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World Cup 2014

Madferret

Madferret

New member


The 2014 World Cup in Brazil is just under 3 weeks away. Here is what you need to know leading up to the opening ceremonies June 12:

Who is watching? Who are you supporting? Who are your pre-tournament favorites? I'll also be setting up a pool in the coming days for those interested, I'll post up the info here as soon as it's available.

Hup Holland!
 
L K said:
Over/Under on the number of riots causing serious injury/death?
Click to expand...

Def has that "sh!ts gonna go down" vibe but so did the Winter Olympics in Russia...I think the anarchist factor is just subtext of the world we live in now regardless of the country and stage. I know on average theirs been something like 2 work related deaths a month building up the infrastructure for the WC though...
 
Looking at Group D,  Italy doesn't have it too tough if they can get past Uruguay and Costa Rica.  England won't be 'easy'.  Then again, there could be surprises.

In Group G,  the USA is in along with Germany & Portugal, andthen tbere's Ghana which the Americans should overtake.  Don't think the US will beat Germany nor Portugal.

None of the groups are easy. In fact, I expect South American teams (apart from the usual Brazil & Argentina) to do fairly well even if they don't win most of their games.  Tbere's a South American (as well as Central American) country in every group.

This World Cup taking place in Brazil in SA will do well for quite a few of these types of nations -- climatic conditions and air -- something that may be tougher to get used to, to the non-SA countries.  Just saying.
 
Was just looking at Group B, and thinking could the Dutch usurp WC defending champion Spain?  Love Spain's style & passing, but would like to see the Netherlands get some breaks.

Have met and used to know (and still keep in touch) with some wonderful Dutch people.  They speak English well and quite knowledgeable about Canada, too.  Nice!
 
Madferret said:
L K said:
Over/Under on the number of riots causing serious injury/death?
Click to expand...

Def has that "sh!ts gonna go down" vibe but so did the Winter Olympics in Russia...I think the anarchist factor is just subtext of the world we live in now regardless of the country and stage. I know on average theirs been something like 2 work related deaths a month building up the infrastructure for the WC though...
Click to expand...

Forget the anarchist vibe. There were riots in Brazil last summer during the Confederations Cup, which is the test event for the WC. There's a lot of money being spent in Brazil right now on the WC as well as Rio2016. That has the social justice types in the country pretty upset.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_FIFA_Confederations_Cup#Protests
 
Some interesting groups in this tournament. Group B with Spain, Netherlands, and Australia. Group D with Uruguay, England, and Italy. Group G with US, Portugal, and Germany. Some good teams are going home early.

1 mild surprise is Defoe not being named to the England squad. A major surprise is Landon Donovan not making the US squad. Both men are on the reserve list, but Donovan in particular was considered a slam-dunk to be in the final 23.
 
seahawk said:
Some interesting groups in this tournament. Group B with Spain, Netherlands, and Australia. Group D with Uruguay, England, and Italy. Group G with US, Portugal, and Germany. Some good teams are going home early.

1 mild surprise is Defoe not being named to the England squad. A major surprise is Landon Donovan not making the US squad. Both men are on the reserve list, but Donovan in particular was considered a slam-dunk to be in the final 23.
Click to expand...

Other notable omissions - Tevez <Arg> Kaka <Bra> Nasri <Fra>...Donavon isn't too happy with Klinsmann
 
seahawk said:
Madferret said:
L K said:
Over/Under on the number of riots causing serious injury/death?
Click to expand...

Def has that "sh!ts gonna go down" vibe but so did the Winter Olympics in Russia...I think the anarchist factor is just subtext of the world we live in now regardless of the country and stage. I know on average theirs been something like 2 work related deaths a month building up the infrastructure for the WC though...
Click to expand...

Forget the anarchist vibe. There were riots in Brazil last summer during the Confederations Cup, which is the test event for the WC. There's a lot of money being spent in Brazil right now on the WC as well as Rio2016. That has the social justice types in the country pretty upset.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_FIFA_Confederations_Cup#Protests
Click to expand...

Isn't social justice types & anarchists more or less the same thing?
 
hockeyfan1 said:
Looking at Group D,  Italy doesn't have it too tough if they can get past Uruguay and Costa Rica.  England won't be 'easy'.  Then again, there could be surprises.

In Group G,  the USA is in along with Germany & Portugal, andthen tbere's Ghana which the Americans should overtake.  Don't think the US will beat Germany nor Portugal.

None of the groups are easy. In fact, I expect South American teams (apart from the usual Brazil & Argentina) to do fairly well even if they don't win most of their games.  Tbere's a South American (as well as Central American) country in every group.

This World Cup taking place in Brazil in SA will do well for quite a few of these types of nations -- climatic conditions and air -- something that may be tougher to get used to, to the non-SA countries.  Just saying.
Click to expand...

Wha? Sue Uruguay is a powerhouse! They're ranked 6th in the world and have some of the biggest names in football <Suarez / Cavani>. Group D is t-o-u-g-h

Group C is the weakest group IMO, followed by Group E - France was very fortunate with that draw considering they barely qualified.

Really interested to see how Belgium does, a very young / green squad and full of big name players <Mignolet / Kompany / Lukaku / Hazard>...this is Belgium's coming out party and their is a fair bit of pressure on them to at least get out of the group stage.

Bring on Spain in Group D  8)
 
FIFA World Rankings (by country) top ten:

Men's                                            Women's

1. Spain                                        1. USA
2. Germany                                  2.  Germany
3. Portugal                                    3.  Japan
4. Brazil                                        4. France
5. Colombia                                  5. Sweden
6. Uruguay                                    6. Brazil
7.  Argentina                                7. Canada
8. Switzerland                                8. England
9.  Italy                                        9. North Korea
10 Greece                                    10. Norway

http://www.tsn.ca/soccer/feature/?id=11
 
hockeyfan1 said:
FIFA World Rankings (by country) top ten:

Men's                                            Women's

1. Spain                                        1. USA
2. Germany                                  2.  Germany
3. Portugal                                    3.  Japan
4. Brazil                                        4. France
5. Colombia                                  5. Sweden
6. Uruguay                                    6. Brazil
7.  Argentina                                7. Canada
8. Switzerland                                8. England
9.  Italy                                        9. North Korea
10 Greece                                    10. Norway

http://www.tsn.ca/soccer/feature/?id=11
Click to expand...

Switzerland ahead of Holland...ok
 
Deebo said:
England and USA are ahead of them too
Click to expand...

Such a bizarre ranking process that I try not to pay much attention to or put a lot of stock in. Out of that top 10 I agree with about half and the other half is like they pulled names out of a hat. Portugal needed a playoff to qualify and are ranked 3rd in the world all of a sudden. Switzerland at 8th is an absolute head shrinker
 
Madferret said:
Switzerland at 8th is an absolute head shrinker
Click to expand...

Like these guys?
headshrinkersfs.jpg
 
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