World Cup 2014: BRASIL

[Skykid]

He looked knackered for the majority of the tournament. I wouldn't be surprised if it comes out later that he was playing on painkilling injections or something.

Most talented attacking player in the world, biggest game of them all, doesn't get a shot on target. Not sure that's good enough.

The Adidas sponsored award going to their biggest player...

You sound a tad jaded for some reason. He didn't score in the final, but that's partly down to Germany's defence. I thought he was brilliantly creative throughout the tournament and displayed beautiful skill. He was undoubtedly instrumental in seeing his country to the final, too.

[SharkSkin-Man]

He'll always be lovely to watch, just because of the inherent ability, he wasn't playing like Carlton Palmer or anything - beautiful technique never goes away.

But it just didn't look like the Messi of 2-3 years ago, he spent long periods waiting for the play to come to him, rather than looking for the ball desperate to make a difference. I don't think the guy's lazy, so I can only guess he was holding back because of fitness, making sure he could play 90 mins in every game.

[R-Gray 1]

Even James Rodriguez deserved more the golden ball IMO. but i understand his team only reached quarter finals.


No doubt Messi is the best football player in the world, much more than CR7, but i think he doesn't deserved this award in this WC.
Even Forlan deserved more in Southafrica 2010


Individual Fifa awards
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=201 ... faworldcup



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[CIT]

Just back from the madness in Berlin's streets. Wow, what a nerve-wrecking game! Argentina was very strong, and Messi is one of the greatest sportsmen of all time, but in the end Germany had the more complete team and greater willpower.

Congrats to Brazilians for hosting the best World Cup I've experienced. (been following all since 1990)

[Ed Oscuro]

http://sadbrazilians.tumblr.com/

:^(

(Of course somebody has to boil it all down like that, or try. But I did laugh at "so sad his glasses almost flew off.")

[d3vak]

Am I the only one who thinks it is just plain wrong to show little kids crying?

[Ed Oscuro]

Am I the only one who thinks it is just plain wrong to show little kids crying?

There is a lot of wrong in that Tumblr, yes. Though I didn't mind the one that said "you've got a lot of soccer left" or whatever. But even beyond that, I wasn't thinking about that aspect - portrayal of minors in media is at least an ethical consideration. And by connection with that, perhaps I should have foregone the link - I didn't mean to upset my fellow forumers, who might be upset by such a thing for other reasons entirely.

Honestly, I am not sure what to make of the Tumblr. Is it in good humor? Bad? I don't know. And probably I should stay out of it since I haven't had much to say about the matches (I haven't even been able to watch one, just kept up with the news as best I could).

[d3vak]

Yes man, I meant what you just said! BTW it didn't bother me that you posted it.
The ones who are making a horrible job are the broadcasters... I got really sick of seeing that hipster gal with the big golden watch crying because they put that on the TV the whole fucking time after Brazil's defeat but I honestly would have preferred to see her a lot more times rather than those kids crying.

[BIL]

Damn. So sad my own glasses almost flew off, beginning to vibrate ominously. I had to click over to Pornhub Comments On Stock Photos to stave off the sadness and keep them safely in place!

[Ed Oscuro]

And then all was right with the world. I might have to click back to the Sadness to get back some composure after reading two dozen of those!

[gbaplayer]

Awesome game last night and we finally did get our 4th star. Both teams were great but thanks to Super Mario we did beat the Final Boss.
After 3 hours sleep and now being at work, i still cant believe it...and that referee...

[Skykid]

And that's a wrap folks! Congratulations to Germany, I'm sure the beer will be flowing for about a week or two.

Before closing the thread doors I'd like to prod you all for your overall thoughts on this year's tournament. Was it the best WC, the worst, the average? What did you like and dislike about it?

There are a lot of conflicting opinions being expressed in media about its quality. I know what I think, but I'd like to hear from you guys first.

[austere]

I liked the initial group matches that I watched, really enjoyed Australia's teamwork and Holland is always entertaining. Things steadily declined after the first few group matches, though I didn't get a chance to watch many due to timezone differences.

From the highlights alone I could tell it wasn't that great a world cup, more boring than 2010 for sure, which was the most boring cup ever for me. If someone was to say it the worst WCs in the last few decades, I would believe them.

[TransatlanticFoe]

Some belting goalless draws, so much tension in extra time in so many matches. Undecided as to whether it was better than France '98 though.

Best bits? Some superb goalkeeping. Tim Howard's one-man defense was epic, likewise Neuer's last-ditch challenges halfway inside his own half. Klose getting the record - in a world of divers and pretentious twats, it's great to see success for someone who comes across as a decent bloke. Columbia! Chile vs Brazil! Germany vs Brazil! Fred's hilarious attempts at being a footballer.

Downsides? So much diving. Someone needs to tackle Robben hard so he can put his theatrics into perspective. A real shame that Algeria and Costa Rica didn't stick with the style that got them through the group stages. Abysmal TV coverage, particularly slating Klose for not being any good.

[Skykid]

Abysmal TV coverage, particularly slating Klose for not being any good.

BBC or ITV?

Do tell?

[gbaplayer]

This years World Cup was not so entertaining as the ones in 2006 and 2010, but in the end we finally got the title and that is for me all that matters.
Best matches this year (in my opinion) Netherlands vs. Spain, Brazil vs. Chile, Germany vs. Algeria, Germany vs. Brazil, Germany vs. Argentina.

Biggest surprises: Italy and Spain lose in the initial group matches.

[SharkSkin-Man]

Highlight of the UK TV coverage was Glen Hoddle referring to Algeria as Al-Jazeera.

[Skykid]

Highlight of the UK TV coverage was Glen Hoddle referring to Algeria as Al-Jazeera.

Ha ha ha!

[Sly Cherry Chunks]

This year, 100% of my World Cup coverage was provided by shmup forum. Thanks everyone.

Always good to see England fail.

I think a nyer-nyer is in order.

[TransatlanticFoe]

Abysmal TV coverage, particularly slating Klose for not being any good.

BBC or ITV?

Do tell?

BBC. They started well with Seedorf and Henry. Then ended up with Shearer and Rio Ferdinand. Rio was ripping into Klose because he thinks legendary players should excite and do awesome dribbles and hit 30 yard screamers, whilst seemingly unaware he was sat next to Gary Lineker. Shearer sort of tried to defend Klose but didn't seem like he could be bothered.

BBC coverage was, in general, on a par with the dreadfulness that is ITV this year. Games which had a 5 Live commentary option were a godsend.

[Skykid]

I understand Shearer at one point declared it the best World Cup to date?

[SharkSkin-Man]

It probably was for Shearer: he got flown out to Brazil, put up in a boss hotel and got paid to watch a load of footie.

[President_Obama]

He probably fucked a truckload of dead children for £4.50

[gbaplayer]

Has anybody noticed this?

[Skykid]

He probably fucked a truckload of dead children for £4.50

Edit not required. I LOL'd at the original.

[Lord Satori]

He probably fucked a truckload of dead children for £4.50

lol, what?!

[R-Gray 1]

Also i liked some Usa, Ghana and Uruguay matches. Suarez bites but is a gr8 player.


Vote for the goal of the Tournament!!
im not sure to which vote. More than 1 for me were excellent goals. James, Van Persie, Cahil

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/videos/goa ... index.html

[President_Obama]

As someone who has absolutely no interest in football, that Suarez incident really intrigued me.
Why is it OK that a grown man in his thirties thinks it's perfectly fine to bite another human being and why were so many, so quick to defend him? It's one of the most insane things I have ever seen, that behaviour like that is somehow 'rationalised' by the fans and the media. The guy should be sent to live on another planet, or at least Broadmoor.

[d3vak]

As someone who has absolutely no interest in football, that Suarez incident really intrigued me.
Why is it OK that a grown man in his thirties thinks it's perfectly fine to bite another human being and why were so many, so quick to defend him? It's one of the most insane things I have ever seen, that behaviour like that is somehow 'rationalised' by the fans and the media. The guy should be sent to live on another planet, or at least Broadmoor.

Suarez is wacko. I neved liked him.

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Well I did enjoy this WC, in fact, I haven't enjoyed one this much since the '98 one.

What I liked the most: The outsiders/underdogs performance (Costa Rica, Colombia, Mexico, Algeria,The USA, etc.)

What I disliked the most: The divings. In my country, lots of people claim that Robben should've been the one to get the Adidas Golden Ball. I think he's a strong candidate, but for The Oscars.

On the Adidas Golden Ball: Personally I would have given the prize to Mascherano for what he accomplished. He was the one who built up the amazing defensive teamwork Argentina showed lately.

Anyway, I would also like to point out the revival of Gary Lineker's famous quote:

Football is a simple game. Twenty-two men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans always win.

[SharkSkin-Man]

It was absolutely hilarious.