PRIOR to the tournament, Tamworth’s most fervent soccer fan, Jim Janush, tipped Germany as the team to beat in World Cup 2014.
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And ahead of Monday morning’s final, nothing he has seen in the preceding 62 games has given him any reason to jump off now.
Mr Janush’s astute pre-tournament predictions also identified Argentina as the European powerhouse’s most likely opponent.
But with Germany fresh from breaking the hearts of 200 million Brazilians with their 7-1 annihilation of the host country, he gives the Argentinians only an outside chance.
“Of course (Argentina) could win, but I would think, if things go right, Germany will win 2-nil,” he said.
“I really can’t see Argentina scoring against them.”
The 58-year-old, who took the entire month off work to watch it, has scarcely missed a minute of the tournament.
“I missed the first half of a game one day because, for some reason, I wasn’t feeling well, but I’ve seen every game or certainly part of every game,” he said.
“I’m a little bit concerned about what I’m going to do after it’s over.
“I’ll have to go back to work, but it doesn’t matter – the Asian Cup is next year.”
Mr Janush said despite the gallant Socceroos failing to make it out of their group, he was confident the sport would continue to grow in Australia.
“You can’t keep a game like this hidden from Australia forever.”