Support NeoGAF

[Probity]

They all start and finish at almost the same time. theres no post season - only being #1, although each league has cups (or tournaments) also along with the regular season, along with the Champions League where only the top teams in Europe compete

As a follow-up, leagues work in that whoever has the most points at the very end of it all wins the title, there are no playoffs. Tournaments play separately as their own titles. When you hear about someone getting a 'Treble', they are winning three significant trophies. Every professional league has its own tournaments that work in playoff style, some more than others.

There are also a lot of european-wide tournaments. Certain leagues are given a number of spots depending on popularity and strength. The highest level is the Champion's league, which is the highest of every league, sometimes like the top 4 from certain leagues. They go in group stages, like in this World Cup. Next is the Europa league, which is like the next best in the league. A lot of times teams will be playing for these spots to try and prove themselves.

Skills shown in league games by players can get them called up to their respective international teams, where they normally play in qualifying groups that are drawn, or friendlies. World Cup and Euro Cup are the biggest in Europe (duh). Different nationalities play on different teams, like in the states, based on the trading system. There are deadlines that are universal, at the start of the season in late summer is the first transfer period. The second starts around January.

As I said before, I can answer any questions you have if you PM me. I don't want to crowd up this thread any more than needed.

 

[Mory Dunz]

So first Ghana was going to dominate us.
Then Portugal was going to destroy us because we were under pressure from Ghana.
And now Germany will destroy us...

Okay.

But maybe, just maybe, this whole group has a lot more parity than people are giving credit for.

Anyhoo
- Bradley was awful. It's already been stresses enough. Maybe mix could have come in.
- Cameron effed up.
- Despite the assist, zusi was garbage and his corners were all overhit. What's he here for again? He also tucked way too far inside making Johnson play rb and rw the whole game. Dunno how Johnson survived.
- Speaking of Johnson, best game I've seen him play. He destroyed their lb.
- jones was fantastic again.
- besler and beckerman were good.
- yedlin late in the game is a good strategy to run by people If Bradley would get him the ball.

It's kinda funny, before the WC, stories said the only chance we had of getting out of the group rested on Bradley. Not Dempsey or Howard. And Bradley's had his worst games since he was 19 years old. It's still possible so we'll see what happens.

 

[potam]

Thanks for the info guys.

 

[Sykra]

Everyone is so hyped for the match here in Croatia and it's just 8am, gonna be a rough day to wait out till game time.

 

[Nyx]

Just watch the champions league. It's the only tournament with remotely even levels of competition.

It's also one of the most boring tournaments which usually only fires up from the quarter finals.

 

[Psychoward]

So theoretically if the US loses by 1 and Ghana wins by 1, would the US still advance or are they finished?

 

[Chris R]

So theoretically if the US loses by 1 and Ghana wins by 1, would the US still advance or are they finished?

US Advance.

Tied on Points
Tied on Goal Difference
Tied on Goals For
USA beat Ghana

 

[Probity]

So first Ghana was going to dominate us.
Then Portugal was going to destroy us because we were under pressure from Ghana.
And now Germany will destroy us...

Okay.

But maybe, just maybe, this whole group has a lot more parity than people are giving credit for.

Anyhoo
- Bradley was awful. It's already been stresses enough. Maybe mix could have come in.
- Cameron effed up.
- Despite the assist, zusi was garbage and his corners were all overhit. What's he here for again? He also tucked way too far inside making Johnson play rb and rw the whole game. Dunno how Johnson survived.
- Speaking of Johnson, best game I've seen him play. He destroyed their lb.
- jones was fantastic again.
- besler and beckerman were good.
- yedlin late in the game is a good strategy to run by people If Bradley would get him the ball.

It's kinda funny, before the WC, stories said the only chance we had of getting out of the group rested on Bradley. Not Dempsey or Howard. And Bradley's had his worst games since he was 19 years old. It's still possible so we'll see what happens.

What? Did we watch the same game? He was setting up play the entire time, stealing the ball and passing incredibly strong. The only gripes I have for Bradley is how lazy he was at the very end of the game (due to fatigue, but not an excuse), and his failed dribble that ended in Portugal getting the possession for their tying goal. That goal isn't even his fault, since Beasley should have been up with Ronaldo, and Cameron didn't mark well enough to prevent the header. Cameron had a good game besides his two mistakes too. If you want a bad Bradley game, then maybe go watch that Ghana match, but he was strong against Portugal overall.

 

[StopMakingSense]

While there's a lull in this thread, anyone mind giving me a quick rundown on how to get into European soccer? I think Premier League is shown on cable...and that's about it. I never cared much for watching soccer (lol MLS) aside from the WC, and Europe has always seemed too confusing with your 91455314 leagues.

It really helps to find a team to follow. While watching the cup, if you get a favorite top player, then try to follow them to their Pro team, then see if you can get into following their team. Thats what I did with Dennis Bergkamp (the best human being that has ever lived) after '98 and following Arsenal after that.

 

[FuturusX]

US Advance.

Tied on Points
Tied on Goal Difference
Tied on Goals For
USA beat Ghana

I think he might mean wins and loses by 1 not a 1-0 win for Ghana and a 1-0 loss for the USA, which changes things. If Ghana won 2-1 and the USA lost 1-0. Ghana would have the better goals scored and thus go through.

Tricky.

 

[Wazzy]

Predictions Time!

3-2 Australia

2-1 Netherlands

1-0 Mexico

2-0 Brazil

Let's see if this one is better than my last.

 

[CraigerGamer]

It really helps to find a team to follow. While watching the cup, if you get a favorite top player, then try to follow them to their Pro team, then see if you can get into following their team. Thats what I did with Dennis Bergkamp (best human being that has ever lived) after '98 and following Arsenal after that.

That's what the plan was so I purchased FIFA and picked a random team in the EPL since those games are on NBC and will be easy to follow. By random draw I landed on Chelsea. Having no idea if they were good, bad, or in the middle. I've played two seasons with them now and feel I know each player, their strengths and who is shit. Then I find out Chelsea let go their best defender and seem to be letting half their contracts run out. I had no idea they got rid of Matta and Oscar seems to be (is?) on his way out too. So now I'm rooting for a team where there has been so much turnover I'm thinking of re-rolling and going with someone else.

But anyway, that's my pointless story.

 

[miserable]

Who qualifies if Portugal wins by 2-0 and USA loses 0-3? They would have the same goals scored and conceded, plus the match between them ended in a tie.

 

[Probity]

That's what the plan was so I purchased FIFA and picked a random team in the EPL since those games are on NBC and will be easy to follow. By random draw I landed on Chelsea. Having no idea if they were good, bad, or in the middle. I've played two seasons with them now and feel I know each player, their strengths and who is shit. Then I find out Chelsea let go their best defender and seem to be letting half their contracts run out. I had no idea they got rid of Matta and Oscar seems to be (is?) on his way out too. So now I'm rooting for a team where there has been so much turnover I'm thinking of re-rolling and going with someone else.

But anyway, that's my pointless story.

I hate Mourinho, don't know why, I guess I think he is overrated. (Same goes for Guardiola with my Bayern, no bias). Either way, I will admit that he is pretty good, and has a good history with most of his teams. Even if some of the players are going, don't worry about them or anything. Chelsea is known as a strong defensive team, and that is Mourinho's style as well, so it is a good fit.

I can guarantee that things will be fine if you stick with them.

 

[Probity]

Who qualifies if Portugal wins by 2-0 and USA loses 0-3? They would have the same goals scored and conceded, plus the match between them ended in a tie.

Ehm, good question. Nothing like that has really ever happened, but I think the rules say that they just draw a winner at that point if there is nothing to separate between the two on any of their statistics. Not entirely sure, though, so don't hold me to it if I am wrong.

Not that it will matter, because I have high doubts for those results both occurring either way.

Edit: Sorry for the double post, people need to say more things so I am not talking so much, eh.

 

[Jack cw]

Who qualifies if Portugal wins by 2-0 and USA loses 0-3? They would have the same goals scored and conceded, plus the match between them ended in a tie.

First points, then goal difference, then direct comparison, then who scored more goals and if anything else is equal then its drawing lots.
Edit
Happened in WC 1990 if I recall correctly.

 

[Bizzity]

Who qualifies if Portugal wins by 2-0 and USA loses 0-3? They would have the same goals scored and conceded, plus the match between them ended in a tie.

They would draw lots then. Not too exciting, just chance at that point.

 

[Boss Mog]

While there's a lull in this thread, anyone mind giving me a quick rundown on how to get into European soccer? I think Premier League is shown on cable...and that's about it. I never cared much for watching soccer (lol MLS) aside from the WC, and Europe has always seemed too confusing with your 91455314 leagues.

You used to be able to watch a ton of matches from the best leagues on ESPN3 but Qatar ruined it by buying all the US rights for most European leagues for their BeIN Sports channels even though like nobody has that channel in the US. So sick of that country using its money to always get its way; I really hope they get the 2022 World Cup taken away from them even though it would be terrible if all those slave workers died for nothing. So anyway them getting almost all the rights is really a huge blow for the sport's greatest stars to get more visibility in the US.

NBC started showing live English Premier League matches on Saturday mornings this season, don't know if that will continue next year or not. Otherwise you can watch the UEFA Champions League live on Fox Sports 1 and 2 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the season. Champions League is the best anyway since it's all the best teams from all the leagues competing for a single trophy and it works exactly like the World Cup there's 32 teams in 8 groups of 4 and the top 2 teams in each group advance to the knockout round. I recommend you start with the Champions League, it's your best bet for seeing quality matches between the best European clubs.

 

[PdotMichael]

Who qualifies if Portugal wins by 2-0 and USA loses 0-3? They would have the same goals scored and conceded, plus the match between them ended in a tie.

coin toss

 

[Boss Mog]

coin toss

Its so stupid, I hope this never happens. Seriously have the 2 teams do a penalty shootout, at least it would be less random.

 

[Mory Dunz]

What? Did we watch the same game? He was setting up play the entire time, stealing the ball and passing incredibly strong. The only gripes I have for Bradley is how lazy he was at the very end of the game (due to fatigue, but not an excuse), and his failed dribble that ended in Portugal getting the possession for their tying goal. That goal isn't even his fault, since Beasley should have been up with Ronaldo, and Cameron didn't mark well enough to prevent the header. Cameron had a good game besides his two mistakes too. If you want a bad Bradley game, then maybe go watch that Ghana match, but he was strong against Portugal overall.

Going off memory of course but:
He had two through balls to Dempsey early which were nice. Not much more than that.

The bad:
- the giveaway. No need to go further into detail
- missed a relatively easy chance to score with no goalie and only a defender.
- on that 5 v 3 breakaway, he chose to go to the slower Dempsey on the right instead of the wide open bursting bedoya on his left. This would've been okay, but the pass was behind Dempsey. -_-
- there was this flick on to put Johnson through on goal that fell terribly short. It was in the air and not simple, but should've been easy by a center mids standards, especially considering how Johnson scored his first goal.
- he and zusi combined for the worst field switch I've seen in a while with him skying the ball to zusi and zusi having a
Horrible touch that went out of bounds.
Coupled with last game, I don't know what the issue is with him switching.
- did I mention that giveaway with 30 seconds left?

I'd have to rewatch it to remember everything but there was no doubt beckerman and jones were the glue this game, and I've hated beckerman for years before this.

 

[The_Hitcher89]

OMGGGGGGGG WERE GOING TO WIN! WE ACTUALLY DID IT!

Oof

Looking forward to watching the highlights, sounds like another boss game to add to the collection from this World Cup.

Still think USA will advance

 

[KHlover]

Draw huh?

Sooo...since no one but the US and Germany can get more than 4pts in this Group anymore and Germany has a goal difference of +4 Ghana (-1) would have to win 5-0 against Portugal (-4) to directly advance (assuming GER loses by one goal) and Portugal would have to win 8-0 to directly advance IF Germany loses to the US next thursday.

Sooo...Germany most likely advances, huh?

 

[keuja]

Ghana 2 - 1 Portugal
Germany 1 - 0 USA

would be a possible scenario.

Klose wants that WC scoring record.

 

[Wazzy]

Its so stupid, I hope this never happens. Seriously have the 2 teams do a penalty shootout, at least it would be less random.

Yeah seeing a team win through a coin toss would be really unfortunate.

 

[keuja]

Its so stupid, I hope this never happens. Seriously have the 2 teams do a penalty shootout, at least it would be less random.

They should make the team with less yellow/red cards advance then, instead of coin toss.

 

[norinrad]

Portugal could beat Ghana, Germany could put 4 past USA and suddenly Portugal's got a shot at going through

This scenario is not happening though. Ghana destroying Portugal (Huge possibility) USA beating or drawing Germany (Absolutely NOT)

Accept defeat and hope for a surprise. Parking the bust against Germany would be disastrous

 

[Dommo]

Saw this album on reddit with random high quality photos from the world cup, very beautiful, check it out

https://imgur.com/a/pXUBe?gallery#0

Some of these are pretty incredible.

 

[gutter_trash]

it's over brah, Thursday is already written

 

[CraigerGamer]

Saw this album on reddit with random high quality photos from the world cup, very beautiful, check it out

https://imgur.com/a/pXUBe?gallery#0

Wow. Some of those incredible.

 

[Arjen]

5 hours of sleep, and another date with the pub tonight. Fucking hell.
Still laughing about last night though, totally worth it.

 

[KHlover]

it's over brah, Thursday is already written

It would be so disastrous for international football, but I could totally see a slip-up in the German defence a few minutes before the match is over, allowing the US to draw

 

[Charles Foster Kane]

it's over brah, Thursday is already written

Probably wiping his boogers on Klinsmann's shoulder.

 

[Hoo-doo]

I went to bed angry last night. I felt your pain, my American friends.

Football has the biggest swings of any game and this World Cup is no exception. Was hoping to see endless footage of 'muricans going crazy celebrating their victory today.

On to the next one!

My predictions for today:

NED 3 - 2 CHI
AUS 3 - 1 ESP
CRO 2 - 2 MEX

 

[smokeandmirrors]

Football has the biggest swings of any game and this World Cup is no exception. Was hoping to see endless footage of 'muricans going crazy celebrating their victory today.

We had to postpone it till thursday, no worries.

 

[gutter_trash]

they don't even need to agree to a draw, they could agree to let Germany score 1 lone goal against USA and both go through

1982 something something

 

[Jack cw]

Sooo...Germany most likely advances, huh?

Pretty much. I cant see the German team losing very soon but USA will fight like Ghana. If we close the gap in midfield that Khedira made, we have good chances to win this.

 

[spekkeh]

It really helps to find a team to follow. While watching the cup, if you get a favorite top player, then try to follow them to their Pro team, then see if you can get into following their team. Thats what I did with Dennis Bergkamp (the best human being that has ever lived) after '98 and following Arsenal after that.

Ah Bergkamp, a true gentleman and a scholar (like seriously, he got a degree from Bath while playing for arsenal).

 

[Chris R]

Portugal 2 - 1 Ghana
Germany 3 - 0 USA

WE BLEW IT

 

[KHlover]

Pretty much. I cant see the German team losing very soon but USA will fight like Ghana. If we close the gap in midfield that Khedira made, we have good chances to win this.

Depending on his fitness starting with Schweinsteiger instead of Khedira might be a start. At least against Ghana Schweinsteiger had a much better ball control and better passes. As a result we had more chances even when Ghana made no mistakes unlike with Khedira where most chances were a result of Ghana's fuck-ups.

And if we're lucky Müller asks Klose how to stretch out his leg between the matches. Two easy goals just thrown away. Just thinking about it makes me angry

 

[soepje]

I fell asleep during USA - Portugal, seems like i missed a pretty good game .

Tonight:

Australia 2 - 1 Spain
Netherlands 3 - 2 Chile
Cameroon 1 - 3 Brazil
Croatia 1 - 2 Mexico

 

[Chris R]

I still can't believe that we fucking blew it.

Ugh, as soon as they started playing lazy and defending like that I knew that shit was coming.

Thanks ESPN2 for showing it to me again :<

 

[Sr Kitsune]

My predictions.

MEX 3-1 CRO
CHIL 3-2 NED

 

[spekkeh]

The suspension of captain Robin van Persie for Monday’s World Cup Group B decider against Chile means the Netherlands will play an international without a player whose surname begins with ‘Van’ for the first time in almost two decades.

[...]

The last time the Netherlands played in the World Cup finals without a ‘Van’ they lost a group match in 1994 in Orlando to neighbors Belgium, for whom Franky van der Elst lined up on the other side.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/06/21/us-soccer-world-ned-van-idUSKBN0EW0SK20140621?irpc=932

Being a Van myself I say we're doomed, doomed I say.

 

[smurfx]

they don't even need to agree to a draw, they could agree to let Germany score 1 lone goal against USA and both go through

1982 something something

and what if ghana wins 2-0? they advance.

NED VS CHI 2-1
MEXI VS CRO 1-0

 

[Blablurn]

We will probably destroy the US team. I mean seriously: They have Klinsmann as thei team coach. It's like the worst mistake you can do in professional football. You basically erase the "professional" in "professional football".

 

[cafemomo]

AUS SPN will be a snoozefest

Chile Netherlands tho, I feel will be bretty gud

 

[Bam Bam Baklava]

It's a big mistake to write off Belgium. They have so much strength by virtue of all that talent and they have a bonafide superstar player along with other guys who step up in big moments. They also have one of the best if not soon to be the best GK in the world and one of the best if not the best BPL defender.

It's crazy. The only downside is losing Benteke to injury and they lack fullbacks.

We will probably destroy the US team. I mean seriously: They have Klinsmann as thei team coach. It's like the worst mistake you can do in professional football. You basically erase the "professional" in "professional football".

The worst thing that could have happened is what's happening now. He will probably get another 4 years at the job now that these couple of games have masked his incompetence.

 

[pulga]

If anything, I dont see the US laying down. Why settle for being the second in the group? Their qualifying matches in 2009 vs Costa Rica (knocked CR out of the WC in the last minute when the US was already qualified either way) and 2013 vs Panama (saved Mexico's ass from complete elimination) prove they're not the type of team to collude with anyone.

 

[ISOM]

I still can't believe that we fucking blew it.

Ugh, as soon as they started playing lazy and defending like that I knew that shit was coming.

Thanks ESPN2 for showing it to me again :<

Yup portugal was possessing the ball a lot towards the end of the game. I don't know if it was tiredness from the US or what but you just knew it was a matter of time before a fuck up. I just hope they can address it before the game against germany.