World Cup Quarterfinal Announce Schedule And My Predictions

July 2
Quarterfinals: Netherlands vs. Brazil 10:00 AM (Port Elizabeth) (ESPN - Martin Tyler and Efan Ekoku)
Quarterfinals: Uruguay vs. Ghana 2:30 (Johannesburg SC) (ESPN - Ian Darke and John Harkes)

July 3
Quarterfinals: Argentina vs. Germany 10:00 AM (Cape Town) (ABC - Martin Tyler and Efan Ekoku)
Quarterfinals: Paraguay vs. Spain 2:30 (Johannesburg EPS) (ABC - Ian Darke and John Harkes)

Netherlands vs. Brazil: This is certainly one of the most intriguing quarterfinal matches this year. The Netherlands is a team that has never been overly impressive, but at the same time, have done what was required to get the job all done and all the while never being in any serious jeopardy of losing a match or allowing a lesser team to draw them. Brazil had a shaky start against the North Koreans, demolished a very good Cote d'Ivoire side, played a foreign game unknown to man against Portugal, and tore apart a Chilean team who does nothing but attack. This game will provide each team with their biggest test thus far, and unless the Netherlands can pull it all together, something they have been teasing us with but not yet accomplished, I don't see them beating Brazil. Final prediction: Brazil 1, Netherlands 0

Uruguay vs. Ghana: Ghana has the chance to be the first African team to ever advance to the semifinals of the World Cup. Uruguay has a chance to be in the World Cup semifinals for the first time since 1950. History will be made in Johannesburg, and even though Suarez and Forlan can are dangerous up top, I am not really feeling Uruguay in this game. Their defense looked rather shaky against South Korea, and if that continues, Ghana is a much more physical side that is better at creating opportunities and ultimately, scoring goals. Final Prediction: Ghana 2, Uruguay 1.

Argentina vs. Germany: I am trying to prevent my biases from clouding my judgment, but I have a hard time trying to picture a scenario where this is not the best game of this round. Both offenses are dynamite and both back lines can be shaky and suspect. My heart is telling me that Messi will finally score and lift his team to victory, but my head is telling me that Germany will be too much for the Argentina back line and Sergio Romero. Final Prediction: Germany 4, Argentina 2.

Spain vs. Paraguay: Zzzzzzzzzzz. Final Prediction: Spain 0, Paraguay 0 (Spain wins on PKs).