A fantasy too improbable even for Hollywood. Unless the creative kid knocked on the door of Casa Bumper Graham up on Laurel Drive.

// ‘);jQuery(elementIdentifier).show()}}};jQuery(document).ready(function(){window.omgBanner=new omgBannerImage;var custPrefs=omgBanner.checkCookie(“cust_prefs”);if(typeof custPrefs==”undefined”||!custPrefs){omgBanner.showBanner(“#omg-banner”,”//i.ppstatic.com/content/landingpages/Scholes-Blog-Image-Join.PNG”,”http://ad.doubleclick.net/ddm/clk/282172547;108966587;x?http://content.paddypower.com/ppc-pages/enhanced-campaign/social/sportsbook/blog/blog-scholes.html”)}}); // ]]>I think it’s quite understandable if people reckon the Jacksonville Cougars or Crew Alexandra have a better chance of winning the Brazil world cup than La Roja do. Understandable if some critics think that at the World Cup the Spanish federation is sending a gentle golden labrador out to do the job of a fit young German Shepherd.

It’s all understandable – just wrong.

First, the hurdles. Unless you see them and plan for them  you can’t jump them.

Spain, and all the European countries, have their major rival as Brazil. Not the team, the country. Only if you’ve researched well, planned well and probably employed a few Brazilian movers and shakers to make things  move and shake for you will any side from this continent stand a chance.

The country is vast, diverse, challenging, hot, humid, rainy and a kind of Club 18-30 for mosquitos. This is where the crazy, 24-hour, tequila-fuelled mossies go to party. And I mean Paaaartaaaayy!

But, here, Spain have a tiny advantage. The Confeds Cup wasn’t a thing of beauty and joy for ever as far as Spain was concerned. Hotel problems, travel problems, humidity problems, social disorder and a spanking from Brazil in the final. But La Roja, these days, are astute learners. They’ve honed down the take-home messages, planned for them and having a ‘set’ base in Curitiba is like catnip to them. European autumnal weather, privacy. It’s the laboratory from which the tournament win will be planned. Last summer they were constantly on the road from game to game. Not this time.

The fact that there are young, hungry, athletic squads in the way of the reigning champions is another jab to the Spanish solar plexus. Holland is one, awaiting in the banana-skin first group game – Brazil another.

However this is where the Spanish talent factory has functioned. Yes, the vets will be vital. Del Bosque needs big tournaments from Iniesta (30) Alonso (32) and Casillas (33) – Xavi we will come back to. Nevertheless the ‘relevo’ is in place.

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The relief watch. In England and in Spain you’d find few, only the lame of brain, who denied that two of the players of the season were Cesar Azpilicueta and ‘Koke’. Add Jordi Alba, Diego Costa and Javi Martínez and you get a clutch of 22-25 year old talents, three of whom making their debut in a major tournament, whose talent, energy and ‘major’ experience at club level can make an enormous difference to whether or not Spain retain this trophy.

Which is where the Xavi factor comes in. It’s not a sin that, aged 34, his athleticism has changed. What Del Bosque must manage, brilliantly, is how and when to use him. Go back over the last three tournament wins and the assessment of how brilliant Xavi has been changes with retrospect compared to some of the stuff I heard spouted in real time.

But teams target him, try to pressurise him in possession and count on him NOT tracking back thus leaving opposition teams with 3 v 2 or 4 v 3 situations. Believe me, he will not be alone in putting in a few 55-65 minute matches this tournament. The concept of all the major players in any team, with the possible exception of Brazil, winning a tournament while consistently playing 90 minutes is, I think, anathema to this country’s size, geography and climate.

The key creative men will rack up several ‘impact’ performances – either the first hour or the last thirty minutes. Which is where Spain will miss Jesús Navas more than most people have appreciated. He was Del Bosque’s ‘go-to’ man. On the hour, almost every hour, he’d come on and wreak ‘Road-Runner’ havoc. For the manager this little fella is a gigantic loss. More emphasis, now, on the pace of Pedro and the potential ‘impact’ of players like Cesc Fabregas, Juan Mata and Santi Cazorla.

Then there is Spain’s often ineptly described playing style.

Asking La Roja to play with fizzing, daring brilliance is like letting a mugger put his hands round Adele’s larynx then asking her voice to soar and inspire. Teams routinely try to asphyxiate them, bank after bank of defense and fouls. But IF La Roja keep the ball well and make other teams work/chase in this humidity then the last 15-20 minutes of matches will yield even more Spain goals than normal.

Champions routinely go out in the group stage of the next edition of their tournament – check France in 2002, Greece in 2008, Italy in 2010. Spain have a nasty wee group but if they navigate those choppy waters then they possess a ruthless knockout mentality and …. reach the final.

Someone call Hollywood.

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Moldova v England

England’s Group H campaign begins at the Zimbru Stadium in Chisinau as Roy Hodgson prepares his side for their first competitive game since the European Championships. Despite exiting on penalties to Italy, England have yet to be defeated in open play in Hodgson’s seven matches to date and don’t expect that to change on Friday night (Moldova 12/1 draw 4/1 England 3/10 Match Betting).

Adam Johnson, Ashley Cole, Wayne Rooney and Andy Carroll are all missing through injury but John Terry could play having taken full part in training earlier this week. It is likely that Jermain Defoe will lead the England line and this could be his best chance to shine and prove to Hodgson he is worthy of a regular starting berth.

As for Moldova, they finished second bottom of their Euro 2012 qualifying group and have failed to score in their last five matches, with the opponents of Albania, El Salvador, Venezuela, Belarus and Georgia not exactly in the same league as England. These teams were drawn together for 1998 World Cup qualifying and England won 3-0 in Chisinau and 4-0 at Wembley. Similar results are 7/1 and 11/1 respectively and look possible outcomes.

Wales v Belgium

Chris Coleman’s Wales start their World Cup qualification campaign against one of the blossoming teams in Europe. Belgium have their own golden generation and the squad boasts 10 players from the Premier League, with the likes of Eden Hazard, Moussa Dembele, Vincent Kompany and Thomas Vermaelen the standout performers.

All together this means it is a daunting task for Coleman’s side – not helped by the fact they have lost both his matches in charge so far (Wales 7/2 draw 13/5 Belgium 5/6 Match Betting).

Key players such as Neil Taylor, Craig Bellamy, Joe Ledley, Andrew Crofts, Jack Collison, David Vaughan and Wayne Hennessey are all injured, which means Coleman needs to unite a depleted squad.

Home hopes will rest on Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen, but they will need to support lone striker Steve Morison as there will not be many expecting him getting much change from Kompany and Vermaelen. Expect a 2-0 win for Belgium, priced at 7/1, to be on the cards.

Russia v Northern Ireland

Michael O’Neill’s Northern Ireland have lost six of their last seven matches and still need to address their age-old problem of scoring goals. Kyle Lafferty and Dean Sheils are likely to lead the line, while the centre-back pairing of Jonny Evans and Aaron Hughes are set to return to shore up a leaky back-line.

It promises to be a long night in Moscow for the Irish, with Russia starting their new era under former England boss Fabio Capello. The likes of Aleksandr Kerzhakov and Alan Dzagoev – who shone at Euro 2012 – will pose big problems for the Northern Ireland defence as Russia look to continue a formidable home record that has seen them concede only twice in their last seven home games. Russia are 2/9 to win in the match betting and you can’t look much further than that, with the draw 11/2 and a Northern Ireland shock win priced at 12/1.

Kazakhstan v Republic of Ireland

Ireland will want to bounce back from a miserable Euro 2012 in their opening World Cup 2014 qualifier against a Kazakhstan outfit who are ranked 145th in the FIFA World rankings (Kazakhstan 9/2 draw 5/2 Ireland 8/11 Match Betting) .

It is a period of transition for Giovanni Trapattoni as the experienced duo of Shay Given and Damien Duff have retired, while they will do without Richard Dunne. With the likes of Germany, Sweden and Austria alongside Ireland in Group C they really need to get a result against the minnows of Kazakhstan and the Faroe Islands.

Trapattoni has indicated that Simon Cox is likely to start the game ahead of James McClean, with the Sunderland man troubled with a cold. Glenn Whelan, Aiden McGeady, James McCarthy and Cox will make up the midfield, while Jon Walters is expected to partner Robbie Keane up front. Ireland need to go for goals on Friday and 28/1 for a 4-0 win to the Irish looks a tempting prospect.

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Sweden v Japan

Sweden’s impressive 3-1 victory over Australia has raised expectations that they can become world champions (7/2 – Outright) for the first time in their history.

They were beaten finalists in 2003 – when they lost to hosts USA – but this present team appear to have the mental determination to go one better this time around.

Skipper Caroline Seger sums up the confidence currently to be found within the Swedish camp when she said in the build-up to the semi-final: “This is our time. Everything is going our way, we have more self-belief and we are playing extremely well together.”

That is certainly a reflection of a confident squad and one pulling in the same direction so, with that in mind, we can only see one winner on Wednesday, despite Japan’s famous 1-0 triumph over Germany in the last eight (Japan 9/2 – Outright).

They will not be taken lightly by the Swedish women but such is the mood and apparent momentum in the Sweden camp a narrow win (Sweden 5/4, Japan 9/5, the draw 21/10 – match prices) for Thomas Dennerby’s side looks on the cards.

Verdict: Sweden win
Value bet: Draw/Sweden – HT/FT – 21/5.

USA v France

USA are the real powerhouses of women’s football and, along with Germany, have dominated the game for the past few years (USA – 11/10 – Womens World Cup Outright).

The Americans have already won two World Cups, in 1991 and 1999, and have the fantastic record of making it at least into the semi-finals in every tournament, so without question they will be heavily fancied to see off France and book a final place (USA 9/10, France 13/5, the draw 11/5 – match prices).

They have had some criticism in Germany for adopting a physical and direct approach at times but no-one can say it hasn’t been effective with impressive group wins over Korea and Colombia before they slipped up against Sweden when losing 2-1 in their final group game.

In the end that result mattered little and USA then went on to beat Brazil on penalties in the quarter-finals to underline their mental toughness when the pressure is on.

It is likely to be a clash of styles in Monchengladbach with France (9/2 – Outright) so far making it into the last four thanks to some neat football and the goals of Gaetene Thiney and Marie-Laure Delie up front.

Coach Bruni Bini believes the fact France have already played in Monchengladbach and their slightly longer recovery period between their quarter-final win over England and the semi-final gives them the advantage going into the game.

However, do not be fooled by that talk as a very fit USA side will be ready for the game and are rightly viewed as favourites to progress. Their experience, form and mental strength are not in question and another final place beckons.

Verdict: USA win.
Value bet:  USA to win 4-0 – 33/1.

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Fabio Capello

The Italian has decided to leave a number of players who were involved in England’s disastrous campaign out, with David James, Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Matthew Upson, Joe Cole, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Ledley King, Jamie Carragher, Michael Dawson, Robert Green and Stephen Warnock all cut.

Despite their below-par performances, Capello has kept faith with the majority of his big names players with Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole and John Terry all remaining part of the squad.

However, Capello’s curtailing of some of his flops has left the door open for some of England’s fringe and young players to stake a claim ahead of the Euro 2012 qualification campaign, which kicks-off in September.

The biggest shock has been the inclusion of Arsenal teenagers Jack Wilshire and Kieran Gibbs, both of who have so far failed to establish themselves in the Gunners’ first team.

Wilshere, 18, has only made 15 first-team appearances  for Arsenal since coming onto the scene 2008, although he did gain some valuable experience having been on loan at Bolton for six months at the start of the year.

Likewise, Gibbs hasn’t featured for the Gunners first eleven on a regular basis having broken his foot in November, which ended his season prematurely.

Both players were delighted to be called up to the England (9/1 Outright Euro 2012 Winners) side, with Gibbs calling it a special moment after a difficult couple of months because of his injury lay-off.

Gibbs added: “I have to say this is a real boost for me as I spent over five months out through injury and this is a good opportunity to thank the surgeons and medical support I’ve received to get me back to full fitness.”

While both players are happy to be included one man who has turned his back on Capello and the England squad is Blackburn keeper Paul Robinson.

The former Leeds and Tottenham shot stopper has rejected the chance to return to the Three Lions fold and subsequently announced his retirement from international football.

However, that is the only black spot, thus far, on Capello’s call-ups with the likes of Ben Foster, Bobby Zamora, Theo Walcott, Adam Johnson, Wes Brown, Phil Jagielka and Gary Cahill all likely to be happy to be called up.

Capello has apologised for England’s terrible performance at the World Cup but is hopeful that things will get better and that they will be contenders for Euro 2012.

“I still have confidence in my players, in my England team. I think we are really good, now we have to change something and choose some different players. New players and some young players and we will have to monitor these players,” said the Italian.

“I enjoy the job. I am really disappointed for the result [of the World Cup] but I am looking forward.”

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The former Southampton youngster looked like he was set to make the 23-man squad that went to the biggest tournament in the world after featuring in all England’s pre-tournament friendly games.

However Walcott was the surprise omission from the side as seven players were cut from the initial 30-man squad picked by Capello.

The Italian manager decided to take midfielders Shaun Wright-Phillips, Joe Cole and James Milner who all featured in the Three Lions tournament which ultimately ended in disappointment.

After drawing their opening two games of the competition against the USA and Algeria they scrapped past Slovenia, only to be thrashed 4-1 in the knockout stage against old rivals Germany.

Walcott will have watched on as England under-achieved in South Africa and has recently explained how he received the news that he would not play in the tournament.

He said: “He (Capello) just said, ‘I’m sorry. I’m not going to bring you to South Africa, but I’ll see you in 2012 for the Euros.

“I didn’t know what to say at all. He said, ‘have a good break and good luck. I’ll see you soon’. I wished him all the best.

“There are always disappointments in football, this was my biggest one yet.

“Actually, I did have a tear to be fair with my cousin and my mate,? he added.

The 21-year-old only started 12 Premier League games for the Gunners (7/1 to win the FA Cup) last season as he struggled to hit top form after recovering from injury.

Walcott was just finding a regular place in the side before the end of the regular season when Capello was deciding who to take to the World Cup.

However it seemed to be too soon for Walcott who believes he stands in a better position now after fully recovering from injury.

He said: “The full pre-season will definitely help. It was an on-off season last season and it’s difficult to come back from that. I would just get back and I’d get another injury.

“This year I’m just going to get out there and show people what I can do. It’s all I can do really.”

Walcott has been left out of the England under-21 squad which suggests Capello already has the paceman in his plans for the qualification matches for the 2012 European Championships.

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Beaten finalists in 1974 and 1978, the Dutch get their third shot at football’s greatest prize at Soccer City on Sunday when they will tackle either Germany or Spain following Tuesday night’s 3-2 defeat of Uruguay.

And Kuyt is determined to ensure it is third time lucky for the ‘Oranje’.

“After a long journey we are in the final,” said the Liverpool star.

“We are so close to writing history. This is the third time we have reached the final. Now we have to win it.”

Kuyt admitted it was difficult to put his emotions into words at the final whistle.

Holland had gone in front thanks to a blistering strike from captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst, only to be pegged back by Diego Forlan just before half-time.

For a decent period in the second half, the South Americans looked the more likely winners.

However, just as it appeared there was no way through for the Dutch, Wesley Sneijder’s incredible year took another twist when he threaded a shot through a crowd of bodies and into the Uruguay net.

Three minutes later, Kuyt crossed for Arjen Robben, whose precise header also went in off the post, and Holland were through.

“What has happened is unbelievable. It is a bit unreal,” said Kuyt.

“We felt before the tournament we had the quality in the team to win it but now it is an incredible feeling.”

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South Africa

Zuma said the tournament had sparked economic development and proved the developing continent was capable of managing a world event.

“I think we have proved that not only South Africa, but Africa is capable of hosting any major event,” Zuma told the FIFA website.

The government has spent about 40 billion rand ($5.17 billion) on infrastructure projects, and billions more on upgrading roads and airports.

It could now spur a bid for the first African Olympics, Zuma said.

“People are already talking about a possibility of bidding for major events and we are supporting this. The Olympics are an example, I don’t see why we can’t bid to host the Olympics in the future. It’s important for Africa,” he added.

International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge last week offered encouragement to Africa for an Olympic bid, strengthening the possibility of South Africa being a host.

Cape Town was the first African city to bid for the Olympics but was trounced in the vote for the 2004 Games that were awarded to Athens.

Durban, which markets itself as Africa’s sports capital, has expressed an interest in hosting a future Games and built its new World Cup stadium with enough space to add an athletics track.

When asked what legacy he wanted the World Cup to leave for South Africa’s children, Zuma told FIFA: “It has taken the economic development to a different level. One of the important things for Africa is education and programmes like 1Goal (FIFA’S education programme) are playing a vital role – that is legacy.

“This tournament has inspired Africans.”

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Germany

Goals from Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski put the Germans 2-0 up inside the first 32 minutes before England struck back through a Matthew Upson header which converted a Steven Gerrard delivery.

England could, and should, have been level a minute later when a Frank Lampard effort cannoned off the crossbar, over the line and then back out of the goal. The match officials failed to spot the “goal”, much to the frustration of the England bench and fans.

In the second half, England tried to press for their second but were hit by two swift counterattacks, which resulted in two goals for Thomas Muller.

It was no less than what Germany deserved, who were the dominant force throughout the game and were aided by some suspect defending from the English.

The result ends a dismal campaign for England as Fabio Capello’s men struggled to get out of Group C, a group which had been perceived as “easy” when it was drawn back in December.

Doubts still remain over the future of Capello as England boss although he categorically stated after the match that he will not resign. However, he went on to say that he would discuss his position with the FA upon the squad’s return to England.

Capello accepted that his side had made mistakes against Germany, but cited the referee as making the biggest error.

“We played well at 2-1, but after the third goal it was a little bit disappointing,” said the Italian.

“We played well. Germany is a big team. They played a good game. We made some mistakes when they played on the counter-attack. The referee made bigger mistakes.

“Little things always decide the result.”

Unsurprisingly, England’s players are pointing to the disallowed goal as being the turning point of the match.

Captain Steven Gerrard highlighted the decision but also accepted that England had not been defensively solid enough.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 live, he said “I think it’s difficult, we are suffering.

“It looks like we took a hiding today but that wasn’t the case. As a team we weren’t defensively solid enough.

“There were key decisions in the game. At 2-1 we had a goal disallowed. At this level the small details dictate games and that would have been a key goal for us and maybe we would have gone on and won it.”

Defender John Terry said that the 4-1 scoreline flattered Germany. He also highlighted his own disappointment.

“In the second half we played a lot better. The scoreline doesn’t reflect the way the game was – they got three goals from counter. We’re just disappointed; we wanted to be here until the end.”

In Sunday’s other game, Argentina beat Mexico 3-1 courtesy of a Carlos Tevez brace and a Gonzalo Higuain effort. They are 7/2 second favourites to win the World Cup whilst Higuain, who is the current top scorer in the competition with four goals, is the 7/5 favourite to win the Golden Boot.

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England

However, they did do it the hard way, missing a raft of chances before a last-ditch challenge from Matthew Upson preserved their slender lead.

England took the lead through Jermain Defoe in the 22nd minute after he latched on to a delightful cross from the imperious James Milner.

The performances of Defoe, Milner and Upson justified their inclusion in the side and will reduce the doubts of some over the managerial capabilities of England boss Fabio Capello, who had been questioned following the 0-0 draw against Algeria.

The USA’s last-gasp win against Algeria – courtesy of a Landon Donovan goal deep into injury time – means that the Americans top the group on goals scored and will face the runners-up of Group D in Rustenburg on Saturday evening.

England face the winners of Group D in Bloemfontein on Sunday afternoon, which could be Germany if they beat Ghana this evening (Ghana 6/1, Draw 10/3, Germany 4/9). The prospect of the two old foes meeting in knockout football promises to be a mouth-watering affair and England will need to step up again if they are to have any chance of beating the stylish Germans.

Speaking after the game, Tottenham Hotspur coach Harry Redknapp praised the performance of his club striker Defoe, and said that England had little to fear from Germany.

He told the  BBC: “There wasn’t a weakness in the team tonight. I think we’ve got a big chance still to win the competition. It could be Germany in the next round but bring them on. I still think we can beat them.

“As for Jermain’s goal – it was great movement, a great cross and fantastic finish. The little man has done it all his life. He has always had that natural instinct to get across defenders like all good goalscorers.”

Wayne Rooney was substituted in the second half amid fears about his ongoing ankle injury.

He has been cut to 33/1 in totesport’s World Cup top goalscorer betting after he failed to score in the group stage and missed a couple of gilt-edged chances against Slovenia, including an occasion when he had an effort pushed on to the post. There are doubts about whether he will feature in the second round game but Fabio Capello confirmed that he “should be okay”.

Capello was under criticism for the performance of his side during the first two group games and he claimed that this was not the team that he knew in his post-match comments after the 0-0 draw against Algeria. Speaking after today’s game, he was far happier.

“This is what I wanted to see – the spirit, see them fight together,” he said. “I am really, really happy. I rediscovered the team I knew from qualification.”

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England

Chelsea announced on Wednesday that Cole would be leaving Stamford Bridge during the summer, but the player says his future in his agent’s hands.

He is looking forward to the World Cup, and says: “That’s all that is in my mind now.”

Cole added: “I’ve worked hard to be here and I’m leaving all the rest of it to my agent… It’s been going on for a while, but that is a story for another day. Right now, I am just happy to be here. And if I play it will be fantastic.”

The midfielder failed to hold down a regular place for Chelsea, England’s double-winning club champions and cup-holders, during an injury-hit season (13/8 Chelsea – Premier League outright 2010-11).

He underwent surgery on a knee last year and after months of recovery work found it difficult to regain a starting position for Chelsea. But he said he never accepted that his international future was bleak.

“No, I never feared my England days were over,” he told reporters. “I am very confident in my ability, but it was tough for the manager to pick me when I wasn’t playing regularly, rightly or wrongly, at club level.

“Yes, for this tournament I knew I might not make it, but not that it (international career) was over. Now, there is a chance I could be playing against America and for me that is fantastic.

“Now I am back to my best and want to show it at this World Cup and play better than I did at the last one.”

Cole said England coach Fabio Capello, in contrast to his predecessors, kept the players on their toes with his training, selection and discipline.

“The great thing with this squad now, which is different to the whole of my England career, is that you don’t know who this manager is going to pick,” he said.

“This is good and, in my experience, from club level, I’ve always found when that is the case, and players are not picked on reputation, but on form, fitness and temperament, these are the things that get a better team ethic and the team gels together.”

He added: “Fabio Capello is the best manager I have worked with for England.

“I put him alongside (Jose) Mourinho as one of the two best managers I have worked with. He has an aura.

“He knows his way round a football pitch, his tactical knowledge goes without saying and his preparation is spot-on. You don’t want to let him down.”

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