US economy slows to 1.6% in Q1 of '24 – BEA    EMX appoints Al-Jarawi as deputy chairman    Mexico's inflation exceeds expectations in 1st half of April    GAFI empowers entrepreneurs, startups in collaboration with African Development Bank    Egyptian exporters advocate for two-year tax exemption    Egyptian Prime Minister follows up on efforts to increase strategic reserves of essential commodities    Italy hits Amazon with a €10m fine over anti-competitive practices    Environment Ministry, Haretna Foundation sign protocol for sustainable development    After 200 days of war, our resolve stands unyielding, akin to might of mountains: Abu Ubaida    World Bank pauses $150m funding for Tanzanian tourism project    China's '40 coal cutback falls short, threatens climate    Swiss freeze on Russian assets dwindles to $6.36b in '23    Amir Karara reflects on 'Beit Al-Rifai' success, aspires for future collaborations    Ministers of Health, Education launch 'Partnership for Healthy Cities' initiative in schools    Egyptian President and Spanish PM discuss Middle East tensions, bilateral relations in phone call    Amstone Egypt unveils groundbreaking "Hydra B5" Patrol Boat, bolstering domestic defence production    Climate change risks 70% of global workforce – ILO    Health Ministry, EADP establish cooperation protocol for African initiatives    Prime Minister Madbouly reviews cooperation with South Sudan    Ramses II statue head returns to Egypt after repatriation from Switzerland    Egypt retains top spot in CFA's MENA Research Challenge    Egyptian public, private sectors off on Apr 25 marking Sinai Liberation    EU pledges €3.5b for oceans, environment    Egypt forms supreme committee to revive historic Ahl Al-Bayt Trail    Debt swaps could unlock $100b for climate action    Acts of goodness: Transforming companies, people, communities    President Al-Sisi embarks on new term with pledge for prosperity, democratic evolution    Amal Al Ghad Magazine congratulates President Sisi on new office term    Egypt starts construction of groundwater drinking water stations in South Sudan    Egyptian, Japanese Judo communities celebrate new coach at Tokyo's Embassy in Cairo    Uppingham Cairo and Rafa Nadal Academy Unite to Elevate Sports Education in Egypt with the Introduction of the "Rafa Nadal Tennis Program"    Financial literacy becomes extremely important – EGX official    Euro area annual inflation up to 2.9% – Eurostat    BYD، Brazil's Sigma Lithium JV likely    UNESCO celebrates World Arabic Language Day    Motaz Azaiza mural in Manchester tribute to Palestinian journalists    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Time for Brazil
Published in Daily News Egypt on 11 - 06 - 2014

Spain emerged victorious 1,432 days ago on South African lands after an Andres Iniesta-inspired win over Netherlands 1-0 in the 2010 World Cup final.
On Thursday, brace yourselves, because the football feast will start at the nation where football has been always at its best: Brazil.
The pre-World Cup games/expectations fever is intensifying, so this is a trial to expect how this World Cup will go. Of course, some surprises might happen here and there (who would have expected Senegal to beat France in the 2002 World Cup opening game?)
Here is a list of the likely candidates to make it through the first round in Brazil.
Group A (1st Brazil, 2nd Croatia)
Not a tough task really. Brazil, fueled by the fans and charged with its players will be in first place, three straight wins. Croatia will take second place over Cameroon and Mexico.
Group B (1st Spain, 2nd Netherlands)
The 2010 finalists will fight for the qualification spots, with both of them fighting for first place to avoid Brazil in the round of 16. Their opening game will be the decider, and La Roja will take that one. Chile will be a stern test for both teams.
Group C (1st Colombia, 2nd Cote d'Ivoire)
As a rule, South American teams will have a slight advantage in Brazil, so Colombia will overcome for top spot. Cote d'Ivoire will overpower Greece but will have to be at its best to defeat the Japanese.
Group D (1st Italy, 2nd England)
Anything might happen here – absolutely anything. I'll opt for Italy and England looking at how integrated their squads are, compared to Uruguay, which strength is stacked in attack.
Group E (1st France, 2nd Switzerland)
France might consider itself lucky to be drawn in such a group. Ecuador will be a tough test for the Swiss, but Switzerland will qualify in the end.
Group F (1st Argentina, 2nd Bosnia and Herzegovina)
What goes for France applies for Argentina. The Albiceleste will qualify in peace from group stage, and the Bosnians will overpower the Nigerians and the Iranians for the second spot.
Group G (1st Germany, 2nd Ghana)
Each of the four teams is a striking force in world football, and the fans will be unlucky for the elimination of two of them. Ghana's young integrated squad will qualify over Portugal, while first place is a German certainty.
Group H (1st Belgium, 2nd Algeria)
In this group of black horses, Belgium will show class and prevail as first, Algeria and Russia will fight thoroughly for second place, but the Desert Warriors' passion will clinch it for the Arabs.
Second Round
Brazil vs. Netherlands: This is where the Dutch adventure ends; the young inexperienced squad will crack under the Brazilian pressure and lose out.
Colombia vs. England: It is a match that can go either way, but the squad depth after a tough group stage will ensure English qualification.
France vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina: France will yet be untested in the tournament, but experience will take them over the Bosnians.
Germany vs. Algeria: Germany's title ambitions will not be halted by the Algerians. However, in remembrance of the Disgrace of Gijon, Algeria will give the Nationalmannschaft a tough match.
Spain vs. Croatia: Spain will need lots of skill and a bit of luck to pass through, both things they have.
Italy vs. Cote d'Ivoire: The Elephants, despite qualification, are not those of 2006 or 2010, they'll lose easily to the Azzuri.
Argentina vs. Switzerland: The unbelievable Argentine attack, with the likes of Messi, Aguero and Higuain, will take them to the quarterfinal over the Swiss.
Belgium vs. Ghana: A match that is hardly expected, but Belgium will have a slight advantage.
Quarterfinals
Brazil vs. England: What happened to the Dutch will happen to the English, Brazil will be hard to beat on home soil.
France vs. Germany: Germany will overcome in France's first tough test. The title candidate will not exert much effort at this stop.
Spain vs. Italy: It will be Italy this time; tiki-taka is dying, catenaccio is resurrecting, and a game of tactics which will see Cesare Prandelli defeat Vicente del Bosque.
Argentina vs. Belgium: Can the Belgian defence stop the Argentine attack? If the answer is yes, Belgium will be in the semifinals, as the Belgian attack will score against a relatively weak Argentine defense.
Semifinals
Brazil vs. Germany: A match out of a fairytale and for the fairytale to continue, Brazil will have to give a top notch performance to overcome the Germans. The power of the fans will see them through.
Italy vs. Belgium: At this point, the Belgian adventure will stop. Overwhelmed by the surprise and burdened with expectations, the Red Devils will fall at the hands of the Italians.
Final
Brazil vs. Italy: Back in 1994, the same final took place and it was the Brazilians who celebrated in the end, and the fans will not allow another Maracanazo (when Uruguay defeated Brazil in the 1950 World Cup final in Brazil). The Brazilians will put their hands yet again on the cup they have not seen since 2002.


Clic here to read the story from its source.