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FIFA World Cup 2018: Semifinals!

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2018-World-Cup

It is time for semifinals in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. In this post we take a look on the results of the quarterfinals, and predict the outcomes of the semifinals.

Tuesday July 10: France vs Belgium

The French team, “Les Bleus”,  has been a bit of an outsider in the talk before the World Cup, but now they have reached the semifinal after winning their group, and then eliminating Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the Round of 16, followed up by a 2-0 win in the quarterfinal against Uruguay. France has a very talented squad, one example being 19 year old Kylian Mbappé Lottin, who scored two goals in the round of 16. They can very well go all the way in this tournament, but to do so, they need to find a way to stop Belgium. Belgium won their group before England, and managed to turn 0-2 into a 3-2 win on stop time against Japan in the round of 16. In the quarterfinal, they outmaneuvered one of the beforehand favorites, Brazil, with superstar Neymar Jr, 2-1.

This semifinal is difficult, if not impossible to predict. Both teams have shown efficiency in their offense, however, some gaps persists in their defenses (France gave up three goals in the round of 16, Belgium two). Whatever team manages to combine their offense with a disciplined defensive game will win this game and advance to the 2018 FIFA World Cup final.

Wednesday July 11: Croatia – England

Croatia played a convincing game in the group stage, turning predictions to their favor, especially since they are in the half of the playoff tree that is considered to be “weaker”. However, they have struggled so far, winning two tight games (round of 16: Denmark, quarterfinal: Russia) after penalties. We do not think that is enough against England, who are getting better and better as the tournament progresses. England managed to get rid of their “penalty ghost” after winning a dirty game against Colombia in the round of 16. The shootout win made the “Lions” come out as a whole new team against Sweden in the quarterfinals, efficiently and relentlessly mowing down the blue and yellow defenses. The final scored was written 2-0.

The losing teams will face each other in the bronze game July 14, and the final is played Sunday July 15.

How Sweden DESTROYED the Swiss sportsyear 2018

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Sweden

People often mix up Sweden and Switzerland. In 2018, there should be no question about what team is the dominant nation when it comes to important stuff, such as team sports. The two nations have faced each other in the Olympic Hockey, the Hockey World Championship and lately, the round of 16 in the FIFA World Cup. Sweden has won each game, leading to another gold medal in the World Championship, and an advancement to the quarter final of the FIFA World Cup.

Sweden vs Switzerland: Ice Hockey

Sweden has become a nightmare for Swiss ice hockey. Zürich is one of our favorite places to play the Hockey World Championship with golds both in 1987 and 1998. We have eliminated Switzerland numerous times, like in the 2006 Olympics in Torino where Switzerland managed to win their group, only to be eliminated in the quarterfinal. Sweden later won the Olympic gold that year. In the 2013 Hockey World Championship, Switzerland reached their first final ever, only to be defeated by Sweden. In 2018, history repeat itself, with a Swedish final win in the shootout in the final. Although we hope to see Switzerland go all the way some day, it won’t be against Team Sweden. Earlier this year, Sweden also beat Switzerland in the group stage of the Olympic games. However, both teams were eliminated by Team Germany in the playoffs.

Sweden vs Switzerland: Football

Before the round of 16 in the FIFA World Cup, Switzerland had only 2 losses in 25 games. In the group stage they managed to play a 1-1 tie against Brazil, finishing 2nd in their group. However, in the playoff game against Sweden, the Swiss attack was effectively neutralized. A disciplined Swedish defensive 4-4-2 lineup stood firm, as we have done so many times before. Emil Forsberg’s 1-0 in the beginning of the second half was enough for a victory and a place among the top eight teams in the world who will play the quarterfinals.

Although no official rivalry exists between our nations, Sweden has surely become a nightmare opponent for Switzerland when it comes to team sports. Read more about the difference between Sweden and Switzerland.