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March of the Teutons (Deutschland!)



Germany! Germany! Germany! Germany! Germany! Germany! With the kickoff only hours away, I am hoping Klinsmann-powered Germany would do well in this World Cup – I’m conjecturing that they will at least reach the semi-finals. It’s gonna take a herculean effort, as there are a few good countries stand in their way, particularly cockier-than-ever England team. I love Klinsmann and I think he’s doing a marvelous job given the dearth of quality German players.
The Star says Jurgen Klinsmann, says Arsene Wenger has been the greatest influence on his career. “I have absorbed information from a lot of coaches but the most has come from Arsene Wenger. He has taught me a lot. He impresses me in the way he manages his teams. He always thinks long-term.” I think Klinsmann would make a GREAT no 2 @ Arsenal instead of the lousy Pat Rice aka Elton John wannabe. 

Player to watch apart from Michael Ballack, is Lukas Podolski. The first game pits the Germans against the Costa Ricans, which I’m auspicating a 2-0 to the Teutons. The Costa Ricans are feeble in dead-ball situations, and so is Ecuador. Both of these countries lack the height to counter a German set-piece attack, or dead-ball. So I’m hoping Germany to win both of these games, and their goals will come from headers. :-) But, football is full of surprises – a factual cliche.

The ruggedest game for them will be against Poland. If Germany win their Group, they will face a potentially explosive encounter with England or a knavish tie against Sweden. If the Germans succeed, they might set up a mammoth clash with Argentina or Holland in the quarterfinals. Yikes!

But again, World Cups are pelted with shocks. Here’s a shocker for you, I don’t think Brazil will win the cup. How to play against them? Well, teams will need to rough ‘em up ala Bolton and force dead-ball situations. Their gimpy keeper Dida is extremely overrated, and their back 4 is decrepit. The problem with Brazil is, they will more than always outscore you. So, a team needs to defend high up against them. Easier said than done though.

Dark horses to me are France, Czech and Holland. Hopefully Italy get knocked out sooner because they are by far the most boring team on the planet. Mexico and Portugal will be ousted faster than you can say La Cucaracha. Spain and Australia? Who are we kidding? ;-)

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