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Your Editors’ Picks for the Quarterfinals

June 19th, 2008 | By: Laurie | 16 Comments »

Cristiano Ronaldo or Michael Ballack? Flying Dutchmen or Russian youth? Croatian dark horse vs. um…Turkish dark horse? World Cup Champs Italy or “Let’s not choke yet” Spain? Which teams will advance to the semis?

We’ve made it through the group stages, and now we’re heading into the quarterfinals. Who will move on and who will go home? Here are the World Cup Blog editors’ picks:

Germany vs. Portugal
Chris: Germany is the sleeping giant. How often do we see disjointed big teams in the group stages put it together only to become lethal in the knockouts? Ballack’s going to pull a Zizou in ‘06. Germany 3-1.
Daryl: Get a good feeling about Portugal. Scolari seems to be on a high, Ronaldo and Deco are looking dangerous. Meanwhile Jogi Low is banned from talking to his players and there are injury worries over Podolski and Frings. Portugal 2-1.
Ian: Heart says Germany, then head reminds heart of how Germany has played. It’s a tossup, but I give it to the Portuguese on penalties. Fulltime 1-1.
Laurie: Germany’s been unconvincing so far, but I think they’ve just been warming up. Plus I’d love to see C-Ron go home early. Germany, 1-0.

Croatia vs. Turkey
Chris: Believe in Bilic. Turkey needs another miracle to win this one but they won’t get it. 2-0 Croatia.
Daryl: Turkey have pulled off two brilliant comebacks, Croatia haven’t. The reason for that is that Croatia haven’t been in a losing position to make any comebacks. They look like a well oiled, machine with great team spirit so I expect them to make the semis. Croatia 2-0.
Laurie: Turkey, is a good team, but they’ve already pulled a rabbit out of the hat — not once but twice. I think their luck may run out against Slaven Bilic’s men. Croatia 2-1.
Ian: I have to agree with Laurie. The magic has to end sometime for the Turks, and Croatia have a tale of their own to tell here. Croatia 1-0.

Netherlands vs. Russia
Chris: If anyone but Guus Hiddink was coaching Russia, I’d say the Netherlands. But the man knows these players inside and out, as they’ve said, and we saw yesterday what the inclusion of Arshavin can do. The Magic of Guus takes over, unfortunately - I’d rather have a rematch with the Netherlands. Russia 2-1.
Daryl: Netherlands have been brilliant, my favourite team to watch. And everyone expects them to win it at this point. But the best team doesn’t always win (see Argentina in 2006), Guus Hiddink is en evil genius and Holland sucks at spot-kicks. 1-1 with a Russian win on penalties.
Ian: This will be a fantastic match, and I’m happy to say I have no allegiances in it. The Oranje have nowhere to go but down, and are facing arguably the best Dutch coach in the world. Still, I think they will have just a little too much for Russia late in the game. 2-1 to Holland in the game of the round.
Laurie: This is the hardest one for me to pick, because when both teams are on, I love their style. I think I have to go for the experience of the Dutch, but I’d be happy either way. Netherlands on penalties after a 2-2 tie.

Spain vs. Italy
Chris: I remember thinking “Wow, Spain is finally going to win it” after the group stages in ‘06. Never again. We may finally see the Roman triumvirate in midfield and it’s still Spain. Italia 2-1.
Daryl: I’m tempted to tip Italy because they have momentum after than win over France. Plus Italy are a good tournament team and Spain, well, aren’t. But Tonigol’s targeting system isn’t aligned properly, Donadoni’s on borrowed time and knows it and Torres & Villa have too much pace for Italy’s defenders. Buffon’s going to be busy and brilliant but ultimately beaten. 1-0 to Spain.
Ian: This is a tough one to call, but I have to give the edge to the depth and talent of Spain. 1-0 in a grinder, and it’s Torres, not Villa, who finally plays hero.
Laurie: Spain may eventually choke, but I don’t think they’ll do it yet — not with Pirlo and Gattuso suspended for Italy. Spain, 2-1.

Bet on the quarterfinals.

Tags: Croatia, Euro 2008, Euro 2008 News, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Predictions, quarterfinal, Russia, Spain, Turkey

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Comments

By Sam | June 19th, 2008 at 10:25 am

Portugal 2-1 Germany
Croatia 1-0 Turkey
Netherlands 2-1 Russia
Spain 1-1 (4-3) Italy

By Jon | June 19th, 2008 at 10:38 am

Who I think will win: Germany, Croatia, Russia, Italy.
Who I want to win: Germany, Croatia, Netherlands, Spain.

By corvallissoccer | June 19th, 2008 at 10:39 am

To semi-quote some classic SNL with Dan Aykroyd, “Laurie, you ignorant slut.” You will get Croatia correct. What you want to happen is not a prediction, it is a hope.

Quit thinking like a woman. [wink]

Posted from United States

By Porchetta | June 19th, 2008 at 10:41 am

1)Germany to win 1-0. Guys, we can almost see it…look, what baffles me is that the critics are going gaga over group stage performances…Portugal played a great great match against a none too special Turkey..Portugal was LUCKY to win against Czechs whatever u guys may say..i mean after the scrambled Deco goal, Czechs reply with a beauty from Sionko..Only in the late second half, Portugal score two goals on counter attacks, especially the last goal at the death was definately all about catching out the committed Czechs and i dont see teams like Germany allowing sitters and gifts..A lot has been mentioned about germany playing poorly in the group matches, never mind..If frings is fit( he will be according to the latest), he will control Ronaldo..in Lahm and Scwensteiger they have great players along the left who can any time burst into the area and put in telling crosses for Podolski, Klose and others..And Klose is a big game player and will be very fired up..Portugal is very weak on attack, if Ronaldo has an off day, well…..
1-0 Germany..when the going gets tough, the tough gets going

2)Croatia 2-Turkey 0. ..no need to explain that..Luka Modric is a class apart and i dont see the Turkish midfield handle him..Turkey have used their share of luck, i dont think that Croatia would allow them back in the game..plus it wont be raining tomorrow according to the forecast in Basel, so Turkey cant expect a fluke win aka against Swiss..
2-0 Croatia..easy one

3)Holland 3 Russia 1…Russians are very talented, a young upcoming team but the likes of Ruud, Sneijder, Persie, Kuyt, Robben will be too much for them..Rudd to score atleast a goal..
3-1 Holland…
4)Italia 2 Spagna 0…..
Maybe iam biased because iam an Italian but definately, i can say that Italia will get on top over this one..maybe, italia will fall again to Holland in the semis..but about this one iam dead sure..Italia will win this one..reasons??spagna always flatters to deceive,,they look great against Ukraine, Tunisia, Bosnia, russia, sweeden….but when they come up against super powers like France or Italia , they will stumble..If anyone did watch the Russian match, they would have seen that Russia was unlucky , it hit the posts twice, it missed many scoring chances, also Cesc goal was a blatant offside, also 2 of the Villa goals were not of any great build up but off swift counter attacks on an inexpeirienced Russia..the same holds true in the match against Sweeden, the last gasp(92nd minute) goal was a result of a long hop, a hoof ball towwards Villa from Capdevilla when the entire Sweeden was in front..spagna was not really tested in the groiup stages and it is a joke when i watch the spanish magazines Marca and AS who are publishing crapp and hatered on Italia and even the spanish president Zapatero goes to all length to explain why his country is superior and will win…No way Italians will allow spagna to make counter attacjks like the minnows allowed..and no way Luca Toni will allow the ordinary spanish defence an easy time, infact, according to the law of averages, Luca Toni must, should and will score…the spanish game is virtually conducted through its midget midfielders but Italian midfield lead by the magnificent De Rossi will definately hold up..Aquilani is an able replacement to Pirlo
Italia 2 Spagna 0…..take it..

By Luis | June 19th, 2008 at 10:41 am

I’m shocked Laurie. Never would have taken you for a CRon hater.

Forca Portugal!

Posted from United States

By Laurie | June 19th, 2008 at 11:08 am

CorvallisSoccer, I am weeping into my latte over your comment.

I’m…I’m NOT ignorant!

Posted from United States

By anonymous | June 19th, 2008 at 11:22 am

you have got to be kidding, thinking Russia will beat Holland!

By jonkon | June 19th, 2008 at 12:42 pm

Spain and Portugal have no chance. They never do. They are born losers with so much talent yet so few trophies. Germany and Italy can win on their worst days, while Portugal and Spain can lose on their best. I’d love to see those teams play with the beautiful football that they promote, but I just can’t see these two perennial losers defeat these two perennial winners. History DOES matter.

Posted from United States

By Porchetta | June 19th, 2008 at 1:48 pm

so my first prediction came true..Germany fired all cylinders with my picks Klose and Schweinsteiger(read my previous post) doig the trick..now, after this great match, iam eagerly waiting for the rest

By rachel | June 19th, 2008 at 2:48 pm

hey could some one tell me the name of the song played after the goals at tonights match, portugal v germany?

Posted from United Kingdom

By Bobo | June 19th, 2008 at 3:40 pm

Rachel — I believe it’s called “Samba de Janeiro”… it used to be a big hit in the 1990s, if I remember correctly.

Ahh, the sleeping giants have awoken. Germany are already through to the semifinals and I would be willing to bet good money that Italy will join them, along with Russia and Croatia.

The time is ripe for another good ol’ Italy - Germany match, wouldn’t you say? Those two together always makes for splendid football.

Posted from United States

By BOBO BOOB | June 19th, 2008 at 3:50 pm

Oh my little friend bobo. IF you think Italy is making the finals you really have some problems.

Posted from Canada

By A. | June 19th, 2008 at 8:09 pm

If Greece and Denmark can make the final and even win it, surely a false starting World Champion can do it too, no?

By corvallissoccer | June 19th, 2008 at 10:24 pm

Well you Ive got crow to eat dont I Laurie. As a token of my respect for correctly picking Germany to win today I promote you from “ignorant slut” to “soccer slut”.

I’ll make you a deal. If you change your handle from Laurie to Soccer Slut I’ll send you a custom t-shirt displaying your spiffy new handle.

By Copper | June 19th, 2008 at 11:13 pm

Rachel, BoBo is right; here it it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWKhbR33bww

Posted from United States

By McTalian | June 20th, 2008 at 9:17 am

You guys are seriously picking Russia? Hm. If you are put the money down because y’ll be rich. I think the Oranje are gonna choke it at some point, but not against Russia.

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