Opening game winner will be the heat = they shouldn't bother, so going to be 0-0.
― xyzzzz__, Wednesday, 4 June 2014 10:17 (nine years ago) link
it's good to have strong hosts, & I'd like to see a couple of south american teams in the semis even if the brazil/argentina final doesn't materialize. I also like that there's a replay of the previous final on the second day. be interesting to see how easily the argentine defence holds out in a p weak group. feel like italy &/or ivory coast might quietly creep into the QFs. group g has the best scope for decent teams getting humiliated & belgium/russia/korea seems v watchable & unpredictable in group h.
the important award for best kit might go to france for the v french collar, but I like the inverted algerian kits & their lovely green. argentina's kit is a massive downgrade, 2 white stripes was the truth. cameroon kit is p baroque, the colombian stripe is good, hoping for some good haircut action as always ofc
― ogmor, Wednesday, 4 June 2014 10:20 (nine years ago) link
Should maybe note my above post comes with the caveat that when these Italian fans say "We're not that good" they mean "We probably won't be able to win the cup this year", whereas for England fans the same statement would mean "Shite we'll be lucky to even win a game".
Whatevs, I am an England fan and I cannot help getting giddy at this time of year. This is the first tournament in years where (aside from losing every game / losing BADLY to Italy and Uruguay) they can't really disgrace themselves, but just getting through the group will feel like a reasonable achievement in and of itself.
― Windsor Davies, Wednesday, 4 June 2014 10:21 (nine years ago) link
Think Spain may not get out of their group, and if they do will lose 1-0 in one of their first 2 knockout games. France or Brazil to win with Switzerland or Croatia surprise semi-finalists. Not that bothered who wins as long as it's not England.
― pandemic, Wednesday, 4 June 2014 10:23 (nine years ago) link
It bodes well for England if ITV hire John Terry as a pundit, he'll be there waiting in full kit to join the World Cup victory celebrations.
― pandemic, Wednesday, 4 June 2014 10:27 (nine years ago) link
Switzerland?!
― everyday sheeple (Michael B), Wednesday, 4 June 2014 10:30 (nine years ago) link
Could see the Netherlands missing out if Chile turn up. I think Spain's style will suit the heat better.
― Wristy Hurlington (ShariVari), Wednesday, 4 June 2014 10:32 (nine years ago) link
Cote D'Ivoire run to the semi-finals would be fun.
― Matt DC, Wednesday, 4 June 2014 10:51 (nine years ago) link
The groups are stupidly imbalanced as well. I really don't understand why Switzerland are seeded at all.
― Matt DC, Wednesday, 4 June 2014 10:52 (nine years ago) link
they did beat the tournament winners last World Cup tbf
― arid banter (Noodle Vague), Wednesday, 4 June 2014 11:01 (nine years ago) link
they're 8th in the world
― Number None, Wednesday, 4 June 2014 11:02 (nine years ago) link
anyway I have 1.50 e/w on Toure at 150/1 to be top scorer so I would quite like a Cote D'Ivoire run too
― Number None, Wednesday, 4 June 2014 11:03 (nine years ago) link
Portugal are third in the world and have a better record at international tournaments than Switzerland. I won't pretend to know how these things are worked out.
― Matt DC, Wednesday, 4 June 2014 11:33 (nine years ago) link
Portugal were 11th when the seeding was decided in October last year, i think.
― Wristy Hurlington (ShariVari), Wednesday, 4 June 2014 11:37 (nine years ago) link
14th, in fact, but it does show how quickly rankings can change.
― Wristy Hurlington (ShariVari), Wednesday, 4 June 2014 11:38 (nine years ago) link
Switzerland seem like the lower key version of Belgium. Drnic Xhaka and Shaqiri should be exciting. Hard to root for a team with a center back pairing of Senderos and Djouro though. Hope Fabian Schar starts instead.
― mizzell, Wednesday, 4 June 2014 13:37 (nine years ago) link
Switzerland also have one of the highest rated young full backs (Rodriguez) and three central midfielders that play together at Napoli.
― mizzell, Wednesday, 4 June 2014 13:48 (nine years ago) link
Manchester United's Adnan Januzaj has had his first cap for Belgium taken away after FIFA wiped last month's 5-1 win over Luxembourg from the official records.Coach Marc Wilmots made seven substitutions during the May 26 World Cup warm-up in Genk - one more than the quota permitted by world football's governing body.The decision means that Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku's hat-trick in the match has been erased, while back-up goalkeeper Sammy Bossut also loses his first cap.
Coach Marc Wilmots made seven substitutions during the May 26 World Cup warm-up in Genk - one more than the quota permitted by world football's governing body.
The decision means that Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku's hat-trick in the match has been erased, while back-up goalkeeper Sammy Bossut also loses his first cap.
― Number None, Wednesday, 4 June 2014 17:58 (nine years ago) link
does the US have any chance of advancing beyond group play?
― Sufjenga Cat Giffin (Sufjan Grafton), Wednesday, 4 June 2014 18:03 (nine years ago) link
Ronaldo is carrying an injury so...maybe?
― Number None, Wednesday, 4 June 2014 18:05 (nine years ago) link
It's another tough group. They would do well not to come last.
― Wristy Hurlington (ShariVari), Wednesday, 4 June 2014 18:07 (nine years ago) link
so best case is we steal one against Portugal with an injured Ronaldo? I don't know too much about Ghana's team, other than they are typically much better than us, but is Ghana an even tougher game than Portugal?
― Sufjenga Cat Giffin (Sufjan Grafton), Wednesday, 4 June 2014 18:11 (nine years ago) link
(quietly) go Australia woooo *sob*
shrug
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 4 June 2014 18:13 (nine years ago) link
Ghana are probably sightly better than Portugal. Excellent midfield and a good attack.
― Wristy Hurlington (ShariVari), Wednesday, 4 June 2014 18:16 (nine years ago) link
thanks and ;_;
― Sufjenga Cat Giffin (Sufjan Grafton), Wednesday, 4 June 2014 18:18 (nine years ago) link
with Donovan's goalscoring record at World Cups there's still a chance
― Number None, Wednesday, 4 June 2014 18:19 (nine years ago) link
All the USAUSAUSA pundits agree that if they can beat Ghana they've got a great chance to advance.
xp lol NN
― dan m, Wednesday, 4 June 2014 18:19 (nine years ago) link
Haha xp
― Sufjenga Cat Giffin (Sufjan Grafton), Wednesday, 4 June 2014 18:21 (nine years ago) link
I have a feeling that Germany will struggle which could make the group even more difficult.
― mizzell, Wednesday, 4 June 2014 18:31 (nine years ago) link
feel like if the US wants to purport to be good at the football they should hang tough with their group.. sink or swim bitches
im glad the first US game is the week after my wedding when I wont be doing a fucking thing.
― panettone for the painfully alone (mayor jingleberries), Wednesday, 4 June 2014 18:48 (nine years ago) link
coincidentally this image is making the rounds on usa soccer nerd twitter right now
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BpTmSeaCYAAXtLq.jpg
― dan m, Wednesday, 4 June 2014 18:54 (nine years ago) link
recant my earlier blasphemies about England perhaps not being *totally* shit. I might turn this game off, don't think it's good for my enthusiasm for the tournament as a whole
― Windsor Davies, Wednesday, 4 June 2014 19:09 (nine years ago) link
ah they've actually been alright other than the goal. Lambert and Barkley bright, Rooney fucking it up as usual
― Number None, Wednesday, 4 June 2014 19:16 (nine years ago) link
ox and barkley very bright. number none otm re rooney. stick him on the subs bench for each game.
― For bodies we are ready to build pyramids (whatever), Wednesday, 4 June 2014 19:22 (nine years ago) link
aye the reserve attackers look like they could do a job if called upon, no doubt. just wish the same could be said for the reserve defence
― Windsor Davies, Wednesday, 4 June 2014 19:26 (nine years ago) link
Roooooney
― Number None, Wednesday, 4 June 2014 19:28 (nine years ago) link
smalling so bad it beggars belief. foster worse if possible
― pandemic, Wednesday, 4 June 2014 19:41 (nine years ago) link
milner at right back not much cop either but i give him a pass
― pandemic, Wednesday, 4 June 2014 19:43 (nine years ago) link
balotelli done something special?
― pandemic, Wednesday, 4 June 2014 19:48 (nine years ago) link
delicious flicked/dinked cross for marchisio to head in, lovely stuff
― Blandford Forum, Wednesday, 4 June 2014 19:51 (nine years ago) link
the #7 has been good for ecuador
― pandemic, Wednesday, 4 June 2014 19:53 (nine years ago) link
dwade getting no love from tyldesley there.
― pandemic, Wednesday, 4 June 2014 20:04 (nine years ago) link
merseyside leading 2-1
― pandemic, Wednesday, 4 June 2014 20:08 (nine years ago) link
nice goal. barkley again. can't not start him against italy surely? oh hang on, i forgot danny welbeck.
― For bodies we are ready to build pyramids (whatever), Wednesday, 4 June 2014 20:10 (nine years ago) link
easy done tbf
― dn/ac (darraghmac), Wednesday, 4 June 2014 20:16 (nine years ago) link
Barkley should be starting in place of Rooney though
― Number None, Wednesday, 4 June 2014 20:24 (nine years ago) link
Wellbeck will most likely be marking Pirlo
― cajunsunday, Wednesday, 4 June 2014 20:25 (nine years ago) link
Jesus soft defence this
― dn/ac (darraghmac), Wednesday, 4 June 2014 20:26 (nine years ago) link
Playing someone in WC warmup who isn't actually in your squad takes some cojones.
― Daniwa, guys! Daniwa! (aldo), Wednesday, 4 June 2014 20:27 (nine years ago) link
lol
― arid banter (Noodle Vague), Wednesday, 4 June 2014 20:27 (nine years ago) link