Discuss the Knockout Rounds Here, and a little recap of some predictions and how they went.

Since we have had many posts about the World Cup, I figured I would add this post as a central spot for us to discuss the games from here on out.

Spain
Why they’ll win the World Cup
Along with the Brazilians, they have the horses. And after winning Euro 2008, they have the mentality. And it showed as they strolled through qualifying and put in some spellbinding performances in recent friendlies. World-class players abound in this squad starting between the sticks with Iker Casillas, one of the [...]

Group G
Brazil
Why they’ll win the World Cup
They have form, being the one country to be able to win the tournament away from their home continent. They showed their class in last year’s dress rehearsal. They have the talent, experience and depth in just about every position. Dunga knows what it takes to win the tournament, [...]

With the Group stage predictions out of the way Disturbance gives his thoughts on the knockout stages. . .

Group F
Italy
Why they’ll reach the semifinals
The defending champions were at their unruffled, imperious best in qualifying out of a group that included Ireland and Bulgaria without a defeat. Manager Marcello Lippi is one of the best in the world. That same overused tag also is rated by keeper Gigi Buffon, who can erase most mistakes, [...]

Group E
The Netherlands
Why they’ll win the World Cup
They bring one of the most talented and deepest squads to the party led by a very well rested Robin van Persie, midfield schemer extraordinaire Wesley Sneijder and Bayern Munich flyer Arjen Robben, three proven matchwinners. There’s plenty of steel in the midfield in the form of Manchester [...]

Group D
Germany
Why they’ll win the World Cup
With 20 years having passed since Franz Beckenbauer led them to triumph in Italy, they are due. And unlike so many of the “home show” European powers, the Germans actually travel quite well. They reached the final in 2002 in the Far East. They qualified from a tough group [...]

Group C
England
Why they’ll reach the finals
The golden touch of Fabio Capello has injected steel and self belief into a Steve McClaren’s pampered underachievers. And Wayne Rooney has blossomed into one of the top forwards in world football. There’s plenty of tournament experience in this squad with Steve Gerrard, Frank Lampard, John Terry and Ashley Cole [...]

Group B
Argentina
Why they’ll win the World Cup
A star-studded lineup led by the world’s best footballer in Lionel Messi, few squads are studded with the world-class talent available to Diego Maradona, who has the delightful dilemma of selecting from Messi, Carlos Tevez, Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero and Diego Milito to shoehorn into his 4-3-3. A midfield [...]