Striking Gold: Who Will Capture the 2010 FIFA World Cup?

Which team will hoist the World Cup in South Africa this summer?

Prior to the prestigious tournament soccer analysts and pundits were heavily favoring Brazil and Spain as the teams to beat based on their recent accomplishments in the past four years.

Brazil, led by the quickness of Sevilla F.C striker Luis Fabiano, Santos F.C forward Robinho and skillful Real Madrid midfielder Kaka, dominated the 2009 Confederations Cup and any team that was put in front of them. The Seleção were in form and had not put on such a dominant display of football since 2002 FIFA World Cup, which they ultimately won.

Since the provisional 30-man squads were released last week, Brazil coach Carlos Dunga has been heavily criticized for his selection of the team, surprisingly snubbing AC Milan duo Ronaldinho and Alexandre Pato and choosing relatively unknown, inexperienced players in Nilmar and Grafite.

Dunga is also choosing to rely more on a defensive structured squad, a style Brazil isn’t known for, while leaving their midfield quite weak. Their only midfielder who stands out is Kaka, who has been suffering from injuries this year and as a result only netted 8 goals for Real Madrid this season. A huge step back from his previous years in Italy where he scored a total of 70 goals for AC Milan during his tenure from 2003-2009.

Spain also boasts a similar high-powered offense in the duo of Fernando Torres and David Villa. Spain has had the potential to go far in tournaments but ultimately lose in games that matter most, but all the speculation was put to rest in 2008.

At Euro 2008 tournament, the Spaniards played a fast-paced, skillful and technical game of football, with players such as Xavi Hernandez and Carlos Iniesta emerging and becoming pivotal for their squad. Spain were faced with a heavy task of trying to upset World champions Italy in a nail-biting game that went to a shootout. Spain would beat Italy in the quarterfinals and go on to win Euro 2008.

Fast forward two years later and Spain pretty much has the same team however they’ve been plagued by injuries. Midfielder Cesc Fabregas is out with a broken leg and could be doubtful in time to make the tournament. Torres is recovering from a second operation on his damaged right knee, he is also doubtful for their opening game. Xavi Hernandez has been recently playing with a torn muscle while Carlos Iniesta, Marcos Senna and Gerard Pique are among others who are wounded.

With only four weeks until the tournament begins, Spain looks to be in trouble and according to recent reports, Spain’s head coach Vincente Del Bosque is quite worried. If any of these key players are unable to be ready for the opening stages, or even worse, the entire tournament then Del Bosque could be a little more than just worried as a majority of these players were a huge reason to their successful run in Euro 2008. And based on how successful this squad was at capturing glory two years prior, it’d be hard for their substitutes to take up those spots and trying to mimic the same success.

Since Brazil and Spain went from being favorites to now being questionable, the competition is wide open.

Which squads have a good chance of winning the World Cup? Here are my picks.

England

Since their embarrassing qualifying campaign that cost them a spot in Euro 2008, England have stormed through teams like a tornado on route to clinching a spot in this year’s World Cup.

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has been stellar this year tallying 26 goals and helping his team finish second in the English Premier League. Fellow countrymen John Terry and Frank Lampard were unstoppable for their club Chelsea; Lampard picked up 22 goals this season as Chelsea won the 2009-2010 Premier League title.

With former AC Milan coach Fabio Capello taking over the duties as head coach, this squad is loaded with potential threats from the defense to forwards. Along with the consistency of Rooney, the quickness of Theo Walcott and power and accuracy of Steven Gerrard will also provide trouble for teams this summer. The 6’7 frame of striker Peter Crouch will also be difficult for opposing defenders to cover.

Key players to watch: Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard, and John Terry.

Prediction- Standout players like Rooney and Lampard are in their top form this season and both are in their prime. The adversity this team has faced with John Terry’s off-field issues and Beckham tearing his ACL shouldn’t let them get distracted. If England wants to capitalize on winning the World Cup then this is the right team to do it because the average age among England’s players is 28 years old, for some this might be their last chance. Look for England to at least make semifinals.

Italy

The Azzuri come into this tournament looking to successfully defend their title but with a squad that consists of aging players. Many soccer analysts and websites consider Italy to not only have one the weaker squads of the tournament but one of the weakest squads in their national team’s history.

Do not be deceived though, Italy always plays to their best form when they are under pressure or in crucial matches. Not to mention they hold the most experience out of the entire tournament.

Arguably the best goalkeeper in the world Gianluigi Buffon will be at his best as will their strong defense led by 37-year old captain Fabio Cannavaro to shut down some of the most strongest offensive players in the world.

Led by one of the most dangerous attacking midfielders today, Andrea Pirlo, up front is where Italy often is under looked.  Striker Alberto Gilardino is coming off a successful season at Fiorentina leading the squad with 15 goals while Udinese sniper Antonio Di Natale led Serie A with 29 goals.

Up and coming stars like Gianpaolo Pazzini and Giuseppe Rossi are sure to provide some well needed firepower should Italy be in trouble in South Africa.

Key players to watch: Gianluigi Buffon, Fabio Cannavaro, Andrea Pirlo and Antonio Di Natale.

Prediction- Francesco Totti’s presence will surely be missed, as they’ll lose some the team’s creative offense that helped them lift the World Cup four years ago.

However it wouldn’t be wise to take this squad lightly, Italy is a very difficult team to play against. A realistic goal would see Italy get through to the semifinals without much trouble, but after that it is questionable if Italy can reach the finals for a second straight tournament.

Germany

Any tournament Germany enters, they’re always considered strong contenders and this year is no different. Although they lost in 2006 World Cup semifinals and Euro 2008 finals the Germans hold such a strong team that it would be foolish to overlook them.

This squad is relatively young with an average age of 25 years old. Their defense is quite strong as Bayern Munich defender Phillip Lahm along with seasoned veterans Arne Friedrich, Marcell Jansen and Andreas Beck will look impose their will on strikers. Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger will be looked to lead the midfield without the assistance of team captain Michael Ballack, who will have to miss the tournament due to injury.

Up front, the Germans will be a big threat to any team that faces off with them.

Strikers Miroslav Klose and Lucas Podolski are fast and quick with the ball and both have tallied 7 goals and 6 goals respectively for Germany. Do not be fooled by these stats, Podolski and Klose are still a force to be reckoned with. Despite only scoring 10 goals for Bayern this year, German-born Mario Gomez will look to add on to Podolski and Klose’s production.

Key players to watch: Lucas Podolski, Bastian Schweinsteiger, and Phillip Lahm.

Prediction- it’s a big blow to Germany to be missing a caliber player like Michael Ballack, his leadership has been crucial in the past. But Germany seems to get better with each game they play plus they were dominant in their qualification campaign finishing with 26 points in their preliminary group.

Despite failing to win at both the 2006 World Cup and Euro 2008, this time around Germany is due for success.

Look for Germany to have a strong showing this summer with a good possibility of reaching the finals and becoming champions for the fourth time.

Netherlands

Netherlands are another underachieving team who have the potential to compete with powerhouse teams like Brazil, Italy and Germany, but fail to capitalize in big games. At Euro 2008, the Dutchmen silenced those who doubted them and were the most entertaining squad of the tournament.

Forwards Arjen Robben and Robin Van Persie were just some of the players who shined and put on a brilliant showing of football with their accurate shooting, fast footwork and skillful tricks that delighted the crowd. Alongside veteran striker Dirk Kuyt and one of the world’s best midfielders Wesley Sneijder, the Dutch took down giants France and Italy propelling them to become heavily favored.

While Van Persie is nursing an injury both Robben and Sneijder have been in top form this year as both of their respective clubs Bayern Munich and Inter Milan have won their league titles, not to mention both teams will square off in the Champions League finals to determine the best club in the world later this month. 

Key players to watch: Robin Van Persie, Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder.

Prediction- Following Euro 2008, Netherlands broke the curse of being an underachieving squad. Look for the trio of Van Persie, Robben and Sneijder to put on a replay of Euro 2008 this summer.

Although all three players are vulnerable to injury, when this deadly trio is healthy there is no team in the world that can stop them.  Their group shouldn’t trouble them one bit and the Netherlands will likely cruise to a spot in the final eight against an experienced Italian squad.

However as skilled as the offense is, Euro 2008 was evident that Netherlands’ goaltending isn’t as nearly skilled. The quarterfinals will be as far as they go.