Dave Clarke is the Head Women's Soccer Coach at Quinnipiac University and a member of the US National Coaching Staff.  He also has worked with the Republic of Ireland Women's National team and with Connecticut Football Club.  He writes a weekly column for Soccer Banter entitled 'Extra Time'. 

Quarterfinals: 

Germany v Japan - Germany
The Germans should have too much fire power for Japan who struggle to score against the better teams.  They beat up on Mexico, but beating the Germans is an altogether different proposition and it would be the shock of the tournament if the hosts were to lose.

Sweden v Australia - Sweden
The Swedes deserved their win against the USA and have given themselves a great chance to make the semis.  Caroline Seger will be back after suspension and with Lotta Schelin looking the part up front the Swedes have the edge over the Aussies.  Australia were the width of the cross bar from being eliminated against Norway who wasted some excellent chances to advance.  The Australian defense was all over the place and only the lottery of penalties will see them having a chance to advance.   

England v France - France
England has looked good, they have looked poor, they have looked quick, they have looked tired.  In short, they have been inconsistent in their three games.  I would have fancied them to beat Canada, but France with the backbone of Lyon's Champions League winners should have too much for them.  The only issue for the French is how they deal with the suspension of their starting keeper.  If England can expose the replacement they have a chance.

USA v Brazil - USA
I felt that the USA would be best served by coming second in their group and avoiding a semifinal match up with Germany, so I will stand by the prediction.  Brazil with more time and preparation under their belt would be a different proposition in the final, but they have flaws in their game which the US can expose.  It is not a great US team, but they will find a way to win this game by putting the Brazil back three under pressure and for the first time in the tournament will really test them and their keeper.  This is a game that could go to extra time and even penalties where Hope Solo can become the heroine.

Semifinals: Germany v Sweden - Germany
Germany would cruise past Australia were they to advance, but Sweden will provide a different proposition for the hosts.  It will be a typical dour Northern European battle with the Germans superior talent and home backing ensuring a less than comfortable win.

France v USA - USA
The French have the talent and the experience of Champions League football to put the US under pressure.  If the US advance against Brazil in 90 minutes they will dispense with the French.  Going into extra time against Brazil will test the fitness and resolve of the likes of Abby Wambach and Heather O'Reilly, but the Americans resilience will see them through.

Final: Germany v USA - Germany
If the US get to the final the two knockout tough games will take their toll and the Germans will win comfortably.  The only way the US to win is to defend in numbers, frustrate the Germans, take the game into extra time and take their chances from there.  Yes, they have beaten the Germans in a friendly this year, but a World Cup Final in Germany is another thing and the hosts won't slip up in front of an adoring crowd.

Dave Clarke is the Head Women's Soccer Coach at Quinnipiac University and a member of the US National Coaching Staff.  He also has worked with the Republic of Ireland Women's National team.

Group A – Germany, France

Germany are the defending champions and have talent, depth, experience, home field advantage, etc.  They all add up to the Germans topping their group and setting the stage for the real tests in the knock out stage.  

France is another of the European teams that have benefited from the coaching and league structure in place in their country.  They were impressive in qualifying and have players playing at home and abroad.  Like other teams in the tournament they benefit by not playing the top team in their first game.  Canada will suffer a heavy defeat against the Germans while France will pick up three points against Nigeria.  Their second game against the Canadians will determine the runners up spot.  Had the fixtures been reversed I would have fancied Canada to advance, but they will have to take the game to France which will favor Les Bleus.  Carolina Morace has changed Canada's style of play, but they will find the goals hard to come by against Germany and France. 

Group B – England, Japan

England has the talent, the depth, the experience, and the luck of the draw to make a run to the final.  The manner of their recent win against the USA in London showed they must be taken seriously in Germany.  In Kelly Smith they have one of the best players in the world and a match winner that is a must in a major tournament.  They will need to win the group to avoid a quarterfinal match up with Germany. A draw against Japan in their final group game will see them achieve that goal.  

For the opening half hour against the USA in a recent friendly Japan was much the better team.  They played some excellent football, took the US apart especially on the break and asked a lot of questions of the Americans.  Their profligacy was their downfall, which the Americans punished.  They may be one of the most attractive teams in Germany, but they lack a cutting edge, which will cost them when they need it most.       

Group C – USA, Sweden

The depth of talent, level of preparation and the experience of the American squad will assure they top a tough group.  That will set the US up for a semifinal against Germany.  The Americans might be better served coming second and playing the winner of Group D.  Pia Sundhage has changed a lot of things with the team in her time in charge, but there is still an over reliance on certain players and her team is one injury or suspension, to Abby Wambach from losing out on its ultimate goal of a world title.  

The schedule has favored the Swedes who will enter their game against Korea on July 2 with three points having beaten Colombia.  Meanwhile the Koreans will have played the US in their opener and the physical demands of the game will give Sweden an advantage.  There is little to choose between the two teams, but American based Caroline Seger and Lyon's Champions League winning forward Lotta Schelin give the Swedes the edge.

Group D – Brazil, Australia

Brazil has the talent, the depth and the experience to win the group and to advance to the final.  The question remains whether they have the level of preparation, fitness and mental toughness to beat the USA or Germany in the final.  The draw has been kind and only complacency can see them failing to win the group.  If the groups go to form and ranking then Brazil will avoid having to beat both the Americans and the Germans.  In Marta and Cristiane they have two players who will cause any team problems.  There is no doubt they will score goals in the group stage and will advance, but like the Germans their real tests will be in the knockout stage.

Conventional wisdom says that Norway with their history in the tournament should advance, but one group will throw up a surprise quarter finalist and it could be this one.  Separating Australia and Norway may come down to their game on July 7, or goal difference.  Avoiding a heavy defeat to Brazil may be key in determining each team's fate.  The A-League has provided the current generation of Australian players a platform to develop their game.  Their men's team has moved onto the next level and there is no reason why the women cannot join them.