Football is really unpredictable. Just before the start of the tournament everyone thought that Brazil could just win easily with the likes of Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Robinho and co. Other heavyweights include Argentina, Netherlands, Germany just to name a few.

AS the game progresses the unexpected happens at every stage. Luckily I have not bet on any of these games. Initially I predicted Argentina could go all the way after its thrashing of Serbia by six goals to none. Imagine: more than 20 passes to complete one goal, that's team work!

In the round of 16: South Koreans
The impressive work rate of South Koreans were not enough to qualify. Switzerland: Top of group?? The quality of the French were enough to just hang in there. Japs somehow were not as good as I thought they'd be, after being beaten by the Oz....

Towards the quarter final: Netherlands
The spanish were surprisingly beaten by the French. French, being former champions and all that, had not shown any signs of championship form. The game at this stage in my opinion could easily be the one between Portugal and Netherland. A tight game I should say, even though I preferred Netherlands at this stage.

Towards the semis:
I always thought Argentinians could go all the way but they were really unfortunate to have met the host this early. The match to watch was the England vs Portugal one where only the sending off of Rooney changed it all. Had Rooney stayed on, maybe England could stand a chance. Yet without a solid backing of a good penalty shootout history, it means nothing anyway. Becks' retired. Rooney's kicking Ronaldo's ass at OT training camp. Talking about gossips in football: No one can beat England in this. Brazil had not produced performance of 2002 when they last won it, and France with the sudden revitalisation of its ageing Zizou together with Henry and Vieira, had benefited from this and went all the way....

Towards the finals, beating Portugal. A harsh penalty was the only thing that separated these two sides. A toothless attack from them could not make it happen at all.
Italians were stronger as the games progress, beating the host Germany by two late goals. They do deserve it. After all, not all hosts should win it. They could progress only up to one stage, when quality of a team takes over the rest of it, and Italians rise up to the occasion.

This, for now, is the battle between old people: Del Piero vs Zidane. Who would you bet on?

My suggestion is: you gotta play the cards right.

Not you. Not the gamblers.

It's the referees. Wake up. It's time to be fair.