I posted a message about an "all South American final" during the WC06 tournament, which was played in Europe. At the time, which was right after the group stage, the teams that had impressed me the most were Argentina and to a lesser extent Brazil. As it turned out, we ended up with an all European final between two teams that had not impressed me at all, namely Italy and France. I wasn't totally disappointed seeing France, with Zidane, in the final that year, as I felt Zidane (if not the French team) deserved parting the game with another trophy. Yet, the team that I didn't feel deserved being anywhere close to the final, Italy, won the tournament. I guess the fact that both Italy and France (now without Zidane) were rudely kicked out in the group stage this year means that justice can take its time, but it cannot be denied forever. Anyway, I digress. I believe the message I posted 4 years ago about an "all South American final" was 4 years too early. That this time around, we will see Argentina and Brazil in the final. P.S. In fairness to Italy and just for clarification: while Italy had been unimpressive in the group stage and didn't deserve beating Australia on a bogus penalty in the R16, strangely in the semi final match the Italians did outplay a good host team, Germany, a team that itself had earlier outplayed an exciting Argentine team to get there. In that sense, and only in that sense, Italy deserved being in the final, but nothing else about their performance in 2006 made them deserving of the trophy they won.
I picked Netherlands/Germany back when I had a dream about the two teams in the group stages. In a way it makes sense: the soccer gods will right the injustice of the UEFA choking in this WC by delivering the two UEFA finalists.
Paraguay v. Uruguay Really, though, I think Germany v. Brasil, which might be a drab final the way Brasil play.
Having looked today's games (agh... how I wanted to see Brazil to be a finalist! but well... And how Ghana had such a bad luck while Uruguay made it through,) I thought the same thing. Paraguay vs. Uruguay! It makes a good rhyme But in reality, it'd be probably like... Germany vs. Netherlands? (back to Euro-central) or Argentina vs. Netherlands?? I somehow can't think Spain to be there. - unlike the last Euro (for which they were super!)
4 years ago.......I told anyone who would listen that Italy would be on the podium at the end. Before the tournament began, my vision was Holland and Spain. I had the Dutch taking it. No reason to change my opinion at the moment..........
Really want to see Uruguay - Germany and have Uruguay win so that they match the Germans with 3 World Cups each!
Yes. Uruguay-Germany would be far better combination as final! It's far better than vs Netherlands. Besides, Netherlands-Spain would be cool enough for semi
Below was the post I made towards the end of the group stage, when no one was taking Netherlands or Germany(ghana and Serbia really sabotaged their mojo) to win it all. I must say I find this pretty creepy. What are the chances?? Wonder how much money I could have betting on it. "I had a dream that Netherlands and Germany made the final, and Beckenbauer and Cruyff were sitting in the stands together. No idea who won. God damn vuvevuveuvvzelas woke me up." Has Cruyff ever even attended any world cups after his playing days?