The playoffs of the World Cup kick off on Saturday. Urheilu’s experts Mari Savolainen and Jonne Kunnas believe that the US tournament will end in the opening round against Sweden.
You can find everything about the World Cup: Competition news, topics, Futistietäjä, program, results and statistics on ‘s World Cup website here.
The first round of the FIFA World Cup playoffs will start on Saturday, August 5. Sports experts Mari Savolainen and Jonne Kunnas guess and justify in this story which countries will reach the quarterfinals from the first round.
Switzerland – Spain 5.8. at 8 o’clock
Savolainen: Spain. The structure of their game is overall better than Switzerland and they have better individuals. I feel that with experienced good individuals, Spain will be able to win this game through the structure of the game.
Municipality: Spain. In the last group stage game, all of Spain’s weaknesses were put on the table and I think they have been able to improve their play and block the weaknesses. Spain is a stronger team than Switzerland.
Japan – Norway 5.8. at 11
Savolainen: Japan. The best team of the tournament so far. Really disciplined playing, controlled attacking and defending. Norway has not really progressed at any point in terms of team structure.
Municipality: Japan. This is the game I’m looking forward to the most. Japan was by far the best team of the Games in the group stage, and Norway has had all kinds of chaos. This is the most interesting pair. The Japanese players have managed to implement and work in the matches and the plans for each game have been perfect matches.
Netherlands – South Africa 6.8. at 5
Savolainen: Netherlands. Currently playing really well. The team is united and has been able to build a way of playing, even Vivianne Miedema is missing. There is a scoring threat from several players. Holland will surely be able to challenge South Africa’s defense so hard that South Africa will not have enough.
Municipality: Netherlands. One of the most convincing teams in the group stage. The Netherlands has been able to develop its playing. The surprise of the tournament, South Africa, offers a good challenge, but it is not enough.
Sweden – United States 6.8. at 12 o’clock
Savolainen: Swedish. The United States falls. It has not been able to develop sufficiently as a team in four years. They have not been able to take sufficient steps in the development of modern football.
Municipality: Swedish. The reigning champion drops. Playing has been really difficult and Sweden has been able to play in the right direction. Sweden has been able to rotate players in the group stage matches and are certainly fresh.
England – Nigeria 7.8. at 10:30 a.m
Savolainen: English. The team is really ambitious, experienced, the players have been playing club team matches at the highest level for years. As a result, England is more routinized. Nigeria has no chance.
Municipality: Nigeria. England is the favorite and overwhelming favorite, but Nigeria’s defense has worked and with counterattacks it can produce one goal. England, on the other hand, was good in the China game, but I am worried about the performance of the defensive line.
Australia – Denmark 7.8. at 1:30 p.m
Savolainen: Australia. In the last game it opened. Australia is straightforward, efficient and controlled. Denmark does not have the individual level to defend against it.
Municipality: Australia. Australia has not convinced in the group stage except for their last match. There was already a clear improvement in the direction of attack and defense. Pace Sam Kerr returns and leads the team further. Denmark has made the minimum performance. It does not guarantee that it would be enough for a further place.
Colombia – Jamaica 8.8. at 11
Savolainen: Colombia. Colombia has been surprising and effective in this World Cup. Played a big role Linda Caicedo takes the team further.
Municipality: Colombia. This is really smooth. Jamaica hasn’t conceded a single goal, but Colombia’s Linda Caceido scores. Colombia will be that much better team.
France – Morocco 8.8. 14 o’clock
Savolainen: France. This is a knockout. Morocco has no piece. France is just a qualitatively and structurally better team. Morocco was the surprise of the initial groups, but there are no more surprises coming for them.
Municipality: France. Morocco is not a very good team. They maximized their performance to get to the next round. The defense can’t keep up with the rumbling of France, although France has not convinced.
You can find everything about the World Cup: Competition news, topics, Futistietäjä, program, results and statistics on ‘s World Cup website here.