Page 111 - OCEAN BLUE - SPRING 2014

THEby: “Sopitas” Francisco Alanís Belgium
2014
FIFA After missing the last two world cups, Belgium is flying to Brazil with one of
the most exciting generation of players that is currently in the Premier League
WORLD including: Eden Hazard, Thomas Vermaelen, Vincent Kompany, Marouane
CUP Fellaini Rumelu Lukaku and Christian Benteke. Seeded in Group H along with
Algeria, Russia and South Korea, the ‘Red Devils’ should not have a problem
THE FIVE getting to the second round where they could be a very dangerous adversary.
TEAMS TO
Colombia
WATCH
FOR IN We have not seen Colombia in a World Cup since Carlos Valderrama dazzled
BRAZIL fans with his skills and spectacular hair in France in 1998. After a few challenging
years, Colombia is back as a prominent force in South America with one of the
The 2014 FIFA World Cup is just deadliest strikers in the world: Radamel Falcao.
around the corner, and with the thirty-
two qualified nations getting ready for Croatia
one of the most exciting events around
the world, it is time to get to know Croatia got through the World Cup led by the team’s promising manager, Niko
the five sleeper teams that just might Kovak, a former Bayern Munich midfielder, who after retiring from professional
soccer in 2009, took over the national team in October 2013 to defeat Iceland
surprise fans in Brazil. during the play-offs ensuring Croatia qualified for its fourth World Cup since
becoming an independent state in 1991. Mario Mandzukic, Eduardo and Luka
Modric could surprise soccer enthusiasts.

Ghana

One of the most heartbreaking stories to emerge from the FIFA 2010 was the way
Uruguay defeated Ghana in the knockout stage with a dramatic shootout. The
‘Black Stars’ will be looking for revenge with a great mix of skills, speed, and raw
power from Kevin Prince Boateng, Asamoah Gyan and Sulley Muntary.

United States

After a poor start, US Manager, Jurgen Klinsmann has found a winning formula
for the national team. With an overall record of 27-10-7, a first-place finish in
the CONACAF qualifying stage, and a single-year record for wins (16) in 2013.
Klinsmann is looking forward to building his team on that success and there is
no better place to do it than in Brazil 2014.

Editor’s Note:

The Chairman of Ocean Blue, Dieter Esch, respectfully disagrees
with Sopitas and thinks that the likelihood of any of these teams
making it to the second round would be a major surprise.
Dieter feels that the teams to watch are Brazil, Germany, Spain,
Italy and England.

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