The world soccer Cup is 6 months away and you can already feel the excitement in the atmosphere. The groups have been selected and the teams are ready to battle for glory. Who will reign supreme in South Africa when the world soccer championship culminates with the final on Sunday July 11th in Johannesburg? The favorites are clear with eternal Brazil leading the charge for their sixth world cup with superstars Kaka, Luis Fabiano and Alexandre Pato ready to make history. These Brazilian phenoms are ready to take the solid gold Jules Rimet Trophy back home.
Defending champion Italy with four world cups under their belt is set to defend their soccer championship with Gigi Buffon at goalie, Andrea Pirlo orchestrating the midfield and lethal strikers Luca Toni and Gilardino. The question is whether Roma superstar Francesco Totti and Juventus icon Alessandro Del Piero will play the cup.
England hopes to end their 43 year old drought with a superb performance in the upcoming tournament. With quality players such as Frank Lampard from Chelsea, Wayne Rooney from Manchester United and superstar Steven Gerrard from Liverpool anything but a world soccer championship will be a big disappointment for the English fans. A placement in a weak group with United States, Slovenia and Algeria seems to be a fantastic start to their campaign.
The Netherlands arrive in South Africa with exceptional players such as Robin Van Persie, Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder. These players must put the team on their shoulders and hope that they can battle their way to the final. With the tag of underachievers at the world’s biggest event it is time that the Clockwork Orange finally earn their first world cup trophy.
World powerhouse Argentina barely made the world cup final with their troubled manager Maradona. Leading their cast of talented players is world player of the year Leo Messi who is ready to cement his name in the history of soccer. With a supporting group of players that include Carlos Tevez from Manchester City, Diego Milito from Inter Milan and El Kun Aguero from Atletico de Madrid it is easy to see why they are favorites to win the cup.
Finally Spain, France and Germany are always threats to the cup. Germany will look to striker Podolski to lead the way, France will have to fill the void left by Zidane and Spain will have to prove that their European Championship was not a fluke. It will be an exciting summer as soccer takes front stage in the world’s most exciting event. The dark horse will be Portugal with Cristiano Ronaldo as long as they can survive behemoth Brazil in their first group clash of titans.
Good luck teams and go Azurri!!!!!
Max Sullivan
