FIFA World Cup 2018 - Some Bold Predictions!

Team to go all the way: Germany

Image Source: https://twitter.com/DFB_Team/media

A bold prediction again!
Let's go through what it all looks like this time round.

First, a brief background:
The FIFA World Cup 2018 will be hosted by Russia and some top teams have been eliminated during the qualifiers to the World Cup - namely Italy, Netherlands, USA & Chile.

Last World Cup winners: Germany - 2014
Last Euro Cup winners: Portugal - 2016


So who all are in the race this time round?
Familiar names, but this time round many of them look fearsome.


The 8 teams that can make it to the Quarter Finals are:


1. Germany
Stregth: Bench as good as 1st team of many minnows!
Weakness: Young team
Watch out for: Werner, Muller, Kroos, Ozil, Hummels, Neuer (and nearly everyone!)

Key:
a. Extremely astute coach who can bring the best out of players, even the youth!
b. Strength in depth

Predicted starting line-up (not necessarily the same formation):

2. England
Strength: Young team - no psychological barriers of the past
Weakness:
a. Lack of depth & defence, and
b. Defensive mid-field not as great as the top teams
Watch out for: Kane, Alli, Sterling, Rashford

Key:
Creative attack complemented with the lethal Harry Kane

Predicted starting line-up (not necessarily the same formation,
 Note: England usually prefer to play with 3 defenders under Southgate, the current coach):

3. Brazil
Strength: Strong attack
Weakness: Weak links left in defence with the absence of Dani Alves and David Luiz (both through injury)
Watch out for: Neymar, Coutinho, Jesus, Thiago Silva, Casemiro, Firmino

Key:
The brazilian flair in attack, led by Neymar

Predicted starting line-up (not necessarily the same formation):

4. Belgium
Strength: Amazing midfield & attack
Weakness: Pressure handling on the big stages - Lack of manager's experience at the top stage (Martinez has won only the FA Cup as a mojor trophy in his coaching career)
Watch out for: Eden Hazard, Lukaku, De Bruyne, Courtois

Key:
This Belgium side is labelled the Golden Generation, and rightly so! An attack that would be envied by the topmost teams

Predicted starting line-up (not necessarily the same formation):

5. Portugal
Strength: Freshly crowned the European Champions in 2016 - a psychological advantage
Weakness: Rely on their defensive game and closing out teams to progress.
Watch out for: Cristiano Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva, Pepe

Key:
a. Santos, their manager has the tactical nous to make the best of the existing talent & turn the group into a strong team.
b. Cristiano Ronaldo has been phenominal in the World Cup qualifiers, scoring 15 Goals in 9 games and further assisting 3 goals. Such a form, on the back of helping his club claim a successive 3rd Champions League, could be decisive.

Predicted starting line-up (not necessarily the same formation):

6. France
Strength: Enviable lineup with a strong bench too for attack
Weakness: High expectations on young shoulders
Watch out for: Mbappe, Pogba, Griezmann, Lemar, Dembele, Lloris

Key:
If Deschamps can harness the individual potential into the team, then this team can go far with its Exceptional talent

Predicted starting line-up (not necessarily the same formation):

7. Argentina
Strength: Lethal attack - So good that they could afford to leave out the joint top scorer of Serie A (Italy's top league)!
Weakness: Mediocre midfield and defence
Watch out for: Messi, Dybala, Higuain, Aguero, D'Maria, Mascherano

Key:
a. If this Argentine team wants to go far, they will have to ensure they do not ship in many goals
b. The lethal attack needs to bind together, which has most often underperformed and failed to get the best of their star Messi

Predicted starting line-up (not necessarily the same formation):

8.Spain
Strength: Creative and Sharp attack - Strong defence
Weakness: As always, binding of the team, mainly coming from the top two teams of La Liga who play in pretty different ways
Watch out for: Iniesta, David Silva, Diego Costa, Isco, Ramos, Pique, De Gea

Key:
Creative attacking talent & a solid defense. If the team can band well together making the most of their talents, then they sure can go far

Predicted starting line-up (not necessarily the same formation):

Wih all the top teams boasting of super star attacks, the battles will mainly be won in the midfield.


So taking a closer look at the midfield, the 4 teams that can make it to the Semi Finals are:
Germany, Brazil, Belgium & France


From here, it gets close and the teams that can make it to the Finals are: Brazil and Germany, indeed the ones with the strength in depth to reach the last mile.


And eventually, this time too, do not be surprised if Germany lift the World Cup!


Golden Boot Winner: Timo Werner

Image Source: https://twitter.com/DFB_Team/media

Reasons:
a. Smart in one-on-one situations and in front of Goal (including tight angles)
b. Comfortable when man marked
c. Looping headers
d. Pace and movement - whizzes past defenders and splits open defenses
e. Deft first touch
f. Assists - Splitting & selfless, both!


Enjoy!

UEFA Euro 2012 - Poland and Ukraine

The biggest footballing event of the year 2012 is finally here!

Sixteen teams come to this showpiece event in Poland and Ukraine after fighting tough battles.
An analysis of the event, the teams and expectations is imperative!

A brief of the Euro 2012 -

The tournament features 16 nations, the last European Championship to do so (from Euro 2016 onward, there will be 24 finalists), and will be held between 8 June and 1 July 2012. Qualification was contested by 51 nations between August 2010 and November 2011 to join the two host nations in the final tournament.

For the Tournament Map - Go to Uefa.com

Analysis of the most talked about teams -
The event certainly has a few favorites and a few underdogs, just as all sporting events do. So here we'd try to analyze only the ones that are the most talked about.

Lets begin with the defending champions -
Spain

La Furia Roja Home Jersey - Euro 2012

Overview -
Spain are backed by millions worldwide after their World Cup victory in 2010. Fans like te team for its style of play, which in some way is similar to that of the Spanish club Barcelona. A flowing style of football with emphasis on attacking play.


Key Players -
The players that can turn games and help Spain retain the title: Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas and David Silva.
Despite such star players, Spain's engine seems to have slowed down over time as other teams seem to have  figured out ways to block these key men and suppress the teams effervescent style. Spain need to find a counter strategy to overcome this situation, if they are to progress to the end.



Next, the runners up at World Cup 2010 -
Netherlands

Euro 2012 - Oranje Home Jersey

Overview -
A strong attacking line up make Holland one of the most fiercest opponents for any team. The team can boast of its attacking line up as probably the best in Europe at the moment. The team has lined up the youngest player in the tournament in Jetro Willems (of PSV), who only recently turned 18.


Key Players -
Robin Van Persie, enough said. That is the kind of sensational form the striker is in. Add to that the likes of Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder, Rafael Van der Vaart and Klaas Jan Huntelaar, any team that faces them will need to make sure that they line up a strong defense if they wish to survive the firepower of the Dutch.




Germany

Euro 2012 -  Die Mannschaft Away Jersey

Overview -
Germany bring the youngest team in the tournament and yet they have magnificent class. In manager Joachim "Jogi" Löw Germany have a fantastic coach who with his brave decisions and a unassuming knack to pick out the right combinations has got Germany to an altogether different level. Germany's style of play is no less interesting than Spain's, all thanks to the spirited coach.


Key Players -
With stars like Philip Lahm, Thomas Mueller, Mesut Ozil, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Miroslav Klose, Mario Gomez and Lukas Podolski Germany have a strong lineup. If only the team can shore up its defense, they can go all the way in this tournament.



Portugal

Euro 2012 - Selecção Home Jersey

Overview -
Cristiano Ronaldo will lead the Portuguese line up. Portugal have enough quality to compete at the highest level, but somehow have not managed to get the best out of the players and fight as a team. This tournament provides them a big opportunity to showcase their true strength. They start in the 'Group of Death' and will have the formidable task of competing with Netherlands and Germany to advance to the next stage.


Key Players -
The current best footballer in the world Crstiano Ronaldo along with Nani, Raul Meireles, Pepe and Fabio Coentrao make up a line up that can show enough fire power to yield dividends for the Portugal faithful. But for that they need to act collectively and use each star potential to the best.



France

Euro 2012 -  Les Bleus Home Jersey

Overview -
A one time formidable European powerhouse crumbled at World Cup 2010 in the group stage, thanks to an internal mutiny in the french camp. But things have changed post the World Cup debacle and the team has resurrected under new Coach Laurent Blanc. Walking into the final with an unbeaten run of 21 games would definitely give the team some confidence, but as the coah himself puts it "We are not favourites, Spain, Germany and Netherlands are".


Key Players -
The stars for the Blues are Karim Benzema, Franck Ribery, Samir Nasri, Yann M'vila, Patrice Evra and Hugo Lloris. In Benz and Ribery, France have one of the most potent attackers of the game. Add the quality of Nasri, M'vila, Evra and Lloris, the team can churn out results, but again, even they need to shore up their defences if they are to survive longer in the competition than the group stage.



Italy

Euro 2012 - Azurri Home Jersey

Overview -
World Champions of 2006 have since then lost the steam and now play with a minnows tag. Though the team have quite a few stars, they still remain to show enough determination and quality to come out of the under performers tag.


Key Players -
Mario Balotelli, Daniele De Rossi, Andrea Pirlo, Giorgio Chiellini, and Gianluigi Buffon, the stars of the Azzurri need to perform at their top levels to keep any hopes afloat.







England

Euro 2012 - Three Lions Home Jersery

Overview -
The perennial underachievers. Each time an international competition begins, the English media and the Three Lions' faithful claim that this would be their time. But the atmosphere is a little different these time. The expectations are subdued and it would not be difficult to agree that they are not the favourites by any chance to comete for the trophy. Yet many still call them the 'dark horse' for this event. Only time will tell.


Key Players -
Wayne Rooney (suspended for the first two games), Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Jhon Terry, Ashley Cole and Joe Hart are top players. Even though England remain a little exposed in their defense, especially due to their injury woes, the old guard of the Three Lions, particularly Gerrard and Lampard need to shoulder huge responsibility and support courageous youngsters like Young, Welbeck and Oxlade Chamberlain to fire the team ahead. A disciplined defensive display and willingness by team members to put their act together can definitely see them go some distance in this tournament.



Though only a few teams have been analysed above, it should be noted that the other teams have fought hard to reach this final showpiece, and hence should not be underestimated. The likes of Greece have shown in the past what they can achieve.
Thus the tournament sure is going to keep the football/soccer lovers throughout the world hooked for the next nearly one month and ensure tremendous entertainment.


To take a long shot at the outcome of the event, I personally feel that though Spain are touted to retain the title, Germany and Netherlands will make it to the Finals of the tournament. Why so?
Read on...

Germany and Netherlands will face stiff competition in the Group of Death, but both should mange to overcome it given the kind of attacking football they play. Beyond that one of them will face more competition as one of them probably might have to face Spain in the semifinals. But yet, the attacking firepower at both team's disposal and the tactical brilliance that they posses should ensure that they beat the favourites, and do so in some style.
In the Final, Germany will have an edge given their flair, the coach's charisma and a superior defense over the Dutch. But yet, the outcome of the Final would be too much to predict and a Dutch win should not come as a surprise. Nonetheless, the mind says - Germany should prevail!