The FIFA World Cup 2014 Thread

[BlumiereBleck]

I am so glad Spain, Australia and England are out. It just puts a smile on my face.

But I am rooting for the U.S.A. (even if they fucking sucked in the match against Ghana.) And of course...Deutschland

Who are going to win.

 

[viscomica]

France! France! France!

And yay for Costa Rica too! Great games today in general. Too bad it's so late, I would love to stay up and watch the Honduras - Ecuador game too.

YEAH!!! I was expecting Costa Rica and France to win today's matches. So happy they did!
This World Cup is full of surprises!

 

[AnarchistFish]

Ahhhhaaa, and now everyone will start talking about France.

We've been overlooked for too long.

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

Though I'm a bit :/ at some of Suarez petty comments, I swear every time England loses to a 2nd/3rd world country in world cup they treat it as some kinda great wrong that's finally been righted.
Can't peeps just have a good game and not be bitches about it afterwards?

For a lot of those 2nd/3rd world countries the World Cup is their only chance to shine and earn global acclaim. Everybody likes an underdog.

 

[Two-A]

One World Champion down, six to go.
As much happy as I am to see Spain go, I must ask, WTF happened to them? I seriously though they would have an easier time with Chile. One of the fastest playstiles to become outdated that I have seen.

Death match of today will be England vs Uruguay, that will be fun to watch.

I guess it was to be expected with the season Xavi and Iniesta had. I do hope they put some of the new bloods for the final game against Australia.

Also, good job Costa Rica!. With the way they are playing, I wouldn't be surprised if they beat England next week(Just to drive the final nail in the coffin).

 

[Eamar]

Well, it's all over for England. Oh well, that leaves me free to fully support my actual favourite team...

COME ON THE DUTCH!

[small]Blasphemously, I've been supporting them more sincerely than England for years now. Why kid myself that we're actually any good?[/small]

 

[shootthebandit]

Well, it's all over for England. Oh well, that leaves me free to fully support my actual favourite team...

COME ON THE DUTCH!

[small]Blasphemously, I've been supporting them more sincerely than England for years now. Why kid myself that we're actually any good?[/small]

Im gutted england are out too. Im a scottish pro-unionist so I support British teams and im all in favour of a stronger team GB (giggs, Bale, Ramsey and Fletcher to name but a few), im also gutted because I had england to qualify from the group

You aren't kidding yourself that England are good because they are good. Costa Rica (surprisingly), Uraguay and Italy are just better. I dont think England played too badly for a relatively fresh and inexperienced team. As much hate as he gets I think if they had Terry's experience at the back, the defence would have been so much better. Terry and Cole are a pretty formidable defence and personally I wouldve played both of them and I dont know why Glen Johnson keeps getting games

I would say England aren't a bad side. Sure they lost both games but so did Spain and they are a really good team. At least england got to the group stages. I support a country where beating Macedonia is the equivalent of winning the final. If we actually make it to the group stages then its a real achievement

I just think this world cup is favouring south american teams and I think Germany and holland will wont have it as easy as we think.

 

[Eamar]

snip

Oh sure, I was exaggerating a bit. I agree with everything you just said, and I actually feel that we played much better than we have done in previous years when we've managed to progress further, it's just that everyone else seems to have improved as well.

That said, we're a decent side but we are in no way as good as a lot of English people seem to think we are. We ain't gonna be winning any titles any time soon, and we haven't been a serious contender to do so for a looong time. And the idea some fans have got into their heads that we have some sort of epic rivalry with Germany is actually pretty insulting to the Germans imo

I swear there's a recurring mass delusion afflicting the English when it comes to football (mind you, I'm sure the same could be said for other countries too).

And yeah, I was just saying yesterday that football very much seems to be a South American game these days. Interesting how these shifts happen.

 

[shootthebandit]

snip

Oh sure, I was exaggerating a bit. I agree with everything you just said, and I actually feel that we played much better than we have done in previous years when we've managed to progress further, it's just that everyone else seems to have improved as well.

That said, we're a decent side but we are in no way as good as a lot of English people seem to think we are. We ain't gonna be winning any titles any time soon, and we haven't been a serious contender to do so for a looong time. And the idea some fans have got into their heads that we have some sort of epic rivalry with Germany is actually pretty insulting to the Germans imo

I swear there's a recurring mass delusion afflicting the English when it comes to football (mind you, I'm sure the same could be said for other countries too).

And yeah, I was just saying yesterday that football very much seems to be a South American game these days. Interesting how these shifts happen.

It annoys me when people say "this year is going to be '66 again" it delusional. Yes be optimistic but dont be unreasonably optimistic. Ive seen stupid facts like "the last time team X beat team Y 2-0 it was 1966. It must our year again". This is on par with believing in star signs to be honest

Scotland fans on the other hand. We are just happy to be there. We are like the weird unpopular kid that gets invited to the cool kids party. We just enjoy ourselves and get drunk

One plus side for England is by far Joe Hart. The absolute shambles of a defence (without terry or cole) was pretty much compensated by him. He is an incredible keeper and Suarez wouldve put in a few more goals if anyone else was in that net

 

[Frankster]

Though I'm a bit :/ at some of Suarez petty comments, I swear every time England loses to a 2nd/3rd world country in world cup they treat it as some kinda great wrong that's finally been righted.
Can't peeps just have a good game and not be bitches about it afterwards?

For a lot of those 2nd/3rd world countries the World Cup is their only chance to shine and earn global acclaim. Everybody likes an underdog.

People usually stop liking the underdog when they turn around and teabag their opponent who hadn't acted jerkish to them in any way xD

Besides I think by this point England can be considered an underdog in anyone but the most fervent England fan's mind.

One plus side for England is by far Joe Hart.

I like Hart aswell and reckoned he did a solid job considering how the english defence had more holes then swiss cheese.

Sadly he won't be spared the media mauling :/

Tbh you know what really annoys me about the English team? Very controversial opinion coming up!
Rooney. We are obsessed by the guy and keep placing our hopes in single "superstars" over a solid team of players that might not be as individually famous. Rooney is a distraction at best and a headache most of the time.

If you play Rooney then you basically have to make the entire team revolve around him otherwise he is "unhappy" with being out of position. And putting all our eggs in a basket like that has never worked in the past.
I certainly don't remember the winning french team a few world cups back building their entire team around Zidane for example even if he was a footballing god.
If you don't play Rooney, then media and public mauls you for not picking the "white pele" even though he only just scored his first international goal 2 days ago...Only took fucking 10 years. The sad part is because he scored that goal Rooney is being half excused compared to the rest of the team, including poor Hart.

England gets beat constantly by teams the average fan couldn't recognize most of the players from yet we constantly bemoan our players aren't "world class" enough, whatever that means. We keep getting outplayed by players who aren't world class but are just part of a more efficient oiled machine that work together and become more then the sum of their parts.

Also England has been playing with fear of failure in their hearts for as long as I can remember. I love how Steven Gerrard prior to the Uruguay match had a big talk with the team about failure and how it would feel like to go home if they lose...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27914992
Talk about a winning mentality, imagine if a psychologist tried to remedy someone with phobias and fears by reminding them of all the stuff they are scared about and emphasizing how scared they should rightfully be.

 

[shootthebandit]

snip

I agree rooney is useless. His purpose in any team is publicity. He brings in money despite being shit. Ive never been a fan of him and I think hes a diva. People call ronaldo a primadona but look at ronaldos technical ability and physical fitness (he is an athlete). Then look at rooney, he looks like someones slightly chubby uncle (hes not an unhealthy size but for a professional athlete its pretty appalling)

Having said that even ronaldo couldnt carry that portugal side.

As for hart he suffers what most goalkeepers suffer from. When someone scores they get the blame, the outfield players are completely ignored. Managers suffer the same problem, they have a string of loses and the fans blame them and want to sack them

 

[Reiper]

I kind of want to US to win now, just to see all the europeans flip out and rage. If this occurs, the sport shall be officially and internationally renamed soccer.

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

Though I'm a bit :/ at some of Suarez petty comments, I swear every time England loses to a 2nd/3rd world country in world cup they treat it as some kinda great wrong that's finally been righted.
Can't peeps just have a good game and not be bitches about it afterwards?

For a lot of those 2nd/3rd world countries the World Cup is their only chance to shine and earn global acclaim. Everybody likes an underdog.

People usually stop liking the underdog when they turn around and teabag their opponent who hadn't acted jerkish to them in any way xD

Besides I think by this point England can be considered an underdog in anyone but the most fervent England fan's mind.

Nobody in the whole of South America would consider the monarchical, aggressively pro-colonialist, pound-rich first world super powerful England an "underdog" by any definition of the word. Besides what kind of "teabagging" did you see from Uruguay towards England, or from Costar Rica towards Italy for that matter?

 

[Tiger King]

Nobody in the whole of South America would consider the monarchical, aggressively pro-colonialist, pound-rich first world super powerful England an "underdog" by any definition of the word. Besides what kind of "teabagging" did you see from Uruguay towards England, or from Costar Rica towards Italy for that matter?

'monarchical, aggressively pro-colonialist, pound-rich first world super powerful England' have nothing to do with football and do not dictate footballing ability. look at united states for example, most powerful nation on earth but they would make prime underdogs.

I agree with your point on Uruguay and Costa Rica and I hope they go far.

good result for argentina, class goal from messi by the way!

 

[shootthebandit]

Though I'm a bit :/ at some of Suarez petty comments, I swear every time England loses to a 2nd/3rd world country in world cup they treat it as some kinda great wrong that's finally been righted.
Can't peeps just have a good game and not be bitches about it afterwards?

For a lot of those 2nd/3rd world countries the World Cup is their only chance to shine and earn global acclaim. Everybody likes an underdog.

People usually stop liking the underdog when they turn around and teabag their opponent who hadn't acted jerkish to them in any way xD

Besides I think by this point England can be considered an underdog in anyone but the most fervent England fan's mind.

Nobody in the whole of South America would consider the monarchical, aggressively pro-colonialist, pound-rich first world super powerful England an "underdog" by any definition of the word. Besides what kind of "teabagging" did you see from Uruguay towards England, or from Costar Rica towards Italy for that matter?

I find it weird how england are not seen as underdogs because of this. Scotland are always seen as underdogs yet scotland and england are the same country with the same monarch and the same economy

I love being both scottish and british. We have all the benefits of being british but england just gets associated with all the bad shit. Sometimes I think that some people forget we exist or think we are a fantasy land like brig-a-doon and we only appear every 100 years (which coincidentially is about how often we appear in the world cup)

 

[Frankster]

Nobody in the whole of South America would consider the monarchical, aggressively pro-colonialist, pound-rich first world super powerful England an "underdog" by any definition of the word. Besides what kind of "teabagging" did you see from Uruguay towards England, or from Costar Rica towards Italy for that matter?

Nobody except those not blinded by their own bias you mean. What has any of that have to do with the actual English team?
"Super powerful" is hardly a term you would use to describe them xD
By that logic, beating the USA at football must be the most amazing thing ever. Yeah take that you yanks, that's what you get for...stuff that has nothing to do with your team or football, yeh!

Whilst I'm sure the "whole" of South America quite enjoy picturing themselves as the underdogs triumphing against incredible odds when facing teams from former colonial powers, fact of the matter is they certainly ain't: Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, do any of those sound like an underdog team in football? Whatever problems their countries might have, football certainly isn't one of them.
And all of those countries have repeatedly whupped England for as long as I can remember, how can they be NOT an underdog if they keep getting their faces stomped in? If this was cricket maybe I'd understand but when it comes to football you have to be delusional, or an England supporter, to believe that the English team are favorites in most match ups xD

As for the "teabagging", Suarez catty comments are my exhibit A. Exhibit B would be the general reactions on social media.
I dunno why you bring up Italy and Costa Rica for though, gonna have to clarify that one for me.

 

[Tiger King]

Though I'm a bit :/ at some of Suarez petty comments, I swear every time England loses to a 2nd/3rd world country in world cup they treat it as some kinda great wrong that's finally been righted.
Can't peeps just have a good game and not be bitches about it afterwards?

For a lot of those 2nd/3rd world countries the World Cup is their only chance to shine and earn global acclaim. Everybody likes an underdog.

People usually stop liking the underdog when they turn around and teabag their opponent who hadn't acted jerkish to them in any way xD

Besides I think by this point England can be considered an underdog in anyone but the most fervent England fan's mind.

Nobody in the whole of South America would consider the monarchical, aggressively pro-colonialist, pound-rich first world super powerful England an "underdog" by any definition of the word. Besides what kind of "teabagging" did you see from Uruguay towards England, or from Costar Rica towards Italy for that matter?

I find it weird how england are not seen as underdogs because of this. Scotland are always seen as underdogs yet scotland and england are the same country with the same monarch and the same economy

I love being both scottish and british. We have all the benefits of being british but england just gets associated with all the bad shit. Sometimes I think that some people forget we exist or think we are a fantasy land like brig-a-doon and we only appear every 100 years (which coincidentially is about how often we appear in the world cup)

when people see the union flag they say 'england'
and that's it pretty much.
not Britain, not the uk, just 'england'.

 

[Commerford]

Nobody in the whole of South America would consider the monarchical, aggressively pro-colonialist, pound-rich first world super powerful England an "underdog" by any definition of the word. Besides what kind of "teabagging" did you see from Uruguay towards England, or from Costar Rica towards Italy for that matter?

I should hope we are Pound-rich, in fact, we should have more Pounds than anyone! But you are right, England aren't underdogs in football, just disappointing. Consistently for over a decade we make it to the Last 16 or Quarters, which is nothing to be sniffed at. We've just had a poor World Cup, and we we'll go again in Euro 2016 where, no doubt we'll make it to the Last 16 or Quarters, or dare I say, the Semis.

About this World Cup, the Europeans are really struggling, I don't recall any Europeans beating any South Americans yet? But I still think England will give Costa Rica a good going over, i'd say win by 2 goals, maybe more. But that'll be good for the Costa Ricans, let them know what can happen when you lose concentration and people are expecting you to win, and they'll be ready for some other big scalps in the knock outs.

 

[JoJo]

About this World Cup, the Europeans are really struggling, I don't recall any Europeans beating any South Americans yet? But I still think England will give Costa Rica a good going over, i'd say win by 2 goals, maybe more. But that'll be good for the Costa Ricans, let them know what can happen when you lose concentration and people are expecting you to win, and they'll be ready for some other big scalps in the knock outs.

Yeah, I noticed this too, what with Spain and England already out, Italy recently beaten by Costa Rica and Germany drawing with Ghana, I wonder if it's the tropical climate that Europeans simply aren't used to. Oh well, I believe 2018 will be held in Russia, that'll be payback time >

 

[shootthebandit]

About this World Cup, the Europeans are really struggling, I don't recall any Europeans beating any South Americans yet? But I still think England will give Costa Rica a good going over, i'd say win by 2 goals, maybe more. But that'll be good for the Costa Ricans, let them know what can happen when you lose concentration and people are expecting you to win, and they'll be ready for some other big scalps in the knock outs.

Yeah, I noticed this too, what with Spain and England already out, Italy recently beaten by Costa Rica and Germany drawing with Ghana, I wonder if it's the tropical climate that Europeans simply aren't used to. Oh well, I believe 2018 will be held in Russia, that'll be payback time >

I dont think its the climate as such but its just a home advantage. Home advantage isnt really something you can put your finger why it happens but it works. You only have to look at london 2012. Team GB had a huge home advantage. Not that we didnt deserve to be 3rd but being at home certainly helps

not only that but its style of play too. I watched the italy vs costa rica game and there was no urgency in the italian side. They were passing around in their own half a lot where as costa rica where much better on the counter-attack, making a move before the Italians had time to react. Spain and England have the same problem (poor defence). Spain have also been worked out now. In the past four years barcelona (aka Spain) have not dominated as much because people now how to deal with the short passing game that they used to rely on. Germany are doing ok but holland or france seem to be europe's best representatives at the minute although Belgium might be one to keep an eye on.

I still think it will be a south american team that wins

2018 is russia and is it still Qatar 2022 (ive heard rumours it could go to the UK)?