World Cup 2014

[Gillipig]

Oh well, the US gave a good fight and can be proud of their world cup, they went as far as they could.
Belgium deserved the win, and this ended up very close thanks to an epic howard.

I am very surprised to see that there hasn t been a single upset in those 1/8th of finals, all group winners made it.
And holy shit.... 5/8 games ended up in overtime!!! I wonder if it s a record.

I did write this before the first round started so I can't say I'm that surprised.

Through from the groupstage:
Europe 6
South America 5
North America 3
Africa 2

My guess is that 4 European, 3 South American and 1 North American team advances to the quarter finals.
Brazil
Colombia
France
Germany
Netherlands
Costa Rica
Argentina
Belgium

But then I changed my mind about Greece-Costa Rica at a later stage, still, not very surprised at all .

For the quarter finals I'll say this:
Colombia
Germany
Netherlands
Argentina

[Steiner75]

so next up is France vs. Germany.

I would like to see this:


But both teams are very strong, so it should be a good match...

P.S. and I woul be all in for penalties if need be a pitty England is already out.

[betiko]

Yup, every nation has one of these games that will remain a cruel memory forever.
Until 2006 and the WC final we lost on penaltys vs Italy with Zidane s headbut; france's most cruel WC memory was the 1982 WC semi final against Germany. You will find here the highlights!



Unfortunaltely for us, in the next 1986 edition, we faced them again in semi finals after beating brazil in quarter finals, and lost again (we became european champions in between those world cups for the eurocup 1984 though. France had a really strong team at the time, but all its dreams kept on being crushed by the germans).

[Timminz]

The Americans played well, particularly in the final 25 minutes. Howard was dominant throughout. Likely the best all-around keeper in the whole tournament.

I understand why Klinsmann was upset about the 1 minute (he wanted more, duh), but really, I don't think it was necessarily a bad decision. There was a single goal, and a single sub in the final 15 minutes (and really, it's the equivalent of adding 3 mins at the end of a 45 minute half).

I'm glad we now have a couple days without matches, because I have a major exam on Friday, and I can't study when there are games at 10am and 2pm each day.

[Gillipig]

The Americans played well, particularly in the final 25 minutes. Howard was dominant throughout. Likely the best all-around keeper in the whole tournament.

I understand why Klinsmann was upset about the 1 minute (he wanted more, duh), but really, I don't think it was necessarily a bad decision. There was a single goal, and a single sub in the final 15 minutes (and really, it's the equivalent of adding 3 mins at the end of a 45 minute half).

I'm glad we now have a couple days without matches, because I have a major exam on Friday, and I can't study when there are games at 10am and 2pm each day.

Have you seen the German goalie Neuer? That's the best goalie so far in my mind.

I think the Swedish referee team has been performing well, hopefully we'll see them again in this tournament, can't believe I'm sitting here cheering for referees but it's the only Swedish representatives we have at this WC.

[Army of GOD]

Germans are a very good all-around team though. The only consistent American in the tournament was Howard. Midfielders were turnover machines (especially Bradley) and the back line just seemed slow at times.

[Timminz]

Howard was dominant throughout. Likely the best all-around keeper in the whole tournament.

Have you seen the German goalie Neuer? That's the best goalie so far in my mind.

I agree, Neuer is a top-notch keeper. However, his team has not allowed forced him to shine as brightly as the US team did for Howard.

[betiko]

Howard was dominant throughout. Likely the best all-around keeper in the whole tournament.

Have you seen the German goalie Neuer? That's the best goalie so far in my mind.

I agree, Neuer is a top-notch keeper. However, his team has not allowed forced him to shine as brightly as the US team did for Howard.

Neuer didn't shine against algeria??? are you nuts? I can't remember how many times he left his surface to act as the last defender. Outstanding match for him there, he saved his team countless times.

[oVo]

I agree, Neuer is a top-notch keeper. However, his team has not allowed forced him to shine as brightly as the US team did for Howard.

Tim Howard is the third "Man of the Match" on a losing side this World Cup. Belgium dodged a bullet yesterday against USA, but they certainly have a better chance of reaching the final than the American team ever did.

[Timminz]

Howard was dominant throughout. Likely the best all-around keeper in the whole tournament.

Have you seen the German goalie Neuer? That's the best goalie so far in my mind.

I agree, Neuer is a top-notch keeper. However, his team has not allowed forced him to shine as brightly as the US team did for Howard.

Neuer didn't shine against algeria??? are you nuts? I can't remember how many times he left his surface to act as the last defender. Outstanding match for him there, he saved his team countless times.

I know that English is not your first language, so I will politely point out that you have misinterpreted what I wrote.

It's just unfortunate that you had to respond to your misinterpretation of it in such an asshole-ish manner.

[betiko]

Howard was dominant throughout. Likely the best all-around keeper in the whole tournament.

Have you seen the German goalie Neuer? That's the best goalie so far in my mind.

I agree, Neuer is a top-notch keeper. However, his team has not allowed forced him to shine as brightly as the US team did for Howard.

Neuer didn't shine against algeria??? are you nuts? I can't remember how many times he left his surface to act as the last defender. Outstanding match for him there, he saved his team countless times.

I know that English is not your first language, so I will politely point out that you have misinterpreted what I wrote.

It's just unfortunate that you had to respond to your misinterpretation of it in such an asshole-ish manner.

I did understand what you said, and neuer's defense did let him down a few times giving him the chance to "shine". He didn't have to make as many saves as howard, but the way he saved some clear ocasions is good enough for me (he is considered the best keeper in the world)

[iAmCaffeine]

Finally the Americans will stop thinking they're actually good at football.

Just like England...

I know we're shit, but most English think we're amazing even when we're shit.

[oVo]

Finally the Americans will stop thinking they're actually good at football.

Just like England...

I know we're shit, but most English think we're amazing even when we're shit.

I admit this team has proven to be better than I expected,
even when blowing huge opportunities.

[iAmCaffeine]

Finally the Americans will stop thinking they're actually good at football.

Just like England...

I know we're shit, but most English think we're amazing even when we're shit.

I admit this team has proven to be better than I expected,
even when blowing huge opportunities.

I think the USA have surprised everybody, apart from several deluded Americans. In a poll take across all the participating countries to vote who would win the World Cup, the majority voted Brazil, a handful Spain, one or two Germany. The most common vote in the USA.. I don't think I need to say.

[oVo]

I think the USA have surprised everybody, apart from several deluded Americans. In a poll take across all the participating countries to vote who would win the World Cup, the majority voted Brazil, a handful Spain, one or two Germany. The most common vote in the USA.. I don't think I need to say.

Few people anticipated a USA Team reaching the Final,
and they were right.

[Gillipig]

Howard was dominant throughout. Likely the best all-around keeper in the whole tournament.

Have you seen the German goalie Neuer? That's the best goalie so far in my mind.

I agree, Neuer is a top-notch keeper. However, his team has not allowed forced him to shine as brightly as the US team did for Howard.

Neuer didn't shine against algeria??? are you nuts? I can't remember how many times he left his surface to act as the last defender. Outstanding match for him there, he saved his team countless times.

I know that English is not your first language, so I will politely point out that you have misinterpreted what I wrote.

It's just unfortunate that you had to respond to your misinterpretation of it in such an asshole-ish manner.

I did understand what you said, and neuer's defense did let him down a few times giving him the chance to "shine". He didn't have to make as many saves as howard, but the way he saved some clear ocasions is good enough for me (he is considered the best keeper in the world)

Howard was a good goalkeeper in the way a goalkeeper usually is good, he saved a lot of shots. Neuer was a fricking superhero out there! He was all over the place acting like a libro-goalkeeper hybrid, stopping counterattacks before the atatckers reached the penalty area, setting up his own forwards with counter attack longballs, heading the ball in dangerous situations, performing sliding tackles on attackers. He was so unpredictable and amazing. I don't wish to take anything away from Howard for his performance, but the type of performance Neuer did, it was beyond what you expect a goalkeeper to do, and that's why it was so amazing in my eyes.

[betiko]

Exactly. Timminz, you started saying howard was the best rounded goalie of the tournament. Neuer s performance against algeria was beyond what is expected from a goalie. It was between genius and nuts. No other keeper does what he does.

[Timminz]

Exactly. Timminz, you started saying howard was the best rounded goalie of the tournament. Neuer s performance against algeria was beyond what is expected from a goalie. It was between genius and nuts. No other keeper does what he does.

I did not intend to imply that Howard is a better keeper than Neuer (that's simply not true, and you are correct that my initial comment was overstating things slightly). What I intended to say was that the USA team let opponents force him to show his skill, more often than the Germans let opponents do the same to Neuer.

I still maintain, however, that you don't need to behave like such an asshole all the time.

[betiko]

Exactly. Timminz, you started saying howard was the best rounded goalie of the tournament. Neuer s performance against algeria was beyond what is expected from a goalie. It was between genius and nuts. No other keeper does what he does.

I did not intend to imply that Howard is a better keeper than Neuer (that's simply not true, and you are correct that my initial comment was overstating things slightly). What I intended to say was that the USA team let opponents force him to show his skill, more often than the Germans let opponents do the same to Neuer.

I still maintain, however, that you don't need to behave like such an asshole all the time.

I just think you need to grow a thicker skin, "are you nuts?" is just a mild form of disagreement, while you just called me an asshole for the second time and I'm not judging you for that.

I perfectly understood what you meant in the first place, I was simply giving more value to unexpected moves by a keeper vs quantity of saves.

[Trevor33]

Finally the Americans will stop thinking they're actually good at football.

Just like England...

Spain, Portugal and Italy too.

No, Spain, Portugal and Italy all have a recent history of success or at least close to success... England on the other hand don't. 2010 they finished runner up to America in their group.

[Trevor33]

No other keeper does what he does.

To bad you didn't see me playing for my school... was practically 11 outfield players

[oVo]

Hey! Tim Johnson showed us that he's as talented as any keeper in the tournament, including the German dude. Of course all the bloggers calling him an American hero is misplaced and total bs. He's an athlete who's good at his position, like so many other athletes. Neuer is a great keeper, but the skilled team in front of him makes his job easier.

How about the Swiss playing with an empty net
and ALL eleven up in the final minutes.

[betiko]

Hey! Tim Johnson showed us that he's as talented as any keeper in the tournament, including the German dude. Of course all the bloggers calling him an American hero is misplaced and total bs. He's an athlete who's good at his position, like so many other athletes. Neuer is a great keeper, but the skilled team in front of him makes his job easier.

How about the Swiss playing with an empty net
and ALL eleven up in the final minutes.

I wikied him and he's the senator from south dakota. He is over 60 years old, I don t think he can be as talented as other world cup players though.

[betiko]

No other keeper does what he does.

To bad you didn't see me playing for my school... was practically 11 outfield players

Ok, so Neuer + Trevor then!

[oVo]

I wikied him and he's the senator from south dakota. He is over 60 years old, I don t think he can be as talented as other world cup players though.

BRAIN FART! Ha ha! Don't mind me,
it's probably just a stroke or something.