Ok, hours before kick off here. It's probably time to lay down some predictions that will fail miserably:
World Champs: Brazil - Not a left-field pick by any means, but they possess the depth in squad, variety of attacking talent, great form in qualifying under Tite, and also - sometimes unusual for Brazil - a talented goalkeeper and tight at the back. Layer on the fact that Neymar is rested and fit again... there's a lot to like about the Samba Kings.
Top Scorer: Neymar - for pretty much the same reasons. The icing on the cake
Emerging Star: Mbappe - ok, he's already somewhat established, but he's still only 19. I think this could be the stage for the next Messi & Ronaldo to show themselves
Implosion of the tournament: Spain - so, this isn't a prediction, as much as a fact. Toys out of the pram time & the coach is gone. Replaced in short order by a bloke who was signed by Sam Allardyce. Ronaldo & co await tomorrow.
Coaching fail of the tournament: Deschamps - so much talent at his disposal, they should be winning this thing, but can they fit it all together for the crucial games? Couldn't do it in a friendly v USA, so I say no...
Surprise of the tournament: Peru & Iran - not deep runs here, but both to get out of their group. For the latter, the Spain implosion and Portugal not actually being that good and Ronaldo starting to look knackered, opens the door for a shock there.
Scandal of the tournament: Russian doping - the worst ranked host team ever, but failure is not an option. Given the dubious sporting history of their nation, this may not be a stretch
Non-scandal of the tournament: Gareth Southgate - the conservative thinking man's James Milner.
Unnecessary political sh*tshow: A few potential here... there's a lot going on in the world. I had thought Spain & Catalan Independence would be favourite here, closely followed by booing of Mesut Ozil & Gundogan and France for....well, they always find something. I even read Sepp Blatter blagged an invite from Putin to the opening ceremony (what corruption?). However, impressively sewing up the trophy before the tournament begins..... Congratulations Nike !
In many years down the road, historians will note that in terms of efforts to prevent nuclear war, the "no boots for you" stand of 2018 proved as effective as a Trump photoshoot with an insane dictator....
Lastly - Most effective way to prevent unmitigated disaster: USA - Having failed to escape the trappy group of the Concacaf nations by losing to Trinidad & Tobago (still talking football btw, haven't switched to cricket), the US powerbrokers took the risk of that happening again off the table by waving a large wad of cash under Fifa's nose and securing host status for 2026. [I'm actually quite excited about this... is going to be fantastic... will be putting my deposit down shortly for an 8 year payment plan for a luxury RV - Birchy you in?]
World Champs: Brazil - Not a left-field pick by any means, but they possess the depth in squad, variety of attacking talent, great form in qualifying under Tite, and also - sometimes unusual for Brazil - a talented goalkeeper and tight at the back. Layer on the fact that Neymar is rested and fit again... there's a lot to like about the Samba Kings.
Top Scorer: Neymar - for pretty much the same reasons. The icing on the cake
Emerging Star: Mbappe - ok, he's already somewhat established, but he's still only 19. I think this could be the stage for the next Messi & Ronaldo to show themselves
Implosion of the tournament: Spain - so, this isn't a prediction, as much as a fact. Toys out of the pram time & the coach is gone. Replaced in short order by a bloke who was signed by Sam Allardyce. Ronaldo & co await tomorrow.
Coaching fail of the tournament: Deschamps - so much talent at his disposal, they should be winning this thing, but can they fit it all together for the crucial games? Couldn't do it in a friendly v USA, so I say no...
Surprise of the tournament: Peru & Iran - not deep runs here, but both to get out of their group. For the latter, the Spain implosion and Portugal not actually being that good and Ronaldo starting to look knackered, opens the door for a shock there.
Scandal of the tournament: Russian doping - the worst ranked host team ever, but failure is not an option. Given the dubious sporting history of their nation, this may not be a stretch
Non-scandal of the tournament: Gareth Southgate - the conservative thinking man's James Milner.
Unnecessary political sh*tshow: A few potential here... there's a lot going on in the world. I had thought Spain & Catalan Independence would be favourite here, closely followed by booing of Mesut Ozil & Gundogan and France for....well, they always find something. I even read Sepp Blatter blagged an invite from Putin to the opening ceremony (what corruption?). However, impressively sewing up the trophy before the tournament begins..... Congratulations Nike !
In many years down the road, historians will note that in terms of efforts to prevent nuclear war, the "no boots for you" stand of 2018 proved as effective as a Trump photoshoot with an insane dictator....
Lastly - Most effective way to prevent unmitigated disaster: USA - Having failed to escape the trappy group of the Concacaf nations by losing to Trinidad & Tobago (still talking football btw, haven't switched to cricket), the US powerbrokers took the risk of that happening again off the table by waving a large wad of cash under Fifa's nose and securing host status for 2026. [I'm actually quite excited about this... is going to be fantastic... will be putting my deposit down shortly for an 8 year payment plan for a luxury RV - Birchy you in?]
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