World Cup Today -- Day 31

The last day. The finale. Finis. Somewhat bittersweet for Johnny as he has very much enjoyed talking World Cup with everyone. A lot of those posts brought this quaint little website some big numbers. We hope everyone has enjoyed the coverage.

The legend vs. the team that seems on it's way to becoming legendary. The Flea vs. Die Mannschaft. One vs. Many. Sure Germany scared the bejeesus out of anyone and everyone who might play them. They destroyed an entire nation's way of playing. A nation that holds five World Cup titles. They are imposing. They play smart. They play the entire field. They play set pieces extremely well. They dispatch their opponents with precision. They don't beat themselves.

But Messi.

In a game where analysts will bust out the old canard that the team that makes the fewest mistakes should win. Common thought being Germany doesn't make those mistakes. But which team is more likely to be the recipient of a shock and awe moment that comes out of nowhere and leaves a globe stunned and delirious? Oh that'd be Argentina. Messi can link up well enough with Kun Aguero or Gonzalo Higuain or (hopefully) Angel DiMaria if he can play, if just for a moment and BOOM, it's in the back of Germany's net. He needs but a few feet to unleash hell. Case and point the 2011 Champions League Final vs. Manchester United. Nobody knew what he was going to do until he did it:

So, are you someone who thinks the entire machine matters most or do you think sometimes a great players can overcome the great team? The organization or the star? David or Goliath? If you have been reading these posts you know that Barcelona fan Johnny is pulling for Messi to win a World Cup to shut up sportswriters who only see championships as greatness. Plus no German guys are on FC Barcelona.

Last prediction, who will win who will win...

2-1 Messi, a vote with the heart over the head.

Argentina vs Germany 3pm

World Cup Today -- Day 27

The hour grows late in World Cup 2014, here we are at the semi-finals already. Today we have quite a treat as two of the all-time powers in soccer, Germany and Brazil, clash for amazingly, only the second time ever in the WC, only meeting in the 2002 Final won by Brazil. Many "experts" are saying that this shapes up to be the real World Cup Final as the winner should go on and beat either the Netherlands or Argentina. Johnny's not on board with that but it is a matchup of giants.

Germany looking stronger every match with their stalling, take the air out of the ball, kick around the park when we get a lead has been devastating. This is not the wide-open offense we saw in the first two games of group stage. They have become tight on the back end and sure int he middle. With Khedira and Schweinsteiger dropping back in front of the back four Germany has been lights out on defense. Not only are Khedira and Schweinsteiger helping make the defense in essence a back 5 or 6 they are linking well with Ozil and Lahm further up to keep Germany's attacks running. Germany it can be said is peaking at the right time.

Brazil on the other hand is not. Thiago Silva, their best midfielder, one of the best in the world must sit out because of a petulant foul he made by running into the Columbian goalie who was simply going to attempt a given goal kick. But Silva had to run into the goalie for a reason known only to him and now he sits out. This selfish act might not have been so devastating if Neymar hadn't been clattered into and had a vertebrae broken. That's truly too bad as you want to see the world's best in the world's biggest matches. So, now Brazil must deal with Germany, a daunting task for any side, without their top scorer and playmaker. Imagine the Giants going into an NFC Championship Game without Eli Manning and say Victor Cruz. You can win the game but it's certainly less likely. Brazil is going to have to tighten things up to win this game.

Johnny's prediction? He'll say 2-1 Germany but if they get a lead the air is coming out of the ball. This game could well go 0-0 to extra time and that'd be kind of sad.

Brazil vs Germany 4pm

World Cup Today -- Day 23

Thunderdome continues today as two teams enter the arena yet one team leaves with title aspirations intact. Today two of the pre-tournament favorites will have their mettle tested but top competition.

The early game brings Germany vs. France. The irresistible force meeting the immovable object. France has been a goal scoring machine through Karim Benzema. Paul Pogba has been right along side to help the French attack. So far nobody has kept them below two goals in a game. How will France handle the very forward attacking style of Germany and Mezut Ozil and Bastian Schweinsteiger? How will the French defense handle the cutting German strikers, something they haven't had to deal a lot with this tournament because they have always been in the ascendency in attack. Johnny thinks if France were to get the first goal today it would see them through though they might indeed need two, something that has been no problem thus far. Johnny likes France in the upset.

The 4pm game is fitting because it's a firecracker on the 4th of July. Columbia, maybe the best and most consistent team thus far vs. pre-tourney favorite Brazil. South American style in a place where Brazil hasn't lost a home competitive match since 1975. Brazil, for Johnny's money has been whistling past the graveyard with their play. Today he thinks the Columbian Reaper comes to collect. Johnny's pick? Columbia 2 Brazil 0.

France vs Germany noon
Columbia vs Brazil 4pm