It's Nearly Over...Until The Next Time

OK, so my semi-final predictions were, er, 100% wrong. That is the reason why I'm not a professional gambler. At least Uruguay gave it a go, though. What was up with Germany - it was like they didn't realise they were in semi-final and just couldn't motivate themselves. After the first 20 minutes or so, I could see the game only going one way. Although I was surprised it took Spain until 70-odd minutes to score.

Anyway, so we have a Holland v Spain final to look forward to. I'm not going to predict the winner (although it will be Spain) but I'm hoping against hope that both teams will show more attacking dynamism than they have so far. Pragmatic football has got both sides all the way, but it isn't that much fun to watch.

I'd like to see a very early goal from one team, which will force the other to play with more attacking intent, thereby creating a more exciting final than the one, I fear, we're about to see.

Predictions For The Semi-Finals

So, we're down to the last four: Holland, Spain, Germany and Uruguay.

Frankly, I was expecting at least one other South American side to be here: most likely Brazil, but what do I know.

The thing is, though, that only one of these teams has shown any real consistency so far in the tournament and that is: Germany.

While, admittedly, they did lose their second match, Joachim Loew's side have shown what can be achieved when you build a team, rather than throwing the biggest eleven names in German football together and hoping they can bond.

The fact that Loew has kept faith with Klose and Podolski despite poor seasons is just one indication of this. The introduction of Ozil and Khedira from the Under 21 squad is another.

This, for me, makes them favourite to win the entire competition. Spain and Holland have struggled through. Both the Dutch and Spanish have been better than the teams they've come up against, but - Brazil aside - neither have really been challenged.

Even without Luis Suarez, I think Uruguay have the craft and determination to get past Holland, while Germany should win through against the stuttering Spanish.

Uruguay v Germany in the 2010 World Cup Final.

Friendly Results...Everyone Is Rubbish

Manchester United's second top scorer - 'own goal' - made a timely appearance in England's clash with Japan, scoring 2 goals. This saved everyone's blushes in a very unconvincing 2-1 victory for England.

So, it is with relief that I note that every other World Cup bound side who played a friendly today was also rubbish. Well, except Mexico who gave Gambia a 5-1 thrashing.

You can see the full results for the latest round of international friendlies at the BBC website here.

Feel free to marvel at scores like Belarus: 1, South Korea: 0 and Spain: 3, Saudi Arabia: 2.

Let's hope it all improves dramatically next month.

It's Looking Good For Some...And Terrible For Portugal

So, with yesterday's 2010 World Cup Qualifying matches out of the way, things are looking a little clearer, especially in the European groups.

The Dutch have qualified already, from admittedly the weakest possible Group (Scotland are the next placed team, a mere 11 points behind the Netherlands).

Almost certain to qualify now are England, who beat Kazakhstan 4-0 and then saw Croatia and Ukraine draw 2-2 : the ideal result for Capello's side.

Spain, too, are pretty much there, although they didn't play yesterday.

However, some big teams are struggling. Portugal were being held by Albania until a last minute goal got them a much needed win. They're still languishing in third in Group 1 and have away matches at Denmark and Hungary to come. So, I doubt Portugal will be at the 2010 World Cup Finals.

Elsewhere, spare a thought for Israel. They don't lose many matches in World Cup qualifying campaigns and yet never seem to qualify. They're currently 4th in Group 2 and yet have only lost once.

Their record in the last 3 qualification campaings stands at 24 matches played, just three lost and yet still they haven't managed to qualify.

A Couple Of Quickies, So To Speak

A couple of World Cup quickies.

Ashley Cole thinks that if he scores the winner in a World Cup Final, maybe the fans will love him. No, Ashley, they won't.

And in a statement of the bleedin' obvious, journalist Martin Samuel has, very helpfully I think, informed England manager Fabio Capello that if he finds a way to defeat Spain then there's a good chance of winning the World Cup. Thanks for that, Martin, I'm sure Don Fabio will appreciate it.