BY A.J. KURZMAN
This summer in Brazil, something incredible will happen. People abandon their loyalties to hometown teams and untie, bound together not as individuals but as a country. This overwhelming sense of patriotism and passion comes only once every four years and for the 1 month that is the World Cup, provides sports fans with overwhelming euphoria. With the groups announced a few weeks ago, the hype has already started to mount; it was a clear that a preview had to be made.
The 8 groups are as follows, with the bolded teams being the favorites to make it past the group stage:
Group A
Brazil, Croatia, Mexico, Cameroon
Group B
Spain, Netherlands, Chile, Australia
Group C
Colombia, Greece, Ivory Coast, Japan
Group D
Uruguay, Costa Rica, England, Italy
Group E
Switzerland, Ecuador, France, Honduras
Group F
Argentina, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iran, Nigeria
Group G
Germany, Portugal, Ghana, USA
Group H
Belgium, Algeria, Russia, South Korea
USA Prediction:
USA Soccer has been hot lately and fans are starting to take interest. Unfortunately for the United States, they were put into the “group of death”, where all four teams made the knockout round during the last World Cup. In fact, Group G is the only group that can boast that. The good news for the United States is that the team has momentum right now and is playing with confidence. The first game against Ghana is a must win, and I believe the USA will win, defeating Ghana for the first time in history. They are talented enough to hold their own against teams like Portugal and Germany and will surprise the world as they make it to the knockout round against large odds.
Surprise Team: The Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire)
The Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire) National Team has the experience, athleticism, and of course, talent, to make a serious impact. Add in the fact that Colombia star Radamel Falcao had to have surgery to repair a torn ACL, the Ivory Coast moves in to a prime position to win group C. Look out for this small African nation to make big noise.
Biggest Disappointment: Uruguay
Uruguay, plagued with the challenge of Group D, will find it impossible to control games against Italy and England. They lack depth beyond their couple of star players (Cavani, Suarez, Forlan if he is in form) while England and Italy have rosters full of solid players. One of these three powerhouses isn’t going to get through and it seems as though Uruguay will be the one to fall through.
Winner: Germany
The German National Team will win the 2014 World Cup, securing their fourth world cup win in history. They’ll face defending champions Spain in the finals, but Spain will be unable to handle the ferocity that Germany brings to the table. They’re big, strong, fast, experienced, deep, and exceptionally talented. Look for Marco Reus, with his sensational speed, (and hair) to win the Golden Ball award for best player en route to Germany’s 2014 FIFA World Cup win.
