Germany - Group G
Without resorting too heavily to national stereotypes, this German team (which, should be noted, features several players of Turkish and African decent) is ruthlessly efficient and will probably steamroll the rest of this (very good) group.
Players to watch: All of them, though watching Per Mertesacker play football is one of the game’s more fascinating sights. Setting your eyes on the 6’ 6” defender, who gleefully embraces his NSFW nickname (BFG, wherein the “B” stands for “Big” and the “G” for “German”), is rather like watching one of Tolkien’s Ents play the game. You assume he’s too big and cumbersome and slow, right before one of those giant legs stomps in front of you.
Prediction: If they can take Brazil out in the semis, then a final against Argentina seems likely. From there, flip a coin.
