WORLD CUP 2018: Quarterfinal Preview, Day Two

Sweden-England:  What to make of this…  England should have beaten Colombia in regulation time, but a lapse at the very end of stoppage time allowed Colombia to tie it up.  Fortunately for England, they had the fortitude to get the penalty shootout monkey gorilla King Kong off of their backs and (mercifully) dump Colombia out of the World Cup.[1]  Sweden looked good against Switzerland, who also has played like a bunch of thugs.  What makes Sweden tough is the fact that they don’t really have a superstar.  Opponents have to prepare to play an entire team that plays well together.  England has the coaching staff to do that.  This will be an outstanding game, and England will exorcise another demon in defeating Sweden.  Prediction: England 2, Sweden 0

Croatia-Russia:  Russia was my only incorrect prediction from the Round of 16, and I could not have been more glad that I was incorrect.  Spain is not fun to watch, and furthermore, their best game was their first.  Russia, on the other hand, has been fun to watch.  They have outperformed the expectations of the experts, seeming to get a boost from their outstanding fans.  Look for them to give Croatia a tough match.

Both of these teams faced tough Round of 16 opponents, winning in shootouts.  The Croatia-Denmark shootout was as tense as they come, with both goalies performing at an outstanding level.  Croatia still looks great, with lethal scoring threats up front, a midfield that wins the ball regularly, and a stingy defense.  Russia will be tough, but Croatia will triumph in the end.  Prediction: Croatia 2, Russia 1

Until next time…

Saturday, July 7, 2018, 7:00 am MST

[1] I have not enjoyed watching Colombia.  I especially have not enjoyed their tactic of “foul opponent then surround referee and vehemently protest because nobody on my team has ever committed a foul in his life.”