Yet Another Cycling Forum

Off Topic => The Pub => The Sporting Life => Topic started by: Andrew Br on 07 June, 2014, 10:55:53 pm

Title: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Andrew Br on 07 June, 2014, 10:55:53 pm
There should be a thread, perhaps this could be it ?
If you don't like football you shouldn't contribute unless you have something constructive to say (constructive doesn't mean negative, just think it through).

To kick off (see what I did there ?), England's last warm-up game has been delayed because of the threat of electrical storms.
I've learned from the commentary that the England team, after the game, are flying down to Rio.
If I understood correctly it's 8 hours. That's 8 hours in a limited oxygen, low humidity atmosphere with limited opportunities to stretch and move around after running around for 90 minutes in a hot, humid stadium.
Who thought this was a good idea ?
Surely better to stay another night, light training in the morning and fly down tomorrow ?


Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 07 June, 2014, 10:59:10 pm
I'm just waiting for the actual competitive games to start.

This England lot seem actually quite likeable! Can't see them going far (getting out of the group would be quite an achievement), but it'll be fun to watch.

I love the World Cup.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Andrew Br on 07 June, 2014, 11:30:38 pm
I love it too* and yes, getting out of the group will be some achievement.

Winner ?
I think Argentina on the basis that the pressure on Brazil will be too much.
Spain as an outside bet, if I were to bet.

England to go out in the quarters having drawn against Italy and scraped through the other qualifiers.
Despite their exit, they'll have shown potential for Euro 2016 (at which I think they'll do well).
More predictions:
Glenn Johnson will never convince as a defender.
Wayne Rooney won't deliver**


*I enjoyed playing football more than I enjoy cycling.
** I'm an MU fan.

Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 07 June, 2014, 11:40:09 pm
Belgium as a good outside bet? Worth a punt, I reckon, but no more than that.

I'll probably be organising a sweep at work.

I did this for the 2006 WC, when I worked somewhere else - to avoid accusations of fiddling it in my favour, I took the last team in the bag.

And quite a few people accused me of fiddling it in my favour. Seriously.

The team that was left to me?

(click to show/hide)

The worst thing was, the jammy sods who'd picked the first and second teams were both Hartlepool fans.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 07 June, 2014, 11:52:34 pm
I quite enjoyed the Celebrity World Cup Pointless on this evening. Guests included Geoff Hurst, George Cohen, Peter Shilton, Steve Bull (of whom I had never heard), a commentator I didn't recognise, someone else and two representing women's football, who were consistently very good, and who won.

Apart from Paul Gascoigne Wayne Rooney I don't think I could name anyone in the current England team.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Jaded on 08 June, 2014, 12:32:43 am
Steve Bull does cartoons for the Guardian.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Andrew Br on 08 June, 2014, 12:33:19 am
That's borderline Wow; if I were the referee I'd be "having a word" despite it being your first offence.
If I can put it into a different context, I've absolutely no interest in chess so I don't contribute to any of the threads that you start.

Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Basil on 08 June, 2014, 12:35:10 am

The worst thing was, the jammy sods who'd picked the first and second teams were both Hartlepool fans.
Snigger.

Akcherly, even I watch WC footingball.
I'm quite liking 13/2 for a nil - nil for England - Italy.  Might chuck a fiver at that.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Auntie Helen on 08 June, 2014, 06:15:55 am
I'm in Germany - do I support England or Germany? I suspect Germany might do better.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 08 June, 2014, 06:39:06 am
That's borderline Wow; if I were the referee I'd be "having a word" despite it being your first offence.
If I can put it into a different context, I've absolutely no interest in chess so I don't contribute to any of the threads that you start.
Ah, but regard it as a learning experience! It's going to be hard to avoid this stuff over the coming weeks. Where best to find out about it - some clichéd commentator or the erudite, and possibly smutty, pages of YACF?

I really enjoyed Ecuador's second goal in the warm-up match.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Blazer on 08 June, 2014, 09:51:05 am
Didn't Steve Bull have a prolific season for Wolves and get a few caps as a result?

I'm hoping to get a Sunday supplement thing today, still like having a bit of paper with everything on one side.

England will do well to get out of the group but no further than second round.

Argentina would be a good bet I reckon
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Clare on 08 June, 2014, 10:16:42 am
That's borderline Wow; if I were the referee I'd be "having a word" despite it being your first offence.
If I can put it into a different context, I've absolutely no interest in chess so I don't contribute to any of the threads that you start.
Ah, but regard it as a learning experience! It's going to be hard to avoid this stuff over the coming weeks. Where best to find out about it - some clichéd commentator or the erudite, and possibly smutty, pages of YACF?

I really enjoyed Ecuador's second goal in the warm-up match.

Here's a video that might help your understanding Wow:

 http://youtu.be/uWm-23RSjfs
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 08 June, 2014, 10:19:29 am
Didn't Steve Bull have a prolific season for Wolves and get a few caps as a result?
He played in the 1990 world cup.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Blazer on 08 June, 2014, 12:25:54 pm
Wayne Rooney won't deliver

I'm not a Man U supporter although don't follow any particular team but agree Rooney won't deliver.  I think his temper still makes him more of a liability.  Not sure why he celebrated so enthusiastically after his 12 inch tap in on Wednesday.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: caerau on 08 June, 2014, 12:36:06 pm
The trouble with Rooney is that he's already been picked by The Sun therefore he is a football god and if he doesn't deliver it will be the manager's fault.


I agree he shouldn't be first choice on recent (and reasonable unrecent) form but it isn't us who will be picking the team.


Living in Wales it's going to be tough to watch the matches in a sociable manner as you get relegated to a quiet side-room in the pubs if they're showing it all which is a shame.
Conversely before I moved to Wales I was in Brum and all their pubs got infected by the 'no surrender to the IRA' mob  ::-)  but the missus wants us to go there to watch it if England do progress.


Personally I'm of Scottish extraction so don't really give all that much of a toss how England do, I prefer to watch it as a celebration of football - it's watching the great teams and the unexpectedly good teams that get me going.  Being a Liverpool fan though I do like to watch the club players do well.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Blazer on 08 June, 2014, 12:55:26 pm
Germany, Argentina, Brazil, Spain too obvious for the semi's?
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: bobb on 08 June, 2014, 01:02:08 pm
Seeing as everybody from armchair football experts to the media are saying how shit England are and how they'll go out at the group stage, I fully expect them to win  ;D

Having watched a lot of the clips on the BBC site, I have realised that world cups were far better in the 70s and 80s. The players had cool hair. Some of them even had moustaches. They wore proper shorts, their jerseys were simple but stylish and they strolled around with their socks around their ankles before scoring memorable goals.

The interest and expectations of this world cup (from an England pov) are so low, that I'm hoping it might just surprise everyone. Probably be shit though. Can't see Rooney growing a moustache for a start....
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Basil on 08 June, 2014, 01:25:06 pm

Living in Wales it's going to be tough to watch the matches in a sociable manner as you get relegated to a quiet side-room in the pubs if they're showing it all which is a shame.
Conversely before I moved to Wales I was in Brum and all their pubs got infected by the 'no surrender to the IRA' mob  ::-)  but the missus wants us to go there to watch it if England do progress.


Personally I'm of Scottish extraction so don't really give all that much of a toss how England do, I prefer to watch it as a celebration of football - it's watching the great teams and the unexpectedly good teams that get me going.

Blimey!  Are you me?
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: caerau on 08 June, 2014, 01:43:19 pm
Dunno, but I did spend a period of time drinking at the Country Gal in Selly Oak at one point which rather adds to the spookiness.  ;D
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Von Broad on 08 June, 2014, 01:46:58 pm
Winner ?
I think Argentina on the basis that the pressure on Brazil will be too much.
Spain as an outside bet, if I were to bet.

I don't normally bet (http://www.oddschecker.com/football/world-cup/winner), but I might throw a few quid at it this time.

As for outsiders, you can pick Uruguay up for about 28-1 [as are Portugal and England!] and Colombia for 40-1. Might go each way on them.
Interestingly Belgium are the next favorite outside of the big four [Brazil, Germany, Argentina and Spain] coming in at around 20-1.

I got a it carried away was looking at some stats (http://www.topendsports.com/events/worldcupsoccer/winners.htm) this morning about how many times the current top four seeds have been in the final since the competition began in 1930.

Of those 19 World Cups that have been played in that time, 16 have featured at least one of the current top 4 seeds.
And of the 38 teams that have played in those 19 games, 20 of those teams have been one of the current top 4.
And if you take the current top 8 seeds for 2014, no other team has ever won the WC since 1930 - it would be the top 7, but I included the 8th seeded team too :)]

Also interesting to see that on each of the 7 occasions the competition has been held anywhere in the Americas [including the USA] it's been won by a South American team every time.

All of which means absolutely nothing  :)
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: pcolbeck on 08 June, 2014, 01:49:07 pm
England aren’t usually crap just not as good as the hype from the press makes them out to be before every tournament. They consistently make it to the quarter finals which isn’t bad. You also need a bit of luck which the two England teams in recent history that had a reasonable chance of winning the World Cup didn’t have.

The 1986 team were knocked out in the quarter finals by M aradonna's hand of god goal.

The 1998 team were knocked out after a young David Beckham was sent off. That squad was really good,SHearer,Beckham, Scholes,etc
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Von Broad on 08 June, 2014, 02:00:33 pm
England aren’t usually crap just not as good as the hype from the press makes them out to be before every tournament. They consistently make it to the quarter finals which isn’t bad. You also need a bit of luck which the two England teams in recent history that had a reasonable chance of winning the World Cup didn’t have.

The 1986 team were knocked out in the quarter finals by M aradonna's hand of god goal.

The 1998 team were knocked out after a young David Beckham was sent off. That squad was really good,SHearer,Beckham, Scholes,etc

Don't forget 1990. Being a bit sad I watched the BBC live stream of the 1990 semi final again yesterday afternoon, including the whole pundit preamble. Thoroughly enjoyable. They played really well and a young-looking Gazza was brilliant. Amusing to hear John Motson saying things like, 'England have never been in a penalty shoot-out in a major competition before]. Is that so, John? lol
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: clarion on 08 June, 2014, 02:38:00 pm
England seem solid, if not spectacular, this time, and seem to be more of a team than the assemblage of individual talents they've sometimes seemed in the past.  I hope they don't read or watch any of the UK coverage, because there will be unreasonable expectations on them.

I think England have a fair chance of getting as far as the semi- finals, and maybe even achieving third place.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Blazer on 08 June, 2014, 04:02:13 pm
Any stato work out there showing England performance depending on which channel broadcasts the game?

BBC has v Italy then it's ITV for Uruguay and Costa Rica.  Personal preference for BBC coverage but ideal would be Adrian Chiles as front man.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: SteveC on 08 June, 2014, 04:24:09 pm
Living in Wales it's going to be tough to watch the matches in a sociable manner as you get relegated to a quiet side-room in the pubs if they're showing it all which is a shame.
We were camping in Snowdonia during the 2006 competition. The campsite was owned by a pub so we spent most of the evenings in there. They did show the football in the main bar. Most of the locals preferred to speak Welsh. Watching the England Sweden game was an interesting experience. Most of the locals were grudgingly supporting England, but one in particular was making a point of supporting Sweden, cheering and shouting when ever they got a corner or a throw in for instance.  The five English people in the bar were keeping very quiet!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: caerau on 08 June, 2014, 05:16:13 pm
Living in Wales it's going to be tough to watch the matches in a sociable manner as you get relegated to a quiet side-room in the pubs if they're showing it all which is a shame.
We were camping in Snowdonia during the 2006 competition. The campsite was owned by a pub so we spent most of the evenings in there. They did show the football in the main bar. Most of the locals preferred to speak Welsh. Watching the England Sweden game was an interesting experience. Most of the locals were grudgingly supporting England, but one in particular was making a point of supporting Sweden, cheering and shouting when ever they got a corner or a throw in for instance.  The five English people in the bar were keeping very quiet!


The weirdest experience I've had on that front was a few years back when I talked my mate into holding is stag do in Glasgow so I could educate him on what a great city it is.  It just so happened German were playing England that night, we walked into a pub showing the game and Germany immediately went 1-0 up.  This comprehensively put nearly everyone in the pub on cloud 9 and a right good atmosphere commenced, they hadn't been interested up to that point.
(A guy in a kilt on the train up there had put down a ghetto blaster, put on a tape playing the german national anthem and then did a Nazi salute)
Of course, if you recall the match, England then proceeded to butt kick Germany 5-1.  The atmosphere changed again...
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: LEE on 08 June, 2014, 05:29:57 pm
I think it's great that some average old-timers have been left out and the likes of Oxlaide-Chamberlain, Sterling and Lallana..etc have been given a chance.

James Milner is a constant surprise to me, he really isn't a talented footballer but hey, Roy sees something in him as a "workhorse".

Generally we don't have much talent with a football so, in the absence of that, pace is a good substitute.  We have pace for sure.  Pace always gives you a chance.

Because we tend to give the ball away so much I think that will come back to haunt us in the Brazilian heat.  South American/"Latin" countries will pass the ball around us, at walking pace, while we wear ourselves out trying to win it back..before promptly giving it back to them.  We have to hope that, when we have the ball, our quick, youthful, front players can capitalise on any ageing defences.

I'm a Man U fan and hence should rave about Rooney.  However I think he's been average at best for two years.  He's culpable of losing possession too much.  That's the #1 sin at this level.
Can he control his tendency to get frustrated and kick out?  I suspect not when it's 100degC and he's lost possession again.

Overall though, you never know, pace up front, Ross Barkley in the middle, we may surprise some complacent teams.

I'd prefer to go out 3-4 than 0-0 and penalties.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: falcon on 08 June, 2014, 07:20:01 pm
I'm not a football fan the wife is,  however I do like watching the world cup, one thing that does my head in is the gaps between games,  do they really need x days to rest before a match?  Big girls! Froome and brad don't get such luxuries!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: mattc on 09 June, 2014, 07:09:05 am
I'm not a football fan the wife is,  however I do like watching the world cup, one thing that does my head in is the gaps between games,  do they really need x days to rest before a match?  Big girls! Froome and brad don't get such luxuries!
i think the sensible answer is probably Yes.(look at how long rugby teams get).

But for the fans, those enormous gaps in the last week should come down. The players rarely put on a breackneck spectacle in the final anyway.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 09 June, 2014, 07:33:51 am
I wouldn't claim to be an expert but West Germany used to be good.  Haven't heard much about them lately.  Could it be their year again at last?
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Jaded on 09 June, 2014, 07:43:58 am
I wouldn't claim to be an expert but West Germany used to be good.  Haven't heard much about them lately.  Could it be their year again at last?

Help, is Putin going to put the Iron Curtain back up  :o
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: pcolbeck on 09 June, 2014, 08:26:02 am
The Germans will have the same problem England do. They play a fast running game like us (but with better organisation usually) and the heat and humidity will kill them. I think this one will go to a South American or Southern European team that play a slow passing game.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: caerau on 09 June, 2014, 09:44:58 am
I'm not a football fan the wife is,  however I do like watching the world cup, one thing that does my head in is the gaps between games,  do they really need x days to rest before a match?  Big girls! Froome and brad don't get such luxuries!
i think the sensible answer is probably Yes.(look at how long rugby teams get).

But for the fans, those enormous gaps in the last week should come down. The players rarely put on a breackneck spectacle in the final anyway.


Yes football is a full contact sport as is rugby (hard one to tell in this instance  ;) ).  I used play prop forward, it was hard to move my neck for about a week after a match.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 09 June, 2014, 12:42:45 pm
Having watched a lot of the clips on the BBC site, I have realised that world cups were far better in the 70s and 80s. The players had cool hair. Some of them even had moustaches. They wore proper shorts, their jerseys were simple but stylish and they strolled around with their socks around their ankles before scoring memorable goals.
Yes, Scotland's 1986 Umbro strip was particularly memorable, and Graeme Souness had a moustache.

I think what's missing from World Cups these days is really good World Cup singles. Rod Stewart or BA Robertson, rather than Del Asoddingmitri.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Pingu on 09 June, 2014, 10:37:18 pm
Scotland v Holland from Aregentina 1978 on BBC red button now.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Jaded on 09 June, 2014, 10:48:39 pm
I remember that well, because I was in Endinburger.

It was a lot noisier than the Peru match - the quietest night I ever experienced in Auld Reekie.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 09 June, 2014, 10:50:23 pm
Scotland played brilliantly in that match.

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Von Broad on 09 June, 2014, 11:20:18 pm
Aregentina 1978

I can still remember so much from that World Cup, so vivid still in memory [and that was a WC by no means not without it's dark side either] - the wonderful Dutch team, Mario Kempes, a forlorn looking Ally MacCleod in the dugout against Iran, some great games, an truly inspired Archie Gemmil but more than all of these these.....the supremely elegant Frank Bough. In the Studio. Only 36 yrs ago!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Jaded on 12 June, 2014, 08:35:35 am
Just maybe the media girning about how unprepared Brazil is might be true?

Quote
"Frankly, Manaus is in bad shape," said Carlos Botella, head groundsman for the Royal Verd company which is responsible for the turf at Manaus.
"The maintenance has been complicated."
Botella added: "There are no roads. All the machinery and materials had to be brought by ship. There was no fertilizer and no seeds.
"Now we have put fertilizer down. We will increase the fertilizing process with biostimulants and seeds to try to get the most out of the grass."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27800681
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: LEE on 12 June, 2014, 09:10:50 am
Despite the FIFA corruption, the impending and crushing disappointments that await me (as an England supporter) and the numerous disappointing games.... I'm very excited.  IT'S THE WORLD CUP...IN BRAZIL!!

My hopes are raised by some fresh English talent but they will be dashed against the rocks of reality when we meet any big teams.

I'm actually hoping that I get to see Messi and Ronaldo at their very peak.  They are two of the top 10 players ever to have kicked a football and yet still need to display that at this level to cement their place in history I think.  Amazing to think that the last 6 "World Player of the year" awards has gone to just 2 players (and same 2 players have mostly been the runner-up if they didn't actually win it).

Either one could win "Golden Boot" but Ronaldo, in full flight, would be my current choice as best player on the planet right now.  He got Portugal to the finals almost single-handedly.  Maybe his team aren't good enough to give him the platform to do too well, whereas Argentina are good enough to let Messi dominate.

Neymar, of Brazil, will be tying defenders' legs in knots in front of a home crowd, there should be quite an atmosphere.

Anyhoo..I can't wait now.

Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 12 June, 2014, 02:41:26 pm
I understand that a free copy of The Scum was issued today, and that the Liverpool postmen refused to deliver it.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: spesh on 12 June, 2014, 03:17:38 pm
I understand that a free copy of The Scum was issued today, and that the Liverpool postmen refused to deliver it.

I had a quick flick through the copy I received, and it's fair to say that Liverpudlians aren't missing a lot. I was expecting a copy of today's paper, but it looked more like a cringeworthy advertorial where the Sun was extolling what it thinks is so great about England - or at least, that was the gist I got in the few seconds before it was consigned to the recycling box...
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: caerau on 12 June, 2014, 04:16:57 pm
I think the last time the Sun was read in Liverpool, Samantha Fox was still featuring about on page 3.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Basil on 12 June, 2014, 07:30:26 pm
I'm sitting in the pub (because for me, once a fortnight Thursday night is the new Friday night).  I assume that what's going on on the muted telly is the footy opening ceremony.
 wtf?. 

I assume it will get better.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Basil on 12 June, 2014, 07:45:43 pm
I particularly enjoyed that bit where the orb in the centre dramatically opened up to reveal

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Blazer on 12 June, 2014, 08:02:12 pm
Glen Hoddle  :hand:

2 pundits with English as a second language  :-\ (don't get me wrong)

Clive Tylsley  :'(

Its going to be a long evening
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Basil on 12 June, 2014, 08:24:05 pm
There again, I suppose that the 1966 opening ceremony was a guards band marching up and down a bit.  I didn't actually see it.  I think the only games I saw were England France -  we were on a family holiday in the south of France at the time and my dad had the stupid idea of taking us kids to a local bar to watch it.  :facepalm:.  Luckily my brother and I were more interest in the pinball machine than flakey black and white shadows on a tiny telly.  That was the first and only time I ever knew my Dad to show an interest in footingball.  My mom, true Scot that she was, didn't join us.
And I believe I remember watching the final.  But maybe I've seen the clips so often I just think I remember it.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 12 June, 2014, 09:10:51 pm
Twitter is filled with concern for poor wee ginger Gordon Strachan, whom ITV are attempting to slowly fry to death by making him present under the blazing Brazilian sun, on a beach for extra glare.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: mcshroom on 12 June, 2014, 09:14:29 pm
Hmm
(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: andyoxon on 12 June, 2014, 09:17:34 pm
Just to clarify, what will be the spoiler stance of this thread?  Can we openly discuss results?
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Basil on 12 June, 2014, 09:25:15 pm
Just to clarify, what will be the spoiler stance of this thread?  Can we openly discuss results?

I would have thought so.  If I don't want to know the test match score, I stay away from The Cricket thread.  Same thing with the TdF. 
Title: Brazil 0-2 Croatia
Post by: mattc on 12 June, 2014, 11:02:49 pm
Just to clarify, what will be the spoiler stance of this thread?  Can we openly discuss results?

I would have thought so.  If I don't want to know the test match score, I stay away from The Cricket thread.  Same thing with the TdF.
Sounds about right. But please avoid thoughtless titles  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 12 June, 2014, 11:54:55 pm
Tim Vickery, the BBC South American football correspondent, is brilliant.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: andyoxon on 13 June, 2014, 08:44:15 am
Rik Mayall's Noble England song...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMAFme1hBH0
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 13 June, 2014, 09:21:18 am
(click to show/hide)

Although for that to happen implies a greater success than many are predicting for the Battling British Boys.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 13 June, 2014, 09:34:00 am
I thought I had better find out which countries are involved. It's a bit disappointing that Ireland and Scotland aren't there.

Was it deliberate that all S. American countries were kept apart in the group stages?
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: andyoxon on 13 June, 2014, 01:08:02 pm
Italy - England should be good bit of drama; and it's not doomed to penalties either.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: bikenrrd on 13 June, 2014, 01:30:22 pm
I thought I had better find out which countries are involved. It's a bit disappointing that Ireland and Scotland aren't there.

Was it deliberate that all S. American countries were kept apart in the group stages?

Unfortunately Ireland and Scotland are just not good enough to be at the World Cup.  Neither are England, really, but they seem to have scraped in.

The draw for the groups was "random" (a tombola) but could have been as fixed as last night's match was!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: andyoxon on 13 June, 2014, 01:34:49 pm
If you get to the finals - you're good enough to be there.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Jaded on 13 June, 2014, 01:38:07 pm
I thought I had better find out which countries are involved. It's a bit disappointing that Ireland and Scotland aren't there.

Was it deliberate that all S. American countries were kept apart in the group stages?

Unfortunately Ireland and Scotland are just not good enough to be at the World Cup.  Neither are England, really, but they seem to have scraped in.

The draw for the groups was "random" (a tombola) but could have been as fixed as last night's match was!
Except there were seeds for the draw, so as Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Columbia were seeds, they could not have been drawn in the same group.

Then the remaining African and South American teams were put into a pot (with Italy, to even the numbers out) so Chile and Ecuador couldn't be drawn against each other, and they couldn't be drawn into a pot that already had a South American team in it.

Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Graeme on 13 June, 2014, 04:52:20 pm
Just started watching the ITV coverage, waiting for the beginning of the Cameroon v Mexico match.

I can't help wondering about the jingle as they go to the adverts; it isn't the music from Terry Gilliam's "Brazil" is it?
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Dibdib on 13 June, 2014, 09:43:01 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tym0MObFpTI

(sorry.)
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 13 June, 2014, 09:45:15 pm
Fucking hell. If only the Dutch had played like this four years ago!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Peter on 13 June, 2014, 10:02:18 pm
That was astonishing.  I feel really sorry for Casillas: to have been bamboozled (and fouled) by a rampant side in front of billions must have made him feel awful.  Yet he still had the character to pull off a couple of superb saves late on which seemed to elude the commentators.  I hope they don't drop him.  Poor Torres had another one of those displays that made him such a success at Chelsea.

Things are shaping up nicely!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Greenbank on 13 June, 2014, 10:59:11 pm
Poor Torres had another one of those displays that made him such a success at Chelsea.

And Chelsea have (recently) bought Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas. Will they go to pot next season too?
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Peter on 14 June, 2014, 01:06:58 am
Hmmm.  Costa seems to have a touch of Alan Pardew about him so might not be playing as often as Jose would like.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 14 June, 2014, 10:56:38 am
Fucking hell. If only the Dutch had played like this four years ago!

I have just seen the score to the Dutch match.

I know nothing whatever of Spain's preparation, but I am reminded of France's "defence" of their World Cup, whenever it was. France were arrogant, under-prepared and, because they were defending champions with a free pass to the finals, totally devoid of competitive match practice. Holland, of course, had something to prove after their foul-fest of four years ago.

I hope Spain recover. I was so pleased for them four years ago, notwithstanding the fact that I had drawn Holland in the YACF sweepstake, and it would be a shame to see them humiliated now.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: mattc on 14 June, 2014, 11:56:59 am
Fucking hell. If only the Dutch had played like this four years ago!

I have just seen the score to the Dutch match.

I know nothing whatever of Spain's preparation,
I suggest you start your research with their performance in the last 3 major championships.( I.e. WC & Euros ).
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 14 June, 2014, 07:00:24 pm
Little Cudzo got Greece in his class sweepstake random teams out of a hat thing, so we watched. From boredom to disappointment!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Biff on 14 June, 2014, 08:07:27 pm
The England soccer team visited an orphanage in Brazil today. 'It's heartbreaking to see their sad little faces and no hope,' said Jose, aged 6.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Auntie Helen on 14 June, 2014, 09:25:39 pm
How interesting - my friend put that (in German) on his Facebook page a couple of days ago and I copied it onto mine (also in German).

I assumed Stefan had invented it, but perhaps not (he has that sort of humour). Or perhaps he did, and it has made its way around the world...
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: andyoxon on 14 June, 2014, 11:05:36 pm
C'mon England!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 14 June, 2014, 11:12:22 pm
Has Motson retired? Some other nerk's doing the commentary.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Pancho on 14 June, 2014, 11:19:49 pm
I'm in bed with insomnia. Is it worth going downstairs to watch the footy?
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 14 June, 2014, 11:24:15 pm
It's a decent match so far - fairly open at both ends. So, yes.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 14 June, 2014, 11:37:21 pm
Definitely yes.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: andyoxon on 14 June, 2014, 11:39:59 pm
Get in there!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 14 June, 2014, 11:51:54 pm
I reckon the BBC picks its pundits solely by how boring their voices are.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 15 June, 2014, 12:01:20 am
Yes, thankfully they’ve gone back to the stadium, that was painful. Mostly unintelligible, especially TH.

....

Oh no, they are back. 
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: andyoxon on 15 June, 2014, 12:01:52 am
I thought Thierry was going fall asleep.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 15 June, 2014, 12:10:36 am
Well, it hasn't been a dull match.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Jaded on 15 June, 2014, 02:43:03 am
How interesting - my friend put that (in German) on his Facebook page a couple of days ago and I copied it onto mine (also in German).

I assumed Stefan had invented it, but perhaps not (he has that sort of humour). Or perhaps he did, and it has made its way around the world...

It is recycled from last World Cup, I think.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 15 June, 2014, 05:56:09 am
How interesting - my friend put that (in German) on his Facebook page a couple of days ago and I copied it onto mine (also in German).

I assumed Stefan had invented it, but perhaps not (he has that sort of humour). Or perhaps he did, and it has made its way around the world...
I think it was first coined in 1974.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Jaded on 15 June, 2014, 08:57:00 am
Which Germany was it about I wonder?
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: andyoxon on 15 June, 2014, 11:14:41 am
It has to be said; Rooney should have scored.  Yes he was key in the first goal, but those strikes (which he missed) are his bread and butter.  Oh well, the next match will be a tense affair.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Von Broad on 15 June, 2014, 12:38:44 pm
I reckon the BBC picks its pundits solely by how boring their voices are.

I always used to prefer the BBC coverage over ITV. Not any more. Adrian Chilles has his critics but I'd go for ITV every time these days. It's a much more relaxed informal atmosphere and the foreign pundits are always worth a listen.
The BBC coverage looks so staid and boring now.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: bobb on 15 June, 2014, 01:31:16 pm
Well, I thought England played quite well. They played some good attacking football and they always looked like they could score rather than the usual hit and hope. Of course Italy did too and I'm suprised it was only 2-1 in the end. It could have been More goals - More goals. The ref had a good game too for a change...

Bring on Uruguay!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: mattc on 15 June, 2014, 03:47:37 pm
Well, I thought England played quite well. They played some good attacking football and they always looked like they could score rather than the usual hit and hope. Of course Italy did too and I'm suprised it was only 2-1 in the end. It could have been More goals - More goals. The ref had a good game too for a change...

Bring on Uruguay!
a fair summary!

I'll add that I'm mainly preferring the Beeb, but the pair talking over this match were shocking.

Despite his lack of energy,Terry Henry seemed to have some of the best analysis from either studio.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Jaded on 15 June, 2014, 04:23:44 pm
I'm not convinced by Rooney. I wonder if the team would gel better without him and that building a team around your best player is less sensible than building your best team.

He had that badly mishit corner, his missed strikers goal and the poor free kick in the last few minutes. During the game he did his usual waiting for the game to happen to him; didn't seem to be looking to create space, move the Italians about. Mind you generally we were poor at moving them about in the 2nd half, and towards the end we seemed to be too defensive in a match that effectively we had already lost.

However, as bobb says, it wasn't a bad performance.

Cramp. At least three English players got cramp. something up with the hydration, electrolytes, fitness?
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: mattc on 15 June, 2014, 06:34:41 pm
To be fair, I've seen several cramp sufferers in other games.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 15 June, 2014, 07:53:15 pm
Extra time seemed to have a catalysing effect on the Ecuador-Switzerland match.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: mattc on 15 June, 2014, 10:47:47 pm
Please send Jonathan Pearce back to the Robot Wars studio.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 15 June, 2014, 10:54:07 pm
Phil Neville took a bit of a kicking:

http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/jun/15/phil-neville-bbc-abuse-twitter-world-cup-2014

I'd thought it was Michael Owen...
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 15 June, 2014, 10:56:38 pm
I thought Thierry was going fall asleep.

He woke up for the France game. There was a great put-down of Robbie Savage:

RS: Yeah, when we had Arsenal at Leicester we just used to get physical and get in their faces.

TH: [snorts] We managed.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: andyoxon on 15 June, 2014, 11:21:32 pm
Bosnia-H aren't too shabby, shame about the OG.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Jaded on 16 June, 2014, 12:37:34 am
Just need 2 more from Argentina for my first 10 pointer.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Riggers on 16 June, 2014, 12:40:48 pm
You have a choice:

Phil Neville or Andrew Murray.

Tricky one isn't it?
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Auntie Helen on 16 June, 2014, 01:11:38 pm
Tonight Germany play at sensible o'clock (6pm for us).

I am taking the opportunity to go trike riding with a friend. He commented that we could probably ride on the A61 (the local Autobahn) as we'd only have to look out for lost Dutch people - there won't be any Germans there at all. However I think we'll give that a miss and see what it's like on somewhat more normal roads.

Watching the England match at midnight Saturday night was rather too late for me!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 16 June, 2014, 04:06:32 pm
Bosnia-H aren't too shabby, shame about the OG.
I didn't watch it, just checked the result. BiH is football-mad, but an absolutely tiny country in terms of population. Considering that, it sounds like they did very well indeed.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: mattc on 16 June, 2014, 04:47:05 pm
Quite excited about Ger-Por, on in a minute. Must be the pick of the group games after Spains-Holland.

I am support ing Germany*, but hoping for a good game all-round.

*more so than Helen, it seems!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 16 June, 2014, 05:41:25 pm
(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Jaded on 16 June, 2014, 05:46:11 pm
1-1 as a prediction looks unlikely now...
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: sg37409 on 16 June, 2014, 05:56:51 pm
It has to be said; Rooney should have scored.  Yes he was key in the first goal, but those strikes (which he missed) are his bread and butter.  Oh well, the next match will be a tense affair.

Glen johnson was poor I thought. Wasteful in attack not good enough in defence.
Stirling was really exciting, and Rooney not scoring was a real bummer. But hopefully they thrash uruguay.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Peter on 16 June, 2014, 06:26:33 pm
I think Sterling is really exciting but I suspect that the more observant opponents will have realised that, as the game goes on, he is forced into a single mode of play, which is to run very fast and with excellent control and then have to wait with the ball at his feet for the rest of the pretty slow team to catch up.  I think he should go it alone more often - that's not being selfish when there is no-one to share anything with.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: andyoxon on 16 June, 2014, 07:17:33 pm
Germ v Port.  Just amazing that Pepe lost it to that extent.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: mattc on 16 June, 2014, 07:17:52 pm
(click to show/hide)
and it couldn't happen to a nicer bunch :-P

 (the buggers will probably win their next 6,knowing my luck ... )
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 16 June, 2014, 07:29:25 pm
I thought Portugal clearly deserved a penalty in the second half - I think it was about 70 minutes. I was expecting a less unbalanced match all round though.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: mattc on 16 June, 2014, 07:36:24 pm
Define "deserved"     :-P
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 16 June, 2014, 07:40:10 pm
Ah ha! Silly word to use.  :-[ It was clearly a foul that was committed on the Portuguese player with the ball in the German penalty area. Will that do?
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: clifftaylor on 16 June, 2014, 07:45:32 pm
Muller should have been sent off for pretending to be injured in order to get another player sent off.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: mattc on 16 June, 2014, 07:57:13 pm
Muller should have been sent off for pretending to be injured in order to get another player sent off.
It was certainly unethical behaviour. But it wasn't the hand in Muller's face that got him sent off.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Riggers on 17 June, 2014, 10:44:03 am
Yes, sadly Pepé's hot-headed impetuousness got the better of him. Was it Adrian Charles who said it was his 13th sending off? If only he'd not reacted to Muller's writhing around. Referee looked, initially to me, that all was okay to play on.

I guess we all remember the goading Zidane received before deciding enough's enough, snapped, and thought: "Chest-butt!"
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Biff on 17 June, 2014, 02:17:00 pm
(http://d24w6bsrhbeh9d.cloudfront.net/photo/a8WxVRZ_460s.jpg)
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 17 June, 2014, 02:30:28 pm
A child in my lunchtime chess group today started quizzing me about my favourite footballer in the World Cup this year. I told him I didn't have one. He then asked me which team I supported. I told him I didn't. He then volunteered that he really liked "Sir Bobby Moore" because he was a West Ham supporter. He wasn't aware, because not many people are, and this lad is only about 10, that Bobby Moore spent a period managing Southend United. The child expressed great surprise at this, and even greater surprise that anyone (meaning me) should be old enough to have watched England win the World Cup in 1966. I didn't ask him if he knew what Geoff Hurst's (http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/25/25458.html) first class batting average was*.

Mrs. Wow and I were sitting in the Patisserie Valerie in Oxford at the weekend. We could hear a number of people talking about football. I had a quick glance round and I reckon that there were only two other people in that crowded restaurant who would have been old enough to have watched 1966 and all that.

*I think it's quite lovely that two All Time Greats from different sports were in the same team and that between them they didn't score a run. It's almost worth a blue plaque at Aigburth's ground.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: LEE on 17 June, 2014, 02:40:33 pm
Muller should have been sent off for pretending to be injured in order to get another player sent off.
It was certainly unethical behaviour. But it wasn't the hand in Muller's face that got him sent off.

Crass stupidity.  Putting your head onto another player's head will get you a red card, it doesn't need to be a full-on head-butt. 
If he doesn't know that then he shouldn't be playing at that level.

Having said that I don't think it would have affected the result. The German team look like real contenders.  I thought the heat may be to their disadvantage but they were stereotypically efficient in that win.

So far, surprisingly, it has been Northern European teams looking better against Southern European teams.  Who would have predicted Spain and Portugal both getting a good old shelacking?

As for England, I thought it was the least poor I've seen us play for about a decade. 
There are a couple of weak links but, on the whole, there is some real promise.

We need to pick our best "core" and keep them together for the next few years.  The best teams aren't necessarily the best "any 11" at any moment in time, they are the best 11 that have played together for a few years, the 11 that develop an understanding.

I made the point on another thread but England have some real pace now.  Pace like Sterling, Sturridge and Wellbeck always gives you a chance, especially if you have it on the bench as well (Oxlaide-Chamberlain).  Not many left-backs are going to welcome the sight of Ox-Chamberlain coming on after 70 minutes.

Having said that...I can't help thinking that the cheating c*** Suarez will find some way of cheating us out of a win against Uruguay.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4paLVu0gNcQ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4paLVu0gNcQ)

Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: LEE on 17 June, 2014, 02:41:59 pm
Mrs. Wow and I were sitting in the Patisserie Valerie in Oxford at the weekend.

How you've changed.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 17 June, 2014, 02:47:36 pm
Mrs. Wow and I were sitting in the Patisserie Valerie in Oxford at the weekend.

How you've changed.

Well, one has to keep the punters guessing.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: mattc on 17 June, 2014, 04:18:08 pm
Talking of discipline etc ....

A real minus for me so far has been the mobbing of refs at every decision. Team captains nowhere to be seen.
Didn't Something Get Done about this? Or was that just in the UK? :-(

Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: LEE on 17 June, 2014, 05:04:26 pm
Talking of discipline etc ....

A real minus for me so far has been the mobbing of refs at every decision. Team captains nowhere to be seen.
Didn't Something Get Done about this? Or was that just in the UK? :-(

You're thinking of the "Respect" campaign.  That was to prevent this sort of behaviour.

I think the respect campaign was held on Saturday 9th October 2010.  You may have missed it.  They have another one planned in 2022, on a Wednesday evening this time.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: andyoxon on 17 June, 2014, 09:45:22 pm
Was that a long ball forward I saw from a Brazil player a little earlier...   ???
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 18 June, 2014, 12:29:25 am
Russia v South Korea

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: caerau on 18 June, 2014, 12:46:46 pm
Muller should have been sent off for pretending to be injured in order to get another player sent off.
It was certainly unethical behaviour. But it wasn't the hand in Muller's face that got him sent off.


True enough, but the excuse they often trot out, 'that if you don't go down, you don't get the decision' is often rather true also.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: clifftaylor on 18 June, 2014, 07:39:31 pm
Crass stupidity.  Putting your head onto another player's head will get you a red card, it doesn't need to be a full-on head-butt. 
If he doesn't know that then he shouldn't be playing at that level.

My point was that he was reacting (badly) to Muller pretending to be injured. The sequence begins with Muller pretending - without that, there's no head to head - so Muller was the instigator and should have gone.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Von Broad on 18 June, 2014, 08:46:42 pm
The opening round of this World Cup have just been so brilliant.
I'm loving every minute.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 18 June, 2014, 08:48:13 pm
Me too!

The Spanish manager has a great moustache for looking sad with.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: mattc on 18 June, 2014, 10:52:34 pm
Yup, unusually good, and full of surprises. I shall no doubt continue to dwell on the negatives!

What are Brazil n Spain up to?!? The hosts owe their first game win to the ref and were rubbish against Mex. Are they both trying to qualify 2nd??

The Mexico game seemed like 2 teams trying to kick eachother out of the game. I've never seen so many late tackles, the ref just didn't seem to care. Not sure if that was the reason for a dull game, but it can't have helped ...


Glad to see Aus lose. They joined in with the acting game, and won an awful pen. I detest the huge number of accidental handballs penalised in recent years :-(  More importantly, the Dutch deserve to do well!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: andyoxon on 18 June, 2014, 11:32:25 pm
Good grief, Spain are out of the world cup finals.   :o  Not actually seen any of their games -  why so bad?
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: mattc on 18 June, 2014, 11:35:59 pm
(click to show/hide)
group A looks wide open.

I reckon the Beeb's Brother ton/Murphy team*  are  the least irritating so far. Good thing too, I'm beginning to prefer ITV's team, and I say that through gritted teeth!



*Who??? Ed.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 18 June, 2014, 11:38:55 pm
Good grief, Spain are out of the world cup finals.   :o  Not actually seen any of their games -  why so bad?

To me, Spain just looked slow and old. And Chile were excellent.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: andyoxon on 19 June, 2014, 08:02:40 am
Good grief, Spain are out of the world cup finals.   :o  Not actually seen any of their games -  why so bad?

To me, Spain just looked slow and old. And Chile were excellent.

Brazil are looking a bit slow and peaky too.  Where as, Germany...
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Von Broad on 19 June, 2014, 08:32:31 am
Good grief, Spain are out of the world cup finals.   :o  Not actually seen any of their games -  why so bad?

To me, Spain just looked slow and old. And Chile were excellent.

Well, one opening defeat against the Dutch and they suddenly found themselves in the knock-out stages straight away.

I know another team like that :-)
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 June, 2014, 09:35:01 am
I enjoyed the Australia - Holland game and thought Australia were surprisingly good. I do agree with Mattc's comment about the penalty though and the general rolly-on-the-floor-ness.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: hatler on 19 June, 2014, 09:38:06 am
Croatia for an outside bet ?  I think Modric is looking particularly special.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Riggers on 19 June, 2014, 10:18:07 am
"Young and fit" is the order of the day if you want to progress in the World Cup. That, and an obvious desire to win like Chile had last night. And, able to handle the heat. They harried Spain whenever they had the ball and defended brilliantly. And what on earth was Maria Callous doing, punching the ball out like that?
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Jaded on 19 June, 2014, 10:20:08 am
Good grief, Spain are out of the world cup finals.   :o  Not actually seen any of their games -  why so bad?

To me, Spain just looked slow and old. And Chile were excellent.

Well, one opening defeat against the Dutch and they suddenly found themselves in the knock-out stages straight away.

I know another team like that :-)

Yes, Portugal have their work cut out.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 June, 2014, 06:57:03 pm
Well, that really was a match of two halves!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 19 June, 2014, 08:39:19 pm
OOops..
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 19 June, 2014, 08:44:12 pm
I'm busy sharpening a parrot.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: andyoxon on 19 June, 2014, 09:03:19 pm
Uruguay are very lucky not to be playing with 10 men.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 19 June, 2014, 09:42:53 pm
Picks up the parrot again...
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 19 June, 2014, 09:46:07 pm
Clive Tyldesley's through-gritted-teeth praise of Luis Suarez is hilarious.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 June, 2014, 09:57:31 pm
"Instinctively" describing Suarez's second goal - sums up the difference between the two teams, I think.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 19 June, 2014, 10:07:42 pm
Poobums :(
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Auntie Helen on 19 June, 2014, 10:08:04 pm
I have removed my Union Jack from the front window. I'll put the German flag there tomorrow morning.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 19 June, 2014, 10:09:19 pm
Never mind - Terminator 2's on the telly now.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Peter on 19 June, 2014, 10:10:44 pm
Never mind - Terminator 2's on the telly now.

Featuring Luis Suarez, presumably?
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 19 June, 2014, 10:24:14 pm
Impressive though he was, I don't think he's a robot sent from the future to crush England.

If Uruguay qualify, it'd be a pleasure to see him in the later stages - though I reckon other defences might watch him a little more carefully.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 19 June, 2014, 10:40:31 pm
Suarez is one of the Uruk-Hai, not from Uruguay at all.

Easy mistake to make...
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Von Broad on 19 June, 2014, 10:50:26 pm
Well, in a strange way, I happy.
I am happy because it puts all the whining, negative, scapegoating Rooney-knockers onto a state reflection.
At least it should do - if they have half a brain. It's got so tiresome this week. Maybe now some people will realize that actually, he's not the sole reason why England don't win every time they take to a football pitch.

Roy Hodgson was right when he said he expected a different Uruguay team than that that played against Cost Rica.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: bobb on 19 June, 2014, 10:53:53 pm
I have removed my Union Jack from the front window. I'll put the German flag there tomorrow morning.

I am supporting Germany now too. I can't believe I've left it this long. England have qualified for the world cup 8 times in my lifetime and every time I've been disappointed. How foolish of me. My maternal grand mother's parents were German - although like me, they pretended not to be. And all their descendants were German too! So that makes me properly German!  Sieg heil!!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 19 June, 2014, 10:56:12 pm
I'm not that arsed about England being knocked out. It'd be fabulous if they did well, but I'm enjoying most of the games I've seen so far, as it's been bloody good football.

So come on England Chile!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: mattc on 19 June, 2014, 11:19:04 pm
I have removed my Union Jack from the front window. I'll put the German flag there tomorrow morning.

I am supporting Germany now too. I can't believe I've left it this long. England have qualified for the world cup 8 times in my lifetime and every time I've been disappointed. How foolish of me. My maternal grand mother's parents were German - although like me, they pretended not to be. And all their descendants were German too! So that makes me properly German!  Sieg heil!!
So have you both planned your rides for their next games?

;)
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Jaded on 19 June, 2014, 11:20:28 pm
I think Rooney being in the team stifles the other players. They are subservient to him and play around him. We are then dependant on him being fast enough, sharp enough, skilful enough and in the right place to win. It's too much to expect of him. He can do one of those at a time.

 The creative attacking flair of the first match wasn't there.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Jaded on 19 June, 2014, 11:22:09 pm
I will now stop putting what I want to happen into the prediction league and put what I expect. (V nearly changed my prediction from 2-1 Eng to 1-2 earlier today)

England 1-3 Costa Rica  ;D
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 19 June, 2014, 11:49:28 pm
I have just googled Costa Rica.

Population (2011) 4,586,353.

Furthermore

Quote
Once a poor and isolated colony, since becoming independent in the 19th century, Costa Rica has become one of the most stable, prosperous, and progressive nations in Latin America. It constitutionally abolished its army permanently in 1949, becoming the first and one of the few sovereign nations without a standing army.[7][8][9] A constitutional republic, it is the only Latin American country to have been a democracy since 1950 or earlier.[10] Costa Rica has consistently been among the top-ranking Latin American countries in the Human Development Index (HDI), placing 62nd in the world as of 2012.[6]

Indeed, in 2010 Costa Rica was cited by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as having attained much higher human development than other countries at the same income levels,[11] while in 2011, the UNDP also identified it as a good performer on environmental sustainability, with a better record on human development and inequality than the median of their region.

Costa Rica is known for its progressive environmental policies, being the only country to meet all five criteria established to measure environmental sustainability.[12] It is ranked fifth in the world, and first among the Americas, in terms of the 2012 Environmental Performance Index.[13] In 2007, the Costa Rican government announced plans for Costa Rica to become the first carbon-neutral country by 2021.[14][15][16] The New Economics Foundation (NEF) ranked Costa Rica first in its 2009 Happy Planet Index, and once again in 2012.[17][18] The NEF also ranked Costa Rica in 2009 as the greenest country in the world.[19] In 2012, Costa Rica became the first country in the Americas to ban recreational hunting after the country’s legislature approved the popular measure by a wide margin.[20][21]

I'm definitely supporting them now!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Peter on 20 June, 2014, 12:39:20 am
I have just googled Costa Rica.

Population (2011) 4,586,353.

Furthermore

Quote
Once a poor and isolated colony, since becoming independent in the 19th century, Costa Rica has become one of the most stable, prosperous, and progressive nations in Latin America. It constitutionally abolished its army permanently in 1949, becoming the first and one of the few sovereign nations without a standing army.[7][8][9] A constitutional republic, it is the only Latin American country to have been a democracy since 1950 or earlier.[10] Costa Rica has consistently been among the top-ranking Latin American countries in the Human Development Index (HDI), placing 62nd in the world as of 2012.[6]

Indeed, in 2010 Costa Rica was cited by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as having attained much higher human development than other countries at the same income levels,[11] while in 2011, the UNDP also identified it as a good performer on environmental sustainability, with a better record on human development and inequality than the median of their region.

Costa Rica is known for its progressive environmental policies, being the only country to meet all five criteria established to measure environmental sustainability.[12] It is ranked fifth in the world, and first among the Americas, in terms of the 2012 Environmental Performance Index.[13] In 2007, the Costa Rican government announced plans for Costa Rica to become the first carbon-neutral country by 2021.[14][15][16] The New Economics Foundation (NEF) ranked Costa Rica first in its 2009 Happy Planet Index, and once again in 2012.[17][18] The NEF also ranked Costa Rica in 2009 as the greenest country in the world.[19] In 2012, Costa Rica became the first country in the Americas to ban recreational hunting after the country’s legislature approved the popular measure by a wide margin.[20][21]

I'm definitely supporting them now!  :thumbsup:

Which is over a million more than Uruguay.....
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Auntie Helen on 20 June, 2014, 06:20:09 am
The people here don't seem to think Germany will win the tournament although they are putting up more and more flags etc. I hadn't realised there is a slight chance England might still get through - maybe I should put my flag back up!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: essexian on 20 June, 2014, 06:57:20 am
One thing England can take from last nights game.....apart from the fact that half of the young players aren't simply up to it: Wellbeck and whoever that rightwinger was were terrible. No class, no ideas and no nothing....as for Lala. RUBBISH..... sorry, turned into a rant.... So the one thing England can take from last nights game is that we are as good as Spain.

Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Jaded on 20 June, 2014, 07:05:50 am
We are better than Spain because we are still in it!  ;D
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: LEE on 20 June, 2014, 09:35:31 am
Well, after raising my hopes in the first game, that we may have finally learned how to pass a football to one another, they were dashed.

We just don't have enough skill with a football at our feet, it's a long-term problem for English players, typically surrounded by 10 skilled foreigners in the domestic game, when they find themselves surrounded by 10 English players at National level. 

I think it may be better if we were just terrible but unfortunately we're just "slightly below average". 
We're a "beige" footballing nation a sort of footballing equivalent of a Morris Marina or a drizzly day in October.  I couldn't get excited nor could I get angry, I just sort of lost any will to be bothered after 80 minutes.

It would be easier to deal with if these people didn't earn my annual salary every 3 days.

Hopefully we will be beaten in the third game and force those in charge to look at changing the way kids are taught to play the game.  A win may paint over the cracks.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 20 June, 2014, 09:45:17 am
We are better than Spain because we are still in it!  ;D

At least us Scotland supporters got our disappointment in early.  And saved the money for the air fares, of course.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: essexian on 20 June, 2014, 09:51:27 am
Don’t worry Lee, according to an interview on Radio 5live this morning, the FA have a long term economic plan to improve the English football team so that they reach the semi final of the Euro’s in 2020 and then win the World Cup in 2022.

Yes, I had to stop the car as I was laughing so much. It will never happen, not while we cannot pass a ball, defend or work out how to beat well structured teams. It’s not like it’s a new problem….back in 1970, I remember as a 9 year old, crying my eyes out in a B&B on the Isle of Wight when we got knocked out. After my Dad had beaten me….big boys don’t cry…. He told me not to worry, as England would win it next time as we were the best team in the World.

LYING B*stard! We were crap in the 1970’s, rubbish in the 1980…. Had a reasonable team in 1990 and should have got to the final….but then on (apart from Euro 96) we haven’t had a team which could do well against the mighty Penkridge Town!

England…top 10 in the World…. Hahahahahahahahahaha.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 20 June, 2014, 09:57:21 am
It seemed to me that England were about even with Uruguay at "creating chances" but then you could almost see Sturridge and co stop, think, "Left or right? Dribble or pass? Where are my team mates? Oh, where's the ball gone?" whereas the Uruguayans were far faster and more accurate.

(this post may contain ignorance or traces of ignorance and be produced to a recipe including ignorance)
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: bobb on 20 June, 2014, 10:00:39 am
It seemed to me that England were about even with Uruguay at "creating chances" but then you could almost see Sturridge and co stop, think, "Left or right? Dribble or pass? Where are my team mates? Oh, where's the ball gone?" whereas the Uruguayans were far faster and more accurate.

(this post may contain ignorance or traces of ignorance and be produced to a recipe including ignorance)

England certainly didn't play as well as they did against Italy, but I would agree that Uruguay weren't that much better. In fact, the only difference between the two teams was a buck-toothed, cheating, racist dwarf...
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: LEE on 20 June, 2014, 10:10:43 am
In fact, the only difference between the two teams was a buck-toothed, cheating, racist dwarf...

I wish I had his cheating to fall back on but unfortunately he just relied on his incredible talent (I hate to admit it) and the generosity of our defenders.

Uruguay weren't exactly brilliant but they have the same population as Wales so they are punching above their weight.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: mattc on 20 June, 2014, 10:33:43 am
There were 21 pretty average players out there.

And Suarez.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Peter on 20 June, 2014, 10:36:10 am
There are some very small nations at this event and some are doing well.  They punch at their weight, while England always punch well below.   I don't think it is possible to change that in this country with the Premier League's intransigence.  I suspect international success will always be a thing of the past for England.  Does anybody understand the point of Adam Lallana? 
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Jaded on 20 June, 2014, 10:39:11 am
Hunger.

When your wife can pop over with the kids and 17 pieces of luggage to see you play there's less hunger than if you grew up playing with no boots.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 20 June, 2014, 11:00:17 am
So they should take away their boots? Sounds good to me.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 20 June, 2014, 11:23:39 am
As ever, it's down to money. The clubs are more powerful than the national organisation. For 206 weeks out of every 208 the punters seem happy with this arrangement.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 20 June, 2014, 03:36:49 pm
Christina has a Cunning Plan to improve the performance of the England foopball team viz. appoint a German manager  ;D. I have suggested she volunteer for the position as soon as Blind Owl Hodgson gets the sack next week...
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 20 June, 2014, 05:46:19 pm
OOops..
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: mattc on 20 June, 2014, 05:53:24 pm
There are some very small nations at this event and some are doing well.  They punch at their weight, while England always punch well below.   
... And there are plenty that punch worse than England.

These sort of comparisons are always spurious. Let's look at actual figures. First Google hit:

Population:

The country with the largest population in the World Cup is the United States and the country with the smallest population is Uruguay.

Iran ranks #18 in the world with 78.8 million people and #8 among World Cup finalists.

World Cup finalists ranking above Iran in Population: (7) (USA, Brazil, Nigeria, Russia, Japan, Mexico, Germany)

World Cup finalists ranking below Iran in Population: (24) (France, UK/England, Italy, South Korea, Spain, Colombia, Argentina, Algeria, Ghana, Australia, CIV, Cameroon, Chile, Netherlands, Ecuador, Portugal, Greece, Belgium, Switzerland, Honduras, Costa Rica, Croatia, Bosnia H, Uruguay)


We're average. Or thereabouts. We win some games. We qualify for most big tournaments. That's it.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Von Broad on 20 June, 2014, 05:59:12 pm
It seemed to me that England were about even with Uruguay at "creating chances" but then you could almost see Sturridge and co stop, think, "Left or right? Dribble or pass? Where are my team mates? Oh, where's the ball gone?" whereas the Uruguayans were far faster and more accurate.

Yes, I'd agree with that.
Uruguay knew exactly what England's team was going to be, and they also knew how quick the youngsters were up front.
So it's an pretty straight forward game plan - don't give them an inch to turn and run at you. The Uruguayans hunted those front players down like wolves, not giving them any space at all to get going, putting them out of the game and in so doing rendered an aging Gerrard and ineffective Henderson pretty helpless and over run in midfield really.
Ironically, it was probably a game that would have suited Milner to graft away in midfield to try and stabilize possession a bit.

Oh well.
I'll be there again in four years. I always find myself getting wrapped up in it all. Have been since I can remember.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: andyoxon on 20 June, 2014, 06:28:16 pm
England's mathematical chance currently under subtraction.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Jaded on 20 June, 2014, 06:34:05 pm
#It's coming home, it's coming home, our football team is coming home.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 20 June, 2014, 06:50:44 pm
Never mind England - if Italy had won it would have just dragged it out further.

Costa Rica have been excellent in both games, and deserve to go through.

And Italy-Uruguay should be a tense match now!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Jaded on 20 June, 2014, 06:53:37 pm
Agreed!

Costa Rica must be looking at 9 points now.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: LEE on 20 June, 2014, 08:59:02 pm
Agreed!

Costa Rica must be looking at 9 points now.
Only the Mighty England stand in their way.

So that will be 9 points then.

In all seriousness, it's time to use that game to ditch the old guard completely and start an 11 who are likely to form the core of the side for the next 5-10 years.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Peter on 20 June, 2014, 09:00:47 pm
I seriously hope we haven't discovered the core of the side for the next ten years!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Tewdric on 20 June, 2014, 09:46:32 pm
#It's coming home, it's coming home, our football team is coming home.

:)
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 20 June, 2014, 09:55:18 pm
Zoinks! times five - or six?!

Did anyone else get the feeling - totally illusory though it must be - that the French defence allowed Dzemaili to score out of sympathy?!!!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 21 June, 2014, 06:15:41 pm
Argentina-Iran is getting tense. Iran could (should?) have had a penalty just now.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 21 June, 2014, 06:50:53 pm
Ah, that's heartbreaking. Iran deserve a point!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 21 June, 2014, 09:13:15 pm
That's livened things up!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: T42 on 21 June, 2014, 09:17:30 pm
Agreed!

Costa Rica must be looking at 9 points now.
Only the Mighty England stand in their way.

So that will be 9 points then.

In all seriousness, it's time to use that game to ditch the old guard completely and start an 11 who are likely to form the core of the side for the next 5-10 years.

Yup.  That's exactly what Aimé Jacquet did with the French team in 1998 - chucked out all the prima donnas and built up a side out of relatively unknown but competent players. It only works once, though, because if they win then they all become prima donnas.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 21 June, 2014, 09:21:44 pm
Oooh I say!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 21 June, 2014, 09:29:02 pm
Bugger!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 June, 2014, 10:03:03 pm
Ghana's goal dance!  ;D  :thumbsup: Deserves an award all in itself.

And the name of the German who came on as substitute, Schweinsteiger. Does that translate as Pig Mounter? !!!  :o  :D
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 21 June, 2014, 10:29:20 pm
Ghana's goal dance!  ;D  :thumbsup: Deserves an award all in itself.

And the name of the German who came on as substitute, Schweinsteiger. Does that translate as Pig Mounter? !!!  :o  :D

I refer the Hon Mem to my written answer of some 6 years ago.

https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=4149.msg80361#msg80361
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: bobb on 21 June, 2014, 10:39:26 pm
I see that Klose has equalled Ronaldo's 15 world cup goals and that he has scored 70 international goals in total. I think Bobby Charlton scored 49 for England and Linekar 48. Most England players get nowhere near that many. On further research, I see that most countries have plenty of players past and present who have scored 50, 60, 70 and sometimes more goals. So not only do English players have an inability to pass the ball around and keep possesion, they can't score any bloody goals either!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 21 June, 2014, 10:54:14 pm
I was roundly taken to task for saying something very similar four years ago, with particular reference to Emile Heskey...
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: mr magnolia on 22 June, 2014, 01:14:50 am
I'm looking forward to watching the ingerland - Costa match;
I'm having uncomfortable flashbacks to a stay in Genova in June 1990; Scotland opening game against Costa Rica in the luigi ferraris stadium finishing 1-0 to costa, and Scotland being roundly condemned and laughed out of court for losing to them. I think they were a pretty accomplished team then as well.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 22 June, 2014, 10:25:59 am
So there it is, after all that England are history.  Shame it was like 1066 and not 1966.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 22 June, 2014, 05:39:27 pm
This Belgium-Russia match is quite dull.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 22 June, 2014, 06:11:13 pm
This Belgium-Russia match is quite dull.

It's far better with the alternative CBBC commentary  :thumbsup:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/27946637
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 22 June, 2014, 06:45:37 pm
It has improved considerably in the past few minutes.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 22 June, 2014, 11:22:23 pm
There's a Portuguese player with a Mohican and a fabulous beard.

Late tackle on him - fair enough. And the USA player deffo stuck the elbow in.

But if I was cultivating that look, I wouldn't have spent so much time clutching my face afterwards. If the referee had seen it, the American lad would have been sent off, and it was soon obvious that the ref hadn't seen it, so give it a rest.  It only makes you look like a ridiculous tosser. With stupid hair.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: mr magnolia on 22 June, 2014, 11:28:09 pm
He looks like he might bear a grudge though. Could be some hairy boy action to come.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 22 June, 2014, 11:30:52 pm
I don't think any of them have the energy for grudges. It's meant to be bloody hot there.

I reckon all beards will be shaved off at half time.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Jaded on 23 June, 2014, 12:43:14 am
I see that Klose has equalled Ronaldo's 15 world cup goals and that he has scored 70 international goals in total. I think Bobby Charlton scored 49 for England and Linekar 48. Most England players get nowhere near that many. On further research, I see that most countries have plenty of players past and present who have scored 50, 60, 70 and sometimes more goals. So not only do English players have an inability to pass the ball around and keep possesion, they can't score any bloody goals either!

Lineker's goals, on average, were against better teams than Rooney.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: andyoxon on 23 June, 2014, 08:30:37 am
Shame Portugal managed that very late goal.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 23 June, 2014, 09:13:31 am
Did anybody watch Korea v Algeria? I watched the first half but then gave up.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Peter on 23 June, 2014, 10:14:06 am
Shame Portugal managed that very late goal.

Why?  It was a superb goal from an almost unbelievable cross (and I don't like Ronaldo).  But then, so was Jones's long-range shot.    Can you imagine what it's going to be like for us in the American media if USA win the World Cup?  It doesn't bear thinking about!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: bobb on 23 June, 2014, 10:31:32 am
Can you imagine what it's going to be like for us in the American media if USA win the World Cup?  It doesn't bear thinking about!

Well, I don't think that's going to happen! I din't see the game, but I've always kinda liked the gutsy way the USA play - you know, not diving around and shit. Having said that, I can't remember the last time I saw them play, so maybe things have changed. Either way, I'd rather they went through than that bunch of winkers!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Peter on 23 June, 2014, 10:40:54 am
Sure, I have the same general opinion of Portugal as you but I just enjoy good play; that final goal of Portugal's was almost poetry - try to see a replay.  Jones's goal was brilliant, too.  The Algeria - South Korea match was exciting, although I only saw it after it was 3 - 0 to the Africans. 
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: groucho on 23 June, 2014, 02:53:58 pm
I do hope the Premier League adopt the World Cup's make of ball. It's flight seems more true than the goalkeeper's nightmare the PL currently use.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: sg37409 on 23 June, 2014, 03:16:34 pm
I hope they adopt the spray can
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: mattc on 23 June, 2014, 04:20:04 pm
I hope they adopt the spray can
god yes.

Soooo much more useful than the goal-line thingy that every man and his dog was demanding.

Of course every WC has a crap innovation too - I detest those FIfa sleeve sticker things
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: spesh on 23 June, 2014, 05:44:48 pm
I hope they adopt the spray can

Just so long as the ref is also allowed to use it to go "not so phantom flan flinger" on any player who shows dissent. And then book them.   :demon:
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 23 June, 2014, 08:13:58 pm
I hope they adopt the spray can
god yes.

Soooo much more useful than the goal-line thingy that every man and his dog was demanding.

Of course every WC has a crap innovation too - I detest those FIfa sleeve sticker things
What are those actually meant to be about?
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 23 June, 2014, 09:27:11 pm
Ah, now this game's getting interesting.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 23 June, 2014, 09:29:09 pm
Which game is that, Deano? And which channel?
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 23 June, 2014, 09:31:07 pm
The Brazil match.

Cameroon have equalised - and the scorer used to play for Middlesbrough ;D
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 23 June, 2014, 10:42:10 pm
I'm now watching the other match - if Mexico get another, they'll top the group on goal difference.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 23 June, 2014, 11:15:19 pm
The channel we were watching, they kept switching from one match to the other, which was really disorientating.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 23 June, 2014, 11:16:12 pm
Going back to the Belgium - Russia match yesterday, I was amused that one of the (German) linesmen was called Borsch!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Jakob on 24 June, 2014, 04:24:09 am
I hope they adopt the spray can

They've used it for a few years now in the MLS. (US league)
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 24 June, 2014, 04:26:31 pm
I suppose the key question is this: which England will get the better result today, the kickers or the hitters? Or will it be ignominious for both? I think a loss for the hitters will be far, far worse, to be honest.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 24 June, 2014, 06:46:20 pm
The cricket is quite exciting, in a "Will they get us all out or will we grovel our way to an ill-deserved draw?" kind of way.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Jaded on 24 June, 2014, 06:54:48 pm
A draw will be well deserved. Different skills, different mental state. Still a deserved result, if reached.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 24 June, 2014, 07:10:22 pm
Yeah, those jammy Sri Lankans, getting England all out and winning by 100 runs.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Jaded on 24 June, 2014, 07:12:12 pm
I'll bet you were hoping for it all to be over by lunch.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: LEE on 24 June, 2014, 07:13:22 pm
Louis Suarez....he's at it again.

I can hardly believe he's done it, I mean in front of how many cameras? In front of how many viewers?  He's bitten another player..again!!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Tom B on 24 June, 2014, 07:25:19 pm
Was it a bite? I didn't think he had enough time for that degree of contact  :-\
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Jaded on 24 June, 2014, 07:33:41 pm
Looked more like a head butt than a bite to me.

Can players get cited as in Rugby?
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: bobb on 24 June, 2014, 07:39:19 pm
Just watched in slow mo. Looked like a bite to me. A quick nibble, but a bite none the less...
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: rogerzilla on 24 June, 2014, 07:45:23 pm
I'd be hungry after running around for 90 minutes.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Von Broad on 24 June, 2014, 08:11:10 pm
Louis Suarez....he's at it again.

I can hardly believe he's done it, I mean in front of how many cameras? In front of how many viewers?  He's bitten another player..again!!

It's got not nothing to do with the World Cup or football in general, but sure has a lot to do with him as an individual.
Really weird stuff.

edit: See that wrist band he wears [and it's pretty obvious]? I was told [in the bar - always not the most secure environment to learn these things] that he wears that to protect himself from biting...himself!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: LEE on 24 June, 2014, 08:11:47 pm
Looked more like a head butt than a bite to me.


Look again.

Their heads didn't touch.

Suarez did the same thing as in previous bites, he bites, then falls over clutching his head, as if he is the victim.  He really is an odious character (with some mental issues I'd say)
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Jaded on 24 June, 2014, 08:22:49 pm
Well I suppose it could be a clash of teeth against shoulder during a head but.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: LEE on 24 June, 2014, 08:52:50 pm
Well I suppose it could be a clash of teeth against shoulder during a head but.

Nope.  Keep trying.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Tewdric on 24 June, 2014, 09:01:19 pm
He's probably shagged out after scoring all those goals against England and wants a few games rest.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Jaded on 24 June, 2014, 09:11:10 pm
Well I suppose it could be a clash of teeth against shoulder during a head but.

Nope.  Keep trying.

OK, I accepted your patronage and looked at all the angles. From one of the multiple angles it looks like a bite, so it must be.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: bobb on 24 June, 2014, 09:43:15 pm
Well I suppose it could be a clash of teeth against shoulder during a head but.

Bite (Verb) Use the teeth to cut into (something)

Bite/tooth but - call it what you like, the teeth marks in the close up pics of Chiellini's shoulder perfectly match the massive pegs in Suarez's gob!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 24 June, 2014, 10:10:01 pm
I'll bet you were hoping for it all to be over by lunch.

Well, that's a reflection on you, not me.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Jaded on 24 June, 2014, 10:18:32 pm
I'll bet you were hoping for it all to be over by lunch.

Well, that's a reflection on you, not me.

I'm sure it is, it couldn't possibly be anything else, could it now.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 24 June, 2014, 10:19:51 pm
I'll bet you were hoping for it all to be over by lunch.

Well, that's a reflection on you, not me.

I'm sure it is, it couldn't possibly be anything else, could it now.

No.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Jaded on 24 June, 2014, 10:20:32 pm
Well I suppose it could be a clash of teeth against shoulder during a head but.

Bite (Verb) Use the teeth to cut into (something)

Bite/tooth but - call it what you like, the teeth marks in the close up pics of Chiellini's shoulder perfectly match the massive pegs in Suarez's gob!

Yes, I'm sure they do!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Jaded on 24 June, 2014, 10:21:15 pm
I'll bet you were hoping for it all to be over by lunch.

Well, that's a reflection on you, not me.

I'm sure it is, it couldn't possibly be anything else, could it now.

No.

Naturally, I wouldn't have expected any other answer from you.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 24 June, 2014, 10:32:56 pm
I'll bet you were hoping for it all to be over by lunch.

Well, that's a reflection on you, not me.

I'm sure it is, it couldn't possibly be anything else, could it now.

No.

Naturally, I wouldn't have expected any other answer from you.

Given that I generally support England at cricket then it's not an unreasonable answer. But at least I'm gracious enough in defeat to recognise when an opponent has outplayed the team I support, and don't expect some sort of inquisition from a one-eyed sports nazi over something that doesn't matter a damn.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Jaded on 24 June, 2014, 10:36:00 pm
Well, I sincerely hope you don't get one then.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 24 June, 2014, 10:43:50 pm
... some sort of inquisition from a one-eyed sports nazi ...
???
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: madcow on 25 June, 2014, 12:05:17 am
Really pleased for Greece, but that penalty looked a bit iffy. Most of the pundits wanted the Premier league stars of Ivory Coast to win.

Also interesting to note the body language on display from Shearer whenever Savage expresses an opinion and vice versa.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Riggers on 25 June, 2014, 08:23:12 am
FIFA say Suarez can play, but must wear a mouth-guard.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: sg37409 on 25 June, 2014, 08:50:19 am
Really pleased for Greece, but that penalty looked a bit iffy. Most of the pundits wanted the Premier league stars of Ivory Coast to win.

Also interesting to note the body language on display from Shearer whenever Savage expresses an opinion and vice versa.

The pundits agreed it was a penalty, so I thought it must be.
I thought it was never a penalty, I couldnt see any contact at all, only samaras kicking the ground.  I am not great at spotting these things though.   
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Peter on 25 June, 2014, 10:05:53 am
The radio (Five Live) didn't think it was a penalty, though Brad Friedel (who is an excellent commentator, by the way) thought the referee had otherwise had an excellent game.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 25 June, 2014, 01:22:49 pm
FIFA say Suarez can play, but must wear a mouth-guard.
They should put him in a cone of shame.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: rogerzilla on 25 June, 2014, 05:33:33 pm
They should ban him for life.  He's obviously a few bricks short of a full load.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Jaded on 25 June, 2014, 06:49:25 pm
Nah, just need appropriate clothing

(http://www.alfiecat.co.uk/yetacf/silence-of-the-lambs1.jpg)
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: mattc on 25 June, 2014, 06:52:19 pm
FIFA say Suarez can play, but must wear a mouth-guard.
They should put him in a cone of shame.
perfect!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Von Broad on 26 June, 2014, 08:33:31 am
of all the punts (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-28020605)...had to laugh!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 26 June, 2014, 02:26:38 pm
Strange news from the Ghana camp.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jun/26/ghana-chaos-sulley-muntari-kevin-prince-boateng-suspended

That's a great disappointment. Ghana provided some excellent entertainment against Germany. Boateng's comment give the strong impression that he is the aggrieved party rathar than the coach.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Gus on 26 June, 2014, 03:23:58 pm
Suarez got 9 games/days suspension. + 4 months where he must  not do anything involving football.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 26 June, 2014, 04:33:58 pm
There was something a few days ago about Ghana and match-fixing - I think Honduras might have been involved as well. The allegation, IIRC, was not that the teams or their managers had been directly involved in match-fixing but they had had some involvement with a professional match-fixing fixer, so to speak. Asian betting rings were mentioned.

It is all the more saddening given their great entertainment value!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: sg37409 on 26 June, 2014, 05:27:08 pm
Suarez got 9 games/days suspension. + 4 months where he must  not do anything involving football.

*And* a 65k fine.
He'll just have to tighten his belt and try to get by on 120k that week.  Those new jeans he fancied will just have to wait a wee while
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: andyoxon on 26 June, 2014, 06:02:02 pm
Strange news from the Ghana camp.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jun/26/ghana-chaos-sulley-muntari-kevin-prince-boateng-suspended

That's a great disappointment. Ghana provided some excellent entertainment against Germany. Boateng's comment give the strong impression that he is the aggrieved party rathar than the coach.

Wasn't some of the 'unrest' to do with the lateness of appearance fees, which necessitated emergency delivery of £1.8m for the Ghana players - most of whom play for wealthy European football clubs...
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Jakob on 26 June, 2014, 07:24:21 pm
Suarez got 9 games/days suspension. + 4 months where he must  not do anything involving football.

Much more than I expected...if only FIFA could be as efficient when dealing with bribery allegations.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 26 June, 2014, 11:23:56 pm
of all the punts (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-28020605)...had to laugh!

Not the only one, apparently - and "Chewy Luis"... You gotta love that.

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/5529844
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Peter on 27 June, 2014, 12:53:58 am
of all the punts (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-28020605)...had to laugh!

Not the only one, apparently - and "Chewy Luis"... You gotta love that.

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/5529844

"Chewy Luis, Oh, baby - he gotta go!"  Apologies to the Kingsmen!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 27 June, 2014, 11:21:53 am
For all Fifa's noise in recent years about spreading football around the world, only two African teams and none from Asia have got through the group stage. EuroLAm is still where it's at.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Peter on 27 June, 2014, 11:51:26 am
I think a lot of the African teams probably suffer from the number of English players in the Premier League.........
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: mattc on 28 June, 2014, 11:28:43 am
For all Fifa's noise in recent years about spreading football around the world, only two African teams and none from Asia have got through the group stage. EuroLAm is still where it's at.
what do you suggest - positive discrimination?
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Andrew Br on 28 June, 2014, 04:59:26 pm
Good to see that the thread has carried on in my absence  :thumbsup: (I've been on holiday).

Knock-out stages starting tonight:-

Brazil v. Chile: I'm expecting a close game with Brazil going through although I'd quite like an upset

Columbia v. Uruguay: I can't see past Columbia since Uruguay are without Suarez

I shan't mention the accuracy of my predictions from the beginning of the thread  :-[



Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: mattc on 28 June, 2014, 06:17:54 pm
I think I'm watching the World givingtheballaway Cup. Good fun though!

Oooh hang on ... has Hulk scored?!? Commentator: "Hulk! ................... Incredible!"  :facepalm: Oh well, perk of the job I guess.

Only an english ref would dare disallow a goal for handball like that  ;D ;D
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Andrew Br on 28 June, 2014, 07:12:51 pm
It is rather like an English game; high tempo and poor ball control.
Penalties ?

Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Peter on 28 June, 2014, 08:09:01 pm
That's a real shame.  Chile should not have to go out this early.  All penalty saves are pretty much luck and Cesar had the luck tonight.  I think Chile were beaten by Brazil's cynicism, for which, I think, Howard Webb was not quite ruthless enough.  Hulk had a good game, though.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: bobb on 28 June, 2014, 08:22:43 pm
Well, Brazil weren't exactly convincing. I think I know what their problem is - it's the names of their players. In the past they had great names like Pelé, Zico and Socrates. What have they got now? Fred, Jo and fucking Hulk! Rubbish!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Peter on 28 June, 2014, 08:57:54 pm
And they can't spell William, either.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 28 June, 2014, 09:42:19 pm
Well, Brazil weren't exactly convincing. I think I know what their problem is - it's the names of their players. In the past they had great names like Pelé, Zico and Socrates. What have they got now? Fred, Jo and fucking Hulk! Rubbish!

That's not so crap.  They had Kaka not so long ago.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Von Broad on 28 June, 2014, 09:43:59 pm
On the day though - cigarette paper between them. If that.
The disallowed goal....could have gone either way, and it was a superb goal - great ball into the box, good control, good finish, had it been an England goal [let's not go there!]

That penalty by Neymar. That was just shear quality. Anybody who has the balls the wait for the goalkeeper to move is some cool dude. To say the bloke is quality is an understatement.

Terrific game.
And what a tournament so far, and the goals.....
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Andrew Br on 28 June, 2014, 09:50:01 pm
All of this ^^^^^

Currently, Columbia all the way IMO.

Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Pingu on 28 June, 2014, 10:52:29 pm
Only an english ref would dare disallow a goal for handball like that  ;D ;D

An old joke can be rewritten: what do you call an Englishman in the second round of the World Cup?  ;D :P ;)
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 28 June, 2014, 10:55:02 pm
Beat me to it, Pingu ;D

Colombia looked damn good. That's the first time I've seen 'em.

Note to self - watch the Brazil-Colombia QF.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Pingu on 28 June, 2014, 10:59:54 pm
Perhaps it should be 'Briton' from now on.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 28 June, 2014, 11:04:43 pm
Hey, let's not write off Wales.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 28 June, 2014, 11:13:27 pm
Uruguay were a bit toothless tonight 8)
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Andrew Br on 28 June, 2014, 11:22:13 pm


An old joke can be rewritten: what do you call an Englishman in the second round of the World Cup?  ;D :P ;)

In a similar vein:-
Q. What do you call a Scots player in the 1st round of the World Cup ?
A. Not many of us are young enough to remember.

Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 28 June, 2014, 11:26:03 pm


An old joke can be rewritten: what do you call an Englishman in the second round of the World Cup?  ;D :P ;)

In a similar vein:-
Q. What do you call a Scots player in the 1st round of the World Cup ?
A. Not many of us are young enough to remember.

Are you sure about that punchline?
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 28 June, 2014, 11:28:50 pm
This ^^^^.  I'm 50 and distinctly remember them qualifying for Italia '90 (this, in a roundabout sort of way, cost a cow-orker his job).
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Von Broad on 28 June, 2014, 11:47:09 pm
Uruguay were a bit toothless tonight 8)

Very good Mr L.  :D
I see you are sharp as ever.
An extremely competent punning mate of mine would have been proud of that one.
When I tell him, he'll no doubt declare it his own and we'll all hear it repeated back to us over the coming days :hand:
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Von Broad on 29 June, 2014, 12:00:54 am


An old joke can be rewritten: what do you call an Englishman in the second round of the World Cup?  ;D :P ;)

In a similar vein:-
Q. What do you call a Scots player in the 1st round of the World Cup ?
A. Not many of us are young enough to remember.

A. Sober on the pitch and completely spannered off it. Probably. As were all the Scottish officials. If they had any sense. But the real answer is Billy Bremner - and they gave Brazil a pretty good game....from memory.

Which reminds me of one of my all time favourtie photos ever (http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/Gallery_Images/2010/6/11/1276283430618/Englands-World-Cup-traini-001.jpg) of all things.
This is a photo of members of the great [actually in those days we was up there, somewhere!] England team of 1970 relaxing back at the training camp in Mexico. Just classic  ;D
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 29 June, 2014, 12:09:37 am
Uruguay were a bit toothless tonight 8)

Very good Mr L.  :D
I see you are sharp as ever.
An extremely competent punning mate of mine would have been proud of that one.
When I tell him, he'll no doubt declare it his own and we'll all hear it repeated back to us over the coming days :hand:

They appeared to have had their fangs drawn by Columbia.  Lacked incision up front.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 29 June, 2014, 12:19:45 am
Hey, looks as though Costa Rica hold the unofficial World Championship!

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unofficial_Football_World_Championships

Should make Wow happy. And it makes the Costa Rica-Greece match a World Championship bout!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: spesh on 29 June, 2014, 01:05:45 am
Uruguay were a bit toothless tonight 8)

Very good Mr L.  :D
I see you are sharp as ever.
An extremely competent punning mate of mine would have been proud of that one.
When I tell him, he'll no doubt declare it his own and we'll all hear it repeated back to us over the coming days :hand:

They appeared to have had their fangs drawn by Columbia.  Lacked incision up front.

Not hungry enough...
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: mattc on 29 June, 2014, 02:16:19 pm
I'm not sure I understand the responses to my use of the word 'English'; so to clarify my intent:
England were famously knocked out of a WC due to a Maradonna unpunished handball.
Howard Webb is English.

(Incidentally, England have a much better record of reaching 2nd rounds than the other home nations. Over pretty much any sensible date-range. I didn't bring this up, just saying ... )

 :-*
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Peter on 29 June, 2014, 03:36:52 pm
I understood your point ok, matt.  I supose it's fair to mention that England has a population about ten times that of Wales and Scotland together.  But then I think of Casta Rica and Uruguay.....!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: mattc on 29 June, 2014, 05:11:55 pm
You're implying that I was bragging about England's superior record; I wasn't!* Of course the mere mention of England sports teams does trigger a Pavlovian reaction in some ...


*mainly because - let's be sensible - post 1966 there isn't a lot worth bragging about.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Peter on 29 June, 2014, 05:19:23 pm
Not at all, matt.  I was merely using your post as an excuse to moan about England's lack of success when compared with its population, not that it exercises me greatly!   I just like to see good sport.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Pingu on 29 June, 2014, 07:09:23 pm
I'm not sure I understand the responses to my use of the word 'English'...

Just joking about an old joke  :)
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Andrew Br on 29 June, 2014, 07:12:39 pm


An old joke can be rewritten: what do you call an Englishman in the second round of the World Cup?  ;D :P ;)

In a similar vein:-
Q. What do you call a Scots player in the 1st round of the World Cup ?
A. Not many of us are young enough to remember.

Are you sure about that punchline?

 :-[

What I meant was:-
A. Not many of us are old enough to remember.
 :-[

Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 29 June, 2014, 10:15:57 pm
Ed Miliband has just scored cor Costa Rica.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Jaded on 29 June, 2014, 10:51:24 pm
Drama tonight.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 29 June, 2014, 11:56:20 pm
Blimey! It isn't often that a team scores all 5 penalties.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Jaded on 29 June, 2014, 11:59:25 pm
They looked dead on their feet before the end of normal time.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 30 June, 2014, 10:00:54 am
They ought to find a better way to settle matches than penalty shoot outs. Maybe going back to the golden goal system of extra time would encourage scoring? Or maybe extra time should be played without goalkeepers?! :demon:
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 30 June, 2014, 10:01:38 am
For all Fifa's noise in recent years about spreading football around the world, only two African teams and none from Asia have got through the group stage. EuroLAm is still where it's at.
what do you suggest - positive discrimination?
No suggestion, just noticing.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: bobb on 30 June, 2014, 10:27:25 am
Maybe going back to the golden goal system of extra time would encourage scoring?

It didn't though. It encouraged defending!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: LEE on 30 June, 2014, 10:48:28 am
Maybe going back to the golden goal system of extra time would encourage scoring?

It didn't though. It encouraged defending!

Exactly.

Penalties are a test of footballing skill and add plenty of drama (too much drama if you are English).

I'd like to see implemented the suggestion of a player, starting on the centre circle, given 10 seconds to run at goal and try to score.  That would really suit skillful players.  Goalies would be allowed to come off their line as much as they liked.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Jaded on 30 June, 2014, 10:59:15 am
Golden goal, Silver Goal, toss of coin. Penalties, replay.

Actually you wonder if you might get more hi-energy finishes if there was a toss of the coin to decide a match drawn at full time!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: LEE on 30 June, 2014, 11:18:10 am
Golden goal, Silver Goal, toss of coin. Penalties, replay.

Actually you wonder if you might get more hi-energy finishes if there was a toss of the coin to decide a match drawn at full time!

Maybe award style marks for dives and use those to decide. 

Robben (NL) throws his elbows back and lifts his heels, almost achieving the perfect "Free-fall" position.  5.7  5.6  5.5  5.7  5.8  6.0 I'd say (though the 6.0 was from the Dutch judge).
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: hatler on 30 June, 2014, 12:45:26 pm
They ought to find a better way to settle matches than penalty shoot outs. Maybe going back to the golden goal system of extra time would encourage scoring? Or maybe extra time should be played without goalkeepers?! :demon:
Count the corners. Team with the most corners wins if all else is equal at the end of extra time.

It works in hockey.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 30 June, 2014, 02:02:51 pm
Maybe going back to the golden goal system of extra time would encourage scoring?

It didn't though. It encouraged defending!

Exactly.
Did it? Fair enough, not a good idea then.

Quote
Penalties are a test of footballing skill and add plenty of drama (too much drama if you are English).
Hmm, a very specific skill. More a test of cool nerves (and a bit of luck).

Quote
I'd like to see implemented the suggestion of a player, starting on the centre circle, given 10 seconds to run at goal and try to score.  That would really suit skillful players.  Goalies would be allowed to come off their line as much as they liked.
That I do like.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Auntie Helen on 30 June, 2014, 02:33:53 pm
I've hung the German flag out of the front window in preparation for tonight's game. I have provided scones with Tiptree Jam and Clotted Cream for my landlady and landlord so they feel suitably British as they watch Germany play football.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 30 June, 2014, 02:39:03 pm
Perhaps you can memorise a few Kenneth Wolstenholme quotes for authenticity.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: mattc on 30 June, 2014, 03:58:24 pm
Perhaps you can memorise a few Kenneth Wolstenholme quotes for authenticity.
;D

Don't mention 1966! /Fawlty
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: mattc on 30 June, 2014, 04:11:39 pm
They ought to find a better way to settle matches than penalty shoot outs. Maybe going back to the golden goal system of extra time would encourage scoring? Or maybe extra time should be played without goalkeepers?! :demon:
Count the corners. Team with the most corners wins if all else is equal at the end of extra time.

It works in hockey.
hmm. Interesting and promising.
(Unlike this pathetic wiki page: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiebreaker )
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: bobb on 30 June, 2014, 04:42:37 pm
I have provided scones with Tiptree Jam and Clotted Cream for my landlady and landlord so they feel suitably British as they watch Germany play football.

For an authentic experience, hopefully Germany will lose on penalties  ;D
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Auntie Helen on 30 June, 2014, 05:04:12 pm
I have provided scones with Tiptree Jam and Clotted Cream for my landlady and landlord so they feel suitably British as they watch Germany play football.

For an authentic experience, hopefully Germany will lose on penalties  ;D
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 30 June, 2014, 09:19:49 pm
Wow, the Germans look shaky.

It is Germany, so I suppose they'll ride the wave and score a couple in the second half.

But still - Algeria are flying at them. Shame that they nearly all want to score rather than pass.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 30 June, 2014, 09:27:48 pm
What happened to the Algerian guy with the nasty-looking dressing on his head?
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Auntie Helen on 30 June, 2014, 09:47:38 pm
I am suffering under the commentary on ZDF with a weirdly-accented German (maybe Bavarian).

Still, it's better than listening to mumbling British ex-footballers!

Germany do seem to be struggling.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 30 June, 2014, 09:56:41 pm
Yeah, the commentary over here is crap. Townsend needs to use actual nouns or (preferably) shut up.

"They're pressing them and if they keep pressing them they'll struggle and they'll have a good chance against them" isn't exactly enlightening.

I read the other day that Algeria have a 100% record against Germany, having played (West) Germany twice and won twice.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 30 June, 2014, 10:39:32 pm
I wish our pundits and commentators would understand that quality, by its very nature, is variable.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 30 June, 2014, 10:47:13 pm
That was a great free kick routine from the Germans. It's good to see teams failing to live up to their national stereotypes ;D
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 30 June, 2014, 10:58:36 pm
Bugger!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 30 June, 2014, 11:01:08 pm
Yeah. I was looking forward to  France vs Algeria in the quarter-finals.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Jaded on 30 June, 2014, 11:14:32 pm
What happened to the Algerian guy with the nasty-looking dressing on his head?
He is still playing, I think.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: hatler on 01 July, 2014, 08:48:59 am
I think the question was "Why has that Algerian player got a dressing on his head ?"

It was there when they lined up at the start, but beyond that I don't know.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Polar Bear on 01 July, 2014, 09:43:39 am
Having sailed to Denmatk on 12th June and not bothered with it at all, is it all over yet?
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Peter on 01 July, 2014, 10:48:52 am
Is what all over?
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 01 July, 2014, 10:53:15 am
Having sailed to Denmatk on 12th June and not bothered with it at all, is it all over yet?
Some people think it is.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Auntie Helen on 01 July, 2014, 01:26:32 pm
Not if you're German ;-)
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Auntie Helen on 01 July, 2014, 05:27:35 pm
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t1.0-9/10494741_10204339437911147_8564507101673909972_n.jpg)
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Andrew Br on 01 July, 2014, 05:51:30 pm
Not if you're German ;-)

No need AH  :hand:


This is the 1st time that I've seen either Argentina or Switzerland.
Can't say I'm impressed by Argentina and the Swiss seem to be able to crowd Messi out plus they've also had the best chances.
I'm assuming that class will out but I wouldn't be surprised if there's a "shock".

Sadly I'm going to miss Belgium v USA 'cos I'll be at a b/day party.
Unless I can sneakily swith the TV on and watch it with the sound turned down.

Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 01 July, 2014, 10:38:26 pm
This Belgium - USA match is a real cracker. If football was like this more often it would be worth watching.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 01 July, 2014, 10:43:27 pm
Tim Howard - beard of the tournament?
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 01 July, 2014, 10:51:56 pm
What a miss. I reckon the linesman ruled the USA player offside out of sympathy there.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Jaded on 01 July, 2014, 11:11:09 pm
Tim Howard - beard of the tournament?

He's been outstanding tonight.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 01 July, 2014, 11:13:30 pm
Great match. I really feel for the USA - they have played with great sportsmanship. They just get up and play on. The Belgians are just too strong (2:0 now).
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 01 July, 2014, 11:19:20 pm
Game on!

The USA have been brilliant - I totally agree about the sportsmanship. And the effort, they've never stopped.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 01 July, 2014, 11:33:00 pm
I'm glad that didn't go to penalties. It was too good a game for that and I don't think I could have stood the tension. Brilliant game.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 01 July, 2014, 11:34:51 pm
What a game, and what a finish!

Made up for the earlier game today, and then some.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 01 July, 2014, 11:40:10 pm
Great to see the Americans get a goal back. What a match! Sorry to see them go.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 01 July, 2014, 11:42:30 pm
I had a vague recollection of watching a match in 1970 which came alive with a stack of goals in extra time and it was Italy v West Germany. Tonight's game reminded me of that.
(click to show/hide)
Edit: Blimey! Some bright spark has put the whole game on 2ndpersonsingulartube. It's worth watching if you've got a couple of hours to spare.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUGTLnFaRfs
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: LEE on 01 July, 2014, 11:55:31 pm
Good effort by the USA but it really was all effort.

If Belgium has played Lukaku from the start it could have been 8-0
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Von Broad on 02 July, 2014, 12:31:09 am
Great game.
I thought they played brilliantly - probably as well as they possibly could have. They kept the ball well, passed with speed moving forward, supported each other off the ball, often finding available players, played it out of defense without hoofing a long hopeful ball, and, crucially, Tim Howard played a blinder. I thought the free kick was pretty clever too.

Although never quite to that extent, it's not the first time we've seen the USA play well at a World Cup. When you haven't got so-called great players or are putting a ludicrous amount of faith in talented young players, you have no option but to look at team formation and team spirit. They did well to get out of a tough group too. Fair play to 'em.

I would love to have seen them get the equalizer, but looking forward, I'm happy that Belgium go on to meet Messi Argentina.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Jaded on 02 July, 2014, 07:23:41 am
Now the Round of 16 is over and having seen the quality in them, can it be safely said that we were very lucky to have been spared the embarrassment of England being in them?
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 02 July, 2014, 09:06:09 am
5 out of 8 matches in that round going to extra time and 2 of those going to penalties. That's got to be an unusually high proportion. Perhaps too many of the teams are too good! Which can only be a good thing, I guess.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Jaded on 02 July, 2014, 09:19:01 am
First time that the teams that topped their groups have all gone through.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 02 July, 2014, 09:35:33 am
Now the Round of 16 is over and having seen the quality in them, can it be safely said that we were very lucky to have been spared the embarrassment of England being in them?

I don't think luck was involved.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: LEE on 02 July, 2014, 10:09:00 am
Now the Round of 16 is over and having seen the quality in them, can it be safely said that we were very lucky to have been spared the embarrassment of England being in them?

I don't think luck was involved.

Agreed.

We're (England) falling further behind every year.  One by one African teams are moving ahead of us technically and also in work-rate. That puts us behind another continent.

Work-rate was what gave us the edge but now even the "Latin" teams have added that to their repertoire.  Skill plus work-rate means we don't have a look-in.

The great pity is, that if we had some talent, we'd stand a chance because nobody looks that unbeatable and the "giants" are either struggling to get through or have been sent packing already.

An opportunity missed.

To put it in perspective, the Germans had yet to play their second match of the World Cup and England were already knocked out.

I'm just pleased that reality has dawned on the majority of England supporters.  We never expected much more than this and so they were free to have a good time without rioting at the host cities.
Just a few years ago this would not have been the case.
So a big thank you to all those average England players who have played so badly, for so many years, that even the most Neo-Nazi Skinhead England Fan has had all the enthusiasm for a good fight slowly knocked out of them.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: pcolbeck on 02 July, 2014, 10:30:02 am
It's telling that English Premiership league is first class and it'slubs are very competitive in international football but of course they are all stuffed with foreign players many of whom are representing their countries at the World Cup.
The starting eleven fielded by Germany in this World Cup featured seven players from Bayern Munich !
The Germans though have a cap on the number of foreign players per team whereas Premiership teams just buy ready made fully developed talent from anywhere in the world. Something needs to change to give more English home grown players a chance in the Premiership so they can get top class experience if we are ever to get better. Other than that you are just waiting for a lucky coincidence when there just happens to be a great player for each position at the same time in the Premiership. At the moment we do produce good players but never enough all at the same time. One world cup its a striker the next it's a midfielder and a goalie. You can't deny Beckham was absolutely world class or Paul Scholes for example but you need the rest of the team to be very good as well rather than relying on a couple of brilliant players.

Still the football has been excellent at this World Cup in general and I am enjoying it immensely. With England out it I can just enjoy each match for what it is.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 02 July, 2014, 11:08:49 am
Good effort by the USA but it really was all effort.

I was particularly amused by the occasion when the Belgian no. 17 was ambling up the park with the ball at his feet when one of the USAnian lads neatly took possession of the ball and ran off with it in the opposite direction.  The Belgian player continued to amble withe the air of one who, while picking daisies on the railway embankment, has just caught the 08:29 in the small of the back.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Jaded on 02 July, 2014, 11:37:48 am
With England out it I can just enjoy each match for what it is.

Yes, very true.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 02 July, 2014, 01:34:18 pm
Quote
Penalty shootouts are no way to settle a tournament. At an international level, no one's going to miss a target 7.32 metres wide. Penalty shootouts are instead more a test of how well a magic sponge man can palm a couple of beta blockers to a nervous sweeper than actual footballing skill.
That's rather crude. Surely they must have developed a way of dissolving the beta blockers in the magic sponge water and getting it absorbed directly through the skin?
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Pingu on 03 July, 2014, 10:09:48 pm
Watching the Golden Gordon episode of Ripping Yarns and thought of this thread.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 04 July, 2014, 10:07:49 pm
The referee in the Brazil-Colombia game is a bit lenient, isn't he?!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Peter on 05 July, 2014, 12:45:29 am
A very poor display from the ref. but I suppose any ref. n the Brazil games this far in is worried about getting shot.  Brazil are a disgrace.  I really hope Germany thrash them.  There, I've said it.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 05 July, 2014, 12:45:53 am
It was pretty scrappy, all right. There were almost too many fouls for one ref to manage - about 40 or 50.

I really enjoyed the match. But I can’t see Brazil beating Germany, if that is what transpires.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Peter on 05 July, 2014, 12:54:23 am
I thought I'd seen on text that that was the first semi: Brazil v Germany.  Maybe not?
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 05 July, 2014, 12:58:19 am
Nope! Two more quarter finals tomorrow: Netherlands / Costa Rica and Argentina / Belgium. Semis on Tuesday and Wed.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 05 July, 2014, 01:02:06 am
I thought I'd seen on text that that was the first semi: Brazil v Germany.  Maybe not?

Doh. It’s late. You are of course correct.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 05 July, 2014, 03:46:41 am
Apparently Brazil and Germany have only ever played each other once in the World Cup and that was the 2002 final. I remember it as the match I wanted both sides to lose, so I went out for a 10 mile walk instead of watching it.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 05 July, 2014, 06:56:04 am
It seems that one of the Brazilian key players is out with a fractured vertebra.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: mattc on 05 July, 2014, 08:20:33 am
It seems that one of the Brazilian key players is out with a fractured vertebra.
bloody hell; yes indeed, Neymar is out of the tournament.

I can't see Brazil winning without him (although anything can happen for the home team). They certainly don't deserve a semi-final place based on how they've played. But the cynical violent challenge that injured Neymar was horrendous - wouldn't wish that on any player*. Arguably the ref takes a lot of the blame - he had 80minutes to take charge of the game. That is his job  >:(

I'm still on the Germany bandwagon :P I missed their match, didn't sound great, the Brazil game will be very different. Hopefully better.


*who isn't called Maradonna. Actually I don't really mean that. Probably.


WC Moment So Far - that massive grasshopper on Rodriguez just after he scored the penalty.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Von Broad on 05 July, 2014, 08:54:29 am
But the cynical violent challenge that injured Neymar was horrendous

Bloody awful. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28173132)

Difficult to see how Brazil will get past Germany.
Could be an all European final.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Peter on 05 July, 2014, 11:02:28 am
I was only able to watch the middle hour of the match and didn't see the attack on Neymar.  I'd never been impressed by Neymar - until this tournament (impressing me is not a sine gua non for greatness!) but that has all changed and it's a shame we won't be seeing him again in this competition.  It was a bit pathetic reading that Scolari, the Brazilian manager, was upset because Neymar had been "hunted": what did he think happened to James, who was clattered by Paulinho at every opportunity?  David Luiz's consolatory arm round James, which I saw on the highlights, made me want to be sick.  Luiz is a thug on the pitch - a very skillful one, but a thug nevertheless.  Mind you, it's probably churlish to single him out in a team of thugs (with the exception of Neymar.)
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 05 July, 2014, 10:31:34 pm
Come on Costa Rica.

They're certainly not playing for penalties - but given how well they took their penalties against Greece, and Holland's appalling record in shoot-outs, I kinda think they should.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Von Broad on 05 July, 2014, 11:00:30 pm
Come on Costa Rica.

I'm caught.
On the one hand I'd love to see them win, but on the other, I'd also prefer to see the Dutch play Argentina in the semi's
There's no resolution to that kind of conflict  :)
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 05 July, 2014, 11:07:29 pm
Like the USA, I love their teamwork and effort. As a fan of a club which (at best) lingered near the bottom of the football league, these were the qualities I appreciated in footballers.

And it's hard to like Robben. He's an immensely frustrating footballer - completely brilliant, but such a diver. I know, it's one of the few ways attackers have of getting back at defenders who leave stud marks on their shins (apart from being utterly brilliant a la Messi), but it's so blatant, and so consistently unpunished. There's a job for video refs ;D
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Von Broad on 05 July, 2014, 11:28:02 pm
Like the USA, I love their teamwork and effort.

Make no mistake, so do I.


And it's hard to like Robben. He's an immensely frustrating footballer - completely brilliant, but such a diver.

This much is true, and yet this evening, to be fair, that side of his game has not been in evidence.
 
I just see the prospect of Costa Rica v Argentina as nothing other than...a blood bath!

But right now, with 5 mins to go, as a Dutch supporter, I'd be a tad worried about the outcome!!

Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 05 July, 2014, 11:34:15 pm
I dunno about a blood bath - they're having the best of it at the moment!

I think Costa Rica v Argentina would be a wonderful semi final (barring an early Argentina goal). Apart from anything else, all the locals would be cheering for Costa Rica - even more than tonight.

Agreed about Robben tonight. And about bloody time.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Von Broad on 05 July, 2014, 11:36:57 pm
I dunno about a blood bath

No, my finest hour as regards choice of words there!

But this goalkeeper substitution...amazing!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 05 July, 2014, 11:49:39 pm
Bah!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 05 July, 2014, 11:50:53 pm
Yeah, that was bizarre.

...

But it worked!

Hard on Costa Rica - I did want them to win. I'd be proud if England played like that.

Argentina into the final, then - I reckon they'll make mincemeat of this Dutch team.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Peter on 06 July, 2014, 12:01:02 am
A great shame.  I listened to the normal time on the radio then had to switch off.  The radio commentators were nowhere near as sanguine about the cheat Arjen Robben as you lot.  It seems he pulled at least two stunts that were missed by the TV camera angles.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 06 July, 2014, 12:01:37 am
The match had an extra frisson of excitement because the sis-in-law of the niece who got married today is Dutch. I do think that the Dutch have a better chance of beating the Argies than the Cricans would have.

The boy Lineker continues to have done great.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: LEE on 07 July, 2014, 10:27:30 am
Brazil, Germany, Argentina & Holland.

Amazing isn't it?  None of them have played spectacularly well but there they are, in the semis.

I'd have expected to see Spain rather than Holland but I got the other 3 correct. 

Some teams just have a knack of doing just enough, of holding their nerve and knowing that one moment of quality will eventually save them.

Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Auntie Helen on 07 July, 2014, 10:36:24 am
I'm really hoping for a Germany-Holland final as then I'd be happy whichever team won and I could go and experience the happy celebrations by bike in the relevant country!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: LEE on 07 July, 2014, 10:45:25 am
I'm really hoping for a Germany-Holland final as then I'd be happy whichever team won and I could go and experience the happy celebrations by bike in the relevant country!

Germany - Holland - Grudge game

Brazil - Argentina - Grudge game

I think I would have preferred Brazil - Germany in the final, two contrasting styles and with an amazing home-crowd atmosphere.

Brazil - Argentina may descend into a festival of diving and ugly crowd scenes so I'll take Brazil - Holland (Because I'm also keen to see how our (Man U) Manager performs, he's looking good so far).
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 07 July, 2014, 10:52:24 am
ISTR a Holland - Germany final some time before - 1970s? - and it being 2 - 1 to Germany. Probably 1974.

*checks*

I can report that some brain cells are still working.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Jaded on 07 July, 2014, 11:11:27 am
Holland need to lose again after their appalling display in the last final.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 07 July, 2014, 12:18:20 pm
Argentina - Netherlands is probably something of a grudge match after 1978.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: LEE on 08 July, 2014, 03:02:46 pm
Holland need to lose again after their appalling display in the last final.


That was like a coordinated physical assault of the Spanish team wasn't it?
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 08 July, 2014, 03:14:44 pm
Holland need to lose again after their appalling display in the last final.


That was like a coordinated physical assault of the Spanish team wasn't it?

IIRC it was a coordinated physical assault on every team they played in 2010.  And they had the temerity to complain about the number of bookings they received ???
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 08 July, 2014, 09:11:40 pm
Was that brilliant by Germany or poor defence by Brazil?
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 08 July, 2014, 09:15:08 pm
I'd go with the latter.

Should make a good game of it, though!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 08 July, 2014, 09:24:04 pm
A bit one-sided at the moment.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 08 July, 2014, 09:25:46 pm
Holy shit :o
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Von Broad on 08 July, 2014, 09:27:07 pm
poor defence by Brazil?

Yes, utter garbage. Unbelievable rubbish actually.
That amount of space that close to goal from a corner is pathetic.
I'm glad it's not England.
Actually, I'm sorry it's not England [or Iran!] because it would be a far better game than this.

And it has nothing to do Neymar. Not on the pitch anyway.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: andyoxon on 08 July, 2014, 09:27:57 pm
 :o
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: essexian on 08 July, 2014, 09:28:04 pm
Blimey...... Its just like watching brazil England

Edited after number five......come on we would not have this poor
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: andyoxon on 08 July, 2014, 09:30:22 pm
 :o :o
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 08 July, 2014, 09:31:27 pm
:o :o
+ :o
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 08 July, 2014, 09:33:52 pm
The Germans are lining up to have a go. I can see the Brazilians getting, erm, a bit physical, though I hope not.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 08 July, 2014, 09:38:31 pm
Got in just in time for goal 5 - thought the scoreboard had gone wrong.  Or something.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Von Broad on 08 July, 2014, 09:39:35 pm
I can see the Brazilians getting, erm, a bit physical, though I hope not.

I think it's a bit late for that.
At 0-2 down I can see that physicality might be useful, but at 0-5.....it's a lost cause

The beauty for the Germans is that, at 30 mins into the game, 0-5 up, they can make substitutions and rest before the final.

They're going to take a lot of shifting now.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: madcow on 08 July, 2014, 09:40:07 pm
Was that brilliant by Germany or poor defence by Brazil?

Goal no 4 was definitely poor play by the defender.
No. 5 could have been saved by determined defending. Brazil are so shellshocked they can't get themselves in any semblance of order.

On R4 this morning a journo was talking about how Brazil lost to Uraguay in the 1950 final (Brazil were hosts then).
 He said they still remember it as a national failure, even though Brazil has won the trophy  several times since then.
 This tournament was the opportunity for the footballers to erase that defeat.
Instead it looks like they have heaped manure  on the graves of that 1950 team.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: clifftaylor on 08 July, 2014, 09:41:49 pm
I'd like to hear the Brazil team talk at half time.....
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 08 July, 2014, 09:48:04 pm
I can see the Brazilians getting, erm, a bit physical, though I hope not.

I think it's a bit late for that.
At 0-2 down I can see that physicality might be useful, but at 0-5.....it's a lost cause

The beauty for the Germans is that, at 30 mins into the game, 0-5 up, they can make substitutions and rest before the final.

They're going to take a lot of shifting now.

Aye - I was thinking more that they'd act out of frustration than with any expectation of changing the result.

But you're right - they're utterly beaten. And still have to play for another 45 minutes.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Von Broad on 08 July, 2014, 10:00:14 pm
I'm not sorry that Brazil are going to lose, but more sorry that we won't be having penalties this evening !
I'm feeling short-changed  :)

edit: Just thinking about the Germans - psychologically, it must be a bit of an odd situation for them to be in too, 0-5 up in a WC semi-final. Like, where the hell do you go from there?
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: madcow on 08 July, 2014, 10:19:17 pm
Don't forget that 2 weeks ago, Roy of the Rovers and the F.A managed to convince most of the journalists in the country  that even though we came home early from the WC , the real measure of the teambuilding plan would be in the 2016 European Championships.
It's a young team , needs time to gel, get some experience, blah, blah.

If Germany , Holland, France and Belgium maintain their performance levels  then England are unlikely to get to the quarter finals, never mind the final. And don't forget Greece playing their socks off, Italy, Spain and Portugal going all out to prove themselves again after relatively poor performances in Brazil.
The F.A bigwigs watching Germany dismantle Brazil and our Woy will be having some sleepless nights between now and 2016.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 08 July, 2014, 10:29:46 pm
Auntie Helen's been quiet. What's it like in Germany now?
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: andyoxon on 08 July, 2014, 10:31:24 pm
0:6  At least this isn't the final.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: andyoxon on 08 July, 2014, 10:35:16 pm
 :o :o ... :o
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 08 July, 2014, 10:36:04 pm
They've got letters!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Auntie Helen on 08 July, 2014, 10:36:07 pm
Auntie Helen's been quiet. What's it like in Germany now?
I'm on my own here (the Germans I live with are at the Ice Rink group showing). I think there will be some sore heads tomorrow.

However, this was Poppy's expression at 5-0

(https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t1.0-9/1926865_10152129416351786_6328864176730389029_n.jpg)

She has slept through the subsequent two goals.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 08 July, 2014, 10:37:22 pm
0:6  At least this isn't the final.
It's pretty bloody damn final for Brazil!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 08 July, 2014, 10:38:09 pm
Auntie Helen's been quiet. What's it like in Germany now?
I'm on my own here (the Germans I live with are at the Ice Rink group showing). I think there will be some sore heads tomorrow.

However, this was Poppy's expression at 5-0

(https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t1.0-9/1926865_10152129416351786_6328864176730389029_n.jpg)

She has slept through the subsequent two goals.
Mixed emotions there, I think ;)
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: mcshroom on 08 July, 2014, 10:41:30 pm
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/worldcup/brazil-vs-germany-world-cup-2014-heartbreaking-photos-show-host-nations-fans-react-to-humiliating-game-9593298.html
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: madcow on 08 July, 2014, 10:42:33 pm
Not even a consolation goal at this rate.

edit- Spoke too soon :facepalm:
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Biff on 08 July, 2014, 10:45:54 pm
Brazil only need 2 tries to win.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: LEE on 08 July, 2014, 11:44:10 pm
Brazil only need 2 tries to win.

2 Boundaries or a Snooker on the Black would have done it.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 08 July, 2014, 11:53:51 pm
My tame German hasn't been so exercised over a foopball match since 1st September 2001 :-\
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Peter on 08 July, 2014, 11:54:00 pm
Well, I said I wanted Germany to thrash Brazil because of their thuggery in the previous games but I really didn't expect this!  I was only watching out of the corner of my eye as I visited a friend but it seems the Brazilians couldn't get near enough to kick anyone.  That said, I feel uneasy at the level of retribution meted out, though I don't share the hysterical 5 live pundit's declaration that these players will be scarred for life, even if they win the next world cup.  Certainly going to be a shake-up at Chelsea, though, as Abramovich ships out the Brazilians and replaces them with Germans - Schurrle won't feel so lonely and should get more starts.

Asstonishing!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Jaded on 09 July, 2014, 12:00:34 am
The 7th goal was rather good!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Exit Stage Left on 09 July, 2014, 12:54:52 am
Do the Germans have a word for schadenfreude?
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: madcow on 09 July, 2014, 08:05:47 am
Do the Brazilians have a phrase like "Gutted " or "Sick as a parrot" ?

Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: andyoxon on 09 July, 2014, 08:11:52 am
Hoping for a Germany:Argentina final.  Sorry Holland.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 09 July, 2014, 08:54:52 am
Do the Brazilians have a phrase like "Gutted " or "Sick as a parrot" ?

Apparently it's 'Mineirazo'.

Hoping for a Germany:Argentina final.  Sorry Holland.

Which will you be rooting for?

Anyway there's no doubt in my mind that England would have trounced Germany, given the chance.  It was the wrong kind of football for a Brazilian team.

My Alsatian chimney-fitter wanted Germany to lose.  He'll be sick as a dog this morning.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: pcolbeck on 09 July, 2014, 09:05:45 am
That was unbelievable. Germany were ruthless and Brazil fell apart. It wasn't the lack of Neymar that did for them it was lack of Thiago Silva. They had absolutely no discipline. I don’t think they would have won even with their captain on the field (Fred has done nothing throughout the completion and the other strikers aren’t up to much)  but it wouldn't have been the route that we saw last night. David Luiz obviously just isn't captain material after last night display; he couldn’t get them to keep their shape and in fact he was one of the worst offenders.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Exit Stage Left on 09 July, 2014, 09:08:29 am
Quote
A New York Times article in 2002 cited a number of scientific studies of schadenfreude, which it defined as, "delighting in others' misfortune". Many such studies are based on social comparison theory, the idea that when people around us have bad luck, we look better to ourselves. Other researchers have found that people with low self-esteem are more likely to feel schadenfreude than are people who have high self-esteem.[30]
A 2003 study examined intergroup schadenfreude within the context of sports, specifically an international football (soccer) competition. The study focused on the German and Dutch football teams and their fans. The results of this study indicated that the emotion of schadenfreude is very sensitive to circumstances that make it more or less legitimate to feel such malicious pleasure towards a sports rival.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schadenfreude#Scientific_studies


German links with both Brazil and Argentina make for a complex emotional setting. A Germany/ Netherlands final would be simpler. We could all join in with the chanting asking for our bikes back. Mind you, if you want a job doing well, we know who to ask.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 09 July, 2014, 09:54:05 am
I aten't larffed that much at Brazilian sporting discomfiture since Ayrton Senna spun out at Interlagos in 1994 and all the locals promptly went home.

Exchange of texts at 5-0:

Mr Larrington: Deutschland über Alles oder was?
Christina: Jawolh ;D
Mr L: Brazil are so crap I thought they were England in yellow shirts!
C: I'm glad it was an Englishman who said that!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Exit Stage Left on 09 July, 2014, 10:11:53 am
A facebook exchange with a Bavarian friend.
Quote
Wir nennen das Schadenfreude... was für ein Gemetzel. Wie ist so etwas möglich?

I think Freudenschade is the right word. Not so much a guilty joy, as a guilt about such ruthless efficiency in a setting which should cause joy.
It's an ill wind though, Triumph will be selling a lot more motorbikes in Brazil than BMW, especially as Triumph have a plant in Manaus.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 09 July, 2014, 11:16:16 am
Quote
A New York Times article in 2002 cited a number of scientific studies of schadenfreude, which it defined as, "delighting in others' misfortune". Many such studies are based on social comparison theory, the idea that when people around us have bad luck, we look better to ourselves. Other researchers have found that people with low self-esteem are more likely to feel schadenfreude than are people who have high self-esteem.[30]
A 2003 study examined intergroup schadenfreude within the context of sports, specifically an international football (soccer) competition. The study focused on the German and Dutch football teams and their fans. The results of this study indicated that the emotion of schadenfreude is very sensitive to circumstances that make it more or less legitimate to feel such malicious pleasure towards a sports rival.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schadenfreude#Scientific_studies


German links with both Brazil and Argentina make for a complex emotional setting. A Germany/ Netherlands final would be simpler. We could all join in with the chanting asking for our bikes back. Mind you, if you want a job doing well, we know who to ask.


Unfortunately Poland have been knocked out. 

Anyway, I am feeling well disposed to Germany having recently bought something arcane and British off German ebay for a bargain price.  He wasn't selling outside Germany but agreed to change his listing.  Mind you I haven't translated his feedback yet; he might find out it was worth a bit more..
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Jaded on 09 July, 2014, 11:18:57 am
A facebook exchange with a Bavarian friend.
Quote
Wir nennen das Schadenfreude... was für ein Gemetzel. Wie ist so etwas möglich?

I think Freudenschade is the right word. Not so much a guilty joy, as a guilt about such ruthless efficiency in a setting which should cause joy.
It's an ill wind though, Triumph will be selling a lot more motorbikes in Brazil than BMW, especially as Triumph have a plant in Manaus.

Yes, but Brazil didn't Triumph.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 09 July, 2014, 11:23:22 am
A facebook exchange with a Bavarian friend.
Quote
Wir nennen das Schadenfreude... was für ein Gemetzel. Wie ist so etwas möglich?

I think Freudenschade is the right word. Not so much a guilty joy, as a guilt about such ruthless efficiency in a setting which should cause joy.
It's an ill wind though, Triumph will be selling a lot more motorbikes in Brazil than BMW, especially as Triumph have a plant in Manaus.

Yes, but Brazil didn't Triumph.

That's enough of that, Sunbeam..
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 09 July, 2014, 11:36:13 am
A facebook exchange with a Bavarian friend.
Quote
Wir nennen das Schadenfreude... was für ein Gemetzel. Wie ist so etwas möglich?

I think Freudenschade is the right word. Not so much a guilty joy, as a guilt about such ruthless efficiency in a setting which should cause joy.
It's an ill wind though, Triumph will be selling a lot more motorbikes in Brazil than BMW, especially as Triumph have a plant in Manaus.

Yes, but Brazil didn't Triumph.

That's enough of that, Sunbeam..

I thought there was something wrong with my Ariel when I switched on the haunted fish tank last night.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Auntie Helen on 09 July, 2014, 11:56:10 am
Was just chatting with the young lad who is visiting here (son of the family) about where to watch the match on Sunday. The plan is that if NL win we hop in the car and drive over the border (15 miles) to celebrate with the Dutchies!

My car being English-registered makes this a feasible option!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Exit Stage Left on 09 July, 2014, 11:56:38 am
Nice to see the puns sticking to the BSA/Triumph group.
Triumph was founded by a German, and there was a branch in Nuremburg.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triumph_(TWN)

These days the name is associated with lingerie in Germany, 'Triumph, the bra for the way you are.'
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: spesh on 09 July, 2014, 11:57:37 am
The Brazilians were Norton top of their game last night, whereas the Germans put in a Matchless performance. And it's worth noting that the Vincent them to a record eighth final.

Yes, that's my leather coat with the club patches sewn on on it...
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Exit Stage Left on 09 July, 2014, 12:03:51 pm
It was a little miracle, 'Das Kleine Wunder', in German.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dampf-Kraft-Wagen
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: caerau on 09 July, 2014, 12:18:15 pm
My god I've just woken yup to realise I didn't dream that last night then. Amazing stuff
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 09 July, 2014, 06:20:59 pm
"Brazil need to train more" said a pre-teen Brazilian boy on the telly just now.  Not only is he astute enough to be a foopball manager, but he can speak better English than half the England team.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 09 July, 2014, 07:29:01 pm
Dez has informed me that there is an entry on Farcebook from a website called "Pornhub" asking people to stop uploading videos with titles like "Young Brazilians get fucked by entire German soccer team."
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 09 July, 2014, 08:44:19 pm
What time does this match start? Have I got time for a shower?

Answer: I'm fragrant and I missed 51 seconds.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 09 July, 2014, 09:32:13 pm
What's the matter with these teams? By this time yesterday we had had 5 goals.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 09 July, 2014, 10:31:36 pm
I can't stand this pointless possession in which multiple passes end up with the ball being taken back into the team's own half. It's boring and it is asking for trouble.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 09 July, 2014, 10:33:36 pm
Call it a draw and go straight to penalties? I reckon the Dutch would go for that.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 09 July, 2014, 10:42:25 pm
Are players no longer allowed to run up to take a throw-in? I remember Chelsea had a player called Ian Hutchinson who was such a long-throw specialist that it was almost as good as them being awarded a corner.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Von Broad on 09 July, 2014, 10:58:03 pm
I can't stand this pointless possession in which multiple passes end up with the ball being taken back into the team's own half. It's boring and it is asking for trouble.
And yet here you are...still watching :-)
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 09 July, 2014, 11:03:10 pm
I can't stand this pointless possession in which multiple passes end up with the ball being taken back into the team's own half. It's boring and it is asking for trouble.
And yet here you are...still watching :-)

People watch Arsenal, don't they?  :P
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 09 July, 2014, 11:14:00 pm
I thought there would have been a minute's silence tonight for Di Stefano. There wasn't one last night, was there? I missed the start, and googling is getting me nowhere amongst all the weeping about the result.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 09 July, 2014, 11:22:14 pm
I thought there would have been a minute's silence tonight for Di Stefano. There wasn't one last night, was there? I missed the start, and googling is getting me nowhere amongst all the weeping about the result.

Wait, there does seem to have been one tonight, though I missed it.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 09 July, 2014, 11:28:20 pm
The Argentinian manager seems to have aged about ten years during the match.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 09 July, 2014, 11:47:33 pm
Well, I suppose you can't have a good game every match. Let's hope the Germans can put in another sparkling performance on Sunday - not that I will see it.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 09 July, 2014, 11:48:18 pm
I reckon Van Gaal's previous penalty shoot out keeper bluff has backfired on him tonight.

Good. Argentina were easily the most attacking team tonight. The Dutch had nowt apart from long balls to Robben and poor Van Persie.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: spesh on 09 July, 2014, 11:59:09 pm
I can see the final presenting a great many people in this country with a bit of a dilemma as to which team to cheer on.  :demon:
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Von Broad on 10 July, 2014, 12:15:14 am
The Argentinian manager seems to have aged about ten years during the match.

He's a curious character that guy. He doesn't look like a football manager [although exactly what a football is supposed to look like I'm not quite sure]. Passport control? Building regs inspector? Cycle shop owner maybe?

And the goalkeeper thing well...as you say, to do the sane thing again? Difficult.

Interestingly enough, I didn't realize [until I looked it up during the game] that the Dutch have never won the WC. I thought they had. They've been in three finals and have lost every one.  I like the way we [the English] do it - one final:one win [never to be seen again] :-)
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 10 July, 2014, 01:42:44 am
I can see the final presenting a great many people in this country with a bit of a dilemma as to which team to cheer on.  :demon:

Or just go for a bike ride?
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: mattc on 10 July, 2014, 06:50:53 am
I can't stand this pointless possession in which multiple passes end up with the ball being taken back into the team's own half. It's boring and it is asking for trouble.
And yet here you are...still watching :-)
I think he's top poster on this thread. A proper footy fan  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: pcolbeck on 10 July, 2014, 07:11:47 am
Interestingly enough, I didn't realize [until I looked it up during the game] that the Dutch have never won the WC. I thought they had. They've been in three finals and have lost every one.  I like the way we [the English] do it - one final:one win [never to be seen again] :-)

Odd isn't it for the inventors of "total football". Massively successful in club internationals (Ajax) but never won the World Cup. Mind you the Spanish were more successful with "tika-taka" which is a direct development of "total-football" pioneered by Johan Cruyff when he was manager of  Barca.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: LEE on 10 July, 2014, 08:56:12 am
Interestingly enough, I didn't realize [until I looked it up during the game] that the Dutch have never won the WC. I thought they had. They've been in three finals and have lost every one.  I like the way we [the English] do it - one final:one win [never to be seen again] :-)

Odd isn't it for the inventors of "total football". Massively successful in club internationals (Ajax) but never won the World Cup. Mind you the Spanish were more successful with "tika-taka" which is a direct development of "total-football" pioneered by Johan Cruyff when he was manager of  Barca.

The England team combined the Dutch "Total Football" with our own style of "Crap Football" and came up with our current system of "Totally Crap Football" (Copyright pending).
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Exit Stage Left on 10 July, 2014, 09:01:19 am
The English have long been famed for leaving anything that needs skill to incomers. Football's a prime example of that.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 10 July, 2014, 10:03:08 am
That's actually got a lot of truth in it. It's one of the reasons that chess isn't played in pubs the way that, say, dominoes or cribbage are. Both of those games have an element of skill, but luck does play a much greater part.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Vince on 10 July, 2014, 10:41:49 am
Very quiet in the office this morning.  ;D
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 10 July, 2014, 10:56:45 am
I wouldn't claim to be an expert but West Germany used to be good.  Haven't heard much about them lately.  Could it be their year again at last?

Help, is Putin going to put the Iron Curtain back up  :o

He bl**dy well should've..
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: LEE on 10 July, 2014, 02:30:40 pm
Messi took Argentina's first penalty.

Apparently nobody in Dutch team wanted to take the first one.

On that assessment alone I'm glad Argentina won.  Cometh the hour and all that.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Peter on 10 July, 2014, 02:36:52 pm
Yes.  I thought it was a bit pathetic the way the Cilleson, who has otherwise had a good tournament, tried to "psych" Messi, a la Tim Krul.  Messi is the world's best player and this showed colossal disrespect.  Holland deserved to lose for that alone (that and the fact that Robben plays for them).
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: mattc on 10 July, 2014, 03:39:49 pm
I have no interest in penalties, or the skills/nerve required. They almost always follow a tedious 2hours of overcautious play. I fell asleep twice during that game, and I regard that as useful zzzzzz gained.

I don't know the answer, but knockout football seems doomed. I'm so disappointed after so many great group games. Only the Germany semi was at all interesting, and that ceased to be a contest quite early on.

:-(
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Riggers on 10 July, 2014, 04:54:43 pm
Ah, not so fast young-fella-me-lad. The answer to boredom of extra time and the dreadful penalties situation (which I refused to watch last night and went to bed missing the result) is:

A friend has suggested that, should a game come down to extra time, each team should lose a player after 5 minutes. That would make it interesting wouldn't it!?
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: hatler on 10 July, 2014, 05:11:28 pm
If it's all square at the end of extra time, count the corners. The team with the most wins.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 10 July, 2014, 05:21:08 pm
Extra time multi-ball!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: pcolbeck on 10 July, 2014, 05:23:22 pm
Extra time with no goalies !
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Pingu on 10 July, 2014, 06:01:58 pm
If it's all square at the end of extra time, count the corners. The team with the most wins.

There'll be eight in total, two each in both halves.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: LEE on 11 July, 2014, 06:47:17 pm
£75,000,000 quid for the nasty biting Uruguayan.  Good business, get rid.

Of course that does mean Barcelona not have Neymar, Messi and Suarez up front.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 11 July, 2014, 10:27:06 pm
One for Auntie Helen -

How is the German coach's surname supposed to be pronounced?

The TV commentators over 'ere tend to make into into something like "lurrve", which is hilarious.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Auntie Helen on 11 July, 2014, 11:46:16 pm
I guess it's kinda like 'Lerv' so Lurrve isn't so bad.

Maybe I'll ask a few locals to say it to me and find out if they are consistent.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 12 July, 2014, 09:31:59 pm
More theatrics from Arjen Robben  >:(
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Basil on 12 July, 2014, 10:42:26 pm
The only thing that Brazil can hope for is three own goals by Netherlands.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 12 July, 2014, 10:46:59 pm
They should have swapped players at half time like we used to when there was a clear mismatch. David Luiz for Robben? Or any other Dutch player, really.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 12 July, 2014, 10:48:38 pm
I guess it's kinda like 'Lerv' so Lurrve isn't so bad.

Maybe I'll ask a few locals to say it to me and find out if they are consistent.

Ta. It sounded right, but at the same time completely wrong, as they never bother pronouncing the v/w correctly, except in the case of Manager Lurrrrrve.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 13 July, 2014, 01:51:23 pm
Which team of Baddies are people cheering on tonight?

I'm going for the Germans. Our last armed conflict against them was longer ago than our last against the Argies. Besides, I remember Rattin being sent off and his disrespect to Britain and the Queen, not to mention, of course, the "Hand of God" incident involving his successor. :P
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 13 July, 2014, 04:49:04 pm
I'd be hard pressed to cheer for Johnny Gaucho even if he was playing a team composed of the senior The Mgt of Office World, Hertz and Snowcard.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 13 July, 2014, 07:14:15 pm
Did anyone else think the penalty in yesterday's game seemed undeserved? It looked to me as if it happened just outside the penalty area.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 13 July, 2014, 07:19:08 pm
I think you are right, but the player should have been sent off.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: mattc on 13 July, 2014, 07:27:44 pm
I think you are right, but the player should have been sent off.
Yes exactly.

also it must be hard to spot exactly when the offence "starts" when players are sprinting into the box.

Either way, the defender didn't really have any complaint - he cynically fouled the guy to stop him scoring!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Andrew Br on 13 July, 2014, 07:59:51 pm
3-0 Germany.
IMO.
See the start of the thread for my earlier predictions.

Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 13 July, 2014, 08:09:42 pm
Is it the Argentinian supporters who are singing what I always assumed to be an England football git-song?
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 13 July, 2014, 08:35:47 pm
I'm gaining the impression from what's gone so far that its going Argentina's way.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 13 July, 2014, 08:59:37 pm
Did anyone else think the penalty in yesterday's game seemed undeserved? It looked to me as if it happened just outside the penalty area.

Yes.  Robben's reaction was pretty much what we've come to expect, i.e. two strides, mouth open like a stranded sea bass and falling over.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Auntie Helen on 13 July, 2014, 09:41:03 pm
How do the English commentators pronounce Höwedes? Here it is "hoe-ved-ez"
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 13 July, 2014, 09:49:50 pm
How do the English commentators pronounce Höwedes? Here it is "hoe-ved-ez"

I don't think they are ;D

He just took a throw-in, but they didn't mention him.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 13 July, 2014, 09:51:11 pm
Pretty much the same by whichever commentator this is.

Edit: he did take the throw in and they did mention his name!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 13 July, 2014, 10:00:36 pm
BBC or ITV, wow?
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 13 July, 2014, 10:03:52 pm
BBC.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 13 July, 2014, 10:04:45 pm
They just mentioned him again. Hoe-vud-ez. So the middle vowel was perhaps slightly anglicised.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 13 July, 2014, 10:08:09 pm
I think the Argentine no. 18 wins the prize for the most ridiculous hair style in footballing history.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Andrew Br on 13 July, 2014, 10:15:36 pm
3-0 Germany.
IMO.
See the start of the thread for my earlier predictions.

1-0 to whichever side then.
Or penalties.

Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 13 July, 2014, 10:17:22 pm
I wonder how many people were on that train that just trundled by?
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 13 July, 2014, 10:22:39 pm
It's turning into the 1990 final.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 13 July, 2014, 10:26:27 pm
Sehr, sehr gut!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 13 July, 2014, 10:37:27 pm
That looked like an orchestrated attack on Schweinsteiger in extra time. How many times was he fouled?
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 13 July, 2014, 10:42:32 pm
Bloody typical! You watch 112 minutes of goalless football and then your connection conks out, only to come back up and reveal the only goal has been scored in your absence!

Interesting contrast to the two managers: Argentina's looked like he'd had become a zombie (or even a zombi?) before the match started, while Germany's looks like the last of the 80s playboys!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 13 July, 2014, 10:43:17 pm
Quote from: Christina

Those last 3 minutes were the longest 3 minutes since chemistry at school :)

Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 13 July, 2014, 10:46:11 pm
Interesting contrast to the two managers: Argentina's looked like he'd had become a zombie (or even a zombi?) before the match started, while Germany's looks like the last of the 80s playboys!

The only managers in the whole tournament who didn't look like zombies were Lurrrve and Klinsmann.  Oh, and Hodgson, who is half man and half barn owl.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Deano on 13 July, 2014, 10:52:06 pm
One from the Graun, a gallery of photos from previous World Cups:

http://www.theguardian.com/football/gallery/2014/jul/05/world-cup-25-of-the-best-photographs-ever

The sailor and the North Koreans at Ayrsome Park is lovely, but there's no beating the Franco Baresi shot. The Argentinians look far more defeated tonight.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Auntie Helen on 13 July, 2014, 11:00:39 pm
I think there will be some very sore heads in my village tomorrow!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Jaded on 13 July, 2014, 11:05:13 pm
Oh, and Hodgson, who is half man and half barn owl.

 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 13 July, 2014, 11:16:59 pm
Apparently Pope Francis was watching the final with ex-Pope Benedict. One wonders if they'd arranged the result with higher powers?

Sticking with the popes, the one before Benedict was known to be a decent goalkeeper. The Graun recently did a "literary footballers" thing - they should do a "footballing popes" team and compare them! Camus or John Paul II, who was the better goalie?  :D
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 13 July, 2014, 11:20:47 pm
Birmingham City - the only team not to score a goal during the reign of a pope...
[/jaspercarrott]
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 13 July, 2014, 11:22:11 pm
One from the Graun, a gallery of photos from previous World Cups:

http://www.theguardian.com/football/gallery/2014/jul/05/world-cup-25-of-the-best-photographs-ever

The sailor and the North Koreans at Ayrsome Park is lovely, but there's no beating the Franco Baresi shot. The Argentinians look far more defeated tonight.
Yeah, if British sailors celebrated with North Koreans now, they'd all end up in Guantanagulag!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Andrew Br on 13 July, 2014, 11:36:17 pm


1-0 to whichever side then.
Or penalties.

Told you.

Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 14 July, 2014, 01:27:38 pm
I'm a bit surprised RZ hasn't been onto this thread to celebrate the fact that the winning goal was scored by Goatse.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Auntie Helen on 14 July, 2014, 02:16:48 pm
I went out for a 50km ride this morning. There seemed to be almost no-one around - hardly any cars on the road. I think they're sleeping off the beer.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 14 July, 2014, 07:03:45 pm
Apparently Maradona says that that Messi being awarded the Golden Boot is "unfair"!

If you're that concerned about "fairness", fat boy, perhaps we can have our 1986 quarter-final back >:(
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Jaded on 14 July, 2014, 10:29:40 pm
He didn't get the Golden Boot, he got the Golden Fist.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: LEE on 15 July, 2014, 09:34:38 am
Summary.

The best team won I think.

Germany play exactly like England think they play.

Brazil were about as good as an average/poor Premier league side.  Stoke would have given the Germans more problems.

The prima-donna stars didn't shine at all, it was much more about team play this time.

England's involvement in the tournament seems like a distant memory.  What memories I do have are dull ones.

England have been overtaken by yet more nations, including some fairly small ones.

England managed 2 goals

England managed 1 point

England were knocked out of the World cup before Germany had played their 2nd game.

I seem to remember some dreadful stat about England's lack of shots on target.

Because of England's performance though I was able to enjoy the World cup, without having my hopes raised and dashed, and without having to waste more hours of my life watching us punting the ball aimlessly to the opposition goalkeeper.

It was England's 5-1 defeat of Germany that finally caused a total rethink of German footballing structure.  That rethink has finally come to fruition.

It's no good England being just slightly beaten, it's going to take some good drubbings before anyone wakes up to the damage the Premier league is doing to our national game.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Wowbagger on 15 July, 2014, 10:03:29 am
I think you have a problem there, Lee. The Premier League, just like a lot of our other institutions, isn't being run in the national interest but for the financial gain of foreigners. Do you think the FA has the clout to thwart the intentions of the money-grubbing clubs?
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: LEE on 15 July, 2014, 10:44:07 am
Do you think the FA has the clout to thwart the intentions of the money-grubbing clubs?

No.

Edit.  The English fans have been conned into supporting lucrative franchises which have nothing to do with the name over the door or their locality.

Come to think of it, even the name over the door is the name of some far-away company.

"Yeah, I was born in Norf Lahdan so I have a natural bond wiv Arsenal, I fink it's the French Manager, the (sometimes) 100% non British XI on the pitch and the historical link to "The Emmirates"  whatever an Emmirate is, I fink it's a local Fish Market"

"Our Johnny Foreigners are better than yours...doo-dah...doo..dah"

Still, it beats watching Tennis.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 15 July, 2014, 12:37:13 pm
Another, possibly crucial difference is that nearly all top tier German clubs are largely owned by the fans and as such are actually run as clubs rather than poorly-maintained BigCos.  Young talent is encouraged and ticket prices kept low.  An adult can't get into Stamford Bridge for less than forty quid (if s/he actually wants to watch the game rather than a concrete pillar); a Several of Bundesliga clubs charge less than a tenner.  A Premier Leauge spokesdroid has said that ticket prices are "about right".  Bayern's chairman has said that fans "are not a cash cow" ???

I'd rather hoped that the money Liverpool swindled out of some bunch of credulous FOREIGNS in exchange for Chewy Luis would be spent on something useful, but it seems they need a Serbian winger previously plying his trade in Portugal.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: mattc on 15 July, 2014, 01:06:38 pm
Another, possibly crucial difference is that nearly all top tier German clubs are largely owned by the fans and as such are actually run as clubs rather than poorly-maintained BigCos.  Young talent is encouraged and ticket prices kept low.  An adult can't get into Stamford Bridge for less than forty quid (if s/he actually wants to watch the game rather than a concrete pillar); a Several of Bundesliga clubs charge less than a tenner.  A Premier Leauge spokesdroid has said that ticket prices are "about right".  Bayern's chairman has said that fans "are not a cash cow" ???

Astonishing.

By which I mean it's astonishing anyone pretends that English football is getting it right  :facepalm:


It was rather nice to see an Audax rider at the weekend riding with an AFC Wimbledon branded jersey!
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Peter on 15 July, 2014, 02:30:57 pm
Spain didn't do so well.  Is Barcelona not owned by the fans?  Certainly agree that "English" football is not getting it right.  Welcome to Newcastle - home of French (2nd div.) football..... .
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 15 July, 2014, 03:04:35 pm
Bilbao, Osasuna, Real Madrid and Barcelona, apparently.

Surreal Madrid is owned by a consortium of thieving Spanish trawlermen.  Trufax.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: mattc on 15 July, 2014, 03:20:58 pm
Spain didn't do so well.
Oh how naive I have been. Clearly England must be a better side than Spain, and the Premiership is the model every other nation should aspire to.

Cheers  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: LEE on 15 July, 2014, 04:40:43 pm
Spain didn't do so well.
Oh how naive I have been. Clearly England must be a better side than Spain, and the Premiership is the model every other nation should aspire to.

Cheers  :thumbsup:

What Spain did was take a slight break from winning everything in sight for the last few years.

European Champions 2008
World Champions 2010
European Champions 2012

Champs League was Madrid vs Madrid
A Spanish team have won it in 2014, 2011, 2009, 2006, 2002 & 2000

If Spanish football is failing then it certainly had a good run before doing so.

Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Peter on 15 July, 2014, 07:04:08 pm
Chaps, chaps, I merely alluded to the post about Germany having fan-owned clubs!  Barcelona was famous for this long before anyone knew that there were German ones (you have to be old to know this).   Many of the Spanish team came from Barcelona but the corollory didn't seem to work for them this time and it seems likely that it was only a coincidental factor in their past success - or did the fans teach them how to play football, as well?

No, I think that sadly for all of us the Spanish team just had too many people in it who were past their best.  I would love clubs to be taken away from the oligarchs and I include Mike Ashley in this but at the moment I am reduced to revising my French so I can read Newcastle's programmes.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 15 July, 2014, 10:06:16 pm
Interestingly, both the English and German teams have been described as "young".  One set of "young" players went home with its collective tail between its legs, the other with the World Cup in its luggage.  Explain yourself, owl-face.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: LEE on 17 July, 2014, 11:45:16 am
England fall to 20th in World rankings.

I think that's probably about right, although all the teams between 20th and 40th are probably about the same, so we may just as well be 40th, it just means we're "sort of average".

Spain were "humiliated" but they scored 6 goals and got 3 points.

We scored 2 goals and got 1 point.

So, doing some fairly basic algebra, where humiliated = h and England = E:  E=3h.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: mattc on 17 July, 2014, 11:57:04 am
England fall to 20th in World rankings.

I think that's probably about right
, although all the teams between 20th and 40th are probably about the same, so we may just as well be 40th, it just means we're "sort of average".

Spain were "humiliated" but they scored 6 goals and got 3 points.

We scored 2 goals and got 1 point.

So, doing some fairly basic algebra, where humiliated = h and England = E:  E=3h.

I've removed the bullshit from your post.

I'd add that Spain are still ranked 8th - which is probably about right.
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: LEE on 17 July, 2014, 12:05:57 pm
England fall to 20th in World rankings.

I think that's probably about right
, although all the teams between 20th and 40th are probably about the same, so we may just as well be 40th, it just means we're "sort of average".

Spain were "humiliated" but they scored 6 goals and got 3 points.

We scored 2 goals and got 1 point.

So, doing some fairly basic algebra, where humiliated = h and England = E:  E=3h.

I've removed the bullshit from your post.

I'd add that Spain are still ranked 8th - which is probably about right.

Quote
I've removed the bullshit from your post.

Cheers Matt.  I'd return the favour but the Doctor told me I only have about 40 years left to live.

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: mattc on 17 July, 2014, 12:18:46 pm
 ;D
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 17 July, 2014, 02:31:06 pm
FIFA tells Nico Rosberg to change his celebratory helmet design (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/28344335).

If I was Britney I'd get my Dad to sort Sepp Blatter out ;D
Title: Re: World Cup (football) 2014.
Post by: clarion on 18 July, 2014, 10:40:16 am
(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2910/14680296904_10f4b97bcf_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/onfmPj)Scan0199 (https://flic.kr/p/onfmPj) by TJ Clarion (https://www.flickr.com/people//), on Flickr