Your 2009 Confederations Cup Predictions Please…
The 2009 Confederations Cup (too may syllables, can we call it the Confed Cup for short? Or maybe the Con Cup?) kicks off in just three days time. You can see the full fixture list and TV schedule here, and a complete set of squads/rosters here.
No, it’s not the tournament that players all dream of winning. And yes, the trophy itself looks a bit like the World Cup trophy’s inbred cousin. But once we get going on Sunday, you can guarantee that all eight teams will be playing to win. So my big question right now: Who’s going to lift that inbred looking trophy?
The bookies make Spain the favourites, but it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see either Brazil or Italy walk away as winners. And maybe someone like Egypt or the USA can pull off a shock?
Before we get on with the predictions, here’s a quick reminder of the groups:
Group A
Iraq
New Zealand
South Africa
Spain
Group B
Brazil
Egypt
Italy
USA
I think we can all agree that Spain will win Group A. Only question is by how much.
South Africa’s results have been improving under Joel Santana (Bafana Bafana have beaten both Norway and Poland in friendlies this year) and they’ll want to impress in front of their own fans. I’m backing them to finish second.
I’m hoping/expecting to see Iraq give a good account of themselves and finish third. Winning the Asian Cup in 2007 was a pretty big deal and they beat Australia, South Korea and Saudi Arabia along the way. Keep an eye on striker Younis Mahmoud, the 26 year old wears the captain’s armband and was the 2007 Asian Cup player of the tournament.
Last and least: New Zealand. All the best to the All Whites, but because they’re stuck in Oceania this team very rarely gets to face any decent opposition.
So, for Group A I’m predicting:
1. Spain
2. South Africa
3. Iraq
4. New Zealand
Now for the tough one…
My money’s on Brazil to win Group B (or at least it would be if I had any). After this past week’s wins over Uruguay (4-0) and Paraguay (2-1) they’re riding high at the top of the CONMEBOL qualifying table. There are no semi-fit superstars to worry about, Kaka just got his big move, and even Robinho has discovered his unselfish gene.
I see Italy finishing runners up. Despite Lippi’s return, the Azzurri seem to be in a semi-transition period right now, caught between the old guard and the next generation. And yesterday’s narrow 4-3 friendly win over New Zealand won’t have done much for confidence.
The USA are also in an odd situation. From kings of CONCACAF, to calls for Bob Bradley to go after the defeat in Costa Rica, and then back to normality with a 2-1 win over Honduras. Ultimately the Confed(erations) Cup will be a good chance to play competitive football against the best in the world and see how they match up. I predict they’ll do well (maybe a creditable draw against either Italy or Brazil?) but not well enough to make the semi-fnals.
Finally, Egypt. The Pharaohs made me a fan with the way they won the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, and I’m looking forward to seeing Aboutrika, Hassan and Zidan in action again. But World Cup qualifying final round results have been sloppy, the – 3-1 defeat to Algeria leaving them winless after two games – so this is a team in bad form and facing three tough games.
So, my final Group B looks like this:
1. Brazil
2. Italy
3. USA
4. Egypt
Which means my semi-final matchups would be:
Spain vs Italy
Brazil vs South Africa
I’d back Spain (just) and Brazil (definitely) to win those games, giving us a pretty exciting final of:
Spain vs Brazil
Tough to call this imaginary game I’ve setup, but my gut tells me Brazil will win after an entertainingly close 90 minutes.
So that’s how I see this thing going. How about you? I’ll give you a template to cut and paste so you can leave your predictions:
Group A
1.
2.
3.
4.
Group B
1.
2.
3.
4.
Eventual winner:
 |
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Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 46 comments.
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By alessio | June 11th, 2009 at 4:17 pm 
Brazil v. Italy in the final…..joga bonito v. tactical genius.
Posted from 
United States
By CUCS | June 11th, 2009 at 4:24 pm Here are my predictions.
Brazil is the group winner winning all three games
Italy will loose to Brazil, Beat Egypt, and tie USA
USA will loose to Brazil, Beat Egypt, and tie with Italy
Egypt will loose all three
Leaving US and Italy tied for second with four points and USA going through with higher goal total.
By Matty87 | June 11th, 2009 at 5:11 pm Group A
1.Spain
2.South Africa
3.New Zealand
4.Iraq
Group B
1.Brazil
2.Italy
3.USA
4.Egypt
Eventual winner:Spain defeated Brazil [1:1 P:S 5:3]
It is going to be a cracker of a final and will be so close. I think the USA will give a good account of themselves and may cause a surprise and draw either Brazil or Italy. I just can’t see Spain losing any matches, they are in to good form and undefeated for 32 matches. They will find against Italy and Brazil their toughest matches. Although they should win the competition Brazil and Italy are also capable of winning it so we have three teams in for a chance. The rest really don’t stand a chance given that they are not world class. Realistically the best teams in the tournament are Spain, Brazil, Italy and USA (however the USA has been grouped with Brazil and Italy therefore they will not make the semi-finals).
Posted from 
Australia
By Jose | June 11th, 2009 at 6:16 pm Group A
1. Spain (my favorite European team)
2. South Africa (home team!)
3. New Zealand (They will draw one game (against Iraq), but will have a higher goal differential than them.)
4. Iraq (sorry 
)
Group B
1. Brasil (on form)
2. Italy (I put much weight on the fact that I don’t see them conceding against Egypt/USA)
3. Egypt (they’ll pull off a victory against the United States)
4. United States (I don’t feel like they’ll win any games, but they’re going to put on a good showing… and get solid experience)
Eventual winner: Brasil, again, they have just been working well together lately. This’ll be the tournament that establishes confidence in Dunga’s coaching ability… (KNOCK ON WOOD)
By Weston | June 11th, 2009 at 6:38 pm i hate to copy you, but i completely agree with everything. italy just needs to focus on the world cup, and i hope the us of a pull an upset and make it out of the group, but i cant see that happening. i would put iraq over SA but the home advantage will be too much. i am also worried about my two favorite teams (USA/Italia) playing each other and i hope they dont injure or suspend each other, and do you think we can trade brasil for new zealand?
Group A
1.Espana
2.South Africa
3.Iraq
4.New Zealand
Group B
1.Brasil
2.Italia
3.US of A
4.Egypt
Eventual winner: Spain
PS. thanks for the template, lol.
Posted from United States
By Jack | June 11th, 2009 at 7:01 pm Brazil to triumph. The States to be embarrassed.
Posted from United States
By Evan | June 12th, 2009 at 8:33 am Group A:
1. Spain (will win the cup)
2. Iraq (thrive as underdogs, will beat NZ, and maybe SA)
3. South Africa
4. New Zealand (as an Aussie, I’m bias)
Group B:
1. Brazil
2. Italy
3. Egypt
4. USA
Posted from Australia
By Mike | June 12th, 2009 at 12:36 pm Group A
Spain
Iraq
New Zealand
South Africa
Group B
Brazil
Egypt
Italy
USA
Brazil-Spain final, Spain wins 2-1.
Otherwise, it’s a ho-hum event. The biggest story will be how South Africa as a nation comes through this tournament, especially around security and politics. If all’s quiet, then all’s well. Otherwise, who cares who wins, unless Egypt, NZ or Iraq pulls off a stunner. Hell, I guess the U.S. should be in that group of minnows as well.
Posted from United States
By tobey | June 12th, 2009 at 2:05 pm Group A- PTS
1.spain-7,
2.south africa-5
3.iraq-4
4.new zealand-1
spain cruises through NZ, beats iraq, while south africa ties iraq and NZ
leaving it all up to the last game, beating spain 1-0 they qualify.
Group B
1.italy-7
2.brazil-5
3.usa-4
4.egypt-0
italy beats usa,brazil kills egypt. then usa shocks brazil and the game ends 1-1, while italy beats egypt. final game, usa beats egypt giving them hope, however brazil needing only a tie, ties italy 1-1 and they both qualify.
Spain vs Brazil
everybody thinks spain will win, but instead it is an unexpected shutout and brazil wins 2-1.
Italy vs South Africa
The most entertainig game of the tournament, south africa never gives up and shows great heart, the game ends 3-3, Italy wins in extra time.4-3
3rd place
Spain 2
South Africa 0
Final (penalties)
Brazil 1 (5)
Italy 1 (4)
Posted from United States
By sossef | June 12th, 2009 at 9:57 pm as usual, and just like pre-germany2006, no respect for African teams from US fans.
2002 is part of the distant past. when was the last time the US beat a decent team ? please don’t tell me Mexico !!
my preditions
Spain, SA from group 1
Brazil, Italy from group 2
winner : Spain
By jenni | June 13th, 2009 at 6:22 am Group A
1. Spain
2. Iraq
3. New Zealand
4. South Africa
Group B
1. Brazil
2. Italy
3. USA
4. Egypt
Eventual winner: Spain
By Al | June 13th, 2009 at 6:33 am Group A
1. Spain
2. South Africa
3. New Zealand
4. Iraq
Group B
1. Italy
2. Brazil
3. Egypt
4. USA
Eventual winner: Italy
Posted from United States
By Kiko | June 13th, 2009 at 8:54 am 1. Spain
2. South Africa (Have improved in the last few months + are the hosts)
3. Iraq
4. New Zealand
1. Brazil
2. USA (will beat Italy)
3. Egypt (will get draws against USA and Italy)
4. Italy (early exit)
Winner: Spain
Posted from 
United Kingdom
By grosso | June 13th, 2009 at 2:17 pm spain-south africa
italy-brazil
italy beats south africa 2-0
brazil beats spain 2-1
italy beats brazil in the final 1-0
ok I’m dreaming
By Nic | June 13th, 2009 at 4:10 pm The final is too tough to call but I’ll say:
Group A: Spain, South Africa
Group B: Brazil, Italy
Italy v Brazil final
Also I want to say that I think its kind of funny how after decades of being the world’s A-Grade choke artists suddenly everyone thinks Spain is the greatest team in the world. Maybe they’ll prove me wrong, but history says they’ll choke…. and I don’t think 1 tournament win will change that
Posted from 
Canada
By Rova | June 14th, 2009 at 7:18 am Group A – SA, Spain
Group B – Brasil, Italy
That’s it.
By Victor | June 14th, 2009 at 4:07 pm Spain
By USlay! | June 15th, 2009 at 1:21 pm okay here it is…
Group A:
1. Spain (too damn good)
2. South Africa (they don’t give an eff about n e one)
3. Iraq (only win v. NZ)
4. New Zealand (sadly get pwned)
Group B
1. USA(come out on a tear!)
2. Egypt (chip on shoulder)
3. Brazil (stroke of bad luck)
4. Italy(WC champs to choke artists)
Semi’s:
USA: 1 South Africa: 2
USA loses in extra minutes
Egypt: 0 Spain: 4
Egypt gets blanked by Spain…
Final:
South Africa: 1 Spain 3
Very uneventful final S.A. Scores the last goal in minute 83…
Spain wins undefeated…
Posted from United States
By IRAQII | June 18th, 2009 at 8:00 am Group A:
1. Spain (is obviously the best and most experienced in the group)
2. Iraq (they will only win against NZ, tie with SA, and try to get least conceded against spain, that way Iraq can go up by goal difference while SA’s goal difference gets owned by Spain after there success against NZ)
3. South Africa (only win v. NZ)
4. New Zealand (sadly get pwned)
Group B
1. Italy
2. Brazil
3. Egypt
4. USA
By siar | June 18th, 2009 at 9:00 am Everyone in your vacation plans while you’re home again? Each year, four-season vacation to the familiar yet? They did not want to be?
Could you help me to destroy my school ,please ?
By Mike | June 18th, 2009 at 8:36 pm My predictions before the tourney started:
Group A: Spain, South Africa, Iraq, New Zealand
Group B: Italy, Brazil, USA, Egypt
Spain over Brazil
Italy over South Africa
Brazil over South Africa
Spain over Italy
By Matabo Letsoalo | June 19th, 2009 at 3:39 am Group A
1.South Africa
2.Spain
3.New Zealand
4.Iraq
Group B
1.Brazil
2.Egypt
3.Italy
4.USA
Eventual winner:South Africa
By Billy Bob Joe | June 19th, 2009 at 9:51 pm Group A
Spain 9 pts
South Africa 5 pts (goal diff.)
Iraq 5 pts
New Zealand 0 pts
Group B
Brazil 7 pts
Egypt 6 pts
Italy 4 pts
US 0 pts
Spain will win every game. South Africa will win by goal difference over Iraq. New Zealand will be destroyed. Brazil will not put effort into the Italy game and will tie. Egypt will beat the US easily.
In the eliminatories Spain and South Africa will pass and Brazil and Egypt will pass. Brazil will beat South Africa 2-1 and Spain will beat Egypt 2-0. Spain and Brazil will play each other in the finals and Spain will win 2-0.
By aungpyaehein | June 24th, 2009 at 1:59 am Spain ? – ? USA
Brazil ? – ? South Africa
Please !
Posted from 
Myanmar
By lucas | June 30th, 2009 at 5:47 pm Group A
New Zealand def. Spain 4-0
South Africa def. Iraq 7-1
New Zealand draws South Africa 2-2
Spain def. Iraq 3-0
New Zealand def. Iraq 7-0
South Africa def. Spain 1-0
1. New Zealand
2. South Africa
3. Spain
4. Iraq
Group B
Brazil draws Egypt 1-1
Italy def. USA 3-1
Brazil def. USA 4-2
Egypt def. Italy 3-0
Brazil def. Italy 5-1
Egypt def. USA 4-1
1. Brazil
2. Egypt
3. Italy
4. USA
New Zealand def. Egypt 2-1
Brazil def. South Africa 4-3
Egypt def. South Africa 5-4
New Zealand def. Brazil 3-1
New Zealand wins!
{ I know I am nuts}
Posted from United States
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