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.