2010 World Cup Final – An attempt to look into the future one year prior to the Final

"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed">On the 11^th of July in almost exactly a year from now, we will see the final of the FIFA World Cup 2010. One year prior I will try and make an attempt to look into the future and see what could happen in 365 days.

The last World Cups were full of surprises, especially the 2002 World Cup in Japan/South Korea. Who would have expected Turkey and South Korea in the Semi Finals. IN 2006 things were a bit more predictable, although Brazil was a huge disappointment and not many had predicted that Italy would win the trophy.

So let's have a closer look at some of the key teams who should have a real shot for Gold:

Italy: The performance at the Confederations Cup was a scandal and so was their Euro performance in 2008. Overall the team is maybe too old with Pirlo, Luca Toni, Cannevaro all passed their peak. They still have an overall outstanding team and coach. But I believe that the last 16 or last 8 will be the end for them.

Spain: Spain looks like one of the big favorites for now. They are young and hungry for more. After winning the 2008 Euro tournament they might have finally broken their losing streak. In Inesta, Xavi and Torres they have some of the best players in the world and they have also Iker Casillas in goal. Spain does not have the depth in their team, so if one key player will be injured, I do not think they will make it to the final. But they certainly could.

England: Well under normal circumstances England should be the same old England also in 2010. Which means they should lose in the Quarter Finals. This time the only difference could be that they have a real coach and this shows in the current qualifications. Still, my guess is they will be out in the Quarter Finals.

Brazil: Brazil is not the same Brazil picked with stars of 2006 or 2002. They only have two top stars in Kaka and Rubinho. But Dunga's Brazil is in any case different and they are focused on different playing values. They showed during the Confederations Cup that they can still pull it off. I believe what they have is not enough to win the title and they will either reach the Semi Finals or the Quarter Finals.

Germany: Every four years the same. The team is not great, not many stars, but still they could go all the way. The play a fine Qualifications Round and have a decent coach in Jogi Loew. If Ballack will emerge as their leader, combined with Phillip Lahm and Gomez upfront, and most importantly to have their regular luck in the draw, Germany could go all the way to the final. But they need to stabilize the defense which was a nightmare in 2008.

Argentina: Argentina are my favorite international team. In 2006 they had the chance to win the title and were unlucky. In 2002 they were the big favorites and were the biggest disappointed. So this time it looks a year from now they are not in their best form, but maybe this is a good thing and they will improve until the tournament. They have after all Messi, the best player in the world. So overall I am skeptical, but they should make it to the Semi Finals.

Other teams could surprise in a positive way such as the Netherlands, the US team and also host South Africa. All of these teams should reach the Quarter Finals, but I doubt they will come any further.

So if I had to bet money one year before the World Cup Final, I'd put it on Spain, Germany and (just in case) also on Brazil. And deep inside I dream about Messi lifting the trophy.

10 Comments

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By Gabriel

09.07.2009 19:48

well never an easy task to try to guess what is going on in a world cup. we have the usual favorites, the never forget me teams(netherland, france), and the surprises. i will focus on it that on the favorites because from time to time there is always a big one surprise. do not loose in your predictions bosnia, eslovaquia, croatia and serbia they have great players and have a good performance in this qualifications.african teams are another that you can not forget they are growing everyday so can be a real pain for the big ones

By Benjamin Rosendahl

09.07.2009 20:20

I can't believe it has been three years already since the last World Cup.Like you, Mani, I dream of Messi holding up the trophy. Even more, I dream of MARADONNA (now Argentine head coach) holding up the trophy - the next world cup will show if he really has "the hand of God". Mysteriously missing from your blog are the "Tricolore" who IMHO always have a good chance of making it at least to the semis, which is to a good part due to Messi's team mate at Barcelona, Thierry Henry. And then there is my underdog favorite: Turkey! They did a great job in the 2002 World Cup and the 2008 European Cup. So if they qualify, they will definetely be a force to be reckoned with. In short: It's going to be interesting. P.S. One last thing: European teams have never won World Cups on non-European territory. However, this might change, since it's going to be winter in South Africa...

By urubu

10.07.2009 01:49

In one year everything can happen but for now I think so... Germany, Italy, Brasil are always the three key forces in a world cup. Germany by "Every four years the same" as you say, Italy has shown more than once that they can win even with a discredited team and this Brasil looks more competitive precisely because of the lack of many celebrities. Spain is favored by the good football but the lack of tradition in WC finals and the excess of favoritism will be a problem. Messi really deserves to be world champion and he certainly can do it but if Argentina fails to win the next game against Brasil by the WC qualifiers, Maradona will be in serious trouble.

By raj

10.07.2009 08:00

hey mani dont put england out in d quarters at least i always supported dem and dey always disapppoints me i think dey ll do much better this time lets see...........cup in ronneys hand

By Mani Honigstein

10.07.2009 08:38

@Gabriel: France has no real chance with this coach. They have Ribery. Benzema and Henry but no spirit. @Urubu: agree in all that you said. But Argentina will qualify for sure with Maradona as coach.

By Michael

10.07.2009 08:43

Guess Argentina and Spain has to be considered hot shots . Brazil are always up there KAKA , Robinho also don't discount Diego....England - no Comments. The worst German team I have seen was in 2002 WC and still they made it to the Final .. Deutschland can make it interesting...

By Sarith Widerker

10.07.2009 09:57

@Michael: I have seen worse German teams, in 1982 and 1986 and even then they made it to the finals. I agree on Diego, but the problem is that Dunga does not even invite him to the Selecao.

By Michael

10.07.2009 10:28

@Sarith - Fortunately /Unfortunately i was not old enough to remember 1982 /1986

By dmitri

10.07.2009 13:37

the manner which Argentina wins their next qual match will define their 'champion' mindsets for next mundial (that's if they win, of course). today, i consider Spain the strongest, because they have momentum. Brazil is next best thing, but England is the most improved from all established nations thus far. Germany is always lucky, because their tournament form often depend not on quality, but mood. they're always having fun with snatching a win or two. Japan has top-4 ambitions, but i'm sure so does Turkey.