) vs. Cote d'Ivoire (2G)

"La Furia Espanola" cruised to an easy first place finish in Group H, while the Elephants fought hard in the "Group of Death" to make it this far. Unfortunately for Cote d'Ivoire their reward was Spain. After 3 grueling games the Elephants will be out of gas and no match for the Spaniards. Vicente Del Bosque arguably has the best assembled squad in South Africa and “La Roja Furia" will defeat the tired Ivorians.


Quarterfinals:


Netherlands vs. Brazil

My mouth is watering by the thought of these two heavyweights potentially meeting. The class on the pitch for both teams would be astounding, expect to be glued to your TV sets for 2 hours of non-stop action. The Selecao have fantastic full backs in Daniel Alves and Maicon who will cause the weak Dutch defensive line many problems. However the Brazilians lack creativity in midfield, Kaka is the engine but after him it gets rather thin. The Oranje however are filled with creative players who can be game changers on their own and will frustrate Brazil, although they will have to beat Julio Cesar who is by far better then his Dutch counterpart Maarten Stekelenberg. Im going with Netherlands for the upset, despite being thin on defense, creativity will reign supreme; Arjen Robben, Rafael van der Vaart and Wesley Sneijder are very dangerous, add Robin van Persie to the mix and all signs point to a Dutch victory.

Mexico vs. England

These two nations met in a friendly prior to the start of the World Cup; although Mexico fought hard they lost 3-1 at Wembley. I will be the first to say friendly matches account for nothing more than a boost of confidence for the players, but in this case I see a similar score line happening. You can point to the string of saves Robert Green made to deny the Mexicans as the reason for the victory, but England are just a class above Mexico and will win by a two-goal margin. By the time they meet, the Three Lions confidence will be booming and I feel "El Tri" won't be able to manage the onslaught. Captain Steven Gerrard will lead England to their first appearance in the semi-finals for the first time since Italia '90.

Germany vs. Argentina

In a repeat of the 2006 quarterfinal, Argentina will be hoping for a better result then the last. The Germans ousted Maradona's men in penalties with this year’s fearless leader watching from a private box at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin. Difference this time around is the Albiceleste are a lot stronger with more experience, and they wont have to compete with a boisterous home crowd that acted as a twelfth man for Germany. "Die Mannschaft" will try and out work Argentina, captain Phillip Lahm speed and delivery could cause problems on the right side for Argentina, with Miroslav Klose and Mario Gomes as targets. You should never count Germany out, but Argentina has too many options going forward that can make things difficult for an already weak defensive line. Maradona will defy his critics and push his beloved Argentina into the semis.

Cameroon vs. Spain

Being the only African nation left in the tournament, Cameroon already has overachieved and made their country proud. All of Africa will be behind the Indomitable Lions at Ellis Park in Johannesburg as they take on European Champions Spain. Captain Samuel Eto'o has matched Roger Milla's Cameroon of 1990 and made it to the quarterfinals of the World Cup, unfortunately this is where the story ends. The Spaniards have the advantage in every position, Iker Casillas can keep a clean sheet if tested but first Cameroon has to breach the defensive fortress Spain will line up in front of their captain. Add the trio of Alonso, Xavi and Iniesta's creativity; it will be hard to see an upset in the making. Despite the crowd being fully behind the Africans, Spain will get the victory and advance.


Semi-Finals:

England vs. Netherlands

Two massive football nations finally knock the monkey off their backs and live up to the expectations bestowed upon them by all the critics and fans. The Three Lions are one win away from the promise land; a birth in the final. Same goes for the Dutch, many golden generations have failed in the past where this team has persevered. This game will definitely live up to the hype, so many match-ups to consider. Who will be more dangerous Rooney or van Persie? Which midfield will provide more creativity; Lampard and Gerrard or Sneijder and Robben? Depending on injuries and suspensions their may be even more to consider. The Oranje have great skill but their lack of depth at the back will be their downfall. Fabio Capello has done a marvelous job as England coach and will add to his legacy by taking the Three Lions all the way to the final for the first time in 44 years and on foreign soil.

Argentina vs. Spain

If the first semi-final didn't excite you, this one sure will. The Albiceleste vs. La Furia Espanola; will make any true football fan drool; both benches can be a Starting XI. Spain and Argentina were favorites going into the World Cup and if all goes to plan they will meet and display a footballing clinic we can only dream to emulate. Pressure will be on coaches Diego Maradona and Vicente Del Bosque to win, the loser will be torn apart by critics for their failure to make the final. Each nation is expected to win the World Cup, anything less will be seen as a disaster. Although the Spaniards are the more complete team, I feel the stars are aligned for Argentina to make history, that’s why I’m picking Argentina to make the final.


Third Place:

Netherlands vs. Spain

Despite not reaching the finals, both teams have pride to play for. Spain and Netherlands will see this as a disappointment, but will go all out for the victory. It will be close but in the end Spain will get the victory, albeit hard fought. Third place at the World Cup is still a magnificent achievement for either nation.


Final:

England vs. Argentina

Despite the media scrutiny and all the pressure both nations have to endure; Argentina and England fought hard to make it this far. Whether its the memories of '66 or the media circus that follows Maradona each team had to come together and leave it out on the pitch. I can sit here and break down all the match-ups and different sets of formations each coach might deploy to get an edge, but its a one off game and history has proven anything can happen. Both Nations have the talent to lift the World Cup. Although my heart says England, I will stick with the prediction I made at the beginning of qualifying and say Argentina will win the World Cup. Diego Maradona will have to live up to his word and run naked through the streets as he promised.

My World Cup Predictions: Group G and H

Group G:


The "Group of Death" has been the label bestowed on the four countries occupying Group G. The openers are of great importance for all 4 nations, starting with North Korea, relative unknowns on the world stage. In qualification they beat out Iran, UAE, Mongolia and Saudi Arabia to book their place in South Africa. Similar to their neighbors from the South, the team has a tireless work rate and frustrates their opponents, as witnessed first hand by fighting back to tie Greece in a recent tune up match. Jong Tae-Se is by far the most skilled player on the team, and has been dubbed "The Peoples Rooney"; although he plays professionally in Japan and only occasionally makes the odd visit to the North. In '66 they defeated Italy 1-0, but that type of upset won’t happen this time as the team is outclassed in this star studded group.
The Samba Stars of Brazil come into the World Cup not looking like the flashy, offense driven powerhouse as we come to know. Dunga's Brazil is more balanced and defensive minded. The first casualty of the new system has been Ronaldinho, who was left off the squad. Alexandre Pato has also missed out, but his exclusion was based more on injuries that derailed his campaign last season. Whatever the case, the team knows how to win and is on an impressive run, most recently winning last years Confederations Cup. Despite big name exclusions, the entire squad is consumed with world class players. Kaka is Dunga's man, the type of player whose versatility, skill and commitment outweigh his apparent lack of flair that most Brazilians crave. By far the back line is their weakest point; Julio Cesar proved his class between the posts this past season and is well equipped to lead. The Selecao will win the group and outclass their opponents.
The Portuguese needed a near perfect second half run in qualifying to make the tournament. They started off slow and barely made it to South Africa. The team is spoiled with mid-fielders, none more important then leader Cristiano Ronaldo; the phenomenon is relied heavily upon to lead by example, which he has come to do. Despite the slow start in qualifying the team has played very well of late (minus the embarrassing 0-0 friendly draw with Cape Verde). The opener vs. Cote d'Ivoire will be the decider for second spot in this group; the loser will have to beat Brazil in order to advance to the knockout rounds. The loss of Nani, due to a shoulder injury is a major blow for Portugal. An integral part of the offence, his loss will have Carlos Queiroz scrambling for a solution.
Cote d’Ivoire limps into the World Cup with sad faces. Didier Drogba dislocated his elbow in a recent friendly match with Japan and is a major doubt for the tournament. Reports have him recovering in time to take part at some point after the teams opener, the Elephants will be hoping for a speedy recovery. Despite possessing some of Europe's best players, the team has struggled to live up to expectations. The appointment of Sven Goran-Erikkson as coach (only for the World Cup) has brought mixed feelings. He is a good coach; however he hasn't had enough time with his players to make an impact on the field. The loss of Drogba has put added pressure on the shoulders of Saloman Kalou to lead the Elephants attack. If Drogba makes it back in time for the opener, Cote d'Ivoire will advance to the knockout rounds, but if he misses the match against Portugal, it will prove to be too much for the Elephants to overcome.

1. Brazil
2. Cote d'Ivoire
3. Portugal
4. North Korea


Group H:

European Champions Spain headlines the final group, and will try to ride their remarkable unbeaten run (one loss in last 47 games) all the way to the finals in Johannesburg on July 11. The squad is filled with superstar’s right to its core. The best goalkeeper in the world, captain Iker Casillas leads from the back. In front of him, Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique form a partnership that can handle any offensive threat. In attack David Villa and Fernando Torres are able to score at will, arguably the deadliest duo in the tournament. Creativity can be found in the midfield with the likes of Xabi Alonso, Xavi and Anders Iniesta. Not to mention the game-changers who can come off the bench in Cesc Fabregas and newcomer Jesus Navas. Coach Vicente Del Bosque hates the prediction, but Spain is heavy favorites to win in South Africa.
Honduran's all around are living the dream, being able to participate in the World Cup is no small feat for this tiny nation in Central America. The last time they were on the world stage was in 1982, interesting enough they tied Spain 1-1; although not being able to make it out of the group. The Catrachos are hoping to get their first victory in the tournament after drawing two and losing one game in their only other World Cup appearance. The squad is really thin unfortunately and surprisingly one of the oldest teams in South Africa. Wilson Palacios is their best player and will look to inspire and lead, Maynor Figueroa will anchor the back line and David Suazo will carry the scoring load, the team will be in over their heads and a quick exit looms.
Chile had a an impressive qualifying campaign, only the Selecao finished ahead of them. The team is young and is quite capable of staging a good run in the tournament. They are attack minded and can press the game if needed, questions arise about the quality on defense, but a solid run of form has La Roja clicking at the best possible time. Although not household names, most of Chile's players fly under the radar and look to make some noise in South Africa. Humberto Suazo is the target man, if he can stay in form the danger he provides cannot be overlooked. One to watch is highly rated teenager Alexis Sanchez, he was impressive last term for Udinese and can be a game changer. If they can take advantage of their schedule of games, a place in the knockout rounds is possible.
The Swiss are one of the youngest teams in South Africa, but won't be a pushover, Coach Ottmar Hitzfeld has instilled confidence into the squad and the players have responded well on the pitch. He runs a tight ship and is well respected, so you will see a well disciplined squad. The best hope for progressing will be to play on the counter, they can't outscore their opponents, defending is key. But you need goals to win, if Switzerland can overcome the scoring drought, a place in the next round should be certain. Alexander Frei will carry the responsibility of breaching the opposition’s goal, despite picking up an ankle injury right before the tournament, he may miss the opener. Gokhan Inler will pull the strings from midfield and is Switzerland’s best all round player. A strong defensive work ethic will see the Swiss make the next round, lack of goals will be the team’s downfall afterwards, but getting out of the group stage will be a major achievement for Ottmar Hitzfeld, the players and the country.

1. Spain
2. Switzerland
3. Chile
4. Honduras

My World Cup Predictions: Group E and F

Group E:

This looks to be a tricky Group, the Dutch are favoured but the remaining are capable of moving to the next round and causing an upset along the way. Denmark enter South Africa with arguably the strongest squad ever assembled, of course taking nothing away from the team that won the Euro Cup in 1992. Everything goes through captain Jon Dahl Tomasson, he is the engine for the Danes. Nicklas Bendtner will look to cause problems in the opponents box, and will try and further his reputation as a prolific striker with a strong performance; although he is trying to recover from injury. Strong as they are, Denamrk has many injuries to key players; including keeper Thomas Sorensen. This will provide to be to much to overcome and the Danes will just miss out.
Next in line, Cameroon. My pick of the African nations to go the furthest in South Africa. The Indomitable Lions will look to make a strong impression after some terrible performances in the World Cup, never reaching the heights they did in Italia '90, even missing out 4 years ago in Germany. This team however is well experienced and Samuel Eto'o will cause problems in front of goal. The midfield is relitively their weakest part, not really creative although strong and sturdy. In goal, Carlos Kameni is very reliable, a great shot stopper who knows how to command his area. Experience and the twelfth man will push Cameroon into the knockout rounds.
Japan is in tough unfortunately for all the fans of the rising sun. They have looked awful in all their friendlies leading up to the tournament; although were unlucky to lose against England after a great start. Since 1998, the Blue Samurai have made each World Cup, but havent won a game abroad (2 wins at home in 2002). Scoring has been a problem for the Japanese, and judging by their opponents in the group this should lead to a quick exit. The backbone of the team is midfield; Yasuhito Endo and Shunsuke Nakamura will look to create and provide the spark, but with no one to score in the final third of the pitch, the Japanese will lose all 3 games in South Africa.
Always a threat and very dangerous, the Netherlands come into the World Cup with lots of confidence. Their roster is littered with talent, boasting stars like Robin van Persie, Wesley, Sneijder, Arjen Robben (who will probably miss the opener due to injury), Dirk Kuyt and Mark van Bommel. The Oranje seem to peek to soon however and usually crummble early in the knockout rounds. The backline is also full of question marks. Veteran Giovanni van Bronckhorst will lead but after that it gets thin, and they will also be without Edwin van der Sar for the first time after he retired from international play after Euro 2008. Maarten Stekelenburg takes over between the posts and although playing well for Ajax, he hasn't faced proper competition outside of the Eredivisie. Offence will be enough for the Dutch to win the group, but going into the knockout rounds you need a solid backline and keeper to win games as the competition gets better.

1. Netherlands
2. Cameroon
3. Denmark
4. Japan


Group F:

The All Whites will make only their second World Cup appearance in South Africa; losing all 3 games in Spain 1982. Considering New Zealand doesn't have a proper domestic lead, most of their roster plays in Australia (A-League). They had an easy road to South Africa by being the top team in the OFC (Oceania), now that Australia has moved to the Asian Football Confederation. The competition they faced in qualifying is nothing compared to what lies ahead and 3 quick loses look to be in their future. Bright spots can be found on the roster, Ryan Nelsen (Blackburn Rovers) will lead the defense and striker Shane Smeltz (Gold Coast United) will look to score the first goal in South Africa for the All Whites.
Paraguay come into the tournament brimming with confidence, after coming from two goals down to tie Côte d'Ivoire and a solid 2-0 win vs. Greece in their recent friendlies has given the squad a sense of optimism. After losing leading scorer Salvador Cabanas (shot in the head and miraculously surviving), the team has come together through this tragedy and forged on. The Albirroja will play on the counter attack and will look to their defense to stand firm and then poach a winner. This could provide a rather dull opener against an equally defensive minded Italy. Oscar Cardozo had a fantastic year at Benfica and will be a major threat in front of goal. I see them finishing second but should not be over-looked because they have all the necessary parts to pull an upset and make things hard on the Italians.
The Slovaks are making their first trip to the World Cup, topping the qualifying group which included neighbors and former countrymen Czech Republic. The team is technically sound and hard working, they might not have a star studded line-up like the Czech's, however they do boast some of Europe’s up and coming stars. Marek Hamsik (Napoli) is a fantastic attacking midfielder; creative and fast he will provide much of the creativity for Slovakia down the middle, and watch out for his thunderous shot. Although being injured most of the season for Liverpool, Martin Skrtel will be healthy for South Africa. His strength will anchor the backline, also a threat from set pieces. If they can out-defend their opponents they have a chance but not enough up front will be their downfall.
The reigning World Cup Champions are set to defend their crown, unfortunately for all Azzurri fans, not much is different from the team who lifted the trophy in 2006. Age is a problem for the Italians, they are old in footballing years but boast plenty of experience. Luckily they were drawn into a defensive minded group, which fits the Italians well. Gigi Buffon is the heart of the team, without him all is lost, however the backline will be cause for concern as Fabio Cannavaro and Gianluca Zambrotta may be passed their prime. Andrea Pirlo's injury was another blow, since everything goes through the veteran in the midfield. Daniele de Rossi will try and fill the hole left by Pirlo and drive the Azzuri forward. More questions will be asked in attack as Marcello Lippi's team lacks a true goal scorer. Striker Antonio Di Natale is in fine form and will try and silence the critics in that regard. Italy has what it takes to win this group but after that the jury is still out. A potential match-up against Cameroon or Denmark waits in the next round and if they slip up and finish second the Dutch might be too much to handle.

1. Italy
2. Paraguay
3. Slovakia
4. New Zealand

My World Cup Predictions: Group C and D

Group C:

Take one look at this group and it should be obvious what the outcome might be. England should win the group although their opener against the Americans could be a hurdle, they did it once before at the 1950 World Cup in Brazil, winning 1-0 against Sir Stanley Matthew's England. Sixty years on Italian Fabio Capello is in charge and Steven Gerrard will captain the 3 Lions in South Africa; after injury to Rio Ferdinand. This time around I believe England have all the tools necessary to go far in South Africa, with Algeria and Slovenia not issuing enough of a challenge to cause a scare. Only question mark being raised is in goal, my thoughts are to start Joe Hart, he had a fantastic season at Birmingham City and is known to be great shot stopper from the spot (we know how England have faired in the past at the penalty spot), although this doesn’t look likely. English supporters have plenty to look forward to as this is the best squad assembled in years and there is a different aura circulating within the 3 Lions camp.
The USA will capture the final qualifying spot in the group, the Americans are brimming with confidence and showed they are for real last summer at the Confederation Cup, beating Spain and pushing Brazil to the limit. Young, fast and hard working players can be found at the heart of Bob Bradley's squad. Landon Donovan is looking to lead by example and elevate the USA to new heights this summer.
Algeria did well to make it to South Africa, unfortunately they don't have the depth or experience to make it out of the group, and I see them losing all three games.
Slovenia makes their second World Cup appearance, after a quick exit in 2002 (losing all 3 games). A win in their opener against Algeria would immediately put pressure on the loser (or draw) between England and the USA, stranger things have happened at the World Cup in years past.

1. England
2. USA
3. Slovenia
4. Algeria


Group D:

The big match in this Group will happen on June 18th when Germany face Serbia. These two are my pick to get through to the next stage. Ghana were dealt a huge blow when Michael Essien was ruled out of the tournament. It will be very hard to repeat their performance in 2006 (loss to Brazil in Round of 16), despite playing on African soil, Ghana will finish at the bottom of this group.
Australia will suffer the same fate tragically, Mark Schwarzer will do all he can to keep the ball out of the net, defense will be key for the Socceroos to progress, however it wont be enough for a repeat performance from 2006 (losing to Italy in Round of 16), but Tim Cahill is capable of scoring at crucial times for club and country so beware, the Aussie's shouldn't be taken lightly.
The Germans are expected to win this group, no matter what players they bring, Germany seems to ooze confidence at the World Cup. The loss of Captain Michael Ballack through injury and a potential striking problem could hinder Germany's progress. Lukas Podolski, Miroslav Klose and Mario Gomez all had a sub-par season's respectively, but thankfully some young rising stars have forced their way into the national team. Thomas Muller and teammate Holger Badstuber had a great season for Bayern Munich, same goes for Mesut Ozil, who became the driving force for Werder Bremen this season. The Germans always find a way to win and push through adversity and will win the group.
Finally that leaves Serbia, who will make their first World Cup appearance as an independent nation. In qualifying they finished first, ahead of France, proving their class. Nemanja Vidic will anchor the back line in South Africa, after missing out due to injury in 2006 for Serbia and Montenegro. The White Eagles definitely have the depth and skill to cause problems, with speed down the wings and their size in the middle, Serbia are able to attack on the counter despite relying heavily on defense.

1. Germany
2. Serbia
3. Australia
4. Ghana

My World Cup Predictions: Group A and B

Group A:

History has shown that every host nation progresses past the group stages and into the knockout rounds. Sadly South Africa will be the first to break this tradition, home field advantage won't be enough to push Bafana Bafana into the next round, they lack the experience and skill to qualify for the next round, too many local stars consume the roster; making this an uphill battle from the start. Steven Pienear is one to watch and will anchor the midfield.
Uruguay could be the dark horse of this group, a great striking partnership in Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez are a serious threat (3rd in qualifying with 28 goals for), the team lacks midfield quality and will have to rely heavily on both strikers. A good result against France in their opener is needed. La Celeste have what it take to provide an upset, however I don't see that happening in South Africa.
Speaking of the French, a cloud of controversy surrounds the team, Henry's handball, dwindling support for their manager, some big names being left off the plane and a humiliating loss to China in their last warm-up match. Despite this I think they will play well enough to get the second spot, experience is a huge asset and Les Bleus have a strong resume boasting the likes of Franck Ribery, Yoann Gourcuff, Florent Malouda and have a strong keeper in Hugo Lloris. Problem is the striking duo of Nicolas Anelka and Thierry Henry may be past their prime for the grand stage.
That leaves Mexico, they have bounced back well after the Sven-Goran Erikkson disaster. The team plays well under Javier Aguirre and are my pick to win the group. The mix of youth (Carlos Vela, Javier Hernandez, Giovani Dos Santos) and veteran prowess (Cuauhtemoc Blanoc, Rafael Marquez, Gerardo Torrado) will be tough to stop as they proved in a win against the Italians recently. The Golden Generation; as they have been pegged, are one of the most well-prepared teams at the tournament. (being together since mid-April). The world will be watching the opener vs. the hosts and I see them playing spoiler to the party.

1. Mexico
2. France
3. Uruguay
4. South Africa

Group B:

Regardless what you think of Diego Maradona as coach, Argentina are heavy favorites to finish first in the group. Their attacking options are vastly superior (Diego Milito, Gonzalo Higuain, Carlos Tevez, Sergio Aguero) then practically every team and have the greatest footballer on the planet in Lionel Messi at their disposal; If only Maradona can get the best out of his star man. Leaving Esteban Cambiasso and Javier Zanetti at home is a major mistake by "El Pibe de Oro", but its not like he hasn't made these type of errors before, yet the class of this team will shine through and steady the ship. Although they are thin at the back, veterans Gabriel Heinze and Walter Samuel are in fine form and will lead the backline. Edge goes to Argentina.
The second spot is open for discussion. Nigeria are always dangerous and one of the stronger African nations, however they struggled to qualify and I see them missing out by the slimmest margin. The loss of Jon Obi Mikel only makes things worse as he is heavily relied upon. The Super Eagles are a different team then in the past. They defend strong, straight forward in the midfield and not as flashy as in previous years up front. But don't be fooled, the Nigerians are lightning quick and will look to play up the wing, with Obafemi Martins and Ayegbeni Yakubu as targets.
South Korea is unpredictable and their play is erratic, much will depend on their first game against Greece. A loss and it could be lights out as they play Argentina next. The team is fairly skilled and has proved to be a formidable opponent, their work rate is fantastic; Park Ji-Sung is an example of their hard work, his stamina and skill will be thr driving force for the Koreans. But inconsistency has always been their downfall.
I'm giving the edge to Greece for the second spot; like you didn`t see that coming. My reasoning for this is they have the best schedule of games and an early win will do wonders for their confidence. Greece live and die from the counter attack, defending till the very end, then scoring from a set piece. Keep an eye out for Sotiris Ninis to breath new life into the Greek attack. The heart of the team is captain Giorgios Karagounis, his deliveries from set pieces are essential and although one of the older veterans, he still has some creativity in those legs. Theofanis Gekas will be the target man, he led all scorers in qualifying with 10 goals. Also look out for the hard working bull at the back for Greece; Sotiris Krygiakios is always a threat in the air and could provide to be a handful for opposing defenders in the 18 yard box.

1. Argentina
2. Greece
3. Nigeria
4. South Korea

Predictions never stop...Here is one more, My 2010 World Cup Predictions

The time has finally arrived, the World Cup is upon us. I can't believe I uttered those words, has it really been four years? The greatest sporting event in the world kicks off in less than a week and I'm anticipating it to be the best ever. Sure , I say that every 4 years but this time I get a feeling that something magical will happen in Africa, the time this prestigious tournament has been played on the continent.

The Italians are back to defend their crown, the African nations are hoping to use the feverish support they will receive and make history by surpassing Cameroon's magical quarterfinal run at Italia '90, Brazil are always dangerous and Argentina can't be underestimated because of the Maradona factor, the team has plenty of talent on the pitch. Spain, the European Champions are clear favorites and then their's England, on paper this could be the best team ever assembled, however they are constant underachievers. And along the way a team defies the odds and surprises us all.  South Korea in 2002 on home soil showed how important the twelfth man can be.

Naturally I'm one of many who has an idea on what the outcome might be this time around. Every one has their predictions and I'm not any different.  I will break it down in four parts, two groups a day, right till the beginning of the tournament. So get your colours out and display them proudly, paint your faces, memorize your chants and songs. The wait is almost over, 64 matches in 30 days, South Africa is the destination and the world will be watching.

Sunday (June 6) - Group A and B
Monday (June 7) - Group C and D
Tuesday (June 8) -Group E and F
Wednesday (June 9) - Group G and H
Thursday (June 10) - Knockout Rounds

Greece beaten 2-0 by Paraguay in final warm-up game before World Cup

Confidence is critically low in the Greek camp with just 9 days remaining before their first game in South Africa. Paraguay got the better of Greece in Winterthur, Switzerland, as both sides continued their preparations for the World Cup. Enrique Vera opened the scoring inside nine minutes, following up after Roque Santa Cruz hit the bar. And when another effort from the Manchester City striker was parried by keeper Alexandros Tzorvas, Lucas Barrios was on hand to fire home his third goal in as many caps, to give Paraguay a 2-0 lead with only 25 minutes played. The Greek defense fell asleep on both goals and were caught ball watching as Paraguay scored on rebounds. Greece striker Dimitris Salpingidis then had an effort ruled out for offside and Alexandros Tziolis and Georgios Samaras went close before half-time. Paraguay keeper Justo Villar did well to save Vasilis Torosidis' curling effort and Tziolis volleyed wide, but thereafter Greece were quiet. The result could have been a lot worse for Greece if Giourkas Seitaridis hadn't cleared a sure goal off the line by Roque Santa Cruz. If that wasn't bad enough another goal-saving intervention was needed from Avraam Papadopoulos in the second half to rob Santa Cruz again. Paraguay cruised to victory, and the match ended with a lengthy spell of keep away by the South Americans. This represents another setback for Greece following last Tuesday's embarrassing 2-2 draw with North Korea, in which the Euro 2004 champs held the lead twice. Otto Rehhagel has only a small window to correct the mistakes and get his players firing on all cylinders or else Greece might find their stay in South Africa short-lived.

A look at Greece's opponents in Group B

Now it’s obvious I’m bias considering my blog is dedicated to Greece at the World Cup, although I can't pretend they are the only team in South Africa. In order to defeat your opponent you have to study and analyze them thoroughly. So here it is, the final rosters for each team Greece will be facing in Group B.

Argentina:

Looking at the players Diego Maradona selected for South Africa has many people wondering if "El Pibe de Oro" has what it takes to win the World Cup as a coach. The offence is not the problem, Argentina can score goals but can they keep them out of their net is the question.

Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar), Mariano Andujar (Catania), Diego Pozo (Colon)

Defenders: Nicolas Burdisso (Inter Milan), Martin Demichelis (Bayern Munich),
Walter Samuel (Inter Milan), Gabriel Heinze (Olympique Marseille), Nicolas Otamendi (Velez Sarsfield), Clemente Rodriguez (Estudiantes), Ariel Garce (Colon)

Midfielders: Javier Mascherano (Liverpool), Juan Sebastian Veron (Estudiantes),
Maximiliano Rodriguez (Liverpool), Mario Bolatti (Fiorentina), Angel Di Maria (Benfica),
Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle), Javier Pastore (Palermo)

Forwards: Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid), Diego Milito (Inter Milan), Martin Palermo (Boca Juniors), Carlos Tevez (Manchester City), Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid), Lionel Messi (Barcelona)


South Korea:

Since 2002, the Koreans have hit a downward spiral in international play. Not being able to come close to showing the type of skill they displayed at home 8 years ago that took them all the way to the semi-finals of the World Cup. They ended qualifications on a high but have had mixed result in friendlies throughout the year, which leaves everyone guessing which team will show up in South Africa.

Goalkeepers: Kim Young-kwang (Ulsan), Lee Woon-jae (Suwon), Jung Sung-ryong (Seongnam)


Defenders: Kim Dong-jin (Ulsan), Kim Hyung-il (Pohang), Oh Beom-seok (Ulsan),
Lee Young-pyo (Al Hilal), Lee Jung-soo (Kashima), Cha Du-ri (Freiburg) Cho Yong-hyung (Jeju United) Kang Min-soo (Suwon)

Midfielders: Ki Sung-yong (Celtic), Kim Bo-kyung (Oita), Kim Nam-il (Tomsk), Kim Jae-sung (Pohang), Kim Jung-woo (Gwangju), Lee Chung-yong (Bolton Wanderers), Park Ji-sung (Manchester United)

Forwards: Park Chu-young (Monaco), Ahn Jung-hwan (Dalian), Lee Seung-ryul (Seoul),
Yeom Ki-hun, (Suwon), Lee Dong-gook (Jeonbuk)


Nigeria:

Things are a lot different in the Nigerian camp going into this World Cup, instead of being attack minded and trying to win with speed and offence, this generation of Super Eagles strength comes from their back line and keeper. The team goes into South Africa with heavy expectations, being one of the stronger African nations. They only qualified for the tournament on the last day, despite that their fans expect nothing less but to qualify past the group stages which can be tricky given the unpredictability of Group B.

Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Hapoel Tel Aviv), Dele Aiyenugba (Bnei Yehuda),
Austin Ejide (Hapoel Petah Tikva)


Defenders: Taye Taiwo (Marseillee), Elderson Echiejile (Rennes), Chidi Odiah (CSKA Moscow),
Joseph Yobo (Everton), Daniel Shittu (Bolton Wanderers), Ayodele Adeleye (Sparta Rotterdam),
Rabiu Afolabi (SV Salzburg)

Midfielders: Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi (TSG Hoffenheim), John Utaka (Portsmouth), Kalu Uche (Almeria), Dickson Etuhu (Fulham), John Mikel Obi (Chelsea), Sani Kaita (Alaniya), Haruna Lukman (AS Monaco), Yusuf Ayila (Dynamo Kiev), Osaze Odemwingie (Lokomotiv Moscow)

Forwards: Yakubu Aiyegbeni (Everton), Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth), Obafemi Martins (Wolfsburg), Victor Obinna Nsofor (Malaga)

Greece boss Otto Rehhagel announces final 23-man roster for World Cup

No surprises in the squad making the trip to South Africa for the Greeks. Otto Rehhagel stayed true to the players who paved the way for Greece's second World Cup appearance. The team is looking to bounce back after not qualifying for the 2006 World Cup and a poor performance in the 2008 European Championships (3 losses in 3 games), failing to put up a fight in defense of their 2004 crown. It’s amazing that 2 of the 3 teams in Group B were also in Greece's group at their last World Cup appearance in 1994 (Argentina and Nigeria). We are all looking for a better performance this time around and beside for favorites Argentina, the group is wide open for the final spot into the knockout round. This team looks to be better then in previous years with a great mix of youth finally blended into the squad, which will give the Greeks more pace and options. Greece will rely on defence to win games but they will also need goals and will rely heavily on Theofanis Gekas to provide them (led all players in qualifying with 10 goals). Sotiris Ninis has the speed and quality to attack the fast paced Nigerians and South Koreans, adding to the creativity of veteran Kostas Katsouranis in the middle and the dangerous set pieces by Giorgos Karagounis. Greece looks to be a threat from all fronts in South Africa.

Greece squad:

Goalkeepers: Michalis Sifakis (Aris Salonika), Alexandros Tzorvas (Panathinaikos), Kostas Chalkias (PAOK Salonika).

Defenders: Giorgos Seitaridis (Panathinaikos), Loukas Vintra (Panathinaikos), Evangelos Moras (Bologna), Socrates Papastathopoulos (Genoa), Sotiris Kyrgiakos (Liverpool), Avraam Papadopoulos (Olympiakos), Vasilis Torosidis (Olympiakos), Nikos Spiropoulos (Panathinaikos), Stelios Malezas (PAOK Salonika).

Midfielders: Kostas Katsouranis (Panathinaikos), Alexandros Tziolis (Siena), Giorgos Karagounis (Panathinaikos), Sotiris Ninis (Panathinaikos), Christos Patsatzoglou (Omonia), Sakis Prittas (Aris Salonika).

Forwards: Angelos Charisteas (Nuremberg), Dimitris Salpigidis (Panathinaikos), Pantelis Kapetanos (Steaua Bucharest), Theofanis Gekas (Hertha Berlin), Giorgos Samaras (Celtic).