“Football is not a matter of life & death, I assure you it’s more than that” Bill Shankly. 6 days more to the greatest sporting event on earth. Ruski 2018!
My prediction for the last 8:
1. Selecão (On a pride redemption mission after 7-1 bashing at home in 2014 by Germany – The Game that shocked the world)
2. Die Mannshaft – Arguably the only team in the tournament with depth and breadth. “Football is a simple game. 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans always win” Gary Lineker
3. La Roja – Despite crashing out in the group stages at 2014, this Tiki Taka Team is blessed with talent
4. Les Bleus – Good Team on paper but lack leaders on the field. And they are French!
5. England – The most over rated team for the last 52 years (that’s 13 World Cup tournaments). Often over promises and under delivers
6. La Celeste – Have finished 2nd in 4 consecutive World Cup qualifiers. With star players like Suarez, Valverde, Vecino, Nandez and Betancur, a team to keep a keen eye on
7. Quinas – Never write off a team that has Cristiano Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva and Andre Silva.
8. Croatia – Perennial dark horses. Luka Modric is 32 and most other players will be 29 or older. Last realistic shot at something big for the best Croatian team since the team that came in 3rd in 1998. –
BY ARTURO FANGIO
