Rio de Janiero - 2014 Fifa World Cup Thread

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed Jun 18, 2014 3:55 pm

First topic message reminder :

owen10ozzy wrote:Diego Costa for £32 million isn't looking to hot either...Chelsea could be looking at the 3 most expensive striker flops in history in Shevchenko, Torres and now Costa.

He lacks pace and mobility which for me are essential in the premiership.

Tbf this isn't the same Costa that's been playing for Atletico, a long hard season and a few injuries catching up with him here I think

by Fernando Fri Jun 20, 2014 3:40 pm

France 3-0 - Mathieu Valbuena - Counter attack lovely pass across goal by Giroud.

by kingraf Fri Jun 20, 2014 3:41 pm

Giroud having a binder

by whocares Fri Jun 20, 2014 3:42 pm

84 years after the first, Giroud scored France 100th world cup goal

Game almost over now

by Guest Fri Jun 20, 2014 3:52 pm

Shows how bad Swiss are, making Giroud look world class. Swiss top seeds of that group, embarrassing. I think I'm going to adopt France for the WC, really enjoying their play & of course enjoying the trio of Cabaye, Moussa & Debuchy.

Wonder if we will make Swiss look this bad in the Euro campaign. I somewhat doubt it.

by whocares Fri Jun 20, 2014 3:53 pm

To Giroud credit, he also injured 2 Swiss defenders. Efficient Smile

by Ent Fri Jun 20, 2014 3:55 pm

Switzerland only themselves to blame here, some serious shooting themselves in the foot.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Fri Jun 20, 2014 4:31 pm

France look good enough to inevitably disappoint in the round of 16

by Guest Fri Jun 20, 2014 4:31 pm

That's what I'm talking about. Moussa at his best. Underated powerhouse!

by Duty281 Fri Jun 20, 2014 4:32 pm

So are Switzerland playing poorly, or are France sublime?

Let's go for safety and say somewhere in between.

by whocares Fri Jun 20, 2014 4:35 pm

5-0 now. Getting embarassing for Switzerland who is on par with Jamaica. Havent seen such level of efficiency in attack from France in a very very long time. Such a difference from 2 years ago when they could hardly score one goal and that's with the same players.

by Guest Fri Jun 20, 2014 4:38 pm

France aren't sublime, they are a good promising side but tougher tests lie ahead & about three or four goals have been gifts tonight. Its been a woeful Swiss display, Villa fans should look forward to Vlaar/Senderos next season in defence.

by Lowlandbrit Fri Jun 20, 2014 4:38 pm

The comeback is on!

by Nakatomi Plaza Fri Jun 20, 2014 4:39 pm

Benzema won't be awarded to many medals for bravery for that.

by Lowlandbrit Fri Jun 20, 2014 4:45 pm

Nice finish.

by Guest Fri Jun 20, 2014 4:47 pm

Cabaye making himself fresh for the last 16 there.

by Duty281 Fri Jun 20, 2014 4:51 pm

You jobsworth referee.

by whocares Fri Jun 20, 2014 4:58 pm

Shame for Benzema. Scored a beauty but a few seconds too late.

by westisbest Fri Jun 20, 2014 5:15 pm

John wrote:France aren't sublime, they are a good promising side but tougher tests lie ahead & about three or four goals have been gifts tonight. Its been a woeful Swiss display, Villa fans should look forward to Vlaar/Senderos next season in defence.

We will playa, we will Very Happy

by westisbest Fri Jun 20, 2014 5:21 pm

ooh ah Ron Vlaar, say ooh ah Ron Vlaar.

"He sent them over here, he sent them over there, he's the boss, everyone else's loss, his name is Senderos" Very Happy

by westisbest Fri Jun 20, 2014 5:29 pm

Ha, the scottish fan at the England game las night is Mark McConville.
Was just on the news.

Used to live in Bournemouth.

Had a few beers with him in the past.
Good lad.

by Ent Fri Jun 20, 2014 6:08 pm

Now that the euphoria of the World Cup being in had died down and we've had a good look at most teams - anyone else disappointed?

To be fair lots of good games so the entertainment value is there but a lot of crap teams and for me only Germany look like winning it.

by monty junior Fri Jun 20, 2014 6:53 pm

Why disappointment? The second round of games isn't even completed and I think it's been the best start to a WC I've seen (only started watching since 98), so many open, high scoring games. Much better than the dross of four years ago, the South American sides plus France and Germany look the best but it can all change. Really impressed with France, Deschamps has them playing as a team, a nice balance with future world class players and if anything not having Ribery and having someone like Griezmann (he joins Reus as my favorite player) instead has given them a better balance.

by Duty281 Fri Jun 20, 2014 6:54 pm

Open tournament for me, another reason why England will be disappointed.

I've been most impressed with Germany thus far, admittedly after only one game. Chile and Colombia decent, but can they maintain it? France good, but have played two very poor teams, Group D has turned out to be average fare. Brazil and Argentina are a bit meh, presently. Holland inconsistent.

by Ent Fri Jun 20, 2014 6:58 pm

monty junior wrote:Why disappointment? The second round of games isn't even completed and I think it's been the best start to a WC I've seen (only started watching since 98), so many open, high scoring games. Much better than the dross of four years ago, the South American sides plus France and Germany look the best but it can all change. Really impressed with France, Deschamps has them playing as a team, a nice balance with future world class players and if anything not having Ribery and having someone like Griezmann (he joins Reus as my favorite player) instead has given them a better balance.

Wanted to see a lot of quality teams, only seen 1 so far.

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Fri Jun 20, 2014 8:48 pm

Which of Germany and France?

I've enjoyed it, much more intent to score goals.

by Guest Sat Jun 21, 2014 6:00 am

Can't believe your disappointed Ent, but don't surprise me, your more negative than me......and that takes some doing. Thoroughly enjoying the WC, goals galore & entertainment left, right & centre, maybe bar one or two games, like Iran vs Nigeria. Even Ecuador last night was great, no quality but just end to end.

Agree, Germany look the favourites but they've only played the play-off entrants in Portugal & had 10 men. Germans will still probably bottle it in the semi's.

by Ent Sat Jun 21, 2014 6:46 am

Tbh I can go down the park or watch the championship to see entertainment but low quality.

Was hoping that spain, Italy, Brazil, Portugal and a few others would be much better.

Still early doors but I think it's going to be quite poor quality wise.

by Guest Sat Jun 21, 2014 6:58 am

Not sure what you were expecting. Everyone had an incline Spain could struggle, after the demise of Barcelona & Xavi etc. Italy went into this tournament drawing a load of games & couldnt even beat Luxembourg. They aren't a great side. Portugal are a one man team & Brazil have been ruined by Scolari's trust in his 'chosen' one's, that aren't great, but he has some delusional faith in them delivering. Luis Gustavo, Hulk, Fred......it was bound to fail. The national sides or squads aren't actually that great, bar Germany & a new youthful, exciting French squad.

by Ent Sat Jun 21, 2014 7:07 am

Yes Spain weren't going to be what they were but losing two games easily and being dumped out is far worse than expected.

Brazil were quite good and entertaining in the confed cup last year but they just look so ordinary this time round.

Portugal are a small nation but they usually compete, lost 1-0 to Germany 2 years ago and made the semis only to lose on penalties.

Italy finalists 2 years ago, granted poor preparation but they were beyond miserable against Costa Rica.

Lots of entertaining games, hoping the quality improves.

by socal1976 Sat Jun 21, 2014 7:33 am

I don't know it has been the most entertaining world cup that I can remember. A lot of European sides are struggling while a lot of latin American sides like Costa Rica, Chile, and Colombia are doing better than expected. This is not surprising since this is like a home world cup for them and they are used to the conditions and have more support. Brazil has been down, I said before this tournament that this is the most ordinary Brazilian world cup side I could ever remember.

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Sat Jun 21, 2014 7:34 am

Luis Gustavo isnt Brazil's problem, in fact I'd give him a medal for playing alongside Paulinho.

Quality will improve in the knockouts. Theres a good few teams here that will play better for facing better opposition

by GSC Sat Jun 21, 2014 7:36 am

I swear you have month long times of the month Ent.

by kingraf Sat Jun 21, 2014 7:51 am

It's been a great world cup. When people say the quality has been poor, they mean the big teams have been poor... There are plenty quality sides... they just aren't the sides we expected. I think conditions have played a role. The 2010 world Cup was in South Africa, but outside of altitude, the conditions of a local winter are pretty comparable to a Mediterranean spring. It was hardly foreign conditions... Now though... they're playing in the amazon ffs

by catchweight Sat Jun 21, 2014 8:03 am

Man Utd fans must be breathing an extra sigh of relief after watching England in this world cup. If they stuck with Moyes and let him have his way they could be turning out next year with 40 million quids worth of Jagielka and Baines in defence.

I wonder if Rio Ferdinand was taking any notes on Jagielkas defending in both games? During last season Moyes showed him a video of Jagielka for Everton and told Ferdinand thats the way he should be defending.

by Guest Sat Jun 21, 2014 8:05 am

haha, i don't think Moyes was showing Rio videos of jagielka on how to defend. Do you seriously think rio would take defending lessons of Jagielka. How many caps has rio won, how many trophies has he won. what's jagielka won? absolute jokes.

by catchweight Sat Jun 21, 2014 8:12 am

Moyes was all about turning Utd into Everton. The players used to joke about it coming into training. ""Are Everton in today?" was the saying. No joke about Ferdinand either.

Moyes also tipped Spain to win the World Cup.

by compelling and rich Sat Jun 21, 2014 9:17 am

whocares wrote:Shame for Benzema. Scored a beauty but a few seconds too late.

shame for me!! i had benzema as my captain in fantasy football

he has already bagged me a hat full of points though

by Duty281 Sat Jun 21, 2014 9:19 am

There is nothing certain in life, love or football, but Argentina beating Iran is pretty damn near to one. Germany should outclass Ghana afterwards, and Bosnia have enough firepower within them to take Nigeria.

Argentina 4-0 Iran
Germany 2-0 Ghana
Bosnia 3-1 Nigeria

After England's exit, I think I would quite like, on a completely non-football basis, Japan or South Korea to win the whole thing...as unlikely as that is! Failing that, and moving to a football standpoint, I wouldn't begrudge a Chile or Colombia win, as they've both been rather good to watch thus far.

by FootballLight Sat Jun 21, 2014 9:39 am

I'm thinking that I'll be bold but very much realistic with my predictions.

Argentina 2-0 Iran
Germany 3-0 Ghana
Bosnia 1-0 Nigeria

I've always thought, a team can't be good enough in the slightest for a competition as big as this if they are losing by 5 goals or more. Yes, you know with quality, if they are good enough or not and you do get some shocks like Germany vs Portugal but they are a one off.

I wonder how small the odds are of Messi getting a hat-trick tonight? Yes, I've only predicted 2-0 because, if this was a predictor game, I'd certainly be getting points for it that's for sure but I can see Argentina struggling to break Iran down, they don't have massive creativity in their squad.

Well, England are out and I feel Uruguay are too. Even though its close, Italy should win that game imo. That isn't 2 big nations out, that is 2 half decent sides out that were dark horses to do well in this competition. Spain is a big nation out of the World Cup.

by compelling and rich Sat Jun 21, 2014 9:48 am

i had a five fold accumulater , starting with France and Ecuador, just need Argentina Germany and Bosnia to come in

think it should all rest on the bosnia game which is definitely a tougher call

by **owen10ozzy** Sat Jun 21, 2014 10:22 am

Argentina 4-0 Iran
Germany 3-1 Ghana
Bosnia 2-0 Nigeria

by Champagne_Socialist Sat Jun 21, 2014 11:09 am

Duty281 wrote:Open tournament for me, another reason why England will be disappointed.

I've been most impressed with Germany thus far, admittedly after only one game. Chile and Colombia decent, but can they maintain it? France good, but have played two very poor teams, Group D has turned out to be average fare. Brazil and Argentina are a bit meh, presently. Holland inconsistent.

You were saying only a few days ago that you like the swiss team and think they will beat France and finish top of the group....

by Champagne_Socialist Sat Jun 21, 2014 11:12 am

catchweight wrote:Moyes was all about turning Utd into Everton. The players used to joke about it coming into training. ""Are Everton in today?" was the saying. No joke about Ferdinand either.

Moyes also tipped Spain to win the World Cup.

do you have any links to this?

by compelling and rich Sat Jun 21, 2014 11:14 am

i heard moyes was making them watch videos of osman not jags?

by Champagne_Socialist Sat Jun 21, 2014 11:19 am

compelling and rich wrote:i heard moyes was making them watch videos of osman not jags?

I heard that Moyes was making them watch videos of the Arsenal team to try and get United to play like them Smile

by The Special Juan Sat Jun 21, 2014 11:23 am

MON is the funniest football pundit I've ever seen. He, Vieira and Cannavaro need their own show.

by FootballLight Sat Jun 21, 2014 11:27 am

Moyes tipped one of the best nations in the World at the moment to win the World Cup, so did I, and so would a lot of people. Unfortunately, it isn't to be this year.

by Lowlandbrit Sat Jun 21, 2014 11:47 am

compelling and rich wrote:think it should all rest on the bosnia game which is definitely a tougher call

After that first game I'm not so sure. Iran looked very limited, Nigeria just looked rubbish.

by Nakatomi Plaza Sat Jun 21, 2014 11:51 am

The Special Juan wrote:MON is the funniest football pundit I've ever seen. He, Vieira and Cannavaro need their own show.

O'Neill's always been quality as a pundit. I remember him taking Robbie Willliams apart when he was a guest during France 98.

by kingraf Sat Jun 21, 2014 11:52 am

Argentina are my dark horses, although I don't know how dark they could be, having that attack. Iran are on a hiding to nothing.

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