New world champions to be crowned after Italy exit
With the host nation of the World Cup failing to progress to the second round of the competition for the first time in history, and the defending World Cup holders Italy crashing out at the group stage, come July 11th, there will be new reigning World Champions. The question now, is will it be a familiar old name on the famous trophy, such as Brazil or Argentina, or will there be a brand new name, never before etched into the annals of world football history? European champions Spain went into South Africa 2010 as the outright favourites to lift the trophy, but after stumbling in their first group match to a sock defeat against Switzerland, they have seen both Brazil and Argentina cut the betting the odds to match them as favourites. It appears now that the tournament really is just a genuine three way race between Spain, Brazil and Argentina, the main contenders to lift the trophy at the conclusion of the World Cup final in Johannesburg.
Brazil are the only nation to have won the World Cup outside of their own continent, which means that no European side have ever won when the tournament when it has been held outside of Europe. That is the history which Spain are up against. With World Cup history records already being broken with South Africa failing, and Italy departing, will Spain keep that trend going and be able win their first ever World Cup title in a momentously historic fashion? Italy slumped to a shock 3-2 defeat against Slovakia in their final group match, a result which meant that they gone from heroes to zeroes in just four years, paving the way for new champions. Spain on the other hand, have the ability and the star players to win the tournament, and it is hard to see just how they will have two slips ups in the seven matches it takes to get your hands on the World Cup. While the Spaniards are the strongest challengers from Europe, can the golden generation of England, or perhaps the youthfulness of Germany spring a shock?
But the South American nations are making a bold statement at South Africa 2010, as they are looking the most composed, the most threatening, while Europe’s best seem to be tripping up. This should swing the favour heavily into Brazil’s court, as they have really yet to break a sweat, and all round look favourites to win the World Cup for a record sixth time. But maybe, just maybe, after all of the disruption and chaos that they had through qualification for South Africa 2010, Argentina, coached by Maradona, will upset the two pre-tournament favourites and walk away with the honours. Whatever Maradona has done to Lionel Messi and co, it is working as they look a completely different side at South Africa 2010, to what they were during qualification. They are confident and hungry for success as a team. All of the South American nations seem to have their games more together than their European counterparts, so will Brazil once more step forward and remain the only nation to have won outside the World Cup outside of its own continent?
