World Cup 2014 thread

[FRED HALE SR.]

Ribery out for France. Looks like their odds just went down tremendously.

[Cuthbert]

Originally Posted by Mr. Charlie

I want Brasil to win. I want England to crash out so Roy's head will quickly roll. England are dull under his management. Sooner he goes the better and if it takes world cup humiliation, so be it.

I'm assuming you're English. I don't agree with that. I want Lambert sacked but I wouldn't want us relegated just so he got sacked. Villa > Everyone else. Same with England (also never got those fans, particularly United/Liverpool, who won't back Gerrard/Scholes/Becks when playing for England?). Plus I think Hodgson is doing OK and is pretty likeable.

If I had to root for someone else it'd be Argentina or the Netherlands.

BTW - BBC Sport - World Cup 2014: France's Franck Ribery out with back injury

[Cuthbert]

Originally Posted by FRED HALE SR.

Ribery out for France. Looks like their odds just went down tremendously.

Yeah, although not a huge loss imo. I know he's a good player, I'm well aware of him and all that, but I've honestly seen him play a ton of times for Bayern, Marseille and France, in big competitions and rarely have I seen him fully impress like all the other world stars do. Maybe there are some other games, like Eintracht Frankfurt & Burkina Faso where he actually does play really well and I've just missed them.

[FRED HALE SR.]

Originally Posted by Christian Benteke

Yeah, although not a huge loss imo. I know he's a good player, I'm well aware of him and all that, but I've honestly seen him play a ton of times for Bayern, Marseille and France, in big competitions and rarely have I seen him fully impress like all the other world stars do. Maybe there are some other games, like Eintracht Frankfurt & Burkina Faso where he actually does play really well and I've just missed them.

He was one of their best players in 2010. Its all relative to competition. Messi hasn't impressed in bog competitions either and hes the best player in the world. Same can be said of Ronaldo. Its not about him playing down to the competition, its the competition shutting them down on a higher level. As an American I am resigned to the USA not making the knock out round.

[FRED HALE SR.]

Originally Posted by theaer

And you discard Germany? I see them clearly winners of the competition.

Brazil, then Germany for me. I can't imagine Brazil eating home cooking and sleeping in their own beds and not winning the Cup.

[Cuthbert]

Originally Posted by FRED HALE SR.

He was one of their best players in 2010. Its all relative to competition. Messi hasn't impressed in bog competitions either and hes the best player in the world. Same can be said of Ronaldo. Its not about him playing down to the competition, its the competition shutting them down on a higher level. As an American I am resigned to the USA not making the knock out round.

They've both dominated European club football for the past 5 years though. That's what I meant. Even if we ignore that, Messi is a gold medallist and Ronaldo was superb in 2004, 2006 and 2012. I've not seen the same level of performance from Ribery.

France were a real shambles in 2010 so that wasn't really an achievement to be the best of a bad bunch. I'm not saying Ribery is shit, just think he's a bit of a myth.

Originally Posted by theaer

And you discard Germany? I see them clearly winners of the competition.

No, root means, support, and I would like the Netherlands to win one after losing three finals, they deserve it for their impact on the sport, and I would like Argentina to just go HAM and slap their dicks all over Brazil (and for Messi).

[Mr. Charlie]

Originally Posted by Christian Benteke

I'm assuming you're English. I don't agree with that. I want Lambert sacked but I wouldn't want us relegated just so he got sacked. Villa > Everyone else. Same with England (also never got those fans, particularly United/Liverpool, who won't back Gerrard/Scholes/Becks when playing for England?). Plus I think Hodgson is doing OK and is pretty likeable.

If I had to root for someone else it'd be Argentina or the Netherlands.

BTW - BBC Sport - World Cup 2014: France's Franck Ribery out with back injury

I'm English, yeah. I just don't think we're gonna go very far in this tournament, so given the choice between an average showing and many more years under Roy, or a total failure and no more years under Roy, I prefer the latter.

I'll still be cheering England on, mind you.

[Cuthbert]

Originally Posted by Mr. Charlie

I'm English, yeah. I just don't think we're gonna go very far in this tournament, so given the choice between an average showing and many more years under Roy, or a total failure and no more years under Roy, I prefer the latter.

I'll still be cheering England on, mind you.

Fair enough. I think we'll do quite well. Semis would be a dream.

I've just seen the USA group

Germany
Portugal
Ghana
USA

If they beat Ghana in their first game and nick a draw against one of Portugal or Germany they could do it.
But yeah that's a shocking group, that Ghana game is massive.

[FRED HALE SR.]

Originally Posted by Christian Benteke

Fair enough. I think we'll do quite well. Semis would be a dream.

I've just seen the USA group

Germany
Portugal
Ghana
USA

If they beat Ghana in their first game and nick a draw against one of Portugal or Germany they could do it.
But yeah that's a shocking group, that Ghana game is massive.

Germany will have their way with The US. Portugal should be able to beat the US handily also. The real problem is Ghana has always had the US'S number everytime they play. They always find a way to score in the second half and pull away, their team speed is very underrated most of the time. I can't see the US beating any of the teams in their group, it doesn't look good. That being said this is probably the best US team i've seen in many years. Klinsmann has put them on the right path, but his efforts won't be seen for years to come.

[Cuthbert]

Originally Posted by FRED HALE SR.

Germany will have their way with The US. Portugal should be able to beat the US handily also. The real problem is Ghana has always had the US'S number everytime they play. They always find a way to score in the second half and pull away, their team speed is very underrated most of the time. I can't see the US beating any of the teams in their group, it doesn't look good. That being said this is probably the best US team i've seen in many years. Klinsmann has put them on the right path, but his efforts won't be seen for years to come.

Yeah could see you losing all three but could also see you finishing second if you win that first game. You've got some good players imo. Brad Guzan

Interesting that Landon Donovan wasn't selected. That Julian Green is at Bayern Munich & was wanted by Germany so he must be half decent surely.