Italy-Paraguay Prediction

Apologies for the lack of predictions the past couple of days. I know you can't live without our insightful insights. Anyway, we're back to it for this afternoon's Italy-Paraguay match, which kicks off at 2:30pm on ESPN.

Italy vs. Paraguay
Paraguay wins 1-0
This is a tricky one to call, so I decided to turn to my trusty FourFourTwo magazine World Cup preview issue for some clarity. According to their experts, here are a couple of Italy's key strengths: lots of experience and confidence that comes from having a close-knit squad. Weaknesses: lack of creativity in central midfield. And Paraguay's strengths? They are hard working and have a close-knit squad with plenty of team spirit. Weaknesses: lack of creativity in central midfield. Well then, that certainly makes picking a winner much easier doesn't it. Fans say Italy has plenty of experience; critics just say they are too old. Paraguay will be without Salvador Cabanas, their best striker, as he recovers from a gunshot wound to the head he suffered in January, but the team has used his recovery as an inspiration and rallying point heading into the tournament. This looks like a game that stays 0-0 until a late goal, and we're predicting it comes from Paraguay. With the game finishing up around 10:30 or 11pm in South Africa, all of Italy's old guys will be tired and cranky and unable to get a tying goal.

World Cup Day 2 Predictions

South Korea vs. Greece
Winner: South Korea
Lots of energy and industry from South Korea will eventually break down a Greek team that is content to defend and score on the counterattack.

Argentina vs. Nigeria
Winner: Argentina
Very tough to predict what we're going to get from this Argentina squad. Head coach Diego Maradona, one of the greatest players of all time, is a bit erratic. He used over 100 different players during qualifying and drove over the leg of a reporter on the way to a press conference to announce his World Cup squad. Rather than apologize, he called the reporter an a**hole and told him not to put his leg where it could get hit by a car. So yeah, erratic. Nigeria has talented players but Argentina is too deep and talented.

England vs. U.S.A.
1-1 Draw
I have nothing witty or clever to say about this one. You might be thinking that nothing I've said about the other games is witty or clever either. Well then, get your own blog.
Great quote about this game: After someone asked if England would be up for this game, Andrew Gay delivered this beauty: "They weren't up for it in 1776." BOOM. Now you're done.

Great Analysis

Some very insightful postgame commentary from Dutch legend Ruud Gullit, in regards to France's lack of offensive cohesion after their 0-0 draw against Uruguay. "France really miss Zinedine Zidane." Zidane is one of the all-time greats and retired after the 2006 World Cup. Bold statement by Ruud. We all miss Zidane.

World Cup Day 1 Predictions

Lots of people out there are making predictions for the entire tournament. I prefer to take it one day at a time, as the cliche goes. So here are my picks for day one:

South Africa vs. Mexico
Winner: South Africa
Mexico has looked sharp recently, but South Africa rides the wave of euphoria from their home-field advantage to the win.
Crucial moment: A miscommunication between the Mexican defense and goalkeeper leads to a South African goal. The reason: 90,000 vuvuzelas being blown at the same time means they can't hear each other on the field.

Uruguay vs. France
Winner: Uruguay
Uruguay gets an early goal, and France, suffering from low confidence levels and an anemic offense, begins to fall apart. Pushing men forward for an equalizer late in the game leaves them vulnerable to a counterattack, which Uruguay's talented attacking midfielders take full advantage of.
Crucial moment: France coach Raymond Domenech quits. At halftime.

Black Stars, White Eagles and the Orange: World Cup Team Nicknames

There are lots of interesting team nicknames in international soccer, and some of the best are on display in the 2010 World Cup. The host country, South Africa, has one of the best: Bafana Bafana (though it's translation, "The Boys," isn't all that creative; still Bafana Bafana sounds pretty cool). In addition to South Africa, the African continent supplies plenty of other good ones as well:

Nigeria: Super Eagles
Cameroon: Indomitable Lions
Algeria: Desert Foxes
Ivory Coast: The Elephants
Ghana: Black Stars

Here are some other quality selections:
Australia: Socceroos
England: The Three Lions
Japan: Blue Samurai
Brazil: Seleção (The Selection)
Slovenia: Dragons

And of course, national colors often play a big role in team nicknames. Spain probably the best when it comes to this category.
Spain: La Furia Roja (The Red Fury)
Italy: Azzurri (Sky Blues)
France: Les Blues
Holland: Oranje (Orange)
Argentina: Albiceleste (White and sky blue)

We can't leave out the U.S. and Germany. America's squad goes by The Yanks, which is decent. Germany has several, but my personal favorite is National Elf, which, when translated, means "National Eleven," (for the 11 players on the field). Still, funny to picture 11 elves running around.

A good list of nicknames can be found here, so check that out if you want a complete list.

What's your favorite team name? Think the U.S. could be a little more adventurous than "The Yanks"? Leave your comments and ideas.

Injuries Taking A Toll

Injuries to key players are stealing the headlines as the kickoff to the World Cup is a week away. Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba broke his arm in a friendly match against Japan earlier today, and initial reports had him missing out on the tournament. However, head coach Sven Goran Eriksson later said Drogba could undergo surgery and be ready to play in 10 days. England captain Rio Ferdinand, a central defender, injured knee ligaments in training and has been ruled out of action, leaving question marks about who will replace him in England's backline. U.S. forward Jozy Altidore suffered a mild ankle sprain and though he will likely be held out of tomorrow's exhibition against Australia, all indications are that he will be healthy for the June 12th opener against England. Other big names that were already ruled out include midfielder Michael Ballack and goalkeeper Rene Adler of Germany, midfielder Michael Essien of Ghana, forwards Charlie Davies of the U.S. and Salvador Cabanas of Paraguay, and, of course, David Beckham of England. For teams with exhibition matches remaining before the start of group play, the main goal will most likely be staying healthy and injury free. France suffered a somewhat embarrassing 1-0 loss to China today, but will probably take comfort in the fact that nobody was hurt in the match.

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