The World Cup 2014 Groups are Decided
The World Cup 2014 groups have been decided, and as is usually the case in these draws, some teams walked away with a smile, while others will most definitely be a little concerned about getting through to the knockout stage. Right here we'll take a look at the groups, throw out a few predictions and take a guess at how Team USA may fair in the opening stages. There are a few groups that have been labelled 'groups of death' and sadly USA was drawn into one of those, however on paper they have a decent chance of getting through.
Team USA Group Games and Updates
Germany Win World Cup 2014: Germany lifted the World Cup trophy after beating Argentina in extra time with Goetze scoring the only goal of the game. Argentina, although looking good at times just couldn’t get through a stubborn German defense and even the mercurial Messi found the going tough. The single goal was enough to see Germany take the trophy for the 4th time and it’s a deserved win, as throughout the tournament they have proved time and again that teamwork is what count. That’s the World Cup over with until we head off to Russia in 2018 and until then, soccer betting betting fans can get all the action they want at Bovada with soccer lines available on all MLS, English Premier League, Spanish La Liga, the German Bundesliga and just about everything else.
Germany meet Argentina in the Final: Germany thrashed Brazil giving them a soccer lesson they will not forget in a hurry and even at 7-1 that scoreline still doesn’t represent the Germans dominance of the game. In the other semi the Netherlands took Argentina all the way to penalties however after missing the first spot kick it was always going to be difficult to get through, and Messi and co will head to the Maracana for the final. That final takes place on Sunday 13th July and not surprisingly the Germans are favorites, but there will be a few people thinking that this is now Argentina’s World Cup and a whole lot depends on whether Messi can get his game on. You can get all the odds at Bovada Sports and you may also bet live in play throughout the whole game, including during extra time and penalties should it go that far.
The Semi Finals are set: After a great set of quarter final matches the semi final line ups are sorted, and we’ll see Brazil take on Germany and Argentina Vs Holland. Brazil are still favorites at Bovada to lift the trophy however with Neymar injured and missing the rest of the tournament then maybe Messi and Argentina could pull it off. Germany and Holland will of course have ambitions of their own and it’s all set for a thrilling 2 games before we reach the final.
Team USA Eliminated: Team USA took Belgium all the way into extra time and after a hard fought game they lost 2-1. They could have won the game just at the end of regulation time, but it wasn’t to be and the Belgians go through to the quarter finals. It was a game of mixed emotions as the US played some outstanding soccer, and played with a passion that many teams were lacking in this World Cup, however that 2-1 scoreline sees them returning home. They’ve won many fans along the way and it’s been an incredible tournament so far, and now that USA are out...who’s your money going on? The quarter finals will see France take on Germany, Brazil Vs Colombia, Argentina against Belgium and Netherlands Vs Costa Rica and while many are still rooting for Brazil, they haven’t really played to their best as yet, and Colombia will be a tough game, in fact plenty of money is going on Colombia to beat Brazil in the quarters. Bovada have all the odds on every game and remember that you can bet live in play right up until that final whistle of each game.
USA Qualify for the knockout stages: Against the odds the US are through to the knockout stages of the Brazil World Cup 2014 and will face Belgium in the last 16. Even though they lost 1-0 to Germany, Portugal failed to beat Ghana by a sufficient amount meaning that Team USA will progress. The odds at Bovada. of USA beating the Belgians and making the quarter finals are 3.10 and their odds of going all the way and lifting the World Cup are now standing at 51.00.
Team USA Should Now Progress to Knockout Phase. Team USA came within but a few seconds of qualifying for the knockout stages of the World Cup in Brazil and were so unlucky to only draw with Portugal 2-2, however that means that a draw with Germany in the final group game will see them progress to the next round, while Portugal must beat Ghana...and beat them by some margin too. It looks all but certain that USA will qualify and get to the knockout stages and Portugal will need a 6 goal swing to sneak past USA into second place. This is fantastic news for soccer fans, and means that the World Cup dream lives on. Germany will be favorites to beat the US in the final group game, but that may not even matter, and you can get the odds right now at Bovada.
Update: The USA managed to beat Ghana late on in the game and improved their odds of getting through the tough group stage. It was a hard fought win and well deserved meaning that their games against Portugal and Germany, while are of course will be difficult, will be played in less stressful conditions. You can get the odds on both of those games and odds on Team USA making it out of the group stage right now at Bovada Sports.
Team USA have been given a tough group draw at the Brazil 2014 World Cup and will have their work cut out in getting through it. They’ll meet both Germany and Portugal, however they do however have the chance of a great start in their first group game which is against Ghana on the evening of Monday 16th June. They will then face portugal a week later and finally must take on the mighty Germany in their final group game on the 26th June. They’ll need a good start, however are capable of beating Portugal too, and Bovada Sports have odds on all games, as well as a great welcome bonus.
GROUP A
PREDICTED FINISHING ORDER
BRAZIL
MEXICO
CROATIA
CAMEROON
Group A has a Brazil win written all over it and if World Cup history has taught us anything, it's that you don't mess with South American teams on South American soil. Mexico are the other team that should pass through the group stage however never write off either Croatia or Cameroon as they could pull off a shock result or two. Brazil will however be expected to cruise through this stage and with striker Neymar on fire in La Liga at the moment, not only do they have an outstanding team, they also have a player that is capable of turning any game around. Expect Mexico to qualify too, however Croatia could also do well.
GROUP B
PREDICTED FINISHING ORDER
SPAIN
NETHERLAND
CHILE
AUSTRALIA
Colombia
Greece
Ivory Coast
Japan
Italy
England
Uruguay
Costa Rica
France
Switzerland
Honduras
Ecuador
Argentina
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Nigeria
Iran
Germany
Portugal
USA
Ghana
Belgium
Russia
Algeria
South Korea
The 2010 finalists have been drawn together in Group B, and neither team would have wanted that. Spain and the Netherlands played out a great if somewhat gung ho final last time around and many of the stars of each team will be on display again in Brazil, however they are of course all 4 years older. The Spanish midfield has dominated world football for a decade now, however can Iniesta and Alonso keep coming up with the goods? The Netherlands, always a tricky team to beat should join Spain in round 2 however don't write off Chile too quickly, let's not forget that they are coming to the finals with a very impressive record, and also beat England at Wembley in a recent friendly. Australia although have their moments won't be thinking too seriously about getting through this stage, but they won't want to be there just making up the numbers so expect some fight from the Socceroos.
GROUP C
PREDICTED FINISHING ORDER
Colombia have performed brilliantly throughout 2013 and need to take that form to the World Cup finals and the question being asked of their players is can they keep it together on the world's biggest stage. Radamel Falcao will not be playing and they will need to continue with great team efforts to win the group. That being said, they should see off Greece, Ivory Coast and Japan with ease. The real question for many regarding this group is who will grab second place, and it really could go to any of the other 3 teams. Greece will hope that the solid defense of theirs holds out while the Ivory Coast may have to rely on the strength of their attack. Japan have improved hugely over the last few years and there's a little money going to be placed on them to get out of this coin flip of a group C.
Group D
PREDICTED FINISHING ORDER
Group D is by far the toughest group with 3 teams who could go on and do well. Italy, England and Uruguay all have the players that could take their teams far, but they will need those players to perform at the very top of their games. Italy will be relying on the evergreen Pirlo to weave his midfield magic, and if Balotelli can supply the goals then Italy will be hard to beat, and should win this group. However, England, although not having the best of times in World Cups for some years now, could pose a danger if Rooney, Gerrard and co fire on all cylinders. Let's not forget that Uruguay have a strike force that can and does compete with the very best and with Luis Suarez knocking them in from all angles in the English Premiership and Cavani playing well at PSG they may well be the team to beat in this group. Costa Rica did well in the qualifiers and also boast some fine individual players in the likes of Campbell and Oviedo and may surprise a few people, however their chances of getting out of this group do look slim.
Group E
PREDICTED FINISHING ORDER
France qualified via the playoffs and were very unconvincing in their qualification campaign, however due to FIFA's bizarre points and ranking system it means that Switzerland were seeded, and with all due respect they were the seed that many of the bigger teams were hoping to be drawn against, and France, being polite...got lucky. France should win the group and with players such as Franck Ribery, Samir Nasri, Giroud and Benzema that should be a given, and the Swiss should come in a close second. The two Latin American teams of Ecuador and Honduras will be used to the conditions and from these two teams the young Honduras team could be tricky opponents.
Group F
PREDICTED FINISHING ORDER
Argentina have the best player in the world ready to lace up his boots and put on the famous Argentine colors, and Messi will be wanting to prove a point at the World Cup finals. His form at Barcelona for the past few years has been simply outstanding, and he needs to take that to this competition. Should he be able to do that, and get the help he requires from the likes of Sergio Aguero, Higuain, di Maria and Mascherano then not only could they win the group, they could lift the trophy. The other three teams in this group will be just getting the Argentina game out of the way and hoping they do well in their other games, with Iran being the minnows, Nigeria not being the force they once were, maybe Bosnia - Herzegovina could just sneak through.
Group G
PREDICTED FINISHING ORDER
This is a tough tough group and Team USA have their work cut out and laid out before them. Germany are a superb outfit at the moment that seem to be able to play with both the skill and strength that will see them top the group. Players such as Muller, Gotze and Mertesacker are all great players who perform week in and week out at the highest level, meaning that playing on this stage holds no fear for them. Politely putting Ghana to one side, Team USA simply have to beat Portugal to have a chance of qualifying and blocking Ronaldo’s path to goal will of course be key. The Real Madrid player is simply astounding and his hat-trick in the playoff game got Portugal this far, the big question is can he take them any further. USA will have to play at their very best to get through this group, they are capable of beating Portugal, but Ronaldo will hold the key.
Group H
PREDICTED FINISHING ORDER
Group H on paper should see Russia and Belgium ease through however we have seen in the past that South Korea are no pushovers and that Algeria have beaten some tough teams to get to the finals. Belgium area a young team still with much to learn but in Lukaku they have a powerful striker and if Benteke can get back to form then this young team could go far. Russia qualified well and will be looking to go a little further this time round and they will be looking at this group with a wry smile, perhaps thanking their lucky stars that getting to the second round could be a walk in the park, however strange things happen in World Cup games.
Those are the World Cup 2014 groups and it’s a very open competition with so much riding on the first 3 games for each team. There will be shocks and surprises, there always is, and making it through the group stage, getting a comfortable second round match can mean any team can go far. Once in the knockout stages it’s just a 90 minute game of soccer and although there will of course be big favorites, anything can and often does happen at the World Cup finals.
