Quarterfinals: Predictions vs Results

Prediction: Germany 2 Portugal 1

Results: Germany 3 Portugal 2

The score was off, but I picked the winner right. Germany controlled the majority of the match, with a late (and meaningless) Portugal goal coming from Postiga in the 87th minute. From the forwards to the back line, Germany looks solid.

Prediction: Turkey 1 Croatia 0

Results: Turkey 1 Croatia 1 (Turkey wins in PKs)

Croatia missed too many opportunities during the game. Overall, they outplayed Turkey, but also allowed them to hang around. By not putting the Turks away early, they had a chance at the EuroCup final snatched away from them in the stoppage time of double overtime. Ouch.

Prediction: Netherlands 3 Russia 0

Results: Netherlands 1 Russia 3

Pardon me while I eat my words. I believe I said, “This seems like a no-brainer to me.” Russia’s midfield took the Dutch out of their rhythm, and the Netherlands did not capitalize on opportunities. There were at least three free kicks that were beautifully placed, and it was like they were waiting for someone else to make something happen. Well, Arshavin did. I’ve hopped aboard the Andrei Arshavin bandwagon. He put on a show. Great stuff.

Prediction: Italy 1 Spain 1

Results: Italy 0 Spain 0 (Spain wins in PKs)

I knew these teams would take it to PKs. However, picking Italy was a silly mistake on my part. More than likely, Pirlo and Gattuso (the two Italians suspended) would have been taking PKs and so this put two inexperienced kickers in the spotlight. Taking a penalty kick is at least 85% mental, and if players are not used to that kind of pressure, I wouldn’t rely on them.

On to the Semis…

Germany vs Turkey

Since my friend Bobert brought to my attention that all of my soccer references were from 1998… let’s go back just 2 years ago to World Cup ’06 when Turkey… oh wait, they didn’t make it. Germany, however, made it to the semis before being knocked out by the eventual World Cup winner Italy. Along the way they took out Sweden and Argentina, and had the Golden Boot winner (Klose) and Best Young Player (Podolski) who are still on the roster. Turkey’s EuroCup journey ends here. The German back four are solid and they have two explosive goal scorers in Podolski and Ballack.

Prediction: Germany 2 Turkey 0

Russia vs Spain

I was so impressed by Pavlyuchenko and Arshavin. They attack with purpose and their first touch is impeccable. They dictated the tempo and pace for much of the game against Netherlands. I’m just not sure they can do that again. It seemed they played outside of themselves. My friend Matty made a good point that Spain has not lost in their last 20 games and have gained such experience as a unit (one of Kobe’s favorite words), which makes them a pretty tough team to beat. Russia’s defense is suspect and they allow teams to get in behind them too easily. Part of me is rooting for Arshavin to show the world that the performance he had against the Netherlands was no fluke, but my head is going with Spain.

Prediction: Spain 2 Russia 1