World cup thread.

colognehornet said:
Football is at least a national sport in Mexico, whereas it's only the 4th most popular sport in the USA. and in Canada ? - well down the list I think. It's all about money - plus the fact that football apparently feels the need to colonize the World. After the farce of Qatar next time they really needed to go back to a footballing nation for the next one.
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True, I was hoping for more games mind, but 80 games in total and only 10 here sucks.
 
Well first goal and a good one for two not so in form teams. We're up and running <cheers>
 
colognehornet said:
A very open World Cup this one. Germany's worst World Cup campaigns have been those immediately following a win in the previous tournament - in 1958, 1978 and 1994 - I don't expect them to live up to their billing this time either. Everything was looking good for Spain but we do not know what effect their managerial crisis will have on them. The French have the players to win but there are doubts whether Deschamps is up to it as manager. Argentina have the players up front but have more than issues at the back. Brazil ? On the surface yes but how often have they flattered only to disappoint. Could the way be open for an underdog ? If so then maybe Belgium, or England. If Russia go out early then expect local support to switch to Serbia, and they have a lot going for them, as do Poland. Colombia could also be an outside tip for the Semis.
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Big difference for Germany this time though. Every other time they have defended it they have been playing in the Americas. So this time they don't have to defy history. I fancy France to win it though
 
Dan Starkey 2 said:
Big difference for Germany this time though. Every other time they have defended it they have been playing in the Americas. So this time they don't have to defy history. I fancy France to win it though
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Not quite right there Dan - 1958 was in Sweden. Also the 1994 World Cup in the USA. was 'neutral' as regards both European and South American nations. The Germans would have felt more 'at home' in the USA. than in Russia. The French are probably the strongest team but I just don't see Deschamps as a World Cup winning manager. Having made such a cock up of their own World Cup last time the Brazilians are raring to make amends, which may give them an edge. The Germans will only win if nobody plays World class football against them.
 
colognehornet said:
Not quite right there Dan - 1958 was in Sweden. Also the 1994 World Cup in the USA. was 'neutral' as regards both European and South American nations. The Germans would have felt more 'at home' in the USA. than in Russia. The French are probably the strongest team but I just don't see Deschamps as a World Cup winning manager. Having made such a cock up of their own World Cup last time the Brazilians are raring to make amends, which may give them an edge. The Germans will only win if nobody plays World class football against them.
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1958 sure. 1994 - pedantry at its finest <ok>
 
A presenter on state TV said Russia is now “at the centre of the grand football universe” while the president of Lokomotiv club, Ilya Gerkus, was quoted saying “Russia can now easily win the World Cup”.

And I thought in the past we got carried away <laugh><laugh><laugh><laugh><laugh><laugh>
 
kchorn said:
A presenter on state TV said Russia is now “at the centre of the grand football universe” while the president of Lokomotiv club, Ilya Gerkus, was quoted saying “Russia can now easily win the World Cup”.

And I thought in the past we got carried away <laugh><laugh><laugh><laugh><laugh><laugh>
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I spent a year watching Taunton Town in the Southern League West Division - it all looked remarkably similar to a lot of what I saw yesterday.
 
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Well in a short time my world cup really gets going. I'll be cheering Spain on with the locals.

Many of the Real supporters here of course will be in a quandry. Their god Cristiano against their national team <rofl>

For Morocco, only from comment, I note Amrabat seems to be charging down the wing but producing little from his delivery. And now he is off injured. Hope it is not to serious.

Enjoy <cheers>
 
Gutted for them. Watching Spain v Portugal. I had this down for a dour 1-1. Wronger than wrong! Hell's Bells it has it all.
 
What a game! Even thought Portugal would nick it at the end, they had two chances!

Spain dominated but Portugal grafted a draw thanks to two set pieces and a howler from De Gea.
 
Mexican Hornet said:
What a game! Even thought Portugal would nick it at the end, they had two chances!

Spain dominated but Portugal grafted a draw thanks to two set pieces and a howler from De Gea.
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It feels like the World Cup has just come alive. Probably one of the best first round games I can remember. Spain look to have recovered very quickly from their managerial turmoils. As for Portugal, they might just graft their way through to the final, as they did in the Euros.
 
Just got back from a bar packed with Spaniards. Most happy enough. After all should see Spain and Portugal both through. And a team that rely on one player must be more vunerable than Spain who showed some great possession. Had a great chat with a "in her 90s" grandmother. But that is not rare in Spain.

I think England and Spain should see me well through this competition <cheers><cheers><cheers> Hope everyone enjoyed it.
 
Ronaldo could go on for years but you might worry a bit for Portugal when he does finally stop playing.

Spain as expected looked like a side unaffected by the management change and Costa is a real beast when on song.

Both teams ought to win the next 2 games so the goal difference might come in handy and on tonight's evidence there might be a few.
 
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