World Cup 2014: BRASIL

[Skykid]

Just around the corner folks! I have high expectations for a great tournament, as usual, really looking forward to it.

Being in China I have a sucky timezone issue with watching all the games live - the schedule puts the games at 12am, 3am, 4am, 6am, and 9am for me. I can do the 12am and 9am and 6am at a push, but the ones in the dead of night will probably have to be seen on replay.

Thankfully no-one speaks enough English to ruin the scorelines in advance. I'll obviously need to be in the bar for the England games, but I've found a hangout that will be broadcasting all night, so that's taken care of.

So predictions this year? What do you think Brazil's chances are of taking it?

[KAI]

The Pope is Argentine, he's a huge soccer fan, he's the closest person to god, the world cup is ours. If we don't win the world cup, god doesn't exist.

[Skykid]

The Pope is Argentine, he's a huge soccer fan, he's the closest person to god, the world cup is ours. If we don't win the world cup, god doesn't exist.

Messi is God too, so you're definitely in with a shout.

[austere]

Being in China I have a sucky timezone issue with watching all the games live - the schedule puts the games at 12am, 3am, 4am, 6am, and 9am for me.

Damn same timezone here, 12am games are probably the only one I can afford to watch. I'm hoping, for the nth time, for a finals match or even a semi-final between Argentina and England. I'll stay up for that no matter what hour it is. But honestly, Brazil is the most likely winner due to their home advantage and typical discipline.

[TransatlanticFoe]

No more having to sneak games in at the office!

With the climate and altitude issues, it'll be hard for the European nations. Germany probably look best suited to progress with their frankly ludicrous array of attacking midfield talent, but literally only have Klose as a proper striker.

Argentina finally get it together perhaps? Uruguay look good up front but have nowt else, so it's hard to see beyond Brazil.

[Icarus]

Roll on England getting knocked out in the quarters, and the inevitable inquest into what the hell went wrong.
(Being a Barça fan, my money's on La Roja.)

[guigui]

It is nice to see you guys talking about football (soccer) in a non derogatory way.

Here in France, after what happened during the last World Cup 2002-2006-2010, football and players have a bad image, and I just cant get interests for it (never could actually).
"We" won 1998 and live in the past since then, yay

[Skykid]

^ France have had it rough, for sure, despite often having a very strong team. I think losing Zidane's wizardry took its toll.

So everyone thinks Spain are past it then? I'd be inclined to agree - the team is that little bit too old now. ...But I'd never say never.

[Limbrooke]

If Brazil loses on home soil, I can't imagine much worse happening. Therefore, they're my pick to be sure. Either way, it should be a great tournament if none of the stadiums collapse.

[Ruldra]

"We" won 1998 and live in the past since then, yay

Over here I still hear conspiracy stories that we handed that victory to you guys. The host losing the championship on the finals at home would be too much embarassing to allow that to happen. And the fact that Ronaldo was very sick that day only adds to the rumors.

Anyway, I may watch a match or two casually but I don't really have any interest in soccer, so enjoy yourselves I guess.

Watch yourself if you're coming over though. The population is pissed and protests may happen. Also, thieves and muggers.

[guigui]

"We" won 1998 and live in the past since then, yay

Over here I still hear conspiracy stories that we handed that victory to you guys. The host losing the championship on the finals at home would be too much embarassing to allow that to happen. And the fact that Ronaldo was very sick that day only adds to the rumors.

Yep, I too cant help but think about it. Anyway, not the subject right now, enjoy the current competition.

[Skykid]

"We" won 1998 and live in the past since then, yay

Over here I still hear conspiracy stories that we handed that victory to you guys. The host losing the championship on the finals at home would be too much embarassing to allow that to happen. And the fact that Ronaldo was very sick that day only adds to the rumors.

Anyway, I may watch a match or two casually but I don't really have any interest in soccer, so enjoy yourselves I guess.

Watch yourself if you're coming over though. The population is pissed and protests may happen. Also, thieves and muggers.

I remember watching that final and I never suspected any foul play. I do remember it being a particularly shitty match, but nothing I'd lose sleep over if I was French. I think it was a fair win.

Who the fuck would back down in a world cup final, even to the hosts??

[SharkSkin-Man]

Roll on England getting knocked out in the quarters, and the inevitable inquest into what the hell went wrong.
(Being a Barça fan, my money's on La Roja.)

I'm thinking about putting a couple of quid on Belgium, though Benteke missing out is a bit of a downer as he suits their style of play more than Lukaku.

[brentsg]

Also, thieves and muggers.

I've heard FIFA called some ugly things, but..

[neorichieb1971]

England supporter here.

The 3 warm up games showed how shite we are. One dimensional (going for crosses), one geared (rarely change pace) and one defense strategy (if not sure pass back to the goal keeper). These are traits that Honduras could defend with 10 men. God help us when Italy, Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Holland and France play with 11. As usual England will double the population of Brazil for 3 weeks only to come back wondering if what they saw was actually called football.

England rarely has a unique talent. Gascoigne, Lineker, Shearer and Owen are the only ones I've seen in my life time. To be a world cup winner you need 3 in the same team.

[Skykid]

^

100% agree. England are useless. But I'll be sitting there on the edge of my seat as usual, through all those sessions of 90 minute agony.

[neorichieb1971]

Believe me Skykid I'll be watching too.. sharing the same agony, on much the edge of the same kind of seat as you.

Roy won't have a seat. The sun will beating on his old head, sweat will be pouring and that silly England outfit he wore at Miami will do nicely for the group rounds. If England get through it won't be by a stretch and getting through will only invite a hammering in the knockout stages. England don't have the legs in the knockout stages.

I want to pick on Rooney for a minute. He keeps saying he will play anywhere. But I hear desperation from his voice. As a striker he should take responsibility for scoring goals so his position should be "in front of goal". I get the feeling England don't want to shoot unless 6 feet away from goal (hence the crosses). You get this feeling watching them play they saying "I don't want to shoot, you shoot"... and so on and so on.

[Marcosan30]

England rarely has a unique talent. Gascoigne, Lineker, Shearer and Owen are the only ones I've seen in my life time. To be a world cup winner you need 3 in the same team.[/quote]

We dutch have three: van persie, sneijder and Robben. I hope you logic is right!!!
Holland for the win

[Joe T.]

Can we un-ban JAPJAC for some true English jingoist bile to get this thread going in the right direction?

[Skykid]

We dutch have three: van persie, sneijder and Robben. I hope you logic is right!!!
Holland for the win

Yes and all wonderful too! Good luck, as long as you don't attempt to inflict GBH on the opposition as you did in the Spain/South Africa final I'd say you're in with a fair chance.


@neorichie - interesting to see others identifying core failings with such exactness, it seems like this has been in discussion nationwide for about 8 years.

Rooney is no good for England, he's never performed. I think it's pressure, the superiority of defence in a national team compared to the Premiership, and a strategic issue where no-one can feed him the ball. Either way he does precious little and seems like a wasted position.

[Marcosan30]

True, i don't know what happened against spain concerning the agression
If they got a bit agressive after we were robbed of a clear penalty (tackle puyol on Robben), i could have understood.

I am afraid the dutch defense and condition will not stack up (under the hot circumstances).
Overall qualitywise i have to say that the Brazilians and the Germans have the best chance of winning.

[Skykid]

Less and less sure about Germany these days. Undeniably solid, but after Italy deconstructed them piece for piece in the Euro I'm wondering if they have the depth to win the tournament.

[Mero]

I'll only be able to see the first group game against Italy because of the kick-off times (I work nights but I'm off that night).
I have my doubts that England are going to qualify from the group to be honest.

[Casey120]

So everyone thinks Spain are past it then? I'd be inclined to agree - the team is that little bit too old now. ...But I'd never say never.

Lets hope so as we have to send out Robben, Van Persie and Sneijder with a bunch of inexperienced twelve year olds in the first match against them .

[Marcosan30]

Less and less sure about Germany these days. Undeniably solid, but after Italy deconstructed them piece for piece in the Euro I'm wondering if they have the depth to win the tournament.

De leading man of the italians (Andrea Pirlo) is turning 101 this year, i don't think they will get far this year They always have a solid defense though

[hanasu]

If the US somehow makes it out of the group I'd call that a win.

[Skykid]

Less and less sure about Germany these days. Undeniably solid, but after Italy deconstructed them piece for piece in the Euro I'm wondering if they have the depth to win the tournament.

De leading man of the italians (Andrea Pirlo) is turning 101 this year, i don't think they will get far this year They always have a solid defense though

Ha ha, yeah the guy's ancient! But heck, if he can still play... His Balotelli partnership was brilliant last time around.

[Herr Schatten]

Less and less sure about Germany these days. Undeniably solid, but after Italy deconstructed them piece for piece in the Euro I'm wondering if they have the depth to win the tournament.

I'd be surprised if they got farther than the quarter finals.

[Ruldra]

Hopefully we won't see too many casualties from stadium snipers this year.

[GaijinPunch]

Hilarious!

Where's the video of all the guys faking injuries? Classic shit.