The Group Stage is Over, So Now the Real World Cup Can Begin…

June 25th, 2010 | by: Daryl |

world cup bracket

Image: FIFA

That headline makes it sound like I hated the group stages. I did’t. I enjoyed the group stages. They were an enjoyable way to whittle the World Cup down from 32 to 16 teams, and there was plenty of fun along the way. But we all know the knockout rounds are better. For all kinds of reasons.

Chief of which is the fact that from here on out every single game matters. Every game will have a winner and a loser. Winner goes forward, loser goes home. No draws.

For the very uninitiated, any game that’s tied after 90 minutes in the knockout rounds of the World Cup goes to extra time. The teams play an extra 30 exhausted minutes, where players on their last legs are equally capable of producing horrible lapses in concentration and breathtaking moments of glory. Both of which will be remembered forever.

If there’s still no winner after 120 minutes, it’s a penalty shootout. The horrible drama of a penalty shootout, which is not only guaranteed to produce a winner, it also guarantees that one player from the losing team will be singled out to take the blame. Harsh. But great viewing. Enjoy.

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http://twitter.com/Obikes Carlos Alba

Now the moment of glory has come, looking back is pointless, the only thing that matters is victory, the only thing that matters is the score. Look forward to the final, and beyond, to the trophy and the right to be called “World Cup Champions”
Bense235

7 out of 16 teams are clearly “nominally” belonging into the group of the 16 best NT's in the world. The lowest team in the World Ranking is Japan at place 45.

The obviousely most “easy” tree is the upper left hand one. I dunno if any of these teams would make a semi-final appearance if they faced Brazil or whatever else Top 5 team before. Ghana has a real shot at becoming the first African team in the semis.

And, lucky us, the rop right hand is the hardest, seemingly. But in case, if you can beat England/Germany, Argentina, Spain and Brazil in the final, I guess there wouldn't be much of a discussion whether you deserve this cup or not.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Sebastian-Hoch/1020818292 Sebastián Hoch

Brazil's got to beat Chile first. No match is won until it's over.
Bense235

Sure, I was speaking metaphorically. That's why they play the games. Everyone's got their chance.
http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/ZLN5O2NCTDV56PWM24JX2XH7LA Shruti

Argentina will surely win the world cup. They are playing with great confidence and high potential under the guidance of Deigo Maradona. Join my fanclub at the Facebook Adidas Football to cheer for your favorite team at :http://www.facebook.com/adidasfootball
http://www.mcalcio.com Marco P.

Daryl wrote:
Harsh. But great viewing.

Odd comment coming from an England fan. :)
http://www.worldcupblog.org Daryl

Ha, indeed Marco. I should probably add “When it's someone else's team.” Because it's horrible viewing when it's your own team.