7 Things I think about the World Cup

Although this blog is specifically for my work and life as a Peace Corps volunteer in Kazakhstan, bear with me as I sidetrack a little bit.

Today marks the beginning of the World Cup! For a month, people all over the world will be glued to their televisions watching the best sport on earth, soccer. For me, the World Cup is my World Series, my NBA championship, and my Super Bowl all rolled into one. It’s a whole month of amazing sports awesomeness.

I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to watch the games, but my landlady showed up this morning just to tell me that there will be 24 hour coverage of the World Cup on the Russian Sport Channel which I get! So when I’m not at work, or traveling for work, or sleeping, you’ll know what I’ll be doing. I also plan on being in Almaty for the England- US matchup so that I can watch the game in the next best place besides the actual stadium: In a pub. I’ve even requested off for the day before, during, and after the final game!

Before they get started, there are 7 things that I think will happen during the world cup:

• US will beat England, 3-2. Our fast forwards, revamped midfield, and new attacking style will take the English defense off guard, kind of like how they were taken by surprise during the War of Independence. Both teams will get out of group play, but the English will lose in the round of 16. The US will get to the round of 8.

2. At least 3 African teams will make it to the second round (Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa), and 1 team from Africa will make it to the group of 8. A lot of people underestimate African teams in the World Cup, not because of a lack of individual talent, but because of the quality of coaching. This time around, I think many African nations have invested in great coaches that will get their squads to play as a unit. Because of this I think Nigeria will go deep into the tournament, coming out on top in group play, beating Argentina, and getting as far as the group of 8.

3. Team that I don’t know anything about: North Korea. I don’t think this will really matter because I they won’t make it out of pool play anyway. They won’t lose every game though. They’ll tie the Ivory Coast.

4. Three underestimated teams: US, Nigeria, Denmark. They won’t win, but they’ll exceed expectations and upset a team (or two).

5. Most overrated team: France. They’ll barely get out of the first round, probably on a tiebreaker, but will lose in the second. I haven’t been impressed with their qualifying rounds, and their sham of a victory against Ireland that won them a spot in the tournament in the first place really irks me. I believe in karma, especially when it’s against the luck of the Irish.

6. Winner: Spain. It’s the deepest team in the tournament. While many teams have 5-8 top tier players, Spain has so many top tier players that even their substitutes could probably start on any squad.

7. The final won’t come down to penalty kicks. There will be a winner after 90 minutes of play.