World Cup 2010: Some Predictions

Here we go.

1. A South American team to triumph.
2. Holland to disappoint (i.e. no further than last sixteen).
3. England last eight.
4. Spain last four.
5. David Villa for the Golden Boot.
6. An African quarter finalist.
7. Something untoward in North Korea after their early exit.
8. A Wayne Rooney injury scare on the eve of the opening game.
9. France out in the groups.
10. Messi to disappoint (I hope I'm proved wrong; but he's under a poor coach with a poor system).
11. Argentina to do well in spite of Maradona, not because of him.
12. An unlikely lad to shine for England while the big guns disappoint (always happens; see Butt 2002, Hargreaves 2006; James Milner: This is your year).
13. A great tournament.
14. A disappointing, cagey final.
15. A virtually unknown player who has had one good game being linked to Utd/City/Chelsea/Liverpool/Real Madrid for £20m (Sacha Kljestan, Hong Yong-Jo, Gilles Yapi Yapo, Hocine Metref, Steven Gerrard - THIS COULD BE YOUR YEAR)
16. As per Kleberson, Djemba-Djemba et al., this transfer will inevitably be a massive flop, because it always is. Never judge a player on the strength of a World Cup.
17. Casual racism/national stereotypes from BBC/(moreso) ITV commentators and pundits.

I have these predicitions in writing here; I'll be here in 10 weeks or so time to take your ridicule like a man. Bring it on!

Cheers!

Furious D.