World Cup General Discussion

[stirs]

Coming here in a few years

https://sports.yahoo.com/u-s-canada-mexico-win-right-host-2026-world-cup-105218462.html

[C47]

On 6/10/2018 at 12:41 AM, C47 said:

Assuming Salah can play... 

- Uruguay & Egypt (Russia is absolute garbage. Fans will turn against them when they draw with Saudi Arabia)

- Spain & Portugal (I want really badly to put Morocco here, and probably would, had they not left Bouffal home. I think Ronny carries Portugal through the group stage.)

- France & Peru (Paulo Guerrero having his suspension lifted is such a boost, both emotionally, and on the pitch. I don't trust Denmark to be able to muster an attack outside of Eriksen. Will be easyish to stifle them.)

- Argentina & Croatia (Iceland and Nigeria are two potential teams that could have done things in other groups, but Argentina and Croatia have too much class.)

- Brazil & Serbia (Costa Rica will piss Brazil off for like 75 minutes, but eventually Neymar and Willian break through. Serbia's midfield is just too much for the bottom two of the group.)

- Germany & Mexico (South Korea will have some exciting moments with Son up top, but they're not complete enough to challenge.)

- Belgium & England (England is average compared to other big footballing nations, but they have a favorable group. Should coast into a quarterfinals I would imagine.)

- Colombia & Senegal (James has some more tournament magic, and Mane & Koulibaly propel Senegal into the knockout rounds.)

 

Spain wins the whole damn thing. Just too complete, and have a great manager. Don't trust Brazil ultimately in a World Cup overseas, and the wonderful French talent will be fuged by Deschamps moronic ways. The likely Semis between Spain and Germany will be absolutely wonderful. 

 

revising this after lopetegui's sacking today. spain makes it to the semis, but gets bounced by germany. brazil gets their revenge they've been waiting on for four years. 

[Shocker]

11 hours ago, C47 said:

revising this after lopetegui's sacking today. spain makes it to the semis, but gets bounced by germany. brazil gets their revenge they've been waiting on for four years. 

Nice double back man and interesting you pick the favorite.  Also, outside of the US...Spain is my favorite team and I expect them to show well.  Asensio can't play the 9...right?  Anyway...I am looking forward to your comments during the tournament.  Peace.

I will give my take on Spain...they are still man for man as great as anyone.  My question is really the said #9 position.  Costa has not done much internationally...I think we will see Asensio or someone to kick start the scoring.  I see them as a quarterfinalist for sure but we'll see who is there.  SO stoked for this World Cup.  Greatest sporting event.

My winner is Germany repeating. I really want to pick Argentina to face them in the final but they are in the toughest group IMO.  Senegal was my initial darkhorse but I have cooled on them.  Poland is a very strong side and are being ignored.

I have picked Mexico to advance in their group...but I'm damn worried about that.  They are good but lots of issues with that squad.

And lets talk about the longest of shots...Panama.  They have no shot, its them against the world.  Watch them hang with England and Tunisia.  I think more than likely that the US would have had that spot.

[Goondal]

I too am revising due to the sacking.  Germany now defeats Spain and then  Belgium in the final to repeat. 

I may or may not be doing this because i want an excuse to pick Germany

[Goondal]

13 hours ago, Shocker said:

And lets talk about the longest of shots...Panama.  They have no shot, its them against the world.  Watch them hang with England and Tunisia.  I think more than likely that the US would have had that spot.

Yeah, they are better than a few teams but have a much tougher draw (Saudi got off way). 

I do not think it would have been our slot though.  The pots were all seeded this time.  We would have been in pot 3, Panama was pot 4

[Goondal]

17 hours ago, Shocker said:

 

[Goondal]

Sorry, do not know why it quote you and would not let me type. 

Anyway, do not underestimate the power of being the host. 

Russia 5:0 Saudi Arabia 

[Shocker]

1 minute ago, Goondal said:

Sorry, do not know why it quote you and would not let me type. 

Anyway, do not underestimate the power of being the host. 

Russia 5:0 Saudi Arabia 

Yeah that was pretty easy for Russia.  SA had like 1 chance?  Jeez.

[Ja Rhule]

Russia is going to get spanked once they play a decent team.  Good win but it’s SA...

[Shocker]

Poor Egypt...they went from dreaming of advancing to total despair at the very end.  Great game by Egypt to keep it close.

[Goondal]

1 hour ago, Shocker said:

Poor Egypt...they went from dreaming of advancing to total despair at the very end.  Great game by Egypt to keep it close.

The Russia Mach is now close to a must win for them.  A draw is huge advantage Russia after that 5:0 yesterday.

[Shocker]

True, Russia are in a good spot right now.  On top of that Uruguay did not look as expected today...especially Suarez.

Morocco looks the much better side against Iran but their finishing is terrible right now.  Iran might steal this or at least get a point.

[Goondal]

So FIFA is switching to the ELO ranking system.  In the current system Russia and Saudi Arabia are the two lowest ranked teams in the World Cup.  In the ELO rankings Egypt and Saudi Arabia are the two lowest.  Uruguay is ranked lower than at least one, in some cases two teams from every other group. Group A has to be the worst group of all-time. 

[Shocker]

34 minutes ago, Goondal said:

So FIFA is switching to the ELO ranking system.  In the current system Russia and Saudi Arabia are the two lowest ranked teams in the World Cup.  In the ELO rankings Egypt and Saudi Arabia are the two lowest.  Uruguay is ranked lower than at least one, in some cases two teams from every other group. Group A has to be the worst group of all-time. 

Although I feel the WC draw is done in a way that is pretty fair...it is interesting Russia gets in one of the weaker groups.