Last eight in world cup. Who will win it?

**FarBeag** · 28/06/2006, 1:22 PM

its getting very exciting now and many of the expected teams have made it through to the last eight. Personally I would love to see an Argentina / Brazil final with the Argies wining it but with England still there i am not so sure. I really believe with all their luck they could go all the way.They appear to have more belief in themselves and to be fair they have not played anywhere near their potential.I hope it does not happen but i an getting a little scared it will.

**Billsthoughts** · 28/06/2006, 1:27 PM

Germany to beat Argentina
Ukraine to beat Italy
Portugal to beat England
France to beat Brazil

Germany to beat Ukraine
France to beat Portugal

Germany to beat France.

**eirebhoy** · 28/06/2006, 1:42 PM

I think Argentina have the best chance atm. They're just as good as Brazil on the ball and have a stronger defence than Brazil.

The only thing in Germany's favour is home advantage. I don't think they're strong enough at the back to go all the way. They've yet to be really tested but there defence was dreadful before the tournament and I'd be suprised if they get past Argentina without conceding a couple.

My money is on Italy since March and I'm still confident they can win it. They're now 22 games unbeaten and their team is made for the world cup. People have to remember that they haven't been fairly knocked out of a world cup in 20 years. Cannavaro has been the defender of the tournament and if you manage to get past him there's Buffon to deal with.

Nesta probably won't make it back for the Ukraine match but he'll be back for the semi's if they make it.

Totti is crucial. I think he has finally got his match fitness and sharpness back and it was confidence he had to fight to get back to his best. The penalty against Australia will surely get his confidence back. I doubt he was ever under as much pressure than he was to score that penalty and it was an unstoppable peno. We'll see against the Ukraine if he's back to his best.

I fancy Scolari to knock England out of the 3rd tournament in a row.

France have a better chance of getting past Brazil than Spain imo. It all depends on how Brazil play though. I fancy Brazil to get through.

**NeilMcD** · 28/06/2006, 1:56 PM

I think it will be Brazil in the Final joined by either Argentina or Italy. I think think the Portugal England game is not 50/50 in my view. So I am going to go for a semi final of

Argentina V Italy
Brazil V Portugal/England

I agree with Eirebhoy about Italy.

**Stuttgart88** · 28/06/2006, 2:13 PM

I think it's too close to call but I'm in fear that it'll be England. Every time a potential opponent plays all I see is injury or yellow cards to key players.

I'd like to think it'll be an Argentina vs Brazil final with Argentina winning.

I've been looking at the betting in the individual QF games. Does anywhere give odds on the final outcome rather than the outcome after 90 minutes?

**OwlsFan** · 28/06/2006, 2:21 PM

Germany to beat Argentina
Italy to beat Ukraine
England to beat Portugal
Brazil to beat France

Italy to beat Germany
Brazil to beat England

Italy to beat Brazil (revenge for 1970

).

**geysir** · 28/06/2006, 4:14 PM

Usually can't predict for shíte. Personally I hope England kick out Portugal (I can't abide by their style). England then go out gallantly against Brazil and the SGE bluff will mysteriously remain unmasked.
Italy to get to the final only for the best defence to be finally undone by the Brazilian underdogs in an absorbing game.

**eirebhoy** · 28/06/2006, 7:13 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

I've been looking at the betting in the individual QF games. Does anywhere give odds on the final outcome rather than the outcome after 90 minutes?

yeah, all bookies should. Click on one of the matches here:
http://www.paddypower.com/bet?action=go_soccer_level1

There's an option to bet on "To Qualify for the Next Round".

**OwlsFan** · 30/06/2006, 8:49 AM

Brazil v France

5 - 6 11 - 5 10 - 3

France 10/3 isn't a bad bet considering that the Brazilians haven't been setting the world on fire and a draw at 2-1 in the England vs Portugal game looks good as well.

**elroy** · 30/06/2006, 11:29 AM

Arg, Italy, Port and Braz all to qualify for the next round is 6/1.

Not too bad, I'd be pretty confident about it except for the England game, really think they could beat Portugal.

Dont really know why everyone is rating Germany so highly, they've beaten Ecuador and Sweden, two poor teams. I dont think Italy all firing on all cycliders but should have enough to beat Ukraine, (who were involved in one of the worst WC games ive ever seen the other night). And I fancy Brazil to see off France, I dont think France can play much better than they did against Spain. France's strength is there defence but I think Brazil will just have too much for them, not to mention revenge for 98.

**OwlsFan** · 30/06/2006, 12:37 PM

Rating Germany highly ? - because they're at home, have been improving and they're Germans

. The Argentinians, on the other hand, after a very bright start, seem to be going the other way. Fascinating game in prospect.

And by the way, Ecuador, who you write off as a poor side, beat both Argentina and Brazil at home in the qualifiers and only lost 1-0 away to them both.

**shakermaker1982** · 30/06/2006, 12:47 PM

I really do think the winners out of Ger -Arg have their name on the trophy. Both teams would carry an enormous amount of momentum into the Semi Final after winning such a huge game and be too much for the cautious Italian team.

Portugal should beat England again. If they had Deco in there I would be 100% confident but even with a weakened team they still have some big guns plus Big Phil. More importantly is that they play as a unit and know what to do in their respective positions. England are still trying to learn a 4-5-1 formation and this should (I hope) spell disaster for Beckham and co.

Brazil - France? Too tight to call. France are starting to look dangerous and if Makelele/Vieira play like they did against Spain then Brazil could be in trouble. Ronaldinho has been quiet and is due a big game but I wouldn't be surprised to see France pull off a famous victory. Their defence is world class and if they hold Brazil till half time they could frustrate and counter at will in the latter stages.

**PaulB** · 30/06/2006, 1:04 PM

Argantine to beat Germany, could be a classic game.
Italy to beat Ukraine, probably bore the nads off us..
England to beat Portugal easily, 2-3 nil i reckon
France to beat Brazil..

Argentina vs France final..

**gustavo** · 30/06/2006, 1:45 PM

Germany Argentina
Italy Ukraine
England Portugal
Brazil France

Germany Italy
England France

Italy England

**Buller** · 30/06/2006, 8:58 PM

If brazil play to their potential they can beat france!

I think they'll get to the final...

**NeilMcD** · 03/07/2006, 3:26 PM

But they didnt.

**Billsthoughts** · 05/07/2006, 3:58 PM

Originally Posted by Billsthoughts

Germany to beat Argentina
Ukraine to beat Italy
Portugal to beat England
France to beat Brazil

Germany to beat Ukraine
France to beat Portugal

Germany to beat France.

3 of the 1/4 final results wasnt too bad!!!!

Damn you Ukraine !!!!!!