World Cup 2014, Brazil.

It's the same situation for both sides. The playing field is still level. If you want to discount friendlies then you're going to have to do the same with all the other top scorers I listed. Have fun with that.

 

I'm not comparing Rooney to any of those other players though, I'm just talking about Rooney on his own.

 

But bugger Rooney, just 6 hours until the cup kicks off!!!!!!!

 

FIFA have appointed Dutch referee Bjorn Kuipers to referee England vs Italy.

Kuipers refereed the Champions League Final between Atlético and Real Madrid this season.

 

Moreover, Bjorn is a great name. Happy with that purely on that basis.

 

He had a great game so happy with that.

 

Agreed took no nonsense, although there are no real divers on either side in our game. If anything I'd say the English players are more likely to go down easily.

 

Two words. Mario. Balotelli.

 

Sorry to interupt your debate about Mr. Potato, but Croatia is opening the world cup against Brazil!!!!

I'm moderatly optimistic about the match. It's one of those where you have nothing to lose. If you lose the game, no big deal. You lost to the host, a very good Brasilian team tipped to win the World Cup. But on the other hand, if you win...

We have our strenghts. The manager Niko Kovač hasn't fielded the presumable first team lineup in any of the pre-tournament friendlies, so we haven't had the chance to really see the first team in action. There are still a few doubts about the lineup, the manager is witholding all the information. But it's probable the first team will look like this.

Pletikosa
Srna - Ćorluka - Lovren - Vrsaljko
Modrić - Rakitić
PeriÅ¡ić - Kovačić - Olić
Jelavić

Pletikosa is a reliable keeper, more than a hundred caps for Croatia. Back four is not jaw dropping, but still very solid. Lovren in frame for a start, after Schieldenfeld suffered a minor knock in midweek. You might remember Ćorluka from his time at Tottenham. Srna is the captain of the team, also at his club team, Sahtjor Donetsk. Quite a feat for a foreigner. At 32 not at his best, but still a great right back, once a transfer target for many top european clubs such as Chelsea, but he chose to remain at Donetsk.

The midfield is hugely talented. Rakitić is going to Barcelona, Modrić plays for Real Madrid, Inter Milan's Kovačić is one of the most promising european talents. They're all very creative player, but it can be a curse as well as a blessing. We lack a destroyer in the midfield.

In the attack we have Bundesliga player Olić and PeriÅ¡ić on the flanks and Jelavić in the centre, in absence of Mandžukić. Not much flair, but very hardworking. Jelavić tried to revive his career with a move from Everton to Hull. Olić and PeriÅ¡ić were in a great form in Wolfsburg.

So overall, not a bad team. Certainly can get something from the match. But, Brasilians are the favourites, they have a strong side, good run of results and they're playing in front of their home crowd. But it's not a classic brasilian side, like the ones that featured Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Kaka, Emerson, Cafu, Roberto Carlos, Ze Roberto, just to name but a few.

And also, I've got to mention this. Eduardo da Silva came to Croatia as a teenager. He started his career with Dinamo Zagreb and his goals got him a transfer to Arsenal, where he soon established himself in the first team. But his time with Arsenal was short and ill fated- Martin Taylor broke Eduardo's leg with a monstruos tackle. He was never the same player again. He went to Sahtjor where he now plays a bit part role. He's a Brasilian playing for Croatia and as fate would have it, he's now a part of the team that will open the World cup in his native country, against his native team. It's a great story and football is all about great stories. Like Lambert's story. And like all great stories, it cannot be left without a proper ending. How about the one where Eduardo comes from the bench and scores a winner against Brasil?

I'd like that story.

 

Good Luck SFCC... what do you predict?

 

I *think* I still love Lovren enough to be cheering Croatia on!

 

I keep seeing people say Schildenfeld will be starting over Lovren.

 

I really can't tell, i imagined dozen scenarios.

But I think Brazil will launch full frontal assault from the off. It's crucial to endure the opening 10-15 minutes. And then as the game goes on, if the haven't scored, Brasil will become frustrated, they're going to rush things, make rash decision...and we'll have our chances, I'm sure of it.

 

Croatia look just as good as Brazil in the middle, to be fair. Dealing with Hulk, Neymar and Fred, though.....gonna be tough.

 

This is great.

[video=youtube;DlJEt2KU33I]https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=DlJEt2KU33I[/video]

 

Yeah saw this last night. Very funny and absolutely spot on.

 

[video=youtube;OCOiHFnNBuY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCOiHFnNBuY[/video]

 

If the opening ceremony doesn't contain either or both of the following, then Brazil have badly let us down.

80 foot high robot Sepp Blatter's that shoot lazers.

and/or

Two girls, one cup.

 

I'm hoping for 2 girls 1 cup or will we be let down with 1 man 1 jar.