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The Belgian threat

Definite dark horse contenders, for sure. I am fortunate enough to play soccer and be good friends with a Belgian who visits his homeland quite often and is very knowledgeable regarding with his fellow soccer-playing countrymen. Alas, he is also a supporter of the Gunners, but nobody’s perfect.

So in the squad that defeated Croatia 2-1 away last week, there were at least 11 players who ply their trade in the toughest league in the world, the English Premier League. Now, I’ve been a fan of English Soccer since I could watch a telly and will always have bias, but the only other league that comes close is the Bundesliga – the Champions League final showing this point rather clearly.

La Liga is a total two-horse farce, and all the other clubs know it and happily snap up Spanish stars at bargain prices. Serie A has not credibility because there will be another scandal shortly. And as for the rest, well nothing. Bundesliga is excellent but for sheer toughness and fighting to make the top four, especially this season, then the EPL is the place to be.

So with all the experience these guys are racking up in the Premier League, along with their fellow players plying their trade elsewhere, Belgium (along with Netherlands and Germany) can beat any team in Europe at present.

Whether they can beat any team from South America is the unknown factor which could either find them coming up short, or excelling on the grand stage and taking the World Cup Trophy! They would do well to start planning plenty of away friendlies against teams from South America as preparation for their task.

And if somebody could knock out the hosts and eternal favourites Brazil along the way, then we could see a Belgium/Argentina final. 
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