2010 World Cup 11 July - Day 25

64th match [FINAL] : Holland v/s Spain

Already the FINAL. I must say a very deserving final for both these teams as they have been at the top of the World for the past few years. Spain lost only 2 times in 4 years and Holland is on a winning streak in the last 14 matches. What else do you want for a final?!

Am a bit sad Germany could not reach the final but Spain was just too good in the semis. We finished third and that is a big achievement for us, especially when you see the matches we played and the results we got.

So coming back to the final, i expect the European Champions to be World Champions now. I would be very happy if Holland win it, but for me Spain should have the edge over Holland today.

Holland Probable Starting XI: Stekelenburg, Van der Wiel, Heitinga, Mathijsen, Van Bronckhorst, Van Bommel, De Jong, Robben, Sneijder, Kuyt, Van Persie

Spain Probable Starting XI: Casillas, Ramos, Pique, Puyol, Capdevila, Busquets, Alonso, Pedro, Xavi, Iniesta, Villa

My prediction(90 mins) : Holland 0-1 Spain

2010 World Cup 10 July - Day 24

63rd match [3rd place] : Germany v/s Uruguay

The mini-final. Two teams that were not really expected to be at this stage but they are here after losing to the top two teams in the World. Klose need just one goal to match the record of Ronaldo. Germany for the 3rd place again after finishing 3rd in 2006.

Germany Probable Starting XI: Neuer, Lahm, Friedrich, Mertesacker, Jansen, Khedira, Schweinsteiger, Muller, Oezil, Podolski, Klose

Uruguay Probable Starting XI: Muslera, M. Pereira, Lugano, Fucile, Godin, A. Pereira, Arevalo, Perez, Cavani, Suarez, Forlan

My prediction(90 mins) : Germany 2-1 Uruguay

2010 World Cup 07 July - Day 23

62nd match [Semi-Final] : Germany v/s Spain

A fixture same as that of Euro 2008 final. Germany has been the most convincing team in this tournament so far while European Champions have not really convinced although they are making their way through the tournament. The first goal will be very decisive in this match. Expect Klose to score it to match the record of the great original Ronaldo.

Come on Germany. Yes, we can!

Germany Probable Starting XI: Neuer, Lahm, Friedrich, Mertesacker, Boateng, Khedira, Schweinsteiger, Kroos, Oezil, Podolski, Klose

Spain Probable Starting XI: Casillas, Ramos, Pique, Puyol, Capdevila, Busquets, Alonso, Iniesta, Xavi, Silva, Villa

My prediction(90 mins) : Germany 2-1 Spain [Germany to qualify]

2010 World Cup 06 July - Day 22

61st match [Semi-Final] : Uruguay v/s Holland

With several players out with suspension and injuries, this may well be the end of a marvellous tournament for Uruguay. They will definitely miss Suarez after being sent-off for his save of the tournament. :) Forlan will push forward and he can be a real threat to Holland who has Gregory van der Wiel and Nigel de Jong both suspended for this match.

Uruguay Probable Starting XI: Muslera, M. Pereira, Scotti, Victorino, A. Pereira, A. Fernandez, Arevalo, Perez, Cavani, Abreu, Forlan

Holland Probable Starting XI: Stekelenburg, Boulahrouz, Heitinga, Mathijsen, Van Bronckhorst, Van Bommel, De Zeeuw, Kuyt, Sneijder, Van der Vaart, Van Persie

My prediction(90 mins) : Uruguay 0-1 Holland [Holland to qualify]

2010 World Cup 03 July - Day 21

59th match [Quarter-Final] : Argentina v/s Germany

Diego Maradona’s reign over Argentina hasn’t yet brought a draw, but it might on Saturday. And Germany to qualify after extra time or even on penalties.

Argentina Probable Starting XI: Romero, Otamendi, Demichelis, Burdisso, Heinze, Rodriguez, Mascherano, Di Maria, Messi, Tevez, Higuain

Germany Probable Starting XI: Neuer, Lahm, Friedrich, Mertesacker, Boateng, Khedira, Schweinsteiger, Mueller, Oezil, Podolski, Klose

My prediction(90 mins) : Argentina 1-1 Germany [Germany to qualify]

60th match [Quarter-Final] : Paraguay v/s Spain

Spain had no problem against Portugal in the last round and this may well be the case against Paraguay.

Paraguay Probable Starting XI: Villar, Bonet, Da Silva, Alcarez, Morel, Vera, Caceres, Riveros, Santa Cruz, Benitez, Lucas

Spain Probable Starting XI: Casillas, Ramos, Pique, Puyol, Capdevilla, Xavi, Busquets, Alonso, Iniesta, Torres, Villa

My prediction(90 mins) : Paraguay 0-1 Spain [Spain to qualify]

2010 World Cup 02 July - Day 20

57th match [Quarter-Final] : Holland v/s Brazil

A match that sounds like a fixture of the final. The stronger team with more experience will win.

Holland Probable Starting XI: Stekelenburg, Van der Wiel, Heitinga, Mathijsen, Van Bronckhorst, Van Bommel, De Jong, Robben, Sneijder, Kuyt, Van Persie

Brazil Probable Starting XI: Julio Cesar, Maicon, Lucio, Juan, Bastos, Gilberto Silva, Josue, Alves, Kaka, Robinho, Luis Fabiano

My prediction(90 mins) : Holland 1-1 Brazil [Brazil to qualify]

58th match [Quarter-Final] : Uruguay v/s Ghana

These two teams were not thought to be at this stage of the competition before the start of the tournament. Ghana is the only African representative left.

Uruguay Probable Starting XI: Muslera; M. Pereira, Lugano, Victorino, Fucile, Perez, Arevalo, Fernandez, Forlan, Suarez, Cavani

Ghana Probable Starting XI: Kingson, Pantsil, Mensah, Vorsah, Sarpei, Inkoom, Annan, D. Boateng, Muntari, Asamoah; Ayew

My prediction(90 mins) : Uruguay 2-1 Ghana [Uruguay to qualify]