The entire tournament has been unpredictable but Germnay's Mario Goetze Andre Schuerrle are looking at another decade or more of glorious careers, says Mauktik Kulkarni.

With a well-oiled midfield and strikers of the calibre of Thomas Muller and Miroslav Klose, the Germans will start the title match against Argentina as favorites, says Mauktik Kulkarni.

Will the German discipline take them to the final? Will Brazil be able to overcome the loss of Neymar Jr.? Will Argentina move its game to the next level for the semi-final? Or would the Dutch shrug off a bad day at work to reach the final again and get a shot at redemption?

As much as I would love to witness a Brazil-Argentina final at the Copacabana beach, Colombia, Germany, Netherlands and Argentina look like the semi-finalists and, if Argentina peaks at the right time, Germany vs Argentina could be the title match, says Mauktik Kulkarni.

Mauktik Kulkarni is an author, movie-maker, travel buff and sports enthusiast. He will be traveling to Brazil for the World Cup and report for Rediff.com from there during the knock-out stages.

One thing is undeniable: This edition of the World Cup is a goal-fest.

Colombia are on the verge of a berth in the knockout round. It is probably the end of an era for the Spanish La Roja and a new beginning for Colombia, says Mauktik Kulkarni.

The Spain-Netherlands opener - re-match of the 2010 World Cup final - was a classic that will be sliced and diced for a long time to come, says Mauktik Kulkarni.