After the round robin stage there was a brief pause before the beginning of next round – semi-final round robin groups were to be played for the first time, but already all doubts about the innovation were gone. The teams reaching the second round were largely deserving – Scotland was missed, but Italy was not, given their awfull performance. New predictions were manufactured in the pause… West German gamble was working – they were in the ‘weaker’ group with Sweden, Yugoslavia, and Poland. Convenient teams for the Germans, it was judged, and the hosts were seen as the favourites. As for the second place, it was to be largely a battle between Sweden and Yugoslavia. Polish bubble was expected to finally burst: they played above themselves, the verdict was, but now it was time for them to settle for… last place.
The other group was really tough – East Germany was considered most likely finishing last, but had a chance to do better too. Unlike Poland, DDR was seen actually getting stronger – fueled by their surprise win over the ideological arch-enemy and facing troubled Brazil and Argentina, it was possible to get a point or two, with some luck may be reaching second place. The real battle was to be between Holland, Brazil, and Argentina. The South Americans were expected finally to start playing their ‘real’ football and although the Dutch looked great, who can tell what the South Americans can pull out of their sleeves? A point nibbled away here, a goal missed there, and the first place may go to… any team except DDR. The news from the team camps kind of supported analyses, predictions, and lunacy. One thing was certain: so far, the tournament was good and was to become better. West Germans trained in their disciplined fashion as ever; the Dutch looked overconfident and relaxed; the Brazilians were grimm and determined; the rest were quiet…
Miguel Angel Brindisi and Carlos Alberto Babington – what the Argentines are doing? Relaxing or learning some new viscious tactic? With such concentration, watch out for them!
Nordqvist, Sandberg, and Hellstrom – the Swedes looked homely and unassuming as always. But look out for them too – their casual attitudes are deceptive. Once on the pitch…
And what a difference: Brazil training hard and very relaxed Cruyff and company. Watch out… Brazil seems determined to return to glory and Holland may be too arrogant already and pay dearly for overconfidence. Why, it should be Brazil engaged in lax training and Holland under disciplinarian Muchels training breathlessly.
No matter – the first round ended and tougher one was coming. Forget what happened just a few days back – it was to be something entirely different from now on. Who had the best chances? Well… West Germany and Holland. May be Holland…