I have learned never to underestimate this game's ability to surprise. It can be the source of extreme exhilaration. Or bitter disappointment and suffering. Nothing is guaranteed. There is life and there is football.
I am a raccoon. There are black lines under my eyes from sleep deprivation. But sleep is hardly an expensive price to pay to witness life itself. Para mirar la vida.
Setanta Sports = Sleep disorder
But enough of philosophical musings.
The race is wide open. While Holland, Portugal and Spain appear to be the favorites, any one can still win it. Glaring weaknesses that can be exploited are evident in each of the quarterfinal qualifiers.
The Dutch play an attractive, free-flowing style - quick counter-attack, numerous touches. Their players are brilliant individually and they play a good collective game as well. This team has the most balanced attack of all, in my opinion. But I still have my doubts. Their backline has not been tested yet. And against Italy and France, they have benefitted from a first goal which has opened up defenses of opposing teams. Not sure how they play if they find themselves a goal down against an organized defense.
Not convinced with Spain yet. Defense is also suspect (Ramos has been exposed several times already) and midfield despite an abundance of talent (Xavi, Iniesta, etc) is tentative. The goal-scoring prowess of Villa and Torres cover up the overall ineptness of team play.
I tend to favor organization, discipline and tactics which I see in Croatia, Portugal, Germany and Sweden.
Croatia and Portugal are very well-coached. Slaven Billic and Phil Scolari understand their teams' talent and utilize it in their playing philosophies. Billic in particular, has impressed me with his tactical awareness in the defeat of England during qualification and Germany. Field positioning and organization were clearly on display. I would love to see how it works against Holland. Modric is the man to watch. For Portugal, while all eyes are on Ronaldo, it is Deco who actually runs this team with his short passes, distribution and playmaking. Their wing-play also stretches defenses.
The only drawback of these two squads is the lack of an out and out striker that Germany, Italy, Holland and Spain have. They rely on their attacking midfield for the goals.
Germany and Italy (yes, Italy) if they regroup can be dangerous. These are squads with talent on all positions. If they find their rhythm, can go from strength to strength with each passing game. You cannot count them out. That is pretty much how Italy performed in the last world cup. Of course, Italy still has that game against France to worry about.
Still a lot to play for. But I'm rooting for Croatia and Portugal.
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