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Source: (consider it) Thread: World Cup 2014: The truly global party
Cod
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# 2643

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quote:
Originally posted by JFH:
quote:
Originally posted by Cod:
quote:
Originally posted by JFH:
quote:
Originally posted by Cod:
Good to see Dirtyguay out of the tournament.

Do you mean Uruguay's dirty playing men's soccer team, or Uruguay as a dirty country? Or, for that matter, just any team containing Suarez?
The team. They do have a history of dirty play. Suarez has merely continued a long tradition. No tournament would be complete without them, but it just isn't right for them to stay in too long.

Godim's handball against England made me laugh though. A little shimmy and Oh! Oh! My hand!

Bitter Hypocrenglish supporters - one sip from your chosen beverage.
Bitter? That would be Uruguay. [Snigger]

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Cod
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# 2643

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quote:
Originally posted by Timothy the Obscure:
I'm 6/6 now. Which of course means that my prediction of US victory over Belgium* is all but guaranteed ( [Killing me] ).

The striking thing about this World Cup is that the historically dominant teams that have survived have beaten underdogs very narrowly (France and Germany today, but there are many other examples) while other Great Powers have gone down to very decisive defeats.

I wouldn't overstate it. The main difference is that the CONCACAF teams have done better than usual - but all that means in reality is that 3 teams - Mexico, Costa Rica and the USA - have done better than previously. Mexico, of course, are hardly an emerging nation in footballing terms.

The 2010 World Cup saw similar upsets - France and Italy out in the first round. USA finishing above England and Slovenia in the pool stage. Chile beating Spain (and Spain edging Paraguay), and Ghana should have eliminated Uruguay, but for an egregious bit of cheating. African and Asian sides in this tournament have performed roughly as usual (that is to say, they've mostly lost).

One thing I notice about the USA team is that contrary to previous years, they seem to be mostly based in the USA now.

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"I fart in your general direction."
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An die Freude
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# 14794

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quote:
Originally posted by Cod:
quote:
Originally posted by JFH:
quote:
Originally posted by Cod:
quote:
Originally posted by JFH:
quote:
Originally posted by Cod:
Good to see Dirtyguay out of the tournament.

Do you mean Uruguay's dirty playing men's soccer team, or Uruguay as a dirty country? Or, for that matter, just any team containing Suarez?
The team. They do have a history of dirty play. Suarez has merely continued a long tradition. No tournament would be complete without them, but it just isn't right for them to stay in too long.

Godim's handball against England made me laugh though. A little shimmy and Oh! Oh! My hand!

Bitter Hypocrenglish supporters - one sip from your chosen beverage.
Bitter? That would be Uruguay. [Snigger]
Good, bitter, bitten, eh?

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"I too am not a bit tamed, I too am untranslatable."
Walt Whitman
Formerly JFH

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Cod
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# 2643

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A handsome reply.

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M Barnier

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deano
princess
# 12063

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It will be a bigger team that wins it ultimately because as you progress your first team starts picking up injuries and suspensions, so then it becomes a test of the depth of your squad.

The players down the squad for the bigger teams are usually better than those down the squad of the so-called smaller footballing nations.

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An die Freude
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# 14794

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quote:
Originally posted by deano:
It will be a bigger team that wins it ultimately because as you progress your first team starts picking up injuries and suspensions, so then it becomes a test of the depth of your squad.

The players down the squad for the bigger teams are usually better than those down the squad of the so-called smaller footballing nations.

I'm not so sure this is accurate. There aren't THAT many injuries or suspensions, and replacing a single player is usually not that difficult even for smaller nations, unless he is extremely valuable, such as James Rodriguez or Keylor Navas. I'd say the World Cup at 8 games/team is enough for a smaller team to stand a chance when the heat is on, at least when the big sides haven't got a far superior starting 11. Mind you, 4 years ago Spain was not seen as a great football nation since they barely ever made it through to the finals. Likewise, it is only recently (1998 onwards) that France really became one of the greats.

I think Belgium is an interesting contender for this very reason - they are a small nation with an unusual depth in their squad due to a golden generation. If depth determined it, they should be through easily. In return, show me the depth of England (a "big" nation) or Holland (another). I think only Germany (currently underachieving), Spain (ahem), France and Argentina can really claim some depth, and even then I'm not sure it helps. Weakest links remain weak. Ability to mold teams together and add inspiration seems far more important. If Belgium had the team spirit and inspiration of Algeria in addition to their player quality, they'd go very, very far.

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"I too am not a bit tamed, I too am untranslatable."
Walt Whitman
Formerly JFH

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orfeo

Ship's Musical Counterpoint
# 13878

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Two very good matches 'yesterday'. Really great battles. The tiredness of the players at the end of Germany-Algeria was overwhelming.

As for 'today', I really can't see Switzerland providing that big a challenge for Argentina, even though Argentina haven't been at their best. I don't think the Swiss would have made it out of some groups.

For Belgium-USA... well, look, I have to barrack for Belgium as my first team, but I'm by no means confident about them prevailing. The Belgians seem to have this strange gift of doing just enough at the end of games, which might get them through if the rest of this round is any guide! I expect USA to control periods of the game, the big question will be whether they take their chances during that period.

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Hedgehog

Ship's Shortstop
# 14125

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quote:
Originally posted by orfeo:
As for 'today', I really can't see Switzerland providing that big a challenge for Argentina, even though Argentina haven't been at their best.

Perhaps the Swiss are posing a bit more of a challenge than one would have expected...

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"We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world, and that being good and decent are worth it."--Pope Francis, Laudato Si'

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rolyn
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# 16840

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Argentina and Switzerland just gone into extra time at 0 - 0
[Snore]

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Doublethink.
Ship's Foolwise Unperson
# 1984

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They just won, I am unsurprised.

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quetzalcoatl
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# 16740

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What a terrible game. Maybe Argentina can be given some sort of award as most clumsy and boring team.

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Oscar the Grouch

Adopted Cascadian
# 1916

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Well, at least I am 7/7 on predictions for this round. But I think I might adjust my later predictions. No longer so sure that Brazil will beat Columbia, or that Argentina can conquer Belgium (although they should do for USA if the Belgians fail to beat the Yanks).

Germany v Holland in the final???

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Faradiu, dundeibáwa weyu lárigi weyu

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Ad Orientem
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# 17574

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quote:
Originally posted by Doublethink:
They just won, I am unsurprised.

Bloody Argies!
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Doublethink.
Ship's Foolwise Unperson
# 1984

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USA vs Belgium, match is quite pacey, fun to watch. Both teams seeming to struggle to hold posession - but Belgium definitely looking more dangerous.

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All political thinking for years past has been vitiated in the same way. People can foresee the future only when it coincides with their own wishes, and the most grossly obvious facts can be ignored when they are unwelcome. George Orwell

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Hedgehog

Ship's Shortstop
# 14125

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quote:
Originally posted by Doublethink:
They just won, I am unsurprised.

I am not surprised Argentina won. I am surprised that they made such heavy weather about it. Needing extra time to put away Switzerland? That's almost as silly as suggesting that Germany would need extra time to beat Algeria. Or that the Netherlands would be within a couple minutes of losing to Mexico.

Geez, the way things are going, Costa Rica is beginning to look like a Best Bet for the final!! [Roll Eyes]

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"We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world, and that being good and decent are worth it."--Pope Francis, Laudato Si'

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Doublethink.
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# 1984

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USA / Belgium has just gone to extra time 0-0 - in which Belgium has had 16 corners !! American defending incredible, finishing both sides not so good. But USA came sooooo close to a goal in about the last minute of regular time.

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All political thinking for years past has been vitiated in the same way. People can foresee the future only when it coincides with their own wishes, and the most grossly obvious facts can be ignored when they are unwelcome. George Orwell

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Kyzyl

Ship's dog
# 374

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AAAAAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!
Stupid waffle makers!!

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I need a quote.

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Doublethink.
Ship's Foolwise Unperson
# 1984

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*giggles*

But sloppy, USA could just get it to penalties ....

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All political thinking for years past has been vitiated in the same way. People can foresee the future only when it coincides with their own wishes, and the most grossly obvious facts can be ignored when they are unwelcome. George Orwell

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Doublethink.
Ship's Foolwise Unperson
# 1984

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GOOAAAAAAALLLLLL

Now can they equalise ...

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All political thinking for years past has been vitiated in the same way. People can foresee the future only when it coincides with their own wishes, and the most grossly obvious facts can be ignored when they are unwelcome. George Orwell

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Doublethink.
Ship's Foolwise Unperson
# 1984

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Absolutely fantastic match, but I wish the USA had won it !

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All political thinking for years past has been vitiated in the same way. People can foresee the future only when it coincides with their own wishes, and the most grossly obvious facts can be ignored when they are unwelcome. George Orwell

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IngoB

Sentire cum Ecclesia
# 8700

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Great respect for the USA. That was an incredible extra time...

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They’ll have me whipp’d for speaking true; thou’lt have me whipp’d for lying; and sometimes I am whipp’d for holding my peace. - The Fool in King Lear

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Ad Orientem
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# 17574

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Thank God for that!
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ArachnidinElmet
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# 17346

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YEAAH! *cough* Sorry. As you were.

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'If a pleasant, straight-forward life is not possible then one must try to wriggle through by subtle manoeuvres' - Kafka

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ArachnidinElmet
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# 17346

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quote:
Originally posted by ArachnidinElmet:
YEAAH! *cough* Sorry. As you were.

In other news, can I say how wonderful it was to watch a match with so little fouling and even less rolling around on the floor. From either team. Lovely.

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'If a pleasant, straight-forward life is not possible then one must try to wriggle through by subtle manoeuvres' - Kafka

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comet

Snowball in Hell
# 10353

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what a game. eek!

2 minutes left of play and the bar I was camping in had the delivery truck show up and block the satellite signal. SCREAM!!!

I hereby nominate Tim Howard for sainthood.

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Evil Dragon Lady, Breaker of Men's Constitutions

"It's hard to be religious when certain people are never incinerated by bolts of lightning.” -Calvin

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Og: Thread Killer
Ship's token CN Mennonite
# 3200

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quote:
Originally posted by ArachnidinElmet:
quote:
Originally posted by ArachnidinElmet:
YEAAH! *cough* Sorry. As you were.

In other news, can I say how wonderful it was to watch a match with so little fouling and even less rolling around on the floor. From either team. Lovely.
Not sure about in Belgium, but in MLS, players who roll around like they were shot get called out by their teammates and denigrated by supporters.

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I wish I was seeking justice loving mercy and walking humbly but... "Cease to lament for that thou canst not help, And study help for that which thou lament'st."

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Og: Thread Killer
Ship's token CN Mennonite
# 3200

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Columbia vs Costa Rica would be fun but I suspect its going to be Brazil vs. the Netherlands.

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I wish I was seeking justice loving mercy and walking humbly but... "Cease to lament for that thou canst not help, And study help for that which thou lament'st."

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basso

Ship’s Crypt Keeper
# 4228

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quote:
Originally posted by comet:

2 minutes left of play and the bar I was camping in had the delivery truck show up and block the satellite signal. SCREAM!!!

I hate that kind of thing. Several years ago I was watching a Portugal-England match -- a quarterfinal, I think -- at a Portuguese co-worker's home. Tied at the end of regular time. And at the end of extra time.
We watched nine of the scheduled penalty kicks, and THEN the cable network's time reservation on the satellite feed ran out. **CLICK**
One of Roberto's friends whipped out his phone and called home to Portugal to get the result. (Portugal won.)

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Timothy the Obscure

Mostly Friendly
# 292

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Agony, but I'm proud of our boys. Once again Klinsmann waited too long to bring in the subs, but that's a hard call to make. Dempsey looked tired the whole second half.

Howard is awesome--no goalkeeper should be asked to make 16 saves in a game (and by the end he was definitely letting the guys know that). And Gonzalez continued to impress.

So I was 7/8 (and I still believe that if Altidore had been playing we would have won). And I'm looking forward to 2018, when Green and Yeldin have matured a bit. And Portland's Darlington Nagbe should have his US citizenship by then...

[Deep breath] And so...Go Ticos!

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When you think of the long and gloomy history of man, you will find more hideous crimes have been committed in the name of obedience than have ever been committed in the name of rebellion.
  - C. P. Snow

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Tukai
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# 12960

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For sure this Cup has featured some great goalkeeping - often keeping weaker teams in the game. Howard is one example, but so too Nevas, Neuer (doing the sweeper's job as well as his own), Ochoa, ...the list goes on.

Of course some other GK's (who I won't name here) have committed match-losing clangers.

And none of the GK's could have stopped some of the great goals, of which there have also been quite a few (e.g. Cahill v Netherlands) .

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Imaginary Friend

Real to you
# 186

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In other news, there are strong rumours that Barcelona and Liverpool will start talks today over Luis Suárez. Apparently, the Scousers will be asking £100M.

[Killing me]

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"We had a good team on paper. Unfortunately, the game was played on grass."
Brian Clough

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Cod
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# 2643

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Predictions for the semis:

Colombia.
France.
Netherlands.
Belgium.

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"I fart in your general direction."
M Barnier

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Ad Orientem
Shipmate
# 17574

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quote:
Originally posted by Cod:
Predictions for the semis:

Colombia.
France.
Netherlands.
Belgium.

I'd be happy with that.
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orfeo

Ship's Musical Counterpoint
# 13878

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That was 105 minutes mostly of Belgian domination and Tim Howard defence (most saves ever, eh? I'm not surprised), followed by 15 minutes of sheer panic.

[Help]

Apparently it's the first time all 8 group winners have made it through to the quarter finals since this format was introduced. Although most of them had to squeeze through by the skin of their teeth - only Colombia looked genuinely comfortable.

I would very much like to see Colombia and France winning their quarters against Brazil and Germany, because a semifinal between those two could be awesome. Netherlands over Costa Rica, surely. Argentina v Belgium, well I've no idea, because that's exactly the two teams that have been struggling so much to put the ball away.

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Technology has brought us all closer together. Turns out a lot of the people you meet as a result are complete idiots.

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orfeo

Ship's Musical Counterpoint
# 13878

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ADDENDUM: I guess I'll be barracking for Belgium, but they'll be playing against the finest player in the world. Can we get Messi to swap sides, because then I'll know who to cheer.

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Technology has brought us all closer together. Turns out a lot of the people you meet as a result are complete idiots.

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rolyn
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# 16840

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quote:
Originally posted by basso:
Several years ago I was watching a Portugal-England match -- a quarterfinal, I think -- at a Portuguese co-worker's home. Tied at the end of regular time. And at the end of extra time.
We watched nine of the scheduled penalty kicks, and THEN the cable network's time reservation on the satellite feed ran out. **CLICK**

The Telly breaking down during an England penalty shoot-out ? This surely is the quintessential definition of a blessing in disguise .

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Change is the only certainty of existence

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Caissa
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# 16710

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Our 12 year old son went 8/8 on his first round predictions.
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Oscar the Grouch

Adopted Cascadian
# 1916

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Sympathy for the USA is limited in this house. I only saw the last 5 minutes of extra time, but the States had two great chances to level the match and fluffed both badly. The difference between top teams and the rest is that top teams make the most of the few chances that come to them.

Having got 8/8, we go onto the quarter finals. Columbia could easily dispatch Brazil (and could we have another football war as a result??). But I am going to stick my neck out here and say that home advantage will prove just enough in the end. Brazil to win - with at least one controversial refereeing decision going their way.

France and Germany is the match of the round. Who ever wins this could easily go onto claim the title. Germany have the extra class and the extra experience (and the better coach), so I'm going with them.

Holland v Costa Rica is a dream for the romantics. Could Costa Rica make it to the semi-finals?? Will Holland finally be able to put all their talent to good purpose and get the title that eluded Cruyff et al? Holland to go through, but don't be surprised if Robben gets a red card for persistent diving.

Argentina v Belgium could go either way. If Messi has a good day and the rest of the team buck up their ideas, then that should be too much for the Belgians. But that's a lot of ifs. I've got a sneaky feeling that Belgium will come through to set up a semi-final between them and Holland. Now THAT would be something to watch.

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Faradiu, dundeibáwa weyu lárigi weyu

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Imaginary Friend

Real to you
# 186

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I don't know about y'all, but I'm having withdrawal symptoms.

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"We had a good team on paper. Unfortunately, the game was played on grass."
Brian Clough

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Doublethink.
Ship's Foolwise Unperson
# 1984

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Me too, and till this world cup I haven't watched football for years - I blame hanging out in the circus - y'all have infected me.

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All political thinking for years past has been vitiated in the same way. People can foresee the future only when it coincides with their own wishes, and the most grossly obvious facts can be ignored when they are unwelcome. George Orwell

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ArachnidinElmet
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# 17346

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I barely watch or follow football at all now, and haven't since I was teenager. Every 4 years however I get sucked in and remember why it's worthwhile.

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'If a pleasant, straight-forward life is not possible then one must try to wriggle through by subtle manoeuvres' - Kafka

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orfeo

Ship's Musical Counterpoint
# 13878

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This is the period of gradually easing off the addiction. Although each time you get a new 'hit', it feels really good.

My football viewing life consists of watching 64 matches closely* in one month, and then maybe watching a dozen matches properly in the next 3 years and 11 months.

*Okay okay, some of the dull ones might get more of the 10-second skip button, or fast-forward at double speed until the ball gets past the halfway line, but that's it.

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Technology has brought us all closer together. Turns out a lot of the people you meet as a result are complete idiots.

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Timothy the Obscure

Mostly Friendly
# 292

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Beautiful composite photos of all Howard's saves.

And yeah, if your goalie makes 16 saves, many of them brilliant, and you don't win, you don't have to look too far to figure out whose fault it is.

I'm rooting for Costa Rica, but I predict Colombia, France, Netherlands, and Argentina in the semis.

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When you think of the long and gloomy history of man, you will find more hideous crimes have been committed in the name of obedience than have ever been committed in the name of rebellion.
  - C. P. Snow

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Tukai
Shipmate
# 12960

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quote:
Originally posted by Oscar the Grouch:
... The difference between top teams and the rest is that top teams make the most of the few chances that come to them.


Judging from their performances in the round of 16, That implies that Germany, Argentina, Belgium [at least] are not "top class" , and therefore unlikely to to win the Cup.

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A government that panders to the worst instincts of its people degrades the whole country for years to come.

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deano
princess
# 12063

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quote:
Originally posted by Timothy the Obscure:
And yeah, if your goalie makes 16 saves, many of them brilliant, and you don't win, you don't have to look too far to figure out whose fault it is.

Yes, it is your defence. if they were any good (a) your goalkeeper wouldn't need to make 16 saves and (b) your defence would be getting possession back to pass through the midfield and forwards to create more scoring chances, which should mean more scoring.

[ 03. July 2014, 14:02: Message edited by: deano ]

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"The moral high ground is slowly being bombed to oblivion. " - Supermatelot

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orfeo

Ship's Musical Counterpoint
# 13878

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More than anything else, it was a failure to close down space. The Belgians were allowed to run. People had been criticising the Belgians' style of play in previous games, but a large part of that was that they weren't given much room.

Algeria in particular adopted a highly defensive strategy for their match against Belgium, putting as many players as possible behind the ball to prevent Belgium from attacking. (There was much praise here for the Algerian coach adjusting his tactics depending on the opponent.)

I don't know whether USA chose not to do that, or found themselves unable to do that, but either way the result was that Belgium not only had the ball, they had time to use the ball in a way of their choosing.

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Technology has brought us all closer together. Turns out a lot of the people you meet as a result are complete idiots.

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Og: Thread Killer
Ship's token CN Mennonite
# 3200

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The US has not kept up in technique with the better teams in the world.

Got beat in the midfield and couldn't handle the pace.

A bit like watching a team that surprised to make 8th in the league struggle a year later with the exact same squad. While other teams changed and moved forward, the US didn't in terms of player quality.

This might change in the next 8 years as the group that is 14-18 is supposed to be very good.

Unlike Canada, who apparently will suffer a lost generation again only to be fixed if the current 7 year olds, who are the first that might get decent technical coaching, turn out to be decent in 18 years.

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I wish I was seeking justice loving mercy and walking humbly but... "Cease to lament for that thou canst not help, And study help for that which thou lament'st."

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Cod
Shipmate
# 2643

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I only managed to catch 5 minutes of the match right at the end (was at work). The players were so tired that it was like watching the All-Priests Over-75's between Craggy Island and Rugged Island.

Unsurprised to hear that Tim Howard kept the USA in the match.

Now watching Germany v France. The French seem to be a bit out of ideas, can't penetrate the German midfield, and so their attacking strategy seems to be to get Benzema to run from offside positions. Wondered if Germany were denied a good penalty too, but they have been quick to lose their feet perhaps.

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"I fart in your general direction."
M Barnier

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rolyn
Shipmate
# 16840

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The Germans do seem to be leaping in the air and sprawling on the ground every time a French player touches them . Can't take anything away from the German goalie though , a fantastic reaction save prevented a certain France equaliser .

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Change is the only certainty of existence

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Cod
Shipmate
# 2643

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Neuer again!

(edited to add "again")

[ 04. July 2014, 17:55: Message edited by: Cod ]

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"I fart in your general direction."
M Barnier

Posts: 4229 | From: New Zealand | Registered: Apr 2002  |  IP: Logged



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