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2014 FIFA World Cup |OT| Spa1n v The Netherland5
- Thread starter Wes
- Start date
- Status
Erik Durm was playing in the german 4th division two years ago and in the 3rd division last year. He was playing in the same league as a friend of mine and now 2 years later he is in the World Cup, crazy to think about.
lol no, Italy has a much better squad than England. If you combined both, of the 23 I'd say there would be at least 15 Italian players.
I've read some news about it, and from what it looks like, Soccer is almost as popular as Baseball there. Not even close to Football/Basketball tho
Buffon, Sirigu, Hart
Chiellini, Barzagli, Bonucci, Cahill, Baines, Shaw, De Sciglio, Johnson
Pirlo, Marchisio, Gerrard, Verratti, De Rossi, Henderson, Motta
Balotelli, Rooney, Sturridge, Immobile, Sterling
Would be mine I guess. 13 Italian, 10 English.
Its true, because Italian players are ineligible to play for another nation
Most rankings in the USA have it at 1)NFL/football 2)MLB/baseball 3)NBA/Basketball 4)NHL/Hockey
Hard to tell though because we divide popularity of pro sport against the college level popularity of the sport, rather than adding the same sports together.
Either, way, I am pretty convinced soccer will move up in popularity in the not too far future. .
Motta probably not, went back to edit Lallana or Wilshere in.
And yes, sterling. I really like Cerci tho. Rooney or Balotelli would be the ones I'd leave out from there instead of Sterling lol
Based on TV ratings (probably the best way to judge popularity these days) of the pro sports in the US, soccer is almost level with hockey in popularity but still a ways behind football, basketball and baseball. Both college football and basketball would also rank above it.
There also are a lot of participants in soccer compared to hockey. Though most of them play at youth levels as compared to college, or professional levels. I suspect more people will not play it at higher levels until pro soccer players here earn more money to play it. Like the other top pro sports players do.
fifasnipe2224
Member
AMAZING WORK OP!!
I cant help by get a little hyped thanks to playing Football Manager again.
I cant help by get a little hyped thanks to playing Football Manager again.
Sviatoslav
Member
Play like shit---->win without conceding is the patented Capello gameplan. There was nothing Morocco could do.That was like my great morning news!
Hope we'll be able to beat the crap out of you too(If you play like you played with morocco, it shouldn't be an issue!)
fifasnipe2224
Member
Can someone explain to me how kicktipp works? For example: Day 1, Brazil vs. Croatia. What are the tips I can put in? Is that like my guess for the score?
A couple of links for you guys.
Firstly, my blog One Sub Left with my predictions. I'd post it all here to save you clicking it but its kinda long and I kinda want the clicks, so here's a few choice quotes to give you a taste of the pleasures within:
And secondly - dunno if Wes wants to add these into the OT somewhere because they're fucking brilliant - Michael 'Zonal Marking' Cox's analysis of every single team playing. Informative, easy to read for the newcomer and extremely interesting, he's a top writer and he knows his fucking stuff. I urge everyone interested to start reading the teams they want to know more about or they're interested in, but they're all absolutely worth a read.
GROUP A
Brazil: "There has never been more pressure on a side to win a World Cup"
Croatia: "Theyll control games, but converting this dominance into victories is another matter"
Cameroon: "On and off the pitch, its all about how Cameroon work as a group"
Mexico: "No other country has such a frustratingly consistent record at recent World Cups"
GROUP B
Spain: "For the first time it is Iniesta, not Xavi, who must become Spains technical leader"
Netherlands: "It feels like Van Gaal is trying these shapes because he hasnt found something that works"
Chile: "Its almost illogical how a side can dominate games so clearly, yet fail to score"
Australia: "Postecoglou might be too risky in this competition, but in the long-term he could lead Australia to success"
GROUP C
Colombia: "The South American equivalent of Belgium"
Greece: "Their greatest strength is their adaptability and their willingness to vary their approach against different opponents"
Ivory Coast: "Its difficult to think of another big nation that has appointed a completely inexperienced foreigner as coach"
Japan: "If the aim of football was to dominate possession and get the ball into the final third, they'd be perfect"
GROUP D
Uruguay: "A broken team, focusing on defensive organisation to cover for individual weaknesses in that zone, and relying on individual brilliance"
England: "Fare better than youd expect against strong opposition, but arent good at breaking down weak opponents"
Costa Rica: "Arent the worst team at this World Cup, but they might have the least chance of getting out of their group"
Italy: "This is a tough group, and the traditional Italian slow start wont be acceptable"
GROUP E
Switzerland: "Arguably the real dark horses of the competition, and unlike the faux dark horses, Belgium, they possesses two brilliant full-backs"
Ecuador: "The inescapable truth is that theyre primarily at this tournament because their home qualifiers are played at altitude"
France: "Will offer something different to other sides, with an energetic midfield press and a high defensive line"
Honduras: "They wont be pushovers, but in raw terms probably have less technical quality than any other side"
GROUP F
Argentina: "In terms of individual quality upfront, no other side can match them"
Bosnia: "The only debutant, and therefore one of the more exciting teams"
Iran: "Its tough to see them progressing, but they shouldnt be embarrassed"
Nigeria: "They never found the perfect balance in midfield, and this is again their major issue"
GROUP G
Germany: "Talented players everywhere, but guaranteed cohesion nowhere"
Portugal: "Their starting XI is one of the most predictable in the competition"
Ghana: "Theyre forced to become more proactive, but lack the creativity and incision to dominate games and score goals"
USA: "In another group this side would stand a great chance of reaching the knockout stage again"
GROUP H
Belgium: "They havent performed well enough to suggest theyre as good as the sum of their parts""
Russia: "An already unexciting side now appears even more unappealing"
Algeria: "If any of the 32 sides in this competition are genuinely underrated, it's them"
South Korea: "Its in future tournaments the 2015 Asian Cup, or perhaps even the next World Cup where they could make their mark"
Firstly, my blog One Sub Left with my predictions. I'd post it all here to save you clicking it but its kinda long and I kinda want the clicks, so here's a few choice quotes to give you a taste of the pleasures within:
And secondly - dunno if Wes wants to add these into the OT somewhere because they're fucking brilliant - Michael 'Zonal Marking' Cox's analysis of every single team playing. Informative, easy to read for the newcomer and extremely interesting, he's a top writer and he knows his fucking stuff. I urge everyone interested to start reading the teams they want to know more about or they're interested in, but they're all absolutely worth a read.
GROUP A
Brazil: "There has never been more pressure on a side to win a World Cup"
Croatia: "Theyll control games, but converting this dominance into victories is another matter"
Cameroon: "On and off the pitch, its all about how Cameroon work as a group"
Mexico: "No other country has such a frustratingly consistent record at recent World Cups"
GROUP B
Spain: "For the first time it is Iniesta, not Xavi, who must become Spains technical leader"
Netherlands: "It feels like Van Gaal is trying these shapes because he hasnt found something that works"
Chile: "Its almost illogical how a side can dominate games so clearly, yet fail to score"
Australia: "Postecoglou might be too risky in this competition, but in the long-term he could lead Australia to success"
GROUP C
Colombia: "The South American equivalent of Belgium"
Greece: "Their greatest strength is their adaptability and their willingness to vary their approach against different opponents"
Ivory Coast: "Its difficult to think of another big nation that has appointed a completely inexperienced foreigner as coach"
Japan: "If the aim of football was to dominate possession and get the ball into the final third, they'd be perfect"
GROUP D
Uruguay: "A broken team, focusing on defensive organisation to cover for individual weaknesses in that zone, and relying on individual brilliance"
England: "Fare better than youd expect against strong opposition, but arent good at breaking down weak opponents"
Costa Rica: "Arent the worst team at this World Cup, but they might have the least chance of getting out of their group"
Italy: "This is a tough group, and the traditional Italian slow start wont be acceptable"
GROUP E
Switzerland: "Arguably the real dark horses of the competition, and unlike the faux dark horses, Belgium, they possesses two brilliant full-backs"
Ecuador: "The inescapable truth is that theyre primarily at this tournament because their home qualifiers are played at altitude"
France: "Will offer something different to other sides, with an energetic midfield press and a high defensive line"
Honduras: "They wont be pushovers, but in raw terms probably have less technical quality than any other side"
GROUP F
Argentina: "In terms of individual quality upfront, no other side can match them"
Bosnia: "The only debutant, and therefore one of the more exciting teams"
Iran: "Its tough to see them progressing, but they shouldnt be embarrassed"
Nigeria: "They never found the perfect balance in midfield, and this is again their major issue"
GROUP G
Germany: "Talented players everywhere, but guaranteed cohesion nowhere"
Portugal: "Their starting XI is one of the most predictable in the competition"
Ghana: "Theyre forced to become more proactive, but lack the creativity and incision to dominate games and score goals"
USA: "In another group this side would stand a great chance of reaching the knockout stage again"
GROUP H
Belgium: "They havent performed well enough to suggest theyre as good as the sum of their parts""
Russia: "An already unexciting side now appears even more unappealing"
Algeria: "If any of the 32 sides in this competition are genuinely underrated, it's them"
South Korea: "Its in future tournaments the 2015 Asian Cup, or perhaps even the next World Cup where they could make their mark"
FootballFan
Member
Yes!!!!!
Nice idea to collect all of Michael Cox's Tactical predictions Wilbur, someone should edit a link to your post or something into the OP.
Would suggest giving him a follow on twitter too, considering the current state of most football journalism, he's incredibly interesting and consistent for a good few years now.
Would suggest giving him a follow on twitter too, considering the current state of most football journalism, he's incredibly interesting and consistent for a good few years now.
Another Michael Cox article here - The tactical lynchpin for each of the 32 nations
HNNNNGNGGHGGHGHHGHGGH
HNNNNGNGGHGGHGHHGHGGH
Good thing for us it looks like he won't play the first game.
Chile could play with Gore Vidal in midfield and they'd still beat you.
TheKaeptain
Banned
I don't know why but this made me laugh my ass off.
Germans smile? How inefficient.
FootballFan
Member
German humour m8.
Most efficient way, he doesn't have to change.
You guys...
Anyone puts Germany among their favourites to reach the final ? I would love them to face Brazil all over again.
You guys...
Anyone puts Germany among their favourites to reach the final ? I would love them to face Brazil all over again.
Yeah, I have Germany-Brazil and Argentina-Spain as the semifinals.
In another way, his knee is going to give in during the tournament at some point.
Thanks for the links btw. They are great reads.
dr3upmushroom
Banned
Rooting for Ghana, Mexico, Belgium, Chile, France and USA. I love rooting for Ghana, rooting for USA since it's my home country, Mexico is my cultural country, and I like the other countries. But I think Germany might just end up rocking it.
gutter_trash
Banned
last friendly for Portugal in New Jersey vs Ireland tonight before the WC.
Crosses fingers that nobody gets injured
Happy Portugal Day to all 15 million Portuguese spread around the globe
Crosses fingers that nobody gets injured
Happy Portugal Day to all 15 million Portuguese spread around the globe
crazy monkey
Banned
brazil..argentina...ghana..iran..
Mangoverboard
Banned
Great post there Wilbur.
Assuming the climate doesn't absolutely kick their ass, I think England might actually top their group. Italy are my "surprise" early exit team. Uruguay are not impressive at the back but I don't think Italy have the offence to take full advantage.
Would love Chile and Netherlands to go through at Spain's expense.
Assuming the climate doesn't absolutely kick their ass, I think England might actually top their group. Italy are my "surprise" early exit team. Uruguay are not impressive at the back but I don't think Italy have the offence to take full advantage.
Would love Chile and Netherlands to go through at Spain's expense.
criesofthepast
Member
.
gutter_trash
Banned
I take back what I said about Hugo Almeida last week, poor Ireland
The_Hitcher89
Member
Sterling's gonna be so good if Hodge lets him. I can feel it. Owen '98 all over again, only he'll win us the entire thing.
The_Hitcher89
Member
Closer to £1000 than £500 would be my guess. When you think about how few tickets will be going to non-corporate wankstain backscratchers combined with the occasion, you're looking at a massive hit to the bank account
KidA Seven
Member
Did you just include Busquets there? I'm confused.
The_Hitcher89
Member
If you don't rate Busquets, you know nothing about football. Simple as that.
perfectchaos007
Member
Portugal looks scary. RIP USA
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