Andres Iniesta's late winning volley at the 2010 World Cup Final in Johannesburg seems a very, very long time ago. A tournament that, as always, provided the customary thrills and spills that make the World Cup the greatest tournament in the world.
And whilst I cringe whenever I hear that this year's Brazil edition sees the finals arrive at the "birthplace" of football (with England undoubtedly its rightful home), there is still a sense of football returning almost as a favour to Brazil, who adore the sport as a religion, and are looking to expel the demons of the tragic 1950 defeat to South American neighbours, Uruguay.
64 years and five victorious World Cups later, Brazil sit firmly as the world's greatest international nation, with era upon era of enormously gifted players which gave each generation the euphoria and excitement we are all looking forward to feeling once again as they kick off their own World Cup on Thursday evening in Sao Paulo.
Barcelona's wonder-kid, Neymar looks to be the closest thing to emulating the precedent set by Ronaldo, Socrates, Jairzinho, Pele and the like, but Brazil's chances of winning their home World Cup are by no means a foregone conclusion. As the long-awaited kick-off nears, it looks like a quick prediction or two are in order. Enjoy.
Winners
The course of the World Cup never, ever runs smoothly. Teams underperform when the going gets tough, and then you have Brazil's testing conditions to consider. Putting everything into consideration, it has to be Greece Argentina.
The Argies seem to have everything going for them. Their team, man for man is probably the best at the championships, while their opponents, match locations and their South American acclimatisation techniques - which probably has something to do with the fact they are South American - make for a very smooth ride towards the trophy.
If you forget Leo Messi for just a minute - with Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Di Maria providing additional firepower and an extra threat a set-pieces with the prolific Ezequiel Garay - eight goals from the back last season - even a dodgy defence in general should not stand in their way of glory on their rival's patch. And what a scene that would be...
England
Ah, the English. Admit it, we love to hate them. They may fly the flag for us all every two years (until Steve McClaren's brolly comes along), but we struggle to really get behind the team. But that is why I am tipping Roy's boys to surprise a few non-expectant fans.
Our squad is not a bunch of world-beaters to take the footballing planet by storm in the next month or so, but we are more than good enough to get through what is a seemingly tricky group - and looking at the bigger picture provides a justified sense of optimism for the Three Lions.
Most of our squad are there because they had unbelievable seasons in the Premier League last year - Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana stepped it up big-time to make it to Brazil relatively easily. Merseyside duo Ross Barkley and Raheem Sterling have sent shockwaves across the country with their bids to start in Brazil - though many still seem to see the negative side of things at the same time.
Ultimately, only our opponents can stop us. Italy and Uruguay are incredibly daunting names on paper, but compared to us there really is not a lot in it. Italy are a very efficient machine of a team; a squad filled to the brim with experience and, in Andrea Pirlo's case, an abundance of style and grace.
Are they better than they were when we faced them in Kiev? That much is arguable. But we did beat them on neutral ground just two months after that agonising penalty-shootout defeat. Two additional years under Roy since then surely has us on a par with the Azzurri at the very least?
As for Uruguay, they are a two-man team at best. And whether Luis Suarez or Edinson Cavani can carry their club form onto the world stage - with what is a weaker squad behind them - will be a true test for this team. Yes, they may be current Copa America champions, but this team finished fifth in qualifying behind Ecuador and Chile. In other words, had the World Cup not been held in South America, it is likely that Uruguay would not have had to pack anything at all.
So with that in mind, England should make the quarter-finals without too much fuss. None of the teams in Group C will offer enough to boot England out of the competition - especially with Colombia now Falcao-less - while Brazil or holders Spain likely to await in the last-eight. Get there and Brazil 2014 should be deemed a success.
*I realise I have already written a fair bit, and I have also realised I am not even halfway through. So if you like what you see so far, feel free to put the kettle on and/or have a toilet break before you continue. And as a reward, here's a musical interlude. Get in the mood for Saturday...
(The best 2014 World Cup song I could find, thanks to Omid Djalili)
Dark Horses
Apart from a flukey punt on Wigan to win the cup in 2013, I am yet to experience a win in the betting world. But if I had to plump for someone to spring a surprise in Brazil, there are a few candidates.
My main one is Chile. The Netherlands had a very painful Euro 2012, missing key players of their own and are up against Spain in the first game, and that in itself could lower morale, early doors. The Chileans, on the other hand, destroyed England at Wembley, and one wonders what havoc they could wreak in an environment where they can feel more at home. Presuming Spain win their opening two, Chile versus Holland on June 23 could end up being a group decider where anything could happen.
Another surprise team to consider in terms of winning the tournament would have to be Portugal. You should never underestimate the power of Cristiano Ronaldo. The world stage is the one he has been made for and will be yearning to prove himself as the greatest player in the world while the attention inevitably draws towards Lionel Messi. Getting through to the quarter-finals could see a showdown with Argentina, which will leave us all purring.
I am also obliged to give a little mention to Greece in this section. Cypriots becoming honorary Greeks during international tournaments has become something of a regularity, and usually end up staying that way for longer than expected, even when the chips are down. So on the tenth anniversary of the Euro 2004 miracle, Greece are arguably put in the best group possible to spring a surprise once again, but just to get through it would be considered as progress.
Players To Watch
Every World Cup brings someone into the limelight on a meteoric scale. With the transfer window in full swing, there is an additional incentive for players to show the world what they can do and impress would-be employers on a global stage. Here are some of the players I am tipping to set the Cup alight:
Neymar (Brazil) Not that Neymar is an unknown quantity as such, but this tournament is almost custom-made for him. The standout Brazilian star, more or less solely carrying the hopes of an expectant nation on his shoulders to bring home a sixth World Cup in his native land. Just like Ronaldo made Japan/Korea 2002 his own tournament, this one could become known as Neymar's World Cup.
Raheem Sterling (England) I do not know what Liverpool decided to start feeding him, but they should not stop. Sterling's first season in Liverpool's first-team was fairly hit-and-miss, and was nowhere to be seen for the early part of the last campaign. Breaking into Liverpool's squad for the (failed) title tilt was one thing, but forging his way into Roy Hodgson's first XI - never mind his 23 - shows the promise that this guy has to offer.
Romelu Lukaku/Eden Hazard (Belgium) While I am not convinced over Belgium's "dark-horse" status, their team is full of superstars in a group that should not pose too many problems. Though this is their first international competition for 12 years, and realistically, the teams they will end up facing in the tournament means that a quarter-final berth should be the best they can hope for. But if this Chelsea duo can shine when it matters most, they may show what a force that the "Red Devils" have rapidly become.
And finally, I have (concisely-ish) put together my predictions for each team at the tournament:
Brazil: Good squad, great fans, massive pressure. Semi-finals at least for me, but are susceptible to the very big guns.
Croatia: Few good individuals. Do not score all that many. Second round a distinct possibility.
Mexico: Struggled in qualifying, but with a capable blend of experience and talent. Round of 16 surely the limit.
Cameroon: Ease of qualification teaches us nothing. Nicked a draw with Germany pre-tournament, but not even Africa's best hope.
Spain: Tough group, even for the reigning Spaniards. Need to hit the ground running - unlike last time. Should be there or thereabouts again, though.
Netherlands: Difficult to tell which Dutch side will turn up. But even if it is the class of 2010, a likely meeting with Brazil could send them home earlier than they would like.
Chile: Potential surprise package. May be too reliant on individuals, but safe passage from Group B would be excellent.
Australia: Is it worth turning up?
Colombia: No Falcao makes Group C more equal. Now would do well to top the group, but that is about it.
Greece: Finalists. As in, the final team in their group. Struggle to find the net, even if they sometimes put a Trojan Horse in front of their own.
Ivory Coast: Yaya, Yaya Yaya, Yaya Yaya, Yaya Yaya Toure will get them through the group - if fully fit.
Japan: Got a taster of Brazil during the Confederations Cup where they were, well, shambolic. More of the same.
Uruguay: Group stage qualification not out of the question. Lack quality in depth. Should be their downfall.
Costa Rica: May pull off a shock result, but it will not be enough. Group stage exit.
England: IT'S COMING HOME... a fortnight early. The quarters and bust for England, methinks.
Italy: Draw puts them in the same boat as England. Likely Spain/Brazil in the quarter-finals. That usually means arrivederci.
Switzerland: Somehow seeded. Defence consisting of Philippe Senderos and Johan Djourou. This cannot end well.
Ecuador: Troubled England at times in Miami. Small chance of sneaking through to the knockout stages.
France: Missing key players already, but still have the best squad in Group E. Should be able to reach the quarters.
Honduras: If I was a Honduran, I would probably be happy with third place. In the group, that is.
Argentina: Best squad, best fixtures, best chance. Argentina look like winners to me, though we will have to sit through people raving over Messi getting his hands on the Cup.
Bosnia: A one-man team in many ways, but were lethal in qualifying. No Latvias or Lithuanias here, though. Round of 16 at best.
Iran: The kind of team that you just never know. Second place in Group F is up for grabs, but they will likely fall just short.
Nigeria: Depends if the real team or the match-fixing team turns up. Cannot have 'keepers throwing balls in at World Cups, now, can we?
Germany: A well-working side, but have been known to fluff their lines out of the blue. Gut says they will make the final.
Portugal: With Ronaldo, anything is possible. With a Group of Death to contend with, though, the rest of the squad will be exhausted by a potential quarter-final.
Ghana: If the Brazilian people can take them to their hearts, they may end up being the surprise package. Plus, a Suarez reunion looks unlikely.
USA: Decent side, decent manager. How much does Klinsmann know about the Germans? Might decide how far USA go. Getting through would be over-achieving.
Belgium: Top team, but inexperienced. Draw means potential route is tricky. Anything past the second round would be a surprise.
Algeria: Another team with unknown capabilities. Scraped through with a play-off victory over Burkina Faso. A real threat to their group opponents? Probably not.
Russia: Might get a few dirty looks, given the political situation. Not that it is their fault, but it cannot help. A successful group stage the limit.
South Korea: Fronted by Park Chu-Young. No chance.
Well, we got there in the end. Hope you enjoyed my comprehensive, eleventh-hour preview. That should have you fully prepared (if you were not already?!) for tonight's big kick-off. Now it is time to sit back, relax and enjoy 31 days of pure footballing magic.
COME ON ENGLAND!
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