2014 FIFA World Cup

[kaosmark2]

Anyway, I see there as being 5 teams in it, and all of them lacking something:

Germany - climate + have been bottling it slightly in recent tournaments

Spain - key players aging/injured, not the force they were, etc.

Argentina - shaky defense

Uruguay - shakier defense

Brazil - look slightly lacking creatively

I reckon Chile will have a good tournament, I know they've got a tough group but I can't see the Dutch getting out of it between the climate and the infighting.

I'm really excited about the Group C matches (exc. Greece). I think Ivory Coast, Japan and Columbia are all decent teams who typically end up in tough groups. Everyone's writing them off as "if England get out of the group they'll get through the next round" but I don't see any of those as a walk in the park. I think they'll produce some exciting football.

Germany-Ghana is the match I'm most psyched about though. How many times have brothers played for opposing teams in world cups?

[mrtourette]

Germany-Ghana is the match I'm most psyched about though. How many times have brothers played for opposing teams in world cups?

[kaosmark2]

At least once, when Germany played Ghana in 2010.

[mrtourette]

Indeed. And that was a good game. I'm just wondering if there are others...

[kaosmark2]

There aren't.

[mrtourette]

OK

[CHRLY]

Starting to get that little feeling of 'what if' creeping in to me

[The Nal]

Suarez out of the World Cup? Sad if so.

[ThomThomDrum]

Suarez out of the World Cup? Sad if so.

[pink_triangle]

Suarez out of the World Cup? Sad if so.

[ThomThomDrum]

Hope not as a neutral we want all the best players there. Some decent talent going to be missing for non qualification/selection or injury eg Ibrahimovic, Bale, Tevez, (maybe) Falcao. Don't want anyone else on that list.

[strummer77]

Hope not as a neutral we want all the best players there. Some decent talent going to be missing for non qualification/selection or injury eg Ibrahimovic, Bale, Tevez, (maybe) Falcao. Don't want anyone else on that list.

[Bobs]

I'll go as far as using

Winner: Argentina (vs. Brazil)

Flop: Mexico (if they can be counted as a flop?), I'd say Belgium, but i think they'll get through the group at least.

England stage of Elimination: Second Round

Surprise Package: Colombia with Bosnia being a candidate for a QF place.

Game most excited by: Germany Vs. Portugal

Game least excited by: Iran Vs. Nigeria/ Algeria Vs. South Korea

[TheGayTent]

I'll go as far as using

Winner: Argentina (vs. Brazil)

Flop: Mexico (if they can be counted as a flop?), I'd say Belgium, but i think they'll get through the group at least.

England stage of Elimination: Second Round

Surprise Package: Colombia with Bosnia being a candidate for a QF place.

Game most excited by: Germany Vs. Portugal

Game least excited by: Iran Vs. Nigeria/ Algeria Vs. South Korea

[Andre91]

Winner: Argentina (vs. Brazil)

Top Scorer: Higuain/Messi/Neymar (one of those three)

Flop: Netherlands

Surprise Package: Chile

[pink_triangle]

Tim vickery reckons Germany have by far the toughest conditions, while Argentina and Belgium have got the best.

[Andre91]

So they've announced the squad numbers then. Looks like I was wrong about Sterling getting the #7 Jersey!

1. Joe Hart

2. Glen Johnson

3. Leighton Baines

4. Steven Gerrard

5. Gary Cahill

6. Phil Jagielka

7. Jack Wilshere

8. Frank Lampard

9. Daniel Sturridge

10. Wayne Rooney

11. Danny Welbeck

12. Chris Smalling

13. Ben Foster

14. Jordan Henderson

15. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

16. Phil Jones

17. James Milner

18. Rickie Lambert

19. Raheem Sterlin

20. Adam Lallana

21. Ross Barkley

22. Fraser Forster

23. Luke Shaw

That's the list for anyone who doesn't know already

Edited May 22, 2014 by Andre91

[Gucci Piggy]

If we were to take the first 11 on that list as being Hodgson's current thoughts for the starting lineup (probably a little simplistic, I know), then it's only one player (Wilshere instead of Henderson) different to the dreaded one I said I could see him picking. Brilliant.

[ThomThomDrum]

How so? The guy is a major c**t.

[adam1234]

I agree with baz on this one. Can't stand the dirty, cheating, racist little rat. Really can not believe how short a memory some football fans have. He is a disgrace. He is also a phenomenal footballer unfortunately

[Dead throne]

I'll go as far as using

Winner: Argentina (vs. Brazil)

Flop: Mexico (if they can be counted as a flop?), I'd say Belgium, but i think they'll get through the group at least.

[The Nal]

1966: Austria won the Eurovision, Atletico Madrid la Liga, Real Madrid the European Cup, Fulham were relegated, was the last time a team came from 2-0 down in the FA Cup Final....

England won the World Cup......

[kaosmark2]

1966: Austria won the Eurovision, Atletico Madrid la Liga, Real Madrid the European Cup, Fulham were relegated, was the last time a team came from 2-0 down in the FA Cup Final....

England won the World Cup......

[ThomThomDrum]

1966: Austria won the Eurovision, Atletico Madrid la Liga, Real Madrid the European Cup, Fulham were relegated, was the last time a team came from 2-0 down in the FA Cup Final....

England won the World Cup......

Edited May 27, 2014 by ThomThomDrum

[LondonTom]

1966: Austria won the Eurovision, Atletico Madrid la Liga, Real Madrid the European Cup, Fulham were relegated, was the last time a team came from 2-0 down in the FA Cup Final....

England won the World Cup......