2014 FIFA World Cup

[pink_triangle]

This world cup

Great games

Great attacking football

Great goals

Strong perfomances from some of the secondary teams.

Very good standard of officiating

Great quarter final line up, lacking teams making up the numbers as in previous world cups

Lots of very attractive females in the crowd.

By far the best world cup I have seen. I just hope the tournament continues like this.

[ThomThomDrum]

Very good standard of officiating

[pink_triangle]

I agree with everything you say with the exception of this.

"Very good" is way too high of praise IMO. Major fuck ups have been made (being costly in some cases) and the usual suspected decisions that are incorrect are continued to be made game in game out.

To me its as good as can be expected (which is not that good) considering the lack of reform within FIFA with respect to officiating the game

[Gucci Piggy]

All the group winners are through to the quarters, aren't they? Should make for great viewing now I have nothing else to do.

[pink_triangle]

The only problem is the games continuing to dry up, only 8 games in the next 12 games! I feel this world cup has really boosted my love of the game after getting a bit fed up with the money aspect that runs through the whole domestic game. While I know people will talk about FIFA corruption and Brazilian socioeconomic issues, I have (rightfully or wrongfuly) just seen this world cup as fantastic escapism.

[ThomThomDrum]

In 56 games there will always be major fuck ups, there are major fuck ups every week in the premiership. Considering the human element will always result in mistakes, I think the mistakes have been significantly below what you would expect from 56 random games. I think the referees have also in general let games flow, which is apparently consistent with a directive from FIFA and have kept suspensions at sensible levels. Referees get plenty of crap when they make mistakes and I think deserve credit when doing a good job.

[Dead throne]

Belgium-US game was the best game of the World Cup by far. Sooooo tense.

[thetime]

I have the Argies in the work sweepstake

[eFestivals]

All the group winners are through to the quarters, aren't they?

Yep, first time it's happen apparently.

I've only seen a fewe of the recent games, but they've been great. While the "traditionally stronger" sides have tended to be the ones to come thru, there's been some fantastically close games, where the underdog has given it a proper go and could have had the win with just a few different bounces of the ball.

The differences in skill levels amongst nations are starting to close. It won't be long before a non-trad team will be walking away with the trophy.

[kaosmark2]

It won't be long before a non-trad team will be walking away with the trophy.

[Gucci Piggy]

Yep, first time it's happen apparently.

I've only seen a fewe of the recent games, but they've been great. While the "traditionally stronger" sides have tended to be the ones to come thru, there's been some fantastically close games, where the underdog has given it a proper go and could have had the win with just a few different bounces of the ball.

The differences in skill levels amongst nations are starting to close. It won't be long before a non-trad team will be walking away with the trophy.

[Gucci Piggy]

Columbia in a couple of weeks?

[mrtourette]

The number of close games have certainly been great to watch, but I'm not ao sure whether it's because of the so-called lesser teams getting better or the traditional big teams struggling and looking sluggish. Brazil, Argentina, Germany and Spain have all failed to look convincing and I don't think that can be just down to the lesser teams getting better. I think there's an element of these bigger teams or certainly individual players within those teams significantly under-performing, as much as the opposite could be true (as gutsy and hard-working as the US were last night Belgium were walking all over them at various times throughout the game and should have scored a hatful). Whatever the reason, long may it continue.

[eFestivals]

I've only seen Germany-Algeria and Belgium-USA since Glastonbury and they've both been brilliant.

What i've loved about this world cup is that I don't feel I've watched any game where any side has been playing for a draw from the start - there's been a lot of them previously.

I don't even feel I've watched a game where a team has gone out with the intention of trying not to lose as their first tactic. They all seem to be going out there to play for the win.

It'll all be over too soon.

[pink_triangle]

While Colombia have looked good at present, there needs to be some caution as usually the team who looks best in the first 4 games, is not the one who wins the trophy 2 weeks later.

While Uruguay are previous winners, Im not sure I would class them as one of the elite teams and beating a Brazil, Germany, Holland, Argnetina etc is a different challenge, not just from a talent viewpoint but also a mental one.

[pink_triangle]

What i've loved about this world cup is that I don't feel I've watched any game where any side has been playing for a draw from the start - there's been a lot of them previously.

I don't even feel I've watched a game where a team has gone out with the intention of trying not to lose as their first tactic. They all seem to be going out there to play for the win.

It'll all be over too soon.

[pink_triangle]

International football isn't really a young man's game. I thought Germanys tournament experience shone through. A couple of years too early for the French, but they should get better

[ThomThomDrum]

Ref is having a stinker here in the Columbia Brazil game. He is letting Brazil away with murder

[pink_triangle]

I think stinker is a bit harsh as I have seen games where officials have got all the key decisions wrong, to me the officials got most key decisions correct eg penalty, luiz free kick and disallowed goal. I understand the argument that if Fernandinhio had been punished the game may have been different, however in my opinion the referee was too lenient with both teams. I suppose leniency is consistent with FIFAs directive before the tournament and we have all seen games ruined by card happy referees, but there must be a happy medium.

People read way too much into the early games of the tournament. When people think of France in 1998 they think of a very good team outclassing Brazil in the final and forget that they labored through every knockout game to reach the showpiece.

I thought Brazil were the better side and deserved to win today. Colombia did very little for the first 75 minutes Despite often being portrayed as a clown in this country, I think Luiz is a huge player for Brazil and has been good both defensively and offensively in this world cup. He also seems to be relishing playing some kind of leadership role within the team.

[Gucci Piggy]

Neymar out for the rest of the tournament. I see Germany beating them now.

[mrtourette]

A bit rich Scolari complaining about Neymar being hunted, Brazil were knocking seven bells out of Rodriguez all game.

[thetime]

Neymar out for the rest of the tournament. I see Germany beating them now.

[The Nal]

No Silva or Neymar for the semi. Ouch.

[pink_triangle]

Others will have to step up like Geoff Hurst did in 66. Maybe others will flourish without always looking for Neymar, maybe they will fall apart.

There is also pressure on Germany as they are a squad full of players who have lost their fair share of semi finals both at European and international level.

[pink_triangle]

Amazing thing in this world cup is the lack of shocks. I think the favourites have won every knockout game so far, despite nearly all being run close.