Brazil and Spain are the overwhelming favourites for the 2010 World Cup. Yet the Samba stars are merely efficient under coach Dunga and Spain can still ‘throw one in’ as proved by their defeat against the USA in last year’s Confederations Cup.
Germany and Italy will bring exceptional team play but lack the extra quality. The Dutch and English will have to slay demons from tournaments past. Could this be the year when an outsider triumphs in South Africa?
The Ivory Coast are the leading dark horse and provided several players in this year’s Champions League semi finals. On the downside, they will be given respect by most teams as they boast Didier Drogba. They are also weak defensively but may well be worth an each way bet come June. Cameroon and Ghana will be tough nuts but there is nothing to suggest that they have the organisation or managers necessary to get on an extended run.
What of South America? Recent experience tell you that they are tough and tenacious outside of Brazil but again lack the firepower. Roque Santa Cruz has been anonymous for Man City but if he finds his scoring boots then Paraguay could be useful if the draw allows them to pick up momentum. They will be good on penalties.
Europe’s lesser lights are the most likely shock winners and yet FootyNotes cannot see it. Greece came through a soft group and Switzerland are just, well, soft. Serbia and Denmark are both good teams but they will probably both come up short in the later rounds if their recent tournament form is anything to go by. Despite their awful Euro 08 showing, I would still make those Greeks Euro outsiders just purely on their mental toughness but it really depends on the draw.
Any others
Australia simply do not have what it takes and South Korea will play a bit before being dispatched. One team regularly overlooked is the USA. They came desperately close to winning the Confederations Cup last year and they could have easily been in the World Cup final after murdering Germany but failing to take their chances. Clearly, they are not anywhere near the best team in the world. But their team ethic and defence is good. Moreover, there will not be any egos in the team which, more and more, is doing for the big European nations.
Every chance that 2010 will be won by either Brazil, Spain or Italy. But the tournament is long overdue for a shock winner.
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