Eight countries left, all chasing the 18 for 18; I refer to pounds in karats of gold. Well, not all of it is solid, but 75% happens to be.

The current trophy has been around since 1974, replacing the Jules Rimet Trophy, which was kept by Brazil in 1970, after winning the tournament for their 3rd time (1958, 1962, 1970).

Valued at approximately  $161,000, will one of the underdogs manage to steal a few games and take home the coveted prize? We use the term "steal," as thats what ultimately happened to the original Jules Rimet Trophy, when it was stolen on December 19th, 1983, in Rio De Janiero. The trophy has yet to be recovered until this day, but it is said to have been melted down and sold.

Enough about the prize, first these teams must handle business, and four teams will break through into the semifinals; the question,  which flags will they carry?

Break on through.....

If trends are your type of thing, 17 of the past 20 semi-finalists in this tournament have been group winners. The last team to be runner-up and be crowned Champion was Italy in 1986. Again, these are just numbers.

Women lie, Men lie, but the numbers don't. We have six group winners and two runner-ups; keep these things in mind.

Updated odds

Brazil    +300
France    +400
England    +400
Belgium    +500
Croatia    +600
Uruguay    +1600
Russia    +2000
Sweden    +2500

When picking some of these futures, make sure you get a better price playing it now rather than doing a moneyline roll over. The possible semifinal match-ups have been released, and at many spots, you can find the projected lines, so use them to your advantage. Dig into the numbers to make sure you're getting the most value per wager.

Quarterfinals

Friday 7/6    
France vs. Uruguay          
France   +106
Uruguay +367
Draw +214
Over       
Under   2 -119

Advance
France -215
Uruguay +185

Belgium vs Brazil
Belgium   +275 +.5   -127
Brazil   +116
Draw +246
Over     2.5 +102
Under

Advance
Belgium  +150
Brazil   -165

Saturday  7/7

England vs Sweden
England   -103
Sweden +375       +.5 -108
Draw +233
Over
Under   2 -115

Advance
England -230
Sweden   +200

Croatia vs Russia
Croatia +124     
Russia +302     +.5 -136
Draw +209
Over
Under    2 -117

Advance
Croatia  -165
Russia   +150

Friday plays

Uruguay/ France Under 2   1U
First-half draw   1U
France Advance 1U

MAX PLAYS

Brazil/Belgium Both teams to score  -130 MAX
Over 2  -178   MAX
Over 2.5  +102 MAX

Total corners over 9½     3U
Philippe Coutinho scores a goal   +330 1U
Penalty kick awarded   YES +170 1U

Peoples Parlay   1U (4 spots leave 2 open)

France Advance

Brazil/Belgium BTTS

For any questions or comments reach me @JerryBoKnowz on Twitter.