2013 will be a great year.

Things that will happen

Football/Soccer

2013 is a huge year for all countries

2013 Confederations Cup - Unfortunately New Zealand will not be there. Italy start off with a shaky 1-1 draw with Mexico, before defeating Japan 2-1 and drawing with home team Brazil 2-2. They finish second in the group and lose in the semi-final to Spain 1-0 in extra time after the scores were locked up at 0-0 after 90 minutes. Italy are unable to get up for the almost meaningless 3rd/4th playoff match and lose 1-0 to Brazil. Spain defeat Uruguay in an exciting final, 3-2.


World Cup Qualifying - The New Zealand All Whites qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil after beating Honduras 2-1 at Westpac Stadium, then drawing 1-1 away to win 3-2 on aggregate. Italy qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup finsihing top of their group, withstanding a fierce challenge from the Czech Republic.

Juventus lose 2-1 on aggregate to Barcelona in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.

The Wellington Phoenix finish 5th on the A-League's regular season table. They face Western Sydney away, unfortunately losing 1-0 and bowing out in the 1st phase of the playoffs (I wish I could be more optimistic).

Golf

Will it be a breakthrough year for Luke Donald?

Tiger Woods wins his first major since 2008 with a playoff victory over Rory McIlroy at the US Open. However, McIlroy becomes the first player to retain the FedEx Cup, and picks up his third major win by winning his first green jacket at the Augusta Masters. Luke Donald silences some of his critics by winning his first major at the PGA Championship. Lee Westwood is still unable to win his first major, coming up just short at the PGA Championship. The Internationals finally win the President's Cup for the first time since 1998, defeating the Americans 18-16 at Muirfield Village in Ohio. American duo Keegan Bradley and Webb Simpson continue to use the belly putter (and anchoring it to their bellies) instead of making an early change before the new rule kicks in, in 2016.


New Zealander Michael Campbell continues his return to form by stringing together several decent results early on in 2013, albeit without a win. Still, this enables Cambo to qualify for the British Open, where he makes his first cut in a major since 2008. Cambo caps off a great, confidence-boosting year with a win late in the season, and returns into the world's top 100 for the first time in several years.

Tennis

Andy Murray builds on his US Open win in 2012 with a win at Wimbledon. Novak Djokovic wins the Australian Open; Rafael Nadal recovers from his injuries to win the French Open; and Roger Federer makes it four different mens winners for 2013 by winning the US Open, in what could possibly be his last ever win in a major. 

Rugby

Perenara will continue his hot form from 2012

Super Rugby - The Hurricanes build on their surprisingly good 2012 season and finish fourth in the regular season, and second in the New Zealand conference behind the Crusaders. However, they end up losing in the semi-finals. Young Hurricane's halfback TJ Perenara debuts for the All Blacks.

International - The Wallabies, now at full strength with the returning David Pocock and Will Genia, defeat the All Blacks in the first match of the Rugby Championship at ANZ Stadium. However, that is the only hiccup the All Blacks suffer in 2013, as they complete a clean sweep over the French during the June test matches.



Cricket

Ross Taylor returns to the Black Caps after the captaincy saga, and scores a century in the first test match against England. Unfortunately, the team is unable to win the series against the Poms. New skipper Brendon McCullum takes more responsibility as captain, recording two centuries in the one day internationals, guiding the Black Caps to a 2-1 in that series. Jesse Ryder does not return to the national team and continues to perform remarkably well for the Wellington Firebirds.

 

Things that wont happen

 

Cricket

Scott and Williams

Mike Hesson is spotted eating dinner with Ross Taylor the day before Taylor scores a double century to help the Black Caps beat England in the first test match of their series. The next day, Hesson resigns as coach of the team.


Golf

Adam Scott erases his 2012 demons by remarkably winning the British Open, and caddy Steve Williams decides that this is now the best moment of his career. After convincing Scott, Williams is succesful on getting his named engraved on the Claret Jug, and an amateur photo circulates on Twitter of Steve Williams showing Tiger Woods his first major trophy.

Cycling

Lance Armstrong confesses all.

Athletics

Nadzeya Ostapchuk formally apologizes to Valerie Adams and the other participants in the 2012 Olympics women's shotput final, for taking steroids. The Belarusian also personally apologizes to Adams for accusing here of taking drugs in 2005. Adams accepts the apology, but still does not forgive Ostaphchuk for what she did last year.

One of either Yohan Blake or Usain Bolt test positive for drugs.

Football/Soccer 

Zero probability: Totti signs with the Phoenix

(This would be a dream come true in a way) - Another legend of Italian football signs with the A-League. Francesco Totti, a close friend of current Sydney FC player Alessandro Del Piero, signs with the Wellington Phoenix on a 2 year, $2 million dollar deal, after Phoenix owner Gareth Morgan realizes that a marquee player of the attacking midfield type could help the Phoenix improve. Totti, who scored over 200 goals in more than 500 appearances for AS Roma in the Serie A, said that "Ale" convinced him that the A-League is a great place to play football, but he made up his own mind when deciding to sign with the New Zealand based team. On his arrival to Wellington, Totti is asked the typical cringe-worthy questions: "What do you think of New Zealand?" "Have you seen The Hobbit? "Are you familiar with the All Blacks?"

Alessandro Del Piero decides to leave Sydney FC, joining up with close rivals the Central Coast Mariners. Del Piero is labelled a traitor by all Sydney supporters, but states himself that he is now happy playing for a team that "knows how to pass, defend, and win."

Happy New Year everybody, best wishes for 2013.