World Cup Draw

by Duty281 Fri 06 Dec 2013, 10:58 am

Live on BBC 2 at 16:30 GMT. Here are the pots:

Pot 1 (top eight seeds): Brazil, Spain, Argentina, Belgium, Colombia, Germany, Switzerland, Uruguay.

Pot 2: Ivory Coast, Ghana, Algeria, Nigeria, Cameroon, Chile, Ecuador.

Pot 3: Japan, Iran, South Korea, Australia, United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, Honduras.

Pot 4: Bosnia-Hercegovina, Croatia, England, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, France.

One team from Pot 4 will move into Pot 2.

England's hardest possible group: Brazil, England, United States, Netherlands (or maybe Italy)...it could happen!
England's easiest possible group: Switzerland, Nigeria, Honduras, England.

I've got my fingers crossed that we get the Argentines!

by Duty281 Fri 06 Dec 2013, 2:20 pm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25261078

Conspiracy. 10 million quid. Over the top security.

And this is only the draw for the world cup!

What's the odds that England get moved from pot 4 to pot 2, and a much harder group? It should be 1 in 9, but I bet there's a far greater chance than that with FIFA involved...

by **VDT** Fri 06 Dec 2013, 3:47 pm

I want England, Brazil, Iran and Algeria!

Having the opening game against Brazil would be Epic!

by compelling and rich Fri 06 Dec 2013, 4:19 pm

I want a hard group, nothing better than the big games. Dont think we've got a chance of winning it so be nice to play few big games before getting knocked out. We had the easiest possible group 4 years ago and didnt help one bit

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Fri 06 Dec 2013, 4:21 pm

In 06 the lowest ranked side were moved to pot 2 from pot 4 which was Serbia and Montenegro. This year it'd be France and suddenly it becomes a random draw...

by compelling and rich Fri 06 Dec 2013, 4:27 pm

Switzerland seeded 1st, remind me again where fifa is based?

by LastDamnation Fri 06 Dec 2013, 4:53 pm

random team moving is fairer

by Ent Fri 06 Dec 2013, 4:54 pm

Why is zidane doing the draw - he disgraced himself, the game and let his country down on the biggest stage of all.

by Ent Fri 06 Dec 2013, 5:05 pm

That's some statistic about Ecuador, 2 points dropped at home in crushing conditions and only 3 gained away.

You'd think someone would sort the qualifying for this competition out.

by Ent Fri 06 Dec 2013, 5:07 pm

Lol who is this guy who can't grasp which group to pick from and is dropping the balls etc?

by LastDamnation Fri 06 Dec 2013, 5:14 pm

by Ent Fri 06 Dec 2013, 5:15 pm

Get down the bookies and punt on England to go out in the group stages.

Opening game in horrific conditions.

by compelling and rich Fri 06 Dec 2013, 5:16 pm

Well we've got a ready made excuse already when we get knocked out, the weather!! Its not like italy are used to playing in the amazon

by Ent Fri 06 Dec 2013, 5:17 pm

Yeah but they are used to keeping the ball.

by Ent Fri 06 Dec 2013, 5:18 pm

God Portugal have a terrible group too.

by LastDamnation Fri 06 Dec 2013, 5:20 pm

Lol @ calling costa rica no hopers, they're a decent team

by monty junior Fri 06 Dec 2013, 5:23 pm

It's just the usual arrogance, all teams there are capable of the upset.

by super_realist Fri 06 Dec 2013, 5:24 pm

As The Doc would say:- "home before the postcards"

by **Crimey** Fri 06 Dec 2013, 5:25 pm

Terrible group for England, France should walk their group.

Can easily see England going out in the group stages, Uruguay and Italy will be too good for them, relying heavily on Costa Rica getting surprise results against those two.

Predictions of group placing?

Group A:

Brazil
Mexico
Croatia
Cameroon

Group B:

Spain
Chile
Netherlands
Australia

Predicting Netherlands to have another shocker when Van Persie can't deliver/injured.

Group C:

Colombia
Ivory Coast
Japan
Greece

Group D:

Uruguay
Italy
England
Costa Rica

Group E:

France
Switzerland
Ecuador
Honduras

Group F:

Argentina
Nigeria
Bosnia
Iran

Group G:

Germany
Portugal
USA
Ghana

Group H:

Belgium
Russia
South Korea
Algeria

by **Crimey** Fri 06 Dec 2013, 5:27 pm

One positive is that if England get through the groups, they will be in a tough game mentality, one of the problems over the last couple of years is England haven't gone up a gear after having easy groups.

by **owen10ozzy** Fri 06 Dec 2013, 5:30 pm

Bye Bye England, England Bye Bye!! Couldn't have got a worse group when taking into account match times, distance between games and playing conditions....add to that the fact we are coming up against Italy & Uruguay! Worst still I think we will already be dumped out by the time we face Costa Rica!

Belgium may see their odds of winning tumble, given the 2nd Round they could meet Germany, Ghana, Portugal!

The draw should dish up one of the best World Cup's ever....will most likely have Mexico/Brazil likely face Spain/Holland in Last 16!! Mad!

My very early predictions for who goes through (ordered in position):

Brazil
Mexico

Spain
Netherlands

Colombia
Ivory Coast

Uruguay
Italy

France
Ecuador

Argentina
Bosnia

Germany
Portugal

Belgium
Russia

That would leave us with a knockout 16 of this:

Brazil vs Netherlands
Spain vs Mexico
Colombia vs Uruguay
Italy vs Ivory Coast
France vs Bosnia
Argentina vs Ecuador
Germany vs Russia
Portugal vs Belgium

Think that could be the tastiest collection of World Cup games EVER!!

by whocares Fri 06 Dec 2013, 5:46 pm

Group E is really pants. all teams are probably happy to be in there but damn how lucky is France again. they miraculously qualify for the WC to play this bunch. wow. and if it wasnt enough they will probably end up playing Nigeria in the 2nd round if they manage to get the top spot. I say that but we know what happened in SA in a similar group and the Swiss are quite solid.

by Guest Fri 06 Dec 2013, 5:48 pm

A 2nd round knock out might well now be considered a success after being dealt that hand.

I wouldn't bet on us progressing. Depends what Italy turns up I suppose.

by Duty281 Fri 06 Dec 2013, 5:49 pm

After that draw, I'm shaking. I'm trembling. My heart rate has increased, and I'm in a state of slightly stunned disbelief.

Just who was that girl at the draw? Stunning. She could straighten me out no problem.

*clears throat*

On to the football, does no one have any faith? Alright, so the first game will be bloody difficult, and the second too, and it's not as if Costa Rica are walkovers, but this is England:

We are better than Uruguay. 1-2 England win.
We are better than Costa Rica. 2-0 England win
We can take Italy as well (though I'd settle for a 0-0 draw).

Interesting to note as well, Italy-England will kick off at 02:00 our time, on an easy Sunday morning.! Uruguay-England is a much more sensible 20:00 , while Costa Rica-England is a dash-home-from-work early job, kicking off at 17:00.

Group topped, it could well lead to a quarter-final against Spain.
Runners-up, it could well lead to a quarter final against Brazil.

Never a backward step, never a backward glance - Come on England!

by monty junior Fri 06 Dec 2013, 5:58 pm

What proof do you have of being better than Uruguay?

by **owen10ozzy** Fri 06 Dec 2013, 5:58 pm

Yes I was waiting for Duty to come along! Has enough positivity to make up for mine and the rest of the sensible supporters negative thoughts!

We are not better than Uruguay; especially one containing a forward line of Suarez, Cavani & Forlan! I expect them to rip us to shreds especially over in South America

If Italy keep the ball and make us chase the way we did at the Euro's then even if we come out of the game with a draw the team will be almost dead with fatigue so won't have a chance even against Costa Rica.

I expect Hodgson to go into both the Uruguay and Italy games playing the good old solid 4-5-1 with Milner on the right and probably combination of two of the following in the middle Lampard/Gerrard/Carrick ...leaving one winger and a striker isolated up front! Look for him to play for two draws and then a win over Costa Rica.

Italy 1-0 England
Uruguay 3-1 England (Combination of travelling and tiredness from 1st game will play a factor; shouldn't but we all know what our players are like at the end of a 'gruelling' league season)
Costa Rica 0-1 England

Out in 3rd Place!

by compelling and rich Fri 06 Dec 2013, 6:00 pm

I doubt I'll remember the italy game if its played early hours of Saturday night/sunday morning. May well be a good thing, in those conditions against italy it will be a shocking game

by compelling and rich Fri 06 Dec 2013, 6:04 pm

Lampard and gerrard cant play italy in those conditions. There legs will go after 15mins.

Hope milner doesnt start, see us being a threat on the break with the likes of townsend, walcott, sturridge or wellbeck. Especially against italy who always struggle against pace.

by Duty281 Fri 06 Dec 2013, 6:08 pm

Italy couldn't take England at Euro 2012 - they've declined since then, whereas England have improve. England 1-1 Italy.

Uruguay have Suarez and Cavani, but we've got a solid defence, and plenty of good attacking players of our own. England 2-1 Uruguay.

Costa Rica are already defeated by this stage - England 2-0 Costa Rica.

Then a quick march to the last 16 against Colombia after topping the group, and England squeak through, 1-0. Wayne Rooney.

*Jerusalem starts playing in the background*

Quarter-Final time against Spain, and England shock the world by turning in their best performance for 13 long years. Gerrard rifles one in from 30 yards, and Lampard finally breaks his duck.

England, with the bit between their teeth, match Argentina over a gruelling 120 minutes in the semi-final, gradually tapping more and more into a rearguard. Just when you think England are defeated, the 3 Lions roar during the penalty shootout.

Then the final, and 1966 is repeated all over again. England, 2-1 winners over Germany, Wayne Rooney clinching the golden boot, Steven Gerrard lifting the trophy, and Roy Hodgson being knighted.

I am allowed to dream, after all.

Italy 1-1 England
England 2-1 Uruguay
England 2-0 Costa Rica
England 1-0 Colombia
England 3-1 Spain
England 2-2 Argentina (England triumph on pens)
England 2-1 Germany

#champions #believe

by super_realist Fri 06 Dec 2013, 6:09 pm

Gerrard can't carry his man boobs around in 99% humidity.

by **owen10ozzy** Fri 06 Dec 2013, 6:58 pm

Duty281 wrote:Italy couldn't take England at Euro 2012 - they've declined since then, whereas England have improve. England 1-1 Italy.

Uruguay have Suarez and Cavani, but we've got a solid defence, and plenty of good attacking players of our own. England 2-1 Uruguay.

Costa Rica are already defeated by this stage - England 2-0 Costa Rica.

Declined since?

Confederations Cup they beat Mexico & Japan and gave Brazil (a team who were pretty decent in that tournament) a very good game before holding Spain to a draw and then beating Uruguay in the final!

They also finished top of their qualifying group; a group which contained Denmark, Czech Republic & Bulgaria.

All done during what has been a transitional stage for them with the manager trying to blood and integrate younger players (not just in friendlies like Hodgson does). The likes of Shaarawy, Verrati, Santon, Insigne, ...! They most certainly haven't declined, and further still this is an Italy team which has proven pedigree at World Cups and almost always bring their best form when in major finals....unlike England!!

I'm also not sure why you think England are a solid outfit defensively; perhaps against the likes of Moldova; these are a selection of our results over past 4 years! I have taken out the likes of Belarus, Moldova, Scotland etc because lets face it these teams are naff (I've been kind enough to allow Poland etc to stay)

19/11/2013 England 0 - 1 Germany International Match Loss
15/11/2013 England 0 - 2 Chile International Match Loss
15/10/2013 England 2 - 0 Poland World Cup, 2014 Brazil, Regional Stages Win
11/10/2013 England 4 - 1 Montenegro World Cup, 2014 Brazil, Regional Stages Win
10/09/2013 Ukraine 0 - 0 England World Cup, 2014 Brazil, Regional Stages Draw
02/06/2013 Brazil 2 - 2 England International Match Draw
26/03/2013 Montenegro 1 - 1 England World Cup, 2014 Brazil, Regional Stages Draw
06/02/2013 England 2 - 1 Brazil International Match Win
14/11/2012 Sweden 4 - 2 England International Match Loss
17/10/2012 Poland 1 - 1 England World Cup, 2014 Brazil, Regional Stages Draw
11/09/2012 England 1 - 1 Ukraine World Cup, 2014 Brazil, Regional Stages Draw
15/08/2012 Italy 1 - 2 England International Match Win
24/06/2012 England 0 - 0 (2 - 4) Italy European Championship, 2012 Poland And Ukraine, Finals Loss on penalties
19/06/2012 England 1 - 0 Ukraine European Championship, 2012 Poland And Ukraine, Finals Win
15/06/2012 Sweden 2 - 3 England European Championship, 2012 Poland And Ukraine, Finals Win
11/06/2012 France 1 - 1 England European Championship, 2012 Poland And Ukraine, Finals Draw
02/06/2012 England 1 - 0 Belgium International Match Win
29/02/2012 England 2 - 3 Holland International Match Loss
15/11/2011 England 1 - 0 Sweden International Match Win
12/11/2011 England 1 - 0 Spain International Match Win
07/10/2011 Montenegro 2 - 2 England European Championship, 2012 Poland And Ukraine, Regional Stages Draw
02/09/2011 Bulgaria 0 - 3 England European Championship, 2012 Poland And Ukraine, Regional Stages Win
04/06/2011 England 2 - 2 Switzerland European Championship, 2012 Poland And Ukraine, Regional Stages Draw
29/03/2011 England 1 - 1 Ghana International Match Draw
09/02/2011 Denmark 1 - 2 England International Match Win
17/11/2010 England 1 - 2 France International Match Loss
12/10/2010 England 0 - 0 Montenegro European Championship, 2012 Poland And Ukraine, Regional Stages Draw
07/09/2010 Switzerland 1 - 3 England European Championship, 2012 Poland And Ukraine, Regional Stages Win
03/09/2010 England 4 - 0 Bulgaria European Championship, 2012 Poland And Ukraine, Regional Stages Win
11/08/2010 England 2 - 1 Hungary International Match Win
27/06/2010 Germany 4 - 1 England World Cup, 2010 South Africa, Finals Loss
12/06/2010 England 1 - 1 USA World Cup, 2010 South Africa, Finals Draw
30/05/2010 Japan 1 - 2 England International Match Win
24/05/2010 England 3 - 1 Mexico International Match Win
14/11/2009 Brazil 1 - 0 England International Match Loss
10/10/2009 Ukraine 1 - 0 England World Cup, 2010 South Africa, Regional Stages Loss
09/09/2009 England 5 - 1 Croatia World Cup, 2010 South Africa, Regional Stages Win
12/08/2009 Holland 2 - 2 England International Match Draw
01/04/2009 England 2 - 1 Ukraine World Cup, 2010 South Africa, Regional Stages Win
11/02/2009 Spain 2 - 0 England International Match Loss

So in 1 games against decent-very good opposition we have kept just 10 clean sheets! That is not the sign of a defensively solid outfit!

Look at our record against top teams: Germany, Italy, Spain, France, Holland, Brazil, Belgium, Mexico, Chile: Played 15 W4 D4 L7 (4 Clean Sheets)

Nothing points to us being a solid team, especially against the best the World has to offer. And nothing suggests we are capable of getting out of our group based on results and performances over the past 4 years! Even under Roy, once you take out the gimme games against Moldova & San Marino he only has a record of 6 clean sheets in 20 games!!

by socal1976 Fri 06 Dec 2013, 7:05 pm

The draws seem a bit unbalanced, there seems to be 3 groups of death and then a couple of laughably easy groups. Group B,G, and D look brutal, while the rest of the groups look like cupcake draws. England has a real fight on their hands to get through, at best I say their chances will be 50/50. Uruguay is the third traditional power in South America and Italy, I always would bet on Italy over England. My two teams Iran and the USA have little to no chance, US has a lot of recent history with all three teams in that group. Germany will carve us up real nice and Ghana is no pushover, and Portugal is a victim of one of team USA's biggest scalps. Iran actually as a weaker team has a draw that they could possibly do some thing with. They will give 5 or 6 to the argies, but the Iranians will be able to score on the other two teams they have some good technical players. Screw it, I am picking Iran and USA to make it out of group and England not to, I wonder what odds I could get for that trifecta.

by socal1976 Fri 06 Dec 2013, 7:08 pm

owen10ozzy wrote:
Duty281 wrote:Italy couldn't take England at Euro 2012 - they've declined since then, whereas England have improve. England 1-1 Italy.

Uruguay have Suarez and Cavani, but we've got a solid defence, and plenty of good attacking players of our own. England 2-1 Uruguay.

Costa Rica are already defeated by this stage - England 2-0 Costa Rica.
Declined since?

Confederations Cup they beat Mexico & Japan and gave Brazil (a team who were pretty decent in that tournament) a very good game before holding Spain to a draw and then beating Uruguay in the final!

They also finished top of their qualifying group; a group which contained Denmark, Czech Republic & Bulgaria.

All done during what has been a transitional stage for them with the manager trying to blood and integrate younger players (not just in friendlies like Hodgson does). The likes of Shaarawy, Verrati, Santon, Insigne, ...! They most certainly haven't declined, and further still this is an Italy team which has proven pedigree at World Cups and almost always bring their best form when in major finals....unlike England!!

I'm also not sure why you think England are a solid outfit defensively; perhaps against the likes of Moldova; these are a selection of our results over past 4 years! I have taken out the likes of Belarus, Moldova, Scotland etc because lets face it these teams are naff (I've been kind enough to allow Poland etc to stay)

19/11/2013 England 0 - 1 Germany International Match Loss
15/11/2013 England 0 - 2 Chile International Match Loss
15/10/2013 England 2 - 0 Poland World Cup, 2014 Brazil, Regional Stages Win
11/10/2013 England 4 - 1 Montenegro World Cup, 2014 Brazil, Regional Stages Win
10/09/2013 Ukraine 0 - 0 England World Cup, 2014 Brazil, Regional Stages Draw
02/06/2013 Brazil 2 - 2 England International Match Draw
26/03/2013 Montenegro 1 - 1 England World Cup, 2014 Brazil, Regional Stages Draw
06/02/2013 England 2 - 1 Brazil International Match Win
14/11/2012 Sweden 4 - 2 England International Match Loss
17/10/2012 Poland 1 - 1 England World Cup, 2014 Brazil, Regional Stages Draw
11/09/2012 England 1 - 1 Ukraine World Cup, 2014 Brazil, Regional Stages Draw
15/08/2012 Italy 1 - 2 England International Match Win
24/06/2012 England 0 - 0 (2 - 4) Italy European Championship, 2012 Poland And Ukraine, Finals Loss on penalties
19/06/2012 England 1 - 0 Ukraine European Championship, 2012 Poland And Ukraine, Finals Win
15/06/2012 Sweden 2 - 3 England European Championship, 2012 Poland And Ukraine, Finals Win
11/06/2012 France 1 - 1 England European Championship, 2012 Poland And Ukraine, Finals Draw
02/06/2012 England 1 - 0 Belgium International Match Win
29/02/2012 England 2 - 3 Holland International Match Loss
15/11/2011 England 1 - 0 Sweden International Match Win
12/11/2011 England 1 - 0 Spain International Match Win
07/10/2011 Montenegro 2 - 2 England European Championship, 2012 Poland And Ukraine, Regional Stages Draw
02/09/2011 Bulgaria 0 - 3 England European Championship, 2012 Poland And Ukraine, Regional Stages Win
04/06/2011 England 2 - 2 Switzerland European Championship, 2012 Poland And Ukraine, Regional Stages Draw
29/03/2011 England 1 - 1 Ghana International Match Draw
09/02/2011 Denmark 1 - 2 England International Match Win
17/11/2010 England 1 - 2 France International Match Loss
12/10/2010 England 0 - 0 Montenegro European Championship, 2012 Poland And Ukraine, Regional Stages Draw
07/09/2010 Switzerland 1 - 3 England European Championship, 2012 Poland And Ukraine, Regional Stages Win
03/09/2010 England 4 - 0 Bulgaria European Championship, 2012 Poland And Ukraine, Regional Stages Win
11/08/2010 England 2 - 1 Hungary International Match Win
27/06/2010 Germany 4 - 1 England World Cup, 2010 South Africa, Finals Loss
12/06/2010 England 1 - 1 USA World Cup, 2010 South Africa, Finals Draw
30/05/2010 Japan 1 - 2 England International Match Win
24/05/2010 England 3 - 1 Mexico International Match Win
14/11/2009 Brazil 1 - 0 England International Match Loss
10/10/2009 Ukraine 1 - 0 England World Cup, 2010 South Africa, Regional Stages Loss
09/09/2009 England 5 - 1 Croatia World Cup, 2010 South Africa, Regional Stages Win
12/08/2009 Holland 2 - 2 England International Match Draw
01/04/2009 England 2 - 1 Ukraine World Cup, 2010 South Africa, Regional Stages Win
11/02/2009 Spain 2 - 0 England International Match Loss

So in 1 games against decent-very good opposition we have kept just 10 clean sheets! That is not the sign of a defensively solid outfit!

Look at our record against top teams: Germany, Italy, Spain, France, Holland, Brazil, Belgium, Mexico, Chile: Played 15 W4 D4 L7 (4 Clean Sheets)

Nothing points to us being a solid team, especially against the best the World has to offer. And nothing suggests we are capable of getting out of our group based on results and performances over the past 4 years! Even under Roy, once you take out the gimme games against Moldova & San Marino he only has a record of 6 clean sheets in 20 games!!

Agree Italy have not declined, they gave Brazil their toughest match in the confed cup. Their midfield is better than England, their defense is better, their goal keeping is better, and their forwards with exception of Rooney are better.

by Marky Fri 06 Dec 2013, 7:10 pm

Crimey wrote:Predictions of group placing?

Group A:
1st Brazil
2nd Mexico
3rd Croatia
4th Cameroon

Group B:
1st Spain
2nd Chile
3rd Netherlands
4th Australia

Group C:
1st Colombia
2nd Ivory Coast
3rd Japan
4th Greece

Group D:
1st Uruguay
2nd England
3rd Italy
4th Costa Rica

Group E:
1st Ecuador
2nd France
3rd Switzerland
4th Honduras

Group F:
1st Argentina
2nd Nigeria
3rd Bosnia
4th Iran

Group G:
1st Portugal
2nd Germany
3rd USA
4th Ghana

Group H:
1st Belgium
2nd Russia
3rd South Korea
4th Algeria

by Duty281 Fri 06 Dec 2013, 7:11 pm

Dear me Owen, don't you think I had those same doubts when Sir Geoffrey sold England down the river (or up the river as the case may be)?

I was worried about Suarez and Cavani. I was scared of Italy's passing ability. I was nervous about England underestimating Costa Rica. And I was terrified about what awaited England neyond the groups.

Then I went upstairs to my bedroom, and sat down on the bed.

I glanced at the cross of St. George adorning my bedroom wall.

I looked out of the window and saw the sprawling greenery.

I thought of how great this fair and noble land was.

And I relaxed.

We're England.

Nothing will ever harm England.

#believe

by mystiroakey Fri 06 Dec 2013, 7:23 pm

Suraez can beat any team on his own.

He knows our England defenders.

its a tough one.

I feel like we have been screwed somehow- but all the same- it is what it is.

Its going to be great

by Guest Fri 06 Dec 2013, 7:57 pm

Just got in. Saw the draw. Immediate reaction was picard

After some reflection, actually feel quite happy that it's a tougher draw. I'm usually quite negative about England but there is a chance of qualifying out of this group. The Amazon game with 99% humidity means nothing when your playing a fellow European side, maybe without Pirlo this time. Italy are not a great side, yeah, better than us in possession, but they couldn't break us down in the Euro's. Keep Mario quiet & we've got every chance. Uruguay are a two man team. Cavani & Suarez. Defensively, nothing special. There is a reason they had to go through the playoffs & are officially the worst team from S. America going to the finals. Costa Rica should be 3 points. End of.

It's a toughie group but nothing we can't overcome, if we are at a good level from Game 1. If we qualify then we are looking at Ivory Coast or Colombia? Not bad.

Other interesting groups were Spain. I would not write off Chile in beating Netherlands to second in that group. France.....lucky gits. Roll on June 2014 (2am Shocked

)

by mystiroakey Fri 06 Dec 2013, 8:03 pm

Yep b and e look the group of deaths

Chile looked like the best team that has played against England for about 5 years if I am going to be honest.

by Guest Fri 06 Dec 2013, 8:10 pm

There'll be a shock or two - there always is. A big gun or two will fall at the first hurdle. Just hope it's not England...

by Duty281 Fri 06 Dec 2013, 8:19 pm

John wrote:Roll on June 2014 (2am )

Yep, England get the only 2am game in the whole tournament. Had to be!

by Guest Fri 06 Dec 2013, 8:23 pm

It's into a Sunday morning, isn't it?

I'd definitely go for Netherlands in the shock department, maybe even Belgium. For Belgium, as seeds, alot of pressure on them. People been saying this & that about them for a while but haven't really proven anything. Against Japan last month, which they lost, showed how far they still need to come & develop as a team. Capello will have Russia organised & I can't see a repeat of that shocker in the Euro's from them. South Korea are no mugs.

You can see from the odds, it wasn't a great draw for European sides. Hopefully England can do the business but if they don't, then it really won't be too much of a surprise. Brazil vs Spain final is probably what many people would ideally want or see happening as they can't meet until the final.

by Guest Fri 06 Dec 2013, 8:23 pm

Duty281 wrote:
John wrote:Roll on June 2014 (2am )
Yep, England get the only 2am game in the whole tournament. Had to be!

You'll be okay Duty, what with being 18 and all that. Sleep was alien to me at that age. Laugh

No doubt I'll stay awake until the kick off then doze off.

by Guest Fri 06 Dec 2013, 8:27 pm

John wrote: For Belgium, as seeds, alot of pressure on them. People been saying this & that about them for a while but haven't really proven anything. Against Japan last month, which they lost, showed how far they still need to come & develop as a team.

Yeah Belgium intrigue me the most.

by Guest Fri 06 Dec 2013, 8:28 pm

Wouldn't surprise me to see another 0-0 between Eng/Ita. Difficult conditions, first game - no one wanting to lose or give much away, both manager's probably playing overly negative & just wanting the game out of the way.

by Ent Fri 06 Dec 2013, 8:46 pm

Would be a good result for England.

Worst case scenario is a 1-0 defeat chasing the ball in 99% humidity whilst Uruguay get a good win.

Tournament could be pretty much over in that setting.

Portugal will probably go home early too.

by Hammersmith harrier Fri 06 Dec 2013, 8:57 pm

I'm not worried by Uruguay, take Cavani and Suarez out of their team and they are a bunch of oldish men who are nothing special. I think we'll get through but with a couple of hiccups along the way.

by Duty281 Fri 06 Dec 2013, 9:02 pm

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/dec/05/england-manager-roy-hodgson-manaus

The Mayor of Manaus doesn't hold a high opinion of Hodgson it would seem.

by mystiroakey Fri 06 Dec 2013, 9:07 pm

This Manaus dude clearly doesn't understand the point of a World Cup.

It's not a holiday!!!!

I am sure all of the England team would love a holiday there , but that is not what they are in Brazil for.

He was only talking about he climate being problematic

by Guest Fri 06 Dec 2013, 9:09 pm

To be fair I'm not sure Hodgson is curious about anything bar football.

by Duty281 Fri 06 Dec 2013, 9:10 pm

England have already upset the locals!

Still 6 months till the world cup as well! Laugh

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