Is Your Team Out? Get Behind One of the Last 16

June 26th, 2010 | by: Ian Rose | View Comments

The knockout rounds are here, and for those of us obsessed with football, this is our Christmas. 16 teams are left, and every time a match ends, one team moves on and one goes home, until we crown a new World Cup champion. But for fans of the 16 teams now eliminated from the chance to hoist that trophy, it can be a depressing time. Hopes were high, sometimes unrealistically high. Maybe tickets were bought for matches that faithful fans just knew their side would make. If you’re one of those sides that finds themselves on the outside of the round of 16 looking in, it’s time to pick your second (or is it third) side, and get behind one of the remaining teams. The alternative is not to watch, or not to root for anyone, and that’s just madness.

Here are the 16 teams and a quick explanation of why you should support them in the next round. We’ve also included links to their blog and social media accounts, to help you follow them.

Argentina : Blog / Facebook / Twitter
* Because they score a lot of goals, they have the best player in the world in Leo Messi, and their manager is completely insane, in a very entertaining way.

Brazil : Blog / Facebook / Twitter
* Because a combination of forwards like Robinho and Fabiano and a strong defense anchored by one of the best goalkeepers in football is one that might very well lead to a sixth star on their jersey. Also, hot fans and drums.

Chile : Blog / Facebook / Twitter
* Because they play good-looking (dare I say sexy?) attacking football. They will attack Brazil, and that’s commendable. But will it work?

England : Blog / Facebook / Twitter
* Because they are the closest neighbor to the country that invented the game, and are certainly responsible for spreading it to mainland Europe. Also, because a country so obsessed with a game ought to win it every 50 years or so. In all seriousness, though, the strength of their domestic league makes them one of the great football supporter nations – you’ll have plenty of company.

Germany : Blog / Facebook / Twitter
* Because unless you were Australian, you loved watching how well Germany moved the ball in their opening match. While other countries whine about the Jabulani ball, zee Germans have been practicing with it. Also, if you aren’t going to support England, supporting Germany is a very good way to make that abundantly clear.

Ghana : Blog / Facebook / Twitter
* Because they are the last African side in the first World Cup in Africa. If you need a better reason than that, you haven’t talked to an African football fan lately. The continent is desperate for a knockout win.

Japan : Blog / Facebook / Twitter
* Because their fans like to dress up like Samurai, and their team is called the Blue Samurai, which is undeniably very cool. They also happen to play a tight, organized game and are the best side in the World Cup so far on set pieces.

Mexico : Blog / Facebook / Twitter
* Fans in sombreros? Check. Also, if you’re a Manchester United fan but not an England one, you’ve got new signing Chicharito to get behind.

Netherlands : Blog / Facebook / Twitter
* Because the Oranje have the potential to be one of the best teams to watch in this tournament. Their attacking options could fill at least two full teams, and even when they don’t fire on all cylinders, they just win. Also, if you have an Orange shirt, you’re in – simple color schemes for the win.

Paraguay : Blog / Facebook / Twitter
* Because they are fun to watch, and are one of a few South American sides that are really turning heads at this tournament. Also, the red and white striped Waldo socks are going to be all the rage. You heard it here first.

Portugal : Blog / Facebook / Twitter
* Because when they come up against the best teams, they can hold strong against them, with a defense that hasn’t yet given up a goal. And when they face poorer teams, they absolutely crush them. Who doesn’t want to see that?

Slovakia : Blog / Facebook / Twitter
* If you are not a fan of Italy, this is the team that knocked them out. And they did it in one of the most dramatic matches in recent years. If you are a fan of Italy, won’t it look better to be knocked out by a team that does well in the knockouts? Plus, the player who had to come off with a gash to his knee and then refused to let his manager substitute him made one of the great scenes in this World Cup so far.

South Korea : Blog / Facebook / Twitter
* Because they are the one Korea you can root for and not feel guilty or at least conflicted about it. Also, the way their fans packed into the streets of Seoul to watch them play in the groups suggests that the support seen during the 2002 World Cup was not a one-time thing.

Spain : Blog / Facebook / Twitter
* Because they are probably the most talented team at this World Cup. This is a midfield that Cesc Fabregas can’t start on, and that is insane. They’ve already stumbled, and look to be finding their better form. Also, La Furia Roja is a great, great nickname.

Uruguay : Blog / Facebook / Twitter
* Because they have two forwards in Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez who have combined for approximately nine billion goals in the last two years. And despite all that quality going forward, they also didn’t concede a single goal in the groups. That’s quality.

United States : Blog / Facebook / Twitter
* Because they are a great story – plucky, lots of heart, and some karma coming from all the bad calls against them in the group stage. Plus, some of you reading this are Americans who support other countries in football. That’s fine, but now’s the time to get behind the Yanks as well.