In two days, the championship game of the World Cup will take place between the men of Argentina and the team I think will win it all, Germany. Argentina's coach has admitted that Germany is the favorite and is already making excuses for losing the game; things like, 'Germany has an extra day of rest,' and 'we had to play 30 extra minutes while Germany waltzed right thru Brazil 7-1.'
Injured Brazil superstar Neymar, Jr. is cheering for Lionel Messi and Argentina, unlike some of his countrymen. Neymar, you're backing the wrong side. I started out saying Germany would win the whole thing and I'm not about to get off that horse right now.
I think Manuel Neuer, the best keeper in the world, will prove up to the task of stopping Messi and his crew. And what about Angel DiMaria, the crafty midfielder who is still plagued by nagging injury? Does Sergio Romero have what it takes to hold off the technically-sound Germans? Mesut Osil, Thomas Mueller, Toni Kroos, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Phillipp Lahm, Sami Khedira, the list goes on and on.
Defensively, Mats Hummel and Jerome Boatang are stalwart. And Head Coach Joachim Loew is running this crew like a well-oiled machine. So I'm sticking with Germany.
I wonder who Lebron James is pulling for. He will be there for the title game Sunday on ABC beginning at 2 p.m. Chicago time. I'm betting that the views in Cleveland will be sky high because James is going back home and the first time they might have a chance to see him will be on TV at the World Cup.
Saturday, Brazil will face Netherlands for the third place title. It's a chance for Brazil to get some face back.