Croatia tipped to complete World Cup fairytale

WE started with 32 teams and now we are left with France and Croatia to battle it out for soccer's greatest honour.

Popular netballer Laura Geitz announces her retirement from the Australian Diamonds at the State Age Championships in Ipswich. Picture: Peter Wallis

WE started with 32 teams and now we are left with France and Croatia to battle it out for soccer's greatest honour.

It's team number two v the 13th placed side on world rankings.

France have taken all before them going through the tournament undefeated so far.

They qualified top of their pool before accounting for Argentina (round of 16), Uruguay (quarter-final) and Belgium (semi-final).

On the other hand, Croatia were brilliant in the pool rounds but have had to fight hard in the round of 16 and quarter finals, winning both games in penalty shootouts against Denmark and Russia respectively.

Croatia beat England to qualify for their first ever World Cup final.

Who will will? My tip is Croatia.

Unbelievable record

SOUTH Korean golfer Kim Sei-young produced a phenomenal performance.

She not only broke the record of lowest score in a 72 hole LPGA event, she smashed it by recording an unbelievable 31 under. To put that into perspective, she hit the ball 257 times in a four round event, another record.

Quick thoughts

HERO of the week 1: Laura Geitz is a netball champion who has announced her retirement from the national team. You would not meet a better role model for young netball players.

Hero of the week 2: Ipswich Netball deserves a huge pat on the back for the way it handled the junior carnival. Congratulations to everyone who contributed to its huge success. Ipswich Netball sure knows how to run a successful event.

Villain of the week 1: Surely the NRL must present the Shield to the winning state when they win the series. Our biggest event is let down by this not happening. It's not hard to rectify.

Villain of the week 2: To whoever selected Billy Slater as the Wally Lewis medallist. It was a great Origin 3 but overall Damien Cook was the best.

Did you know? 1. Hawthorn Football Club was originally known as the Mayblooms.

2. In 1910, two Carlton players were suspended for 99 weeks for bribery.

Bomber's best: Unfortunately my horse tip ran a shocker so I will redeem myself by tipping the Eels and Broncos to both win.