It’s prediction time! With the 2014 FIFA World Cup Final set for Sunday afternoon, we asked these four Whitecaps FCplayers who they think will be crowned champions.
Don't forget that you too can make your World Cup predictions against "Obi" the World Pup for a chance to win a trip to Germany to visit the adidas headquarters and take in a Bundesliga match, care of adidas. Make your predictions for the final now at //www.whitecapsfc.com/worldpup.
SAM ADEKUGBE: GERMANY
They’ve shown they can win any match comfortably. They come from different angles: they’ve got power, they’ve got flair, they’ve got technique, so when it comes to all tools of the trade, I think they can bring anything to the table. Argentina might have better individual skill, but football is a collective game and I think a team should be better than one individual player. At the same time, it’s Messi so he could be the difference. I’m rooting for Germany, but I’m hoping for a good match either way. For Germany, I like Lahm – he’s a captain, he goes about his business, keeps it steady, and doesn’t put a foot wrong. Schweinsteiger always brings it to the table, and then there’s Muller and Khedira. Really, their entire midfield can bring something special.
DAVID OUSTED: GERMANY
I’ve said Germany all along, luckily. They’re coming off the Brazil victory and they must be filled with confidence. They’ve got the team both going forward, but especially defending that can stifle players like Messi. I think they’re so sound as a team, both offensively and defensively. You see them pressing, getting the ball back, and when they get the ball, they’re good at attacking. Players like Muller, Klose, and those guys up front can always produce chances. Just being sound in the back and keeping clean sheets is a big part of their game.
STEVEN BEITASHOUR: GERMANY
I picked Germany a while ago. I said, depending on how the outcomes went, that Brazil and Germany were my final two. Obviously, they played before and we saw what Germany did, so I’m sticking with them. With Argentina, everyone was worried about their defence, but their defense has been pretty solid. We’ll see, but I’m still going with Germany – they’ve got some good firepower. I’ll go with 3-1 [final score], just for fun.
PAOLO TORNAGHI: ARGENTINA
Don’t get me wrong, Germany was great in the semifinal. They took advantage of the fragility of Brazil in that moment, especially without Neymar. Germany is a great team, full of champions, but I have this feeling with Argentina. Maybe it’s because they’re a South American team playing in South America, but I think that they can take the finals. Everyone knows that Messi is the greatest player right now and with all their individual talent, all the style … I know a lot of their players who played in Serie A in Italy, so I guess I have some sympathy for them.
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