Quote:I think you just have to say that the top two European sides (and you could add France and Belgium) are once again very good sides


Some big European nations (Spain, Portugal, Italy) failed to live up to expectations this time around, but the numbers in the knockout rounds were made up by surprise packages like Greece and Switzerland.


To be honest I thought only four European teams would make it through to the knockout stages, but it's always nice to be surprised !


And does the balance of power still rest with Europe ? I think the answer has to be "yes".

 

I think the ordering of the final four (Europe 1 & 3, America 2 & 4) reflects the current state of affairs quite nicely. The very best of Europe (Germany & the Netherlands) is better than the very best of America (Brazil & Argentina) which is second. The good of Europe (Belgium, France, possibly Spain & Italy) is better than the good of America (Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay & USA). Below that it's really mixed up with no clear best of the rest confederation.

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