The 21st edition of the world\’s most watched sports event which started on June 14 with 32 teams is now set for a pulsating end on Sunday July 15 in Moscow where the last two teams, France and Croatia will battle for the prestigious 24 carat gold World Cup.
The casualties along the way to Sunday\’s final have been great, with big names and former champions earlier tipped to win the trophy falling by the way side right from the group stages. Defending champions were the first to kiss the dust when they managed only a win in three matches and came last in their group. Other big teams, Argentina, Brazil, Spain, Uruguay all crashed out, even before the semi finals.
Of the four semi finalists, Belgium, France, England and Croatia, only France was given a chance to get thus far, as one of the five favourites to lift the cup and the French are living up to the billing as they pipped hard fighting Belgium 1-0 in the first semi final. The second semi final between England and Croatia was a different kettle of fish as it draged on to extra time before the resilient Croats were able to edge out England 2-1 despite the fact that England scored first.
The semi final results now set the teams for the 3rd and 4th place match on Saturday July 14 between England and Belgium while the final between 1998 host champions, France will square up to 1998 3rd place winner Croatia.
In pedigree, France has the edge and are tipped by bookmakers to win but I always say, in football one plus one is not always two. Despite being the country with the smallest population to have reached this stsge of the mundial, the Croats are resilient and dogged fighters on the field with the best midfielder in the world, petit-size Luka Mordic and the man who has played the most matches this season, Ivan Rakatic with 70 overall. They have stamina and determination and they are hungry to create record in Russia with their small population. However, it will be an uphill task agsinst France who has experience on the World turf coupled with youthfulness, especially in 19yr old Mbape and the energetic Pogba and mesmerizing Antoine Griezeman.
No doubt, Sunday\’s final will be epic and I\’m sure spectators on and off the stadium will get value for their money.
CHRISTIANO RONALDO
The news that hit the football world in the course of Russia 2018 was that of Christiano Ronaldo\’s move from Real Madrid of Spain to Italian giants, Juventus for some 112 euros. This has made him the fourth most expensive player in football history.
It\’s been nine glorious years and Ronaldo has achieved it all with Real Madrid. Numerous Spanish La Liga and UEFA Champions league titles, numerous golden boots, numerous Ballon d\’Ors and FIFA Best Awards have been won. No doubt, CR-7 made the move at the right time, there is nothing more for him to prove at Real Madrid.
Sports Arena wishes him the best in his new club.
WIMBLEDON
This very important and flamboyant
Tennis tournament, the greatest of the Grand Slams in the world started two weeks ago in England but the World Cup has taken away a bit of its shine in its 50th edition.
Be that as it may, the thrills and the frills are still noticeable with notable players, both men and ladies taking the centre courts.
Names such as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Nivak Djokovic, Serena Williams, Angelique Kerber and others are in attendance but with the semi finals of the men\’s and final of the ladies singles set, some have fallen by the wayside.
On Wednesday, it was impossible to take your eyes off Federer and Nadal, still the two top seeds after all the road travelled, as they dueled wih bigger men in different courts over five sets and more than four hours. And when dusk arrived and English tennis fans could finally turn their undivided attention to the denouement of England\’s World Cup let down against Croatia, only Rafael Nadal was still in the tournament having beaten Martin del Porto as defending champion, Roger Federer lost to Kevin Anderson of South Africa in the quarter finals.
Nadal will meet Djokovic in one of the semi finals while the giant killer Anderson will face John Isner on Friday July 13.
For the ladies final billed for the bext day, back from child birth Serena Williams will face Germany\’s Angelique Kerber.
The men’s singles final is on Sunday, July 15, same day as the World Cup final between France and Croatia.
No doubt it’s been one hell of one month of foitball and tennis.
Catch you next week. All the best.
