Here's how I see this all unfolding.

Quarter Finals

Portugal-Germany June 19th

Germany's got a few things going against them going into this match. A calf injury by their top player, Lukas Podolski, and the ejection of their head coach for the match. The Germans have a clear advantage when it comes to venue. Basel Switzerland where the game is being played is on the cusp of Germany. Depending on the ability of the German fans to swing momentum there is a likely hood of this being a lurking factor in favor of the Germans. I think the offense of Portugal if Ronaldo comes through will blast through this German defense. The Portuguese team is at a big size disadvantage with the average height of the Portuguese team being 4 inches less than the German's average height. I don't know much about soccer or the effects of height on it but I'm thinking that height comes in handy with headers. Overall I'm sticking with Portugal on this one 2-1.

Croatia-Turkey June 20th

Alright Turkey you managed to have an awesome run so far in tournament play and give us the greatest game of the tournament but your done son. Turkey has been lucky up until this point and yes I mean lucky. Turkey is just not capable of beating this Croatian team. The icing on the cake is the top keeper for Turkey, Volkan Demirel , is banned from the next two games. My prediction Croatia 32-2. If you wonder how Turkey scores two goals I'm predicting that the Croats will be so tired from cheering that Turkey sneaks two in by the keeper.

Netherlands -Russia June 21

Another no brainer for me here. Russia's good, don't get me wrong, they proved that in their unrelentlessness physical dominance against the Swedes. But this Netherlands team is dirty and I mean DIRTY. You don't go 3-0 in group play with a +8 goal differential without having a great team, even if your bracket is a little soft. The Dutch have also been packing these stadiums to the brim in orange and I don't see that letting up at all. The Netherlands are taking this game 3-1. Also Netherlands contracts at yoonew.com are a pick up across the board I think there all undervalued.


Spain-Italy June 22

This is going to be the best matchup of the semi finals. Quote me now. I wanna see everyone going back and reading my predictions after they witness the jaw dropping amazingness that will be this game. I want this replayed more times on espn than that new Nike commercial they keep jamming down our throats. Though it is a really good commercial, I've just been totally desensitized to it. Spain has never beat Italy in 88 years in matchup play. That's huge and for some reason I think that's gonna weigh in deep on this Spanish team. I see 2-1 victory for Spain with the last goal for the Spanish coming in the last ten minutes of play. I'm so sure in my prediction that I advise all of you to only watch the last ten minutes of this game. Luca Toni scores the only Italian goal on a header. The Spanish finally break this 88 yr Italian streak.


Semi Finals

Portugal-Croatia

I love Portugal and the grace of their offense but I have to give this win to Croatia. There a dominant team whose talented at every level. I expect to see a high scoring game though. Croatia has a better goal differential in a harder group. I think that speaks volumes about this Croatian team. 2-1 Croatia. Ronaldo Scores off a corner kick for Portugal.

Spain-Netherlands

This will be the much more interesting semi final match I predict. Spain and Netherlands have both been on killing sprees going 3-0 in Group play. Netherlands will have the obvious fan advantage as they will throughout every match they play. Both teams are slicing through opponents but the Netherlands has yet to have any Injuries and i smell that as the fate of Spain. Also this Netherlands team just scores so much I can't see them not putting at least 2 in over this Spanish team. My prediction 3-2 Netherlands.

FINAL MATCHUP

Even though this won't matter for any of my contracts lets see how this plays off. Croatia verses the Netherlands. Croatia is good and has played what I feel better opponents to get to the finals but this Dutch team as I keep saying is good. Real good. I'm almost too bullish on Holland at this point. Croatia will take the lead early I feel but the Netherlands will Jsut do what they've done best keep punching goals in. Final score 2-1 Netherlands. Also I expect there to be a sea and I mean sea of orange in this stadium. So much I think Tropicana should sponsor it.