Posted by Scott Byington

The global game played on the grandest of global scales. Few other sporting events hold a flame to the glory that is the World Cup. It is the event that breeds immortal legends and writes football’s history all on it’s own. From the Brazil squad of 1970 to the defining moments of the Maradona mystique, the World Cup has been the football theatre of greatest display. So that to say, do not be fooled by the “U-20” qualifier defining the World Cup tournament kicking-off in less than 24 hours in Columbia. Despite its youth filled squads, this is a World Cup tournament nonetheless, full of all the promise and intrigue that the senior tournament offers.

The current holder is Ghana, who in 2009 became the first African nation to lift the cup. Historically, Argentina hold the most success at the tournament, having won the competition on six different occasions, though Brazil will be just one shy of equaling this total should they go on to glory in the upcoming weeks. And of course, it is these two teams that yet again hold the public captive going into competition.



Of the two, Argentina appear the weaker side. Despite La Albiceleste being the historical team-to-beat, with past squads boasting Golden Boot winners such as Leo Messi, Sergio Augero and even the legendary El Pibe de Oro himself, the current crop of players is a shade less impressive. These young men only mustered a third-place finish earlier this year during Peru’s South American U-20 Championship and have failed to impress since then, failing to qualify for the 2012 Olympic Games.

Much like their senior counterparts, this younger Albiceleste side lacks a cohesive and creative midfield. Perhaps though it is time for former River Plate prodigy and new AS Roma recruit, Erik Lamela, to prove his talent on the grandest of stages. Should Lamela be on his game, keep an eye on his link-up play with fellow virtuoso, Juan Manuel Iturbe. A productive partnership between these two is a devastating proposition.

While Argentina place their hopes on these two rising stars, Brazil are happily placing theirs on an entire starting XI. Perhaps a bit of hyperbole, but this superb squad of samba boys is with no doubt the tournament favorite. They were the deserved winners of this year’s South American U-20 Championship, thumping runners-up Uruguay 6-0.

However, that conquering team will be without their attacking starlets, Neymar and Lucas, since the pair were called up to represent A Seleção in the Copa America. Nevertheless, Brazil will be confident of reaching the final as their star-studded midfield boasts the likes of Inter Milan’s Philippe Coutinho, Porto’s hard-hitting Fernando, Santo’s Alan Patrick and Sao Paulo’s rising-star Casemiro. Attack minded fullbacks Alex Sandro and the impressive Danilo, both newly signed by Porto, will also prove to be a handful for opposing teams. If you’re the betting type, here is your team.

But it would not be a World Cup without some dark horses looking to cause some trouble. On the whole, football in Uruguay is on a bit of a renaissance, and after an impressive South American U-20 Championship, La Celeste will be no slouches in this competition. The same could be said of Mexico. The U-20 side has watched both their younger counterparts claim the U-17 World Cup trophy and the senior squad lift the Gold Cup this summer so there should be no shortage of confidence and motivation.

Most likely though to cause a stir, and break the South American dominance of the tournament, will be none other than the boys from Spain. With Spanish football being all the rage these days, it is no surprise the U-20 Spanish side boasts a wealth of talent capable of winning it all. With Chelsea’s new boy Oriol Romeu bossing the midfield, look to Kiko, Sergio Canales and Daniel Pacheco to add a bit of flair to the La Roja attack while the likes of Isco and Rodrigo lead the line. These boys will have no shortage of aspiration given all the footballing glory surrounding their homeland as of late.

You may have to dig a bit, but don’t let the national broadcasters here in the States rob you of a World Cup experience. Columbia 2011 is a World Cup event worthy of a worldwide audience. Tune in, you won’t be disappointed.