South Africa came to life with some adrenaline-pumping matches as the second round packed with lots of action came to an end. We waved goodbye to the likes of England and Portugal while Asia’s remaining contestants also bowed out. The Japanese were edged out by Paraguay on penalties in what was otherwise a snooze fest while the South Koreans were shot down by Luis Suarez of Uruguay whose exploits for AFC Ajax had already made him a hot transfer target for Europe’s elite clubs.

The teams that were eliminated in the first round just don’t get it – they still continue to hog much of the limelight. The tournament is down to its final eight, so the rest of the football world really needs to let the contenders receive all the attention. But that remains impossible with the likes of France and Nigeria around. Following hot on the heels of claims that North Korea reported 10-0 victories for its side in the World Cup and refused to air any of the games they played as per their rule never to show sport in which their side loses, the Nigerian president has suspended his team from action for two years. How a suspension of this sort could possibly help the team, is indeed puzzling. Displaying slightly less thought than the entire Pakistani parliament put together, the Nigerian president, Goodluck Jonathen believes that without playing for two years, his national side will forge an enviable cohesion. Not to be outdone, Fifa has warned the French government that no form of intervention into the affairs of the French Football Federation will be tolerated – this might even lead to France’s suspension from international tournaments.

As for looking ahead to the quarterfinals, Germany is already embroiled in a verbal spat with their Argentine opponents. Bastian Schweinsteiger has already accused Argentina of poor conduct following the meeting between the two sides in the previous World Cup where the Germans edged a thrilling encounter on penalties. Not one to keep opinions to himself, Diego Maradona retorted by branding the Germans nervous ahead of the game. Carlos Tevez added fuel to the fire by asserting that Mexico, the side Argentina vanquished in the previous round, were a better team than the Germans. This was countered by Werder Bremen coach Klaus Allofs (quite unintentionally) as he stepped up his attempts to retain the services of Mesut Ozil by claiming the German has outshined Lionel Messi at the championships. Little wonder then that Argentine defender Martin Demechelis who is also member of the German BundesLiga, has accused the land of his employers of lacking respect. Thus the animosity between the two sides has reached fever pitch and one can expect an explosive encounter with plenty of flair, goals and possibly, even multiple evictions.

Germany’s team has evolved greatly over the years. The passing is fluid, the movement is effervescent, the shooting is crisp and all the while retaining the functional solidarity of German teams from yester year. It is a little wonder that this German side is dubbed to play the most Brazilian way while the Brazilians themselves are led by Dunga, the man his countrymen like to call ‘The German’ for his stifling, pragmatic approach to the game.

The other big game for the quarters features Dunga’s ‘German’ Brazilians against an equally pragmatic Dutch side. Both sides are renowned for the beautiful skills they put on display, yet in this World Cup both have decided to put a leash on their primal instincts and instill a defensive approach. Many in Brazil (and indeed in Pakistan) have expressed their dismay at the lack of Samba – lack of magical play, but since the exclusion of the likes of Ronaldinho from the squad with functional players given preference, flamboyance was never likely to be in abundance from this Brazilian outfit. The Dutch, for their part, have been a shadow of the side that lit Euro 2008 on fire with some scintillating displays. Having come undone in the quarterfinal of that championship to a plucky Russian side, the Oranje have embarked on a more careful approach. They possess players of far greater flair than the Brazilians but their defense remains suspect. Depending on how the two teams line up, this match has classic written all over it.

Arjen Robben is the key man for this game as he looks to continue his fine form. He may look 40, but this spring chicken was a doubt for the World Cup following an injury in a warm up game against Hungary. Another fine display from the flying winger and the Dutch could sail through to the last four. However, he is as fragile as he is brilliant and an injury could tilt the balance heavily in Brazil’s favor. If you find Robben’s looks to be similar to a mummified Egyptian sarcophagus, I don’t blame you – so does Mexican legend Cuahtemoc Blanco. Enter Miss Mexico, Marisol Gonzalez, Blanco’s girlfriend. If you thought ShoaibMalik had done well for himself by bagging Sania Mirza, think again. Blanco looks 80, moves with a hunched back and has Gonzalez on his arm to boot.

Before you begin Googling Ms Gonzalez, don’t forget there are two other quarter finals – Africa’s final representatives Ghana takes on heavyweights Uruguay while the Spanish Armada can spot Paraguay on the horizon. I leave you with something I have been talking about since the start of the World Cup – no European side has ever won the tournament outside Europe. Clearly few people take me seriously. But tonight I will be wearing wooden clogs to cheer on my favoured Dutchmen.

My semifinal line up sees Uruguay take on Holland and Argentina take on Spain. There, you have it, I’ve pretty much put myself on the line to be embarrassed. You can poke fun at me only if you provide your semifinal lineup before the results start to filter in (Yes, in the comments section).

The views expressed by this blogger and in the following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.