World Cup 2014!

[Sload Soap]

With less than two weeks to go before the start of the World Cup in Brazil I think it's time for a dedicated thread. Not sure how much input there will be: gamers and American's aren't traditionally know for their love of the beautiful game. Nonetheless the 2010 thread did OK, so if you have any interest at all here is the place to voice it.

So, who do you think will win it and why? How far do you think your national team will get? Who will be the tournaments dark horses or plucky underdogs? Which of the big nations will under perform and blame it on the ball? Who has the best kit? Who has the worst? What crazy new rules will Michel Platini come up with next? And will FIFA ever pay any tax on anything ever?!

Personally my money, like a lot of folks, is on Brazil to lift it. I think England should get to the quarters but only if they actually play attack minded football. Belgium are the team for the neutral fan, with Uruguay as the dark horses to win the whole thing. The USA are unfortunate to be in the so called group of death but I can't see them being pushovers either. I actually think Group C is the toughest group with the teams in it being of reasonably equal strength.

To help anyone unfamiliar out, here's a handy chart of the groups. Tough groups for the USA and England.


And here is a schedule to get you started.

[Sload Soap]

Well, they'll be doing better than Scotland have, that's for sure.

[oxymoron]

'merica for the win. Even if we don't win we're still the undefeated Superbowl champions.

[Aramonde]

For along time i never liked soccer but i wanted to talk about the game on another forum with Europeans and give the sport another shot. I watched last years champions league game and other euro league matches and liked it.

So i was excited about the world cup until i saw what group we were in. The Portuguese and Germans fuck me! Tbh i don't know what teams are good other than the few power house nations who are always strong so i couldn't predict any teams other than Brazil, Germany, Portugal, Uruguay and Argentina to take it.

[Sload Soap]

So i was excited about the world cup until i saw what group we were in. The Portuguese and Germans fuck me! Tbh i don't know what teams are good other than the few power house nations who are always strong so i couldn't predict any teams other than Brazil, Germany, Portugal, Uruguay and Argentina to take it.

I wouldn't despair too much. I think the USA will put in some good performances. You might even go through, if you beat Ghana and nick a draw off Portugal or Germany. Not as far-fetched a scenario as it seems.

You've covered most of the big teams aside from current holders and second favourites to win, Spain. There's also France who alternate between getting knocked out in the group phase and getting to the final. Last time they got knocked out in the group phase so...
And who knows what Italy will do? Euro finalists and well beaten, but they steamrollered the Germans in the semi. With Balotelli upfront and De Rossi in midfield there is always an element of chaos.

Elsewhere, Columbia have some tasty attacking prospects and in their group we have the Ivory Coast who are always good to watch. As mentioned Belgium will bring a strong squad of young and exciting players, though their lack of experience at this level may hobble them.

[Aramonde]

So i was excited about the world cup until i saw what group we were in. The Portuguese and Germans fuck me! Tbh i don't know what teams are good other than the few power house nations who are always strong so i couldn't predict any teams other than Brazil, Germany, Portugal, Uruguay and Argentina to take it.

I wouldn't despair too much. I think the USA will put in some good performances. You might even go through, if you beat Ghana and nick a draw off Portugal or Germany. Not as far-fetched a scenario as it seems.

You've covered most of the big teams aside from current holders and second favourites to win, Spain. There's also France who alternate between getting knocked out in the group phase and getting to the final. Last time they got knocked out in the group phase so...
And who knows what Italy will do? Euro finalists and well beaten, but they steamrollered the Germans in the semi. With Balotelli upfront and De Rossi in midfield there is always an element of chaos.

Thanks for trying to make me feel better.

You can draw in the world cup? Sorry this will be my first time watching the event. So how does the tournament work?

[Pulsar_t]

Twenty grown men pace a field forth and back chasing after a rubber ball for 90 minutes, trying to kick it into a large net or preventing the opposing team from doing so. There are two net keepers who just stand there most of the match trying to look busy. Last but not least you get a referee with a high rate of error of judgment trying his best to piss off one team's fans more than the other's. Oh and the fans are such fine specimens of homo sapien.

[dsheinem]

Gooooooooaaaaaaaallllllll!

Yaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwnnnnnnnn!

[alienjesus]

Oh and the fans are such fine specimens of homo sapien.

They're almost as bad as people who make ridiculous generalisations based on the behaviour of just a few.

And as someone who can't understand why people enjoy watching sport at all, I don't see why people need to come in here and post negative stuff about football if they aren't fans. Just ignore the damn thread.

[Pulsar_t]

Oh and the fans are such fine specimens of homo sapien.

They're almost as bad as people who make ridiculous generalisations based on the behaviour of just a few.

Guilty as charged!