THE waiting is over – it’s the big kick-off today for the greatest football show on earth – the fabulous FIFA World Cup
THE waiting is over – it’s the big kick-off today for the greatest football show on earth – the fabulous FIFA World Cup 2014. And, with the competition being held this time in Brazil – that is bound to add just that little bit extra Samba razzmatazz that we footie fans adore – it’s the next best thing to the tournament being held in England. This is the biggest single-sport event on the planet. It is always spectacular. It is 32 international teams from Europe, North America, Asia, South America, and Africa all vying for the biggest prize in sport in front of a combine world audience of five billion punters. It is the beautiful game at its most thrilling, contrasting and brilliant best. With up to four games a day and all of them on the telly – it’s a footie fest of the first magnitude and this brings sheer bliss to football fans across the globe.
So who will win and end up Champions of the world? For me – my pick is between two great footballing nations – Brazil and Germany. Two great sides both of whom are easily capable of carrying the day but the host nation will always just have the edge in this case – so my money is on Brazil. It would make a great Final, too, Europe v South America so to speak. But, of course, when looking at likely winners one would be foolish to write-off the current holders Spain. They still look a very good team and should be there or thereabouts. Argentina, too, will be no pushovers and many punters favourite – they have proved themselves to be as good as anyone in the world over recent years. Even little Belgium might surprise a few because they have some great players and look to be very strong on paper.
But, you know what? I just have a hunch that England might also confound their critics this time. Why? Well, in my view, we have some real emerging talent – a group of young, exciting players who might just turn out to be world-beaters. For example: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Adam Lallana, Ross Barkley, Danny Welbeck, Jordan Henderson, and, of course, Raheem Sterling – a player who already looks like he has world-class written all over him – and together with the rest – it looks like we have a fairly bright future on the international football scene. So let’s just wait and see before we write our return ticket home quite so readily.
Although its not always the big stars that have the greatest impact on the tournament – there’s always a new star to be found – but the big name star players to look out for: Neymar, Yaya Toure (if he feels like it) Suarez, Benzema, Messi (of course) Ronaldo and our very own Raheem Sterling (if he gets his chance to show the world what he can do) – it’s all brilliantly exciting I know.
Now, I’m heading home to take my seat in front of the telly for the Brazil v Croatia opening game. Let’s get comfy for the big kick-off of the greatest show on earth. COME ON ENGLAND!!! Enjoy!!!
