Latin American wave

It's going fast. Quarter finals are alreay up next.

And it is for sure a Latin American affair. Of the 8 quarter finalists, 4 are from South America. African teams have not lived up to the hopes and expectations at this African world cup. Of the 6 African nations present only 1 - Ghana - made it through the group stage. Nigeria lost all its games. Cameroon was expected to go through as it was in a reasonable group but it also left South Africa without a single point. Host Bafana Bafana was a mixed bag, but not good enough to go through. Algeria who kept African champions Egypt out of the world cup, only got 1 point out of 3 games. Drogba's Ivory Coast was in a hardcore group with Portugal and Brazil. They paid the price. They ended third and returned home. So Africa's hopes are on Ghana. We will know on Friday evening if there will be an African team in the semis.

Europe is a mixed bag. Holland is cruising. Spain had a surprise loss against Switzerland as a worldcup starter, but seems to be growing. Germany is like a well oiled machine. The slip up against Serbia seems forgotten as the tank rolls on. England, Italy and France were a big disappointment. France was at war with itself. Current world champions Italy left South Africa with only 2 draws out of 3 games. And England, with all its hope and expectations and superstars and bold tabloid headlines....; got trashed by Germany after a game with a ridiculous linesman blunder but also with a ridiculous non-existent England defence.

So Latin America. 7 Out of 8 South American teams made it through to the round of 16. And now half of the quarter final is latin american. And kepe in mind that the next world cup in 2014 will be in in their territory. It will be in Brazil.

My old guess of a Brazil - Spain final is still possible, but Germany, Argentina and Holland are creeping up the bookies.

So let's try another guess at this stage before the quarter finals.
Holland - Brazil: Holland through
Uruguay - Ghana: Ghana through
Argentina - Germany: Germany through (although I hope it's Argentina)
Paraguay - Spain: Spain through

That gives the following semis. Holland vs Ghana and Germany vs Spain. Then I wouild predict a Holland - Germany final with a Dutch victory, but hope for a Holland - Spain one with the cup heading to Madrid.

Whistle chaos

The linesmen and referee errors at the world cup are starting to get out of control and killing the beautifull game.

Just thinking f.i. about Argentinian offside goal against Mexico; America's disallowed but fine goal against Slovenia; England's very obvious goal against Germany that the linesman did not call and thus not on the scoreboard; the ridiculous red cards for Brazilian Kaka and Aussie Kewell;.... Just getting ridiculous and out of control.

Something needs to be done...

Hippo Hollow

Near (in SA terms) worldcup town Nelspruit lies Hazyview on the edge of Kruger Park.

And in Hazyview you can find Hippo Hollow, a magnificent estate with cabins/lodges along a river which is the home to hippos and crocs.

And while having breakfast near the river you can, as I just did, maybe spot some elephants on the other side of the river edge eating and playing and scratching their backs to the trees. Nice way to have breakfast and to forget worldcup madness for a while.

Check it out: www.hippohollow.co.za

Hard reality

Eish. Some teams are facing up to some hard reality at the beginning of the world cup.

The host's dream has crashlanded as they face elimination. Spain is still in shock from the kick by the little boys from the Alps. England is in disarray after uninspired draws against the US and Algeria. France is just a shadow of its former self. Nigeria has lost its 2 first games and can start packing. Germany smashed Australia but then lost against Serbia with a headcahe as result. Current worldchampions couldn't beat Paraguay.

Eish.

Fever

Zuma says the game is on. Blatter says it's all systems go.

Bafana Bafana even wins against Denmark. Fever goes up and up. USA beats Australia 3-1 in Ruimsig.

Topplayer from Ivory Coast breaks arm. Topplayer from England is out after first training. Topplayer from Holland injures knee. It's brutal out there. Coaches' headaches.

Brazil cruises to Zimbabwe and Tanzania to play some games. Nigeria and North Korea cause some trouble in Tembisa.

Shakira has landed. The WAGS are already shopping in Cape Town.

If by now you still don't know that the worldcup is about to kick off in SA, then you don't even live on Mars but a couple of lightyears further down the milky way.