FIFA World Cup 2014 Brazil [W:2274]

It's just 6 weeks before we kick off the biggest sports event in the World. Here's a thread for all Mundial-related chat.

Of course you want your country to win, but who do THINK will win? Who will be the players that shoot to worldwide fame? Who will flop? Can Spain retain their crown, or will Brazil return to the top of the pile in their own backyard?

There's a footie-tastic summer in prospect, so here's the DP chat zone for the Beautiful Game. Have at it, footie fans!

I'll start the ball rolling, hoping for a second England victory but not expecting much. I want to see a ringing of the generational change. Out with the Lampards, Terrys and Coles, in with the Oxlades, Barkleys and Wickhams. We won't win, so let the youngsters get the experience and confidence that comes from playing on the biggest stage.

My second side, Spain will not win either. I feel pretty sure that they are also in transition and the new gen isn't up to the same standard as the unbeatable of 4-6 years ago. I reckon it's hard to think of any other winner than Brazil. Argentina will do well, Germany will make the semis, as usual, but the surprise may come from Belgium - great team! Kompany, Hazard, Lukaku, Dembélé, Van Buyten, Courtois, Mirallas, Vertonghen... I'd have any of those players in my team.

So, let's go!

Andalublue said:

My second side, Spain will not win either. I feel pretty sure that they are also in transition and the new gen isn't up to the same standard as the unbeatable of 4-6 years ago. I reckon it's hard to think of any other winner than Brazil. Argentina will do well, Germany will make the semis, as usual, but the surprise may come from Belgium - great team! Kompany, Hazard, Lukaku, Dembélé, Van Buyten, Courtois, Mirallas, Vertonghen... I'd have any of those players in my team.

So, let's go!

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Since Albania would not go as far then I only have an elimination list. I have a list of countries whom I want to lose. Spain is one of them for not recognizing us after all we did to them!

Brazil's gonna win it. I'm hoping Germany wins, but for some reason they keep coming up just short. Hopefully we don't get third place for the third time in a row.

so happy to see this thread! COMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN ENGLANDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD :2razz:


love the world cup more than my wife and kids

Bosnia to be the shock team

Going by history, then it will be a South American team that wins as no European team has won the championship outside the European time zones.... yes it sounds nuts, but before Spain won in South Africa, no European team had won outside of Europe!

This means realistically either Brazil or Argentina. Of these 2 I see Brazil with the home team advantage, however it has been decades since a home team won. On top of that they have not played any competitive football in 4 years .. no the Confederations Cup dont count.

So that leaves Argentina as favourites, provided we go by history and European teams outside Europe.

Group wise.

Group A - Brazil and Mexico
Group B - Spain and Chile
Group C - Colombia and Japan (Tricky one as it is the most even group)
Group D - Uruguay and Italy (sorry England, but Uruguay use to play in South America and Italy always get out of the group stage)
Group E - France and Switzerland
Group F - Argentina and Nigeria
Group G - Germany and US (yes the US.. tough ass group, with all teams being able to go to the next round)
Group H - Belgium and South Korea

PeteEU said:

Going by history, then it will be a South American team that wins as no European team has won the championship outside the European time zones.... yes it sounds nuts, but before Spain won in South Africa, no European team had won outside of Europe!

This means realistically either Brazil or Argentina. Of these 2 I see Brazil with the home team advantage, however it has been decades since a home team won. On top of that they have not played any competitive football in 4 years .. no the Confederations Cup dont count.

So that leaves Argentina as favourites, provided we go by history and European teams outside Europe.

Group wise.

Group A - Brazil and Mexico
Group B - Spain and Chile
Group C - Colombia and Japan (Tricky one as it is the most even group)
Group D - Uruguay and Italy (sorry England, but Uruguay use to play in South America and Italy always get out of the group stage)
Group E - France and Switzerland
Group F - Argentina and Nigeria
Group G - Germany and US (yes the US.. tough ass group, with all teams being able to go to the next round)
Group H - Belgium and South Korea

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Don't disagree with your list.. but how is the US a surprise.. US went through 4 years ago at top of group in a very tough group.

austrianecon said:

Don't disagree with your list.. but how is the US a surprise.. US went through 4 years ago at top of group in a very tough group.

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Seriously? Their group in 2010 was piss easy compared to the one they have now. Algeria and Slovenia? HAHAHA Only tough country was England and well its England so not really tough... just get them to penalties and then you win.

This time around they have to get past Germany, Portugal and Ghana... far far far far harder. Ghana is the runner up in the African Cup. Germany is.. well Germany, and Portugal has the worlds supposedly best player. I chose the US simply because all the other teams will have tired players, where as the US wont relatively speaking. That gives them an advantage over teams like Portugal and Ghana.

I'm still holding my head, trying to grasp how the USA got into the group of death again. We have a great side, a great coach, but damn.

Meanwhile, Mexico only got in because we scored an extra goal in a match and they got a nice easy group. US can move on, but damn, we have to beat Ghana once for christsakes, we can pull off an upset against Portugal.

Brazil is scary tough, as always, I don't see England getting out, Italy always manages to get out, and with Uruguay..too tough.

So my predictions and picks.


1. Brazil the obvious favourites given their home advantage however this is no where near the best Brazil side we have seen, they are defensively fragile and rely heavily on Neymar who is still very young and has a lot further to go before he's at the levels of your Ronaldos, Robbens, Messi etc.
2. Argentina is a physical side and of course they have the brilliant Messi. The climate, the atmosphere will not be out of their comfort zone and they will enjoy a huge amount of travelling support. I think they have to be considered a huge threat.
3. Germany and Spain make up the rest of my “top 4”. Spain obviously have a wealth of experience and are the defending champions. However it’s very hard to defend this title and Spain have looked vulnerable in recent years. Teams are beginning to work out how to combat their style of play ( similar to Barca) and many of their players you could argue have peaked. Germany is in a similar situation in regards to the fact teams know their style, players etc. However both are very disciplined teams with some dangerous players.

My dark horse is Uruguay because they have some world class talent including that man Suarez, similar to Argentina they are used to playing in this kind of climate and if they get out of their very tough group they could go all the way.

Teams that could surprise you.
- England are massive underdogs and rightly so however if Hodgeson takes a risk and plays the young lads we could be very dangerous. Love the potential the 3 Liverpool players bring to the squad. Gerrard feeding the ball up top to his teammates Sterling and sturridge who’s Pace could give teams a nightmare, have Rooney playing just behind them causing havoc, solid defense with hopefully the exciting Baines ripping teams apart from the back, then Joe Hart who is one of the best and a natural leader.
- The USA under the leadership of Klinsmann are very organised, very phyiscal, dangerous on set plays and seem to always score. They are in the group of death but I’m not ruling out them beating Portugal and getting a result against Ghana.

beefheart said:

I'm still holding my head, trying to grasp how the USA got into the group of death again. We have a great side, a great coach, but damn.

Meanwhile, Mexico only got in because we scored an extra goal in a match and they got a nice easy group. US can move on, but damn, we have to beat Ghana once for christsakes, we can pull off an upset against Portugal.

Brazil is scary tough, as always, I don't see England getting out, Italy always manages to get out, and with Uruguay..too tough.

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I really fancy USA to get out of that group, as for England I think we will progress past a very old and average Italian team. It's going to be tough but I think playing Italy first plays into our favour.

Great start to the thread, guys!

My neutral pick for stardom is Belgium. I don't give credit to those who claim European teams don't succeed out of Europe. Stats are just that. They're there to be changed; Spain did that last time.

I don't give credence to claims that Uruguay and Argentina are virtually on home soil. Fortaleza and Natal are as different from Montevideo or Rosario as Stockholm is from Lisbon or Athens, climatically more so; only Porto Alegre has vaguely similar climatic conditions.

Home nations always have an advantage; Uruguay, Italy, England, West Germany, Argentina and France. That's 6 from 19 - a third. It's a huge advantage, and because of that I'm putting some money on Brazil, even though they don't have the greatest side in Brazilian footballing history, it will be enough.

Obligatory David and Mitchell Football. Granted, it's not about world cup but the sentiment is roughly the same for me.

"There's still everything to play for, and FOREVER to play it in. So that's the football" )

That being said, I'd like Portugal to win to teach its former colony a lesson . It would be hilarious.

But in all honesty, I'm thinking Italy or Germany.

PeteEU said:

Seriously? Their group in 2010 was piss easy compared to the one they have now. Algeria and Slovenia? HAHAHA Only tough country was England and well its England so not really tough... just get them to penalties and then you win.

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Slovenia beat Russia and was ranked 25th in FIFA rankings at the time, following the tourny they ended up ranking #17 by August. Algeria was in the top 35. While not the hardest group (Brazil and Portugal), it wasn't an easy group. Of course it looks easy compared to 2014 group. It's 4 years later and different squads. You are comparing apples to oranges.

Btw, you can't beat England by penalties in Group now can you? You go for the draw and roll your dice against other teams. Slovenia wasn't that far off from winning group either.

PeteEU said:

This time around they have to get past Germany, Portugal and Ghana... far far far far harder. Ghana is the runner up in the African Cup. Germany is.. well Germany, and Portugal has the worlds supposedly best player. I chose the US simply because all the other teams will have tired players, where as the US wont relatively speaking. That gives them an advantage over teams like Portugal and Ghana.

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Actually, it's not that hard. US knows all of these countries very well. This will be the 3rd WC US has to face Ghana. US and Germany have the same model and it's not like Low or Klinsmann are gonna be surprised by anything. US and Portugal will be the match that really decides it. US is the most physically fit squad in WC and will always be. It's the #1 stressed thing and MLS season starts in March so come end of May it's peak season for some of the US players. But that advantage never really translates. Hopefully Klinsmann has a few tricks up his sleeve or the US will out of it by match 2.

austrianecon said:

Btw, you can't beat England by penalties in Group now can you? You go for the draw and roll your dice against other teams.

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Getting the draw against England tends to be the other home nations' only tactic. Btw, how do you think Ireland are going to do in Brazil. :mrgreen:

US is the most physically fit squad in WC and will always be.

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Which is why they don't tend to progress. A talented team will always beat a merely fit one.

It's the #1 stressed thing and MLS season starts in March so come end of May it's peak season for some of the US players. But that advantage never really translates. Hopefully Klinsmann has a few tricks up his sleeve or the US will out of it by match 2.

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Yep, I think Klinsmann knows what he's doing.

austrianecon said:

Slovenia beat Russia and was ranked 25th in FIFA rankings at the time, following the tourny they ended up ranking #17 by August. Algeria was in the top 35. While not the hardest group (Brazil and Portugal), it wasn't an easy group. Of course it looks easy compared to 2014 group. It's 4 years later and different squads. You are comparing apples to oranges.

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It was actually you who started this by claiming something about the 2010 games.. just saying.

Btw, you can't beat England by penalties in Group now can you? You go for the draw and roll your dice against other teams. Slovenia wasn't that far off from winning group either.

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Was some banter ... everyone knows England chokes when it comes to penalties...

Actually, it's not that hard. US knows all of these countries very well. This will be the 3rd WC US has to face Ghana. US and Germany have the same model and it's not like Low or Klinsmann are gonna be surprised by anything. US and Portugal will be the match that really decides it. US is the most physically fit squad in WC and will always be. It's the #1 stressed thing and MLS season starts in March so come end of May it's peak season for some of the US players. But that advantage never really translates. Hopefully Klinsmann has a few tricks up his sleeve or the US will out of it by match 2.

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Germany will win over the US. That leaves the US to win over either Portugal or Ghana and the only thing that really is the US favour is the fact that their players are rested and get to Brazil way ahead of everyone else. It is only on this that I am thinking the US as the second team and not Portugal or Ghana. Like it or not the big German stars, Ghana's and US players are on a semi holiday now, where as Portugal's main players are not. Ronaldo is fighting for the CL and title, and the main team for Portugal is Benfica.. which is in the Euro Cup final. No rest for the successful..

Andalublue said:

Great start to the thread, guys!

My neutral pick for stardom is Belgium. I don't give credit to those who claim European teams don't succeed out of Europe. Stats are just that. They're there to be changed; Spain did that last time.

I don't give credence to claims that Uruguay and Argentina are virtually on home soil. Fortaleza and Natal are as different from Montevideo or Rosario as Stockholm is from Lisbon or Athens, climatically more so; only Porto Alegre has vaguely similar climatic conditions.

Home nations always have an advantage; Uruguay, Italy, England, West Germany, Argentina and France. That's 6 from 19 - a third. It's a huge advantage, and because of that I'm putting some money on Brazil, even though they don't have the greatest side in Brazilian footballing history, it will be enough.

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I think its more the fact that the other south American teams play in Brazil more frequently than European teams etc

Germany's going to win it all you guys, just you wait.


Sips Kool-Aid

I'm highly looking forward to this, although crossing fingers they can finish the stadiums and stop selling those bigoted t-shirts.

The Confed Cup is such a preview to the WC that i don't know why they have it. Brazil has to be the favorite, given how they manhandled Spain and haven't lost at home since 1970s.

I agree with Belgium being the 'surprise' team.

Breakdown:
Group A - Brazil, Cameroon
B - Spain, Holland
C - Columbia, Ivory Coast
D - Italy, Uruguay
E - France, Switzerland
F - Argentina, Nigeria
G - Germany, Portugal
H - Belgium, S Korea

Yes 3 african teams, none from NA

Semis: Brazil v Italy, Argentina v Germany

Group A Brazil, Croatia

We're screwed :lol:

Seriously though, the draw is not favourable for us at all but really, any group we are in is always going to be super tough for us. One positive is that all of our games will be in the south of Brazil so it won't be as hot and humid and we don't have as much travelling to cope with as others do. I know our boys are just excited that they get an opportunity to play some of the world's top nations on the biggest stage of all and there's no pressure on us to do well. Just hoping that our boys can play some great football and enjoy the experience.

Sentimental favourite for me is England - i'll be cheering for them but if i had to put money on it i couldn't go past Brazil.

Andalublue said:

Getting the draw against England tends to be the other home nations' only tactic. Btw, how do you think Ireland are going to do in Brazil. :mrgreen:

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Ireland will do better then Mexico while sitting at home in Dublin.

Andalublue said:

Which is why they don't tend to progress. A talented team will always beat a merely fit one.

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US is becoming more talented with the inclusion of German-American players such as Jones, Williams, Chandler (who's out for 2014) and Johnson. Jones and Johnson will be on the 2014 team. Williams I am not sure about.

Then it'll be seen if Aron Jóhannsson will be on the team. He's striker to look out for. He's going somewhere in summer transfer window.

US next young talent is Julian Green and I doubt he'll be in the WC team but 2016 (for Copa America) and 2018 he'll be something special. Bayern Munich loves this kid. He'll be a star soon.

Andalublue said:

Yep, I think Klinsmann knows what he's doing.

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Jermaine Jones addition helps negate some of the problems US had with Ghana in the past as the US never had a true Defensive Midfielder which allows the US to do much more then it could before.

PeteEU said:

Germany will win over the US. That leaves the US to win over either Portugal or Ghana and the only thing that really is the US favour is the fact that their players are rested and get to Brazil way ahead of everyone else. It is only on this that I am thinking the US as the second team and not Portugal or Ghana. Like it or not the big German stars, Ghana's and US players are on a semi holiday now, where as Portugal's main players are not. Ronaldo is fighting for the CL and title, and the main team for Portugal is Benfica.. which is in the Euro Cup final. No rest for the successful..

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I think the US could give Germany a run for their money. They have in the past. So who knows.. alot of Germany's team is playing close to 50 matches this year. US squad on the other hand has a 3 games in 10 days (May 27th - June 7th) against Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Nigeria to basically replicate the World Cup travel. So who knows.

austrianecon said:

Ireland will do better then Mexico while sitting at home in Dublin.

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How did Mexico come into the discussion?

US next young talent is Julian Green and I doubt he'll be in the WC team but 2016 (for Copa America) and 2018 he'll be something special. Bayern Munich loves this kid. He'll be a star soon.

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That's exactly what they said about Freddie Adu. How did that turn out?

Andalublue said:

How did Mexico come into the discussion?

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Mexico struggled to qualify and Ireland didn't but Ireland won't lose 3 games in group like Mexico. So I like Ireland's chances. :lamo

Andalublue said:

That's exactly what they said about Freddie Adu. How did that turn out?

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Major differences. Freddy Adu was trained at the IMG Academy and spent no time in a Club youth team. Adu was playing at 14 when he shouldn't have. Rather he should have played youth football in Europe.

Julian Green on the other hand has been playing Club football for Bayern for over 4 years. Getting regular time in Bayern reserves and making it on the pitch for First team football and he's got Pep as a manager so he'll learn a lot. On top of that Pep wants him him training with the first team all the time now. So it's really hard to wow Bayern staff, US staff and German staff. That's what Green has done.