Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/323754
23 Sport maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 4 JUNE 2014 Answers to the MaltaToday crossword will be published next Wednesday WEATHER: Partly cloudy becoming fine. VISIBILITY: Generally good WIND: Northwest force 4 to 5 locally force 5 to 6 at times, backing West Northwest. Towards east of area: force 3 to 4 at first. SEA: Rough becoming moderate to rough overnight. SWELL: Low East Southeast SEA TEMP: 18 °C A B C D E F G H 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 White to play and mate in four moves A B C D E F G H 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Last week's solution Sudoku rules are extremely easy: Fill all empty squares so that the numbers 1 to 9 appear once in each row, column and 9x9 box. PARTLY CLOUDY 26 º C / 17 º C UV INDEX: 8 Today's Weather Chess Sudoku Pursuits Ng7+ Kd7 Qb7+ Qc7 Bb5+ Kd8 Ne6# OPINION Across 1. Reflection (13) 8. Uppermost part of a tree (7) 10. Graceful antelope (7) 12. Raved (6) 13. Burn without flame (8) 15. Holy Communion (9) 18. Musical instrument (5) 21. Muzzle (15) 22. Cemetery (9) 27. Textile fabric (8) 29. No one (6) 30. Not strict (7) 31. Die (7) 33. Telephone directory (9,4) Down 2. Living in the ocean (7) 3. Make lace (3) 4. River in N South America (6) 5. Greased (5) 6. Die from lack of food (6) 7. Eccentric person (6) 9. Commands (6) 11. Employs (4) 14. Covered with leaves (5) 16. Vase (3) 17. Residence (5) 19. Glass container (3) 20. Wide street (6) 21. In a simple manner (6) 23. Depend (4) 24. Pear-shaped fruit (7) 25. Scottish town (6) 26. Abduct (6) 28. Shade (5) 32. Taxicab (3) IN last week's edition we discussed our World Cup favorites, with Bra- zil coming out on top, over the like- ly entertainers Argentina. With the focus on South America, it's time to cast an eye over our continen- tal hopes and typically no one can write off Spain and the Germans. Spain have enjoyed a wealth of success over the past 12 years, be- coming the first nation to win two back to back European Champion- ships, managing a World Cup in be- tween with that strike from Iniesta against Holland four years ago. A largely unchanged squad from the one that beat Italy 4-0 in the Euro 2012 final Spain have on dark horse upfront that can make the difference. Diego Costa's decision to chose to play for Spain over his homeland Brazil may not have gone down well in South America, but it does answer Spain's attacking prob- lems with Torres' lack of club form. Fitness concerns have plagued Cos- ta's last month in Spain as he pulled out of Atletico Madrid's final game of the season against Barcelona and in almost the same minute pulled out of the Champion's League final defeat to Real Madrid. Spain's ability to control matches with an inredible amount of pos- session is their main strength and with that in mind they barely con- cede. During 10 knockout games stretching back to Euro 2008 they have kept no less than 10 clean sheets and cup specialist Iker Casil- las looks steady as ever despite not having played a single league game for Real Madrid this season. Spain's only blotch: their record against Brazil. They never met at the 2010 World Cup as Holland knocked out the Samba Boys however Brazil's impressive 3-0 victory over Spain in the Confederations Cup still rings inside Spanish heads. German greats Germany rarely fail to impress on this stage and I am sure this Germany side is no different. As club football moves from strength to strength, the national team has grown too and this year Germany's main attribute is their strength in depth, particularly in the crea- tive midfield department. Better known for their counter attacking precision over the last decade we should be excited to see more pass- ing rhythm with this German side, however my feeling is that they will not be going home with the trophy this year. While Joachim Low must be grin- ning at his main attribute, it might turn out to be his Achilles heel. His experimenting over the last quali- fying campaign saw him use a deep squad on a healthy rotation, how- ever I am unsure weather with that mentality the Germany side has clicked in shape. With days remain- ing and two friendlies on the cards time is running out for them to gel. With the Germans likely to field a 4-2-3-1 formation, that top heavy star in midfield will prove the cru- cial element and the likes of Mario Gotze, Ozil and Reus will prove vi- tal to their launches in attack. Brilliant Belgium If there is one team I can not wait to see its Belgium. Cast outside for decades, they have not been consid- ered as a major force in Europe or World Football for some time, but at last their philosophy in youth has ripened. They boast one of the most im- pressive squads for this summer's tournament, even if it does lack cru- cial experience. Their best element is that of sur- prise as no one quite knows how to handle such a squad. With a strong midfield consisting of Eden Haz- ard, Fellaini, Januzaj Witsel, Dem- bele and De Brunye it is hard to see why team coach Marc Wilmots will struggle, and lets not forget who spears the attack with Everton duo Lukaku and Mirallas competing for a place. Sadly for them Benteke's in- jury has ruled him out for the tour- nament. A strong defence perks up infront of a choice of goalkeepers like no other: Simon Mignolet and Thibaut Courtois so we can expect few goals leaked from this Belgian squad. We are literally spoilt for choice in the talent department and having now presented a list of five teams, next week we will take a look at our local favorites Italy and England, whilst not forgetting about the boys in Oranje. It is now only eight days to go and we are all beginning to get a lit- tle excited by the prospects of an amazing summer World Cup 2014. Mark Strijbosch World Cup focus Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas holds up the World Cup trophy