World Cup on song: Germany

Last of our final four, but not least, this one was the anthem of Germany 2006 on the trains and at the Brandenburg Gate. It's Sportfreunde Stiller's 1954 74 90 2006, and it works as well now as it did then, taking you on a wry trip through the Mannschaft's three World Cup titles (keep an eye out around the 2:15 mark for the infamous Rudi Voeller-Frank Rikjaard double expulsion 20 years ago, with its greetings and salivations moment - and don't think that'll not come up if Germany can beat Spain tonight, and set up a final against the Dutch):

Today's World Cup predictions

Germany vs. Spain, 2:30 p.m. ET

Can we call off the Fernando Torres search now? More to the point, does Spanish coach Vicente Del Bosque? Trouble is, Cesc Fabregas is doubtful – after he was subbed in against Paraguay on 55 minutes, Spain managed 11 of its 15 shots on the night, and all four that hit the net. There are options still. Another sub, Pedro Rodriguez, provided much-needed width that same game. Jesus Navas and 6-foot-5 Fernando Llorente are also available. Germany has been ruthless against weaker defences and midfields; now comes a difficult lock to pick in Spain, even if Carlos Puyol looks slow in the centre of the Spanish defence – that's going to be a problem against Germany's pace.

Predictions: Chris Young – Germany 2, Spain 1 aet
Cathal Kelly – Germany 2, Spain 3

Predictions: Quarterfinals, day 2

Argentina vs Germany, 10 a.m. ET

Both sides have played some of the most flowing football here, although each side's backline has looked shaky (Manuel Neuer, in goal for Germany, has been outstanding). They can score, each with nine goals in four matches, a tournament best (one of Argentina's 10 on the board was an own goal, by South Korea). Four years ago, Germany dumped a similarly attractive-looking Argentina out at this same stage, on penalties. Revenge time for the Albicelestes against a counter-attacking Mannschaft who with their youthful quality look well-set for the next two World Cups.

Chris's prediction: Argentina 3, Germany 2
Cathal's prediction: Argentina 3, Germany 3 aet (Argentina wins on penalties)

Paraguay vs Spain, 2:30 p.m. ET

Spain has arrived right on schedule. Fernando Torres, we're not so sure. Torres has been the one question mark this tournament, but it likely won't matter here against a Paraguay team into the quarterfinals for the first time. But they have scored just three goals in four games, lowest of any quarterfinalist, and that lack of production will hurt against a classy side that will play keep-away. Andres Iniesta is having an MVP-candidate tournament, and David Villa has been lethal. Advantage Spain.

Chris's prediction: Spain 2, Paraguay 0
Cathal's prediction: Spain 3, Paraguay 0

Predictions: Day 17

 

Germany vs. England, 10 a.m. ET

For once, everyone wants to mention the war. The one in ’66. All sorts of hackneyed history being dredged up over this one, but it’s difficult to overestimate the excitement here over this one. England stumbled into the second round, after seeming to find a hint of their form in their final match against Slovenia. Germany have looked vulnerable as well. Plus, they may be without midfield engine Bastian Schweinsteiger, who’s nursing an injury. You just know this one is coming down to penalties.

Prediction: England 2, Germany 2 (England win on penalties)

Argentina vs. Mexico, 2:30 p.m. ET

History, recent and ancient, are both on Argentina’s side today. The blue-and-whites have only lost 2 of 20 encounters with Mexico. Their last victory came at this same point four years ago. Mexico have looked uneven here – imperious in victory over France, overmatched by Uruguay. Meanwhile, Argentina have swept aside all they’ve met. The up-to-this-point player of the tournament, Lionel Messi, looks poised for a goal-scoring breakthrough. If that happens, Mexico are sunk.

Prediction: Argentina 3, Mexico 1

- C.K.; pic by C.Y.

The Temple of Jabulani

JOHANNESBURG

At the World Cup, you try to get away from the zombie walk of endless matches by breaking up the routine. So this morning we went off to Sandton Convention Centre, a 15-minute drive turned to half an hour by the traffic, and the traffic-dodgers, lanes and traffic cones being little more than an inconvenience here.

It was “Penalty day” at World Football House, adidas' central HQ that might as well be called the Temple of Jabulani, with one wall racked with balls - balls attached via wires, in case anyone had a feeling to pinch one. On the wall are some truly hideous renderings of the tournament's key players. And players. Hey, former TFC almost-charter member Andrew Boyens was up there as the New Zealand rep. The Diego Forlan looked like Richard Simmons.

The press conference that brought us there was attended by a number of press shoving their way in – standard operating procedure at the World Cup media centres when the waitlist tickets are divvied out – then heading up to the podium beforehand to have their friends take pictures of them with the Golden Glove and the Jabulani.

After a short power-point demo - a Chinese journo in front of me scribbling down all the stats flashing by on the screen - it was show time for an “all-important” press conference, according to the emcee. Then they came on – Petr Cech of Chelsea/Czech Republic, former Argentina 'keeper Sergio Goycochea, and former Germany hothead/divisive egomaniac Oliver Kahn.

Most of the room clapped them on in their three-stripes kit. They clapped when Gocochea upbraided journalists - them, in other words - for referring to the penalty shootout as a lottery or Russian roulette. “There is only good luck and bad luck,” he said, and Chinese guy scribbed some more and nodded his head. Good luck, bad luck - isn't that was a lottery is?

It was pretty much a dud, in other words, and with the laboriousness of it all extended by the need to translate everything, we cut out early. We didn't even wait for the Khan to go off. He looked like he'd just stumbled out of bed and could use a shave and a couple Advil, actually. Just like me, actually.

Der Kaiser on England: "Tired"

JOHANNESBURG

On a quiet day here at Casa Canada - a Hoser Heaven oasis at the World Cup - I'll leave it to Franz Beckenbauer in today's Bild (English version here) to stoke the fire ahead of Sunday's epic England-Germany renewal, a matchup created by England "stupidly" finishing second in their group, he says: 

The Englishmen looked tired. There’s a reason for it: Premier League stars play far more games than their Bundesliga counterparts, including two national cup competitions. Hence they’re often burned out at World Cups or European Championships.
That’s the impression I had after watching England's first two appearances in South Africa (1-1 against USA, 0-0 against Algeria).
Our players, on the other hand, are in better physical condition.

To me, watching in the Soccer City press centre ahead of Ghana-Germany, England looked better against Slovenia, but they really could have been more clinical - Beckenbauer is right, Rooney looks way out of sorts - and they will need to go much better Sunday against a German side that will get Miroslav Klose back. Klose's replacement last night, the Brazilian-born Cacau, didn't look particularly effective against Ghana. I can see Klose, Ozil, Mueller and the like terrorizing the English defence, but Germany's youth makes them unpredictable and their backline isn't exactly airtight. And then there's that secret weapon unveiled by Capello: Free beer.

With Calamity Kelly headed out early for Italy-Slovakia at Ellis Park, spent the morning hanging around Casa Canada with Zurich, the house grasshopper. Good company. Doesn't say much, very laid-back and easygoing, but watch out. He's got bigger hops than Jamario Moon.   

Predictions: Day 8

GROUP D

Germany (1-0-0 W-D-L) vs. Serbia (0-0-1)

At Port Elizabeth, 7:30 a.m.
TV: CBC, TLN (Spanish)
Weather: 15C, sunny
The Game: Regular readers will know we don’t get many of these right, but let’s toot our own vuvu when we do — we warned you about Germany. Mesut Ozil, Sami Khedira and the rest of the Mannschaft’s kids warned the whole tournament. But that was Oz and this is now. Serbs’ long-ball game was poor in their loss to Ghana on a late penalty that earned Aleksander Lukovic a suspension for this. They need to show better discipline here. Positive for them: They didn’t give up more than one goal in all 12 of their qualifiers, including seven clean sheets.

Prediction: Germany 1, Serbia 0

GROUP C

Slovenia (1-0-0) vs. United States (0-1-0)
At Johannesburg, 10 a.m.
TV: CBC, TLN (Spanish)
Weather: 11C, sunny
The Game: Slovenia (pop. 2 million) can book a ticket in the second round with a win here, but they’ll likely play it as cagey as they did in beating Algeria in their opener. U.S. (pop. 307 million) really needs more than a draw, and will have to be patient against Slovenia’s tight defence.

Prediction: Slovenia 0, United States 1

GROUP C

England (0-1-0) vs. Algeria (0-0-1)
At Cape Town, 2:30 p.m.
TV: CBC, TLN (Spanish)
Weather: 13C, partly cloudy
The Game: England heavy favourites here, despite their problems dealing with the U.S.’s speed in their opener. They’ve got the obvious edge in class and Gareth Barry’s return should free up Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard going forward, but there’s a great deal of pressure for a win. Algeria has goalkeeper worries with Fawzi Chaouchi on the limp.
Prediction: England 2, Algeria 0
Chris Young

Me and my new six-legged friends

Forget about the trip. It's getting there that's the full dose of the fun here.

A little adventure on the way in this morning. First, ran afoul of a FIFA convoy on the highway in. They were passing with a flashing police escort as I merged into traffic. 

It might've been nice if they'd let us in - because we had nowhere else to go. Instead, my car and the three ahead of me were driven up over a curb and onto the shoulder, where we nearly ended up in a fiery wreck. Thanks. Thanks for that.

After my brush with death, happily got out of the car a few minutes later to board the media shuttle into Soccer City. A nice, relaxing hour-long ride through downtown Jo'burg.

A couple of German journalists sitting beside me. I gave one of them my newspaper - the local broadsheet, The Star. He starts flipping through and then begins to grumble in German.

"What?"

"The match report," he says, and then reads the headline. "'German blitzkrieg too much for Aussies.' Always with blitzkrieg. Bah."

Nice one. I lay back and try to relax. Then I see something crawling up the seat in front of me. A cockroach. I brush it off the seat. A couple of minutes later, another cockroach. Now the German behind me is leaping in the air and cursing. The bus is infested with cockroaches. It's also infested with people. So there's nowhere to go.

For the next half hour, I'm jumping out of my seat every time I feel a tingle. I'm still shaking out my pant legs. 

I have to get back on that bus in a three hours. I think I'll light myself on fire first.

C.K.

Predictions: Day 3

Algeria vs. Slovenia, 7:30 a.m. ET

A pair of Cinderella sides here, both having made it into the Finals via surprise win in qualifying. Well, the dream will end today for someone. The Algerians lean heavily on an aerial attack, while Slovenia wins games with defence. Watch for Algerian captain Yazid Mansouri - he's the guy scowling on the bench. He's been sidelined with, ahem, a sudden dip in form. That bodes well, doesn't it?

Prediction: Slovenia 1, Algeria 0

Serbia vs. Ghana, 10 a.m. ET

If football is generally a ballet, call this mixed martial arts. Two muscular sides, heavy on attacking vim and both featuring major stars. At this point, Ghana will be glad to stop talking about missing talisman Michael Essien, who's out with an injury. They will have Sulley Muntari back from the trainer's room - he'll lead the attack. On the Serb side, the biggest star is Man United defender Nemanja Vidic. He missed the first match four years ago, and the Netherlands took advantage. Vidic and his teammates will be hoping to start off far better here.

Prediction: Serbia 2, Ghana 1

- C.K.

Germany vs. Australia, 2 p.m. ET

Michael Ballack's World Cup-ending injury a month ago suddenly seems far away - it's given Jogi Low some time to tinker and this Germany is a more flowing, attack-minded and youthful group without him. One thing they might lack with Ballack's absence is snarl. Australia takes a more conservative, defensive approach under Pim Verbeek. Let's see how 21-year-old Mesut Ozil and 23-year-old Sami Khedira fare in the World Cup spotlight - in Germany's last friendly, an impressive 3-1 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina, the left-footed playmaker Ozil looked elegant, and Khedira, paired with Bastian Schweinsteiger to replace Ballack at the back of the midfield, was outstanding.

Prediction: Germany 2, Australia 1

- C.Y.

Headlines: Brazil tunes up, and today's friendlies

The big shots are here. Check out the third goal (and that's Brazil in blue):

Today's friendlies:

Italy vs Mexico: First of two last-minute tuners in Europe for Italy, this one at Brussels. Mauro Camoranesi misses out injured (at Brussels). Mexico heads off to South Africa after this one, the end to a somewhat chaotic pre-World Cup camp. They certainly can’t complain about not having enough game action - this is their eighth friendly since May 7. But in two of those against quality opponents England and Holland they were outscored 5-2 combined and lost both. Italy certainly counts as another one of those - let's see if young Javier Hernandez can continue to hit the target.

Spain vs South Korea: The World Cup favourites continue to stretch out in Europe, with one more scheduled after this before they head to Africa. Fernando Torres will be rested, but Cesc Fabregas will get his first game action in two months. For Korea, a 1-0 loss to Belarus last out with a strong lineup took some of the shine off a fine preparatory phase, and they lost defender Kwak Tae-Hi. Playing their best XI here, all that good work could give way to some serious jitters and self-doubt just before the real games start.


Germany vs Bosnia-Herzegovina (GolTV, 2:30 p.m. eastern): Tough Mannschaft luck continued last out with Schalke defender Heiko Westermann the latest casualty in the Germany camp. All the chopping and changing has made for a nightmare for coach Jogi Low. Newly-minted captain Philipp Lahm will return at his usual left back post in Frankfurt and Brazilian-born forward Cacau will look to continue his strong form at the expense of Miroslav Klose, who hasn’t been able to turn around his miserable season and is running out of time to impress Low.