Putting my rep on the line with the World Cup

First and foremost, I want to give a quick thanks before we get to the core of this column.

We are wrapping up the finishing touches of the 2022-23 basketball preview tab for our local prep programs and it has gone very well.

But not just because of what’s going on over here.

Regardless of what some may know, a newspaper sports story takes a team. It takes us AND the coaches, the players and so forth.

We got everyone in, got everything we needed with almost 40 coaches doing their best to get us what we need and help get some names in the paper and talk about your kids, programs and represent your towns.

So, if you have a minute, parents, please thank your coaches for doing what they did to get your team the recognition we could provide. The coaches just flat out delivered.

Let’s hope this continues through the highs and lows of the new season. But just remember, those coaches who have to deal with injuries, sicknesses, slow learning curves, egos, feelings, bad refereeing and all the others pieces to a basketball season puzzle, would ALSO be taking some time to help us and give your kids the respect we are trying to provide.

Remember that and be grateful for them too.

The Area Basketball preview will be in the Daily American Republic on Nov. 26 and Dexter Statesman and The Prospect-News on Nov. 30.

Happy holidays.

On to the Cup

OK, I am an admitted rugby, soccer, cricket and water polo sports geek.

I love all of them so much more than the rest, albeit I definitely love to flirt with my football, basketball, hockey etc.

But, a day like Sunday sends shivers down my spine: A soccer World Cup is about to begin.

I just got over a tantalizing and fantastic Women’s Rugby World Cup tournament with the semifinals and finals being as epic as any sporting event I saw all year – YouTube it, trust me – girls, see the best play the fastest growing collegiate sport in America.

But, the FIFA World Cup is special and I, being of Hungarian-Norwegian descent, am always going to be glued to the biggest event for the most popular sport on the planet.

I also make my predictions official and documented and in 2010, 2014 and 2018 I tore it up by picking the winner all three times and three, two and three semifinalist correctly, so here I go putting my reputation on the line with my 2022 picks.

If you are a soccer nerd like me, don’t hesitate to contact me and we can talk shop!

POOL A: 1. Netherlands, 2. Qatar, 3. Ecuador, 4. Senegal

POOL B: 1. England, 2. USA, 3. Wales, 4. Iran

POOL C: 1. Argentina, 2. Poland, 3. Mexico, 4. Saudi Arabia

POOL D: 1. France, 2. Denmark, 3. Australia, 4. Tunisia

POOL E: 1. Spain, 2. Germany, 3. Japan, 4. Costa Rica

POOL F: 1. Belgium, 2. Canada, 3. Croatia, 4. Morocco

POOL G: 1. Brazil, 2. Switzerland, 3. Cameroon, 4. Serbia

POOL H: 1. Portugal, 2. Uruguay, 3. South Korea, 4. Ghana

I took some flyers and went against the African continent that I usually always find someone to push out of the group stages, but not this time. And other than host Qatar, I don’t see the Asian squads doing very well either.

It will be another overall European/South American domination.

Elimination round predictions

2nd round

Netherlands 2-1 over USA

Argentina 1-0 over Denmark

Spain 4-2 over Canada

Uruguay 2-1 over Brazil

England 3-0 over Qatar

France 3-2 (ET) over Poland

Germany 2-0 over Belgium

Portugal 3-2 over Switzerland

Quarterfinals

Argentina 4-2 over Netherlands

Spain 3-1 over Uruguay

France 2-0 over England

Germany 2-1 (ET) over Portugal

Semifinals

Argentina 2-0 over Spain

France 3-1 over Germany

Third Place

Germany 1-0 over Spain

World Cup Final

Argentina 2-2 (PK) over France

Yes, Messi will finally see his teammates step up around him and not choke under the pressure (People need to stop blaming the GOAT). They will go toe-to-toe with the defending champs who have looked good as of late and have to win it in penalties.

As far as the USA? That young team getting to the knockout round would bode well for four years of maturity and hosting the 2026 edition — where I pick no worse than a quarterfinal for the boys in RWB.

If I stink it up here? That’s fine, have at it. I can handle my defeats too.

Just doesn’t happen too often.

=)

Alan Dale is the sports editor of the Daily American Republic. Contact him at adale@darnews.com.