Superstition is everywhere: Porcupine Leon bites into a pear with a Spanish flag at Chemnitz Zoo, July 6. The zoo's 'animal oracle' tips the winner for Germany's FIFA World Cup 2010 matches. Photo: Oliver Killig, picture alliance / © dpa

One thing is certain: This year at least one team will have its revenge against the proverbial bad luck.

Many teams have this, but Spain, Holland and Germany most represent the classic teams that play “the beautiful game”, that merit the title, but yet don’t win it. But don’t forget – there is also an outsider here in Uruguay in this magnificent quartet.

Uruguay is the only surviving team of the much-praised South American teams that seemed to have overpowered Old Europe. Poverty and desire was, according to the commentators, the secret of success for Mexico, Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay. But more on that misery, La Celeste (as the Uruguayan team is known) seemed to focus their play on the likes  of the aristocratic Forlàn, the striker with that bitter stare. A former tennis player, rejected by Manchester United, 2008-09 European Golden Shoe winner and new champion of the European League with the club Atlético Madrid. A beautiful dream. But maybe it’s not completely out of the question given the bad luck that plagues the other three teams…

The Netherlands always impress at the beginning of every big competition, always with a fast and flawless game. Winning, they make the show: they are unstoppable. But then it stops, without warning. They succumb to Russia in the quarter finals, loose in the final against the hosts, or collect their defeats in the semi-finals. This year what will be their exit is still undecided.

Spain arrives to the semi-finals for the first time in its history. But she has never gone beyond the quarter finals in a World Cup, although often dominating international competitions at the club level. Almost like an incredible curse. But this year the maldiciòn acabò e la Roja will try to repeat their Euro2008 victory.

Germany is most accustomed: From 2002 they have reached the finals of every competition (wether for 1st/2nd place or for 3rd/4th place) but they don’t win one. And sometimes the trend repeats itself even at the club level, like with Bayern München. The pragmatism and German perseverance – to which this year can also be added champagne – are really admirable. Their strength is the fact that the attacking machine of the club that won the Bundesliga has shifted and now reached the semi-finals. The counterattack remains in their memories because they train together all year.

Will the world’s three most unlucky teams free themselves from their awful fates, or will Uruguay win the cop after sixty years?

This blogpost translated from Italian by Angela Boskovitch.