Calling the World Cup, here we come!

After four years, with 90 minutes to kick off, the CounterAttack thought it appropriate to call the teams going on to the championship match on July 11. Here’s how we see it:

GROUP A
1A: Mexico - young, motivated, quick and with a chip on their collective shoulder. No one is expecting them to get through. They will, in style.
2A: France - although we are not impressed with them, they go through. MEX will expose their shortcomings.

GROUP B
1B: Argentina - Messi. Tevez. Milito. Higuain. Aguero. Samuel. Heinze. ‘Nuff said.
2B: South Korea - athletic, fit, and Nigeria’s chances went out with Mikel’s injury. Oh, and Ji-Sung Park.

GROUP C
1C: USA - it all depends on the lineup but if the US beats England as we expect, they win the group.
2C: England - overhyped though they may be, the only real question in the group stages is whether they win the group. We think they won’t.

GROUP D


1D: Germany - class of the group, and although not as fearsome as past Nationalmannschaft, it’s still Germany.
2D: Serbia - mostly because Essien’s injury means Ghana’s slim chances just went out the door (cf. Nigeria).

GROUP E
1E: Holland - an embarrassment of talent, and Van Persie is effectively just starting his season. Those fresh legs for the tournament mean goals galore for Oranje.
2E: Denmark - because we don’t think Cameroon can get it done.

GROUP F
1F: Italy - like Germany, they are not as fearsome as past Azzuri squads but they still have class. A soft path means they go further than they deserve.
2F: Paraguay - only because Slovakia are not there yet and New Zealand...well….

GROUP G
1G: Brazil - there have been better Brazil sides but this one is good enough to win the Group of Death and go far.
2G: Portutgal - it could be Cote d’Ivoire but Drogba’s injury will affect him enough to allow Ronaldo-led Portugal to go through.

GROUP H
1H: Spain - en fuego, the best team in the world for the past two years wins its group easily.
2H: Chile - because we don’t believe Switzerland are strong enough.

SECOND ROUND
1A v 2B (MEX v SKR): MEX - too fast, too skilled, too motivated for the South Koreans.

2A v 1B (FRA v ARG): ARG - the Argies overwhelm a French side that doesn't have enough firepower.

1C v 2D (USA v SER): USA - the win v England starts a steamroller for the MNT.

2C v 1D (ENG v GER): GER - because it’s Germany.

1E v 2F (HOL v PAR): HOL - smashing through Group E, HOL continues its march.

2E v 1F (DEN v ITA): ITA - like GER, because it’s Italy.

1G v 2H (BRZ v CHI): BRZ - the favorites all go through the Second Round.

1H v 2G (POR v SPA): Spain run riot over a frustrated Portugal side.

QUARTERFINALS
HOL v BRZ: an instant classic, a match for the ages, back and forth but Van Persie, Robben, Sneijder, Van der Vaart, Elia, van Bommel and Co are too much for Brazil.

MEX v USA: the Concacaf derby will depend on which side is the healthiest; otherwise it’s too close to call, so we will buck history and say USA, probably on kicks.

ARG v GER: so difficult to pick against the Argentines but it is Germany and it is the World Cup.

ITA v SPA: for once in the World Cup, La Furia Roja live up to the name while Italy prepare to find younger players for 2014.

SEMIFINALS
USA v GER: the magic run ends here for the MNT, although the US is owed a lucky bounce after Fring’s handling the ball out of goal in 2002.

HOL v SPA: a second instant classic, but Holland’s defence is just that much better than Spain’s.

CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
HOL v GER: reprising the 1974 final and the 1988 Euro semifinal. The Best Team To Never Win finally does. That it's against Germany makes it sweeter for Oranje.

Now, let the Games BEGIN!!!

Image via Skysports.com