The Soccer's Fan Thread - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil

[NorthStar]

The Official Website of the FIFA World Cup? - FIFA.com

The matches of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil? - FIFA.com

[wisnon]

Uruguay!

[NorthStar]

Really, are they good Norm?

[asindc]

USA!

Our boys will finish second in the Group of Death with a win, draw, and draw. Will probably lose to Belgium in Round of 16.

Brazil over Argentina in final.

[wisnon]

Really, are they good Norm?

Suarez! Forlan!

This is reduced to a Copa America and Uruguay fears no one in a Copa.

The Group of Death is Uruguy/Italy/England....

[asindc]

Suarez! Forlan!

This is reduced to a Copa America and Uruguay fears no one in a Copa.

The Group of Death is Uruguy/Italy/England....

You "forgot" about Australia.

Group G is the first group in the history of the WC in which all four teams made the knockout rounds of the previous WC.

[wisnon]

Only 2 can go thru and in that group we have 3 huge Soccer brands (all past Champs)! Cant say the same for the US group!

[wisnon]

Portugal/Ghana/USA have never won squat...LoL

In the WC it is VERY hard to breakthru for a first win. Exceedingly hard.

[dlb2]

As long as I get to see Messi play a few matches I'll be a happy camper.



Sent from my mobile.

[asindc]

Only 2 can go thru and in that group we have 3 huge Soccer brands (all past Champs)! Cant say the same for the US group!

Easier to go through when you have only two very challenging matches as opposed to three.

[asindc]

Portugal/Ghana/USA have never won squat...LoL

In the WC it is VERY hard to breakthru for a first win. Exceedingly hard.

How could I have forgotten about 1966 and 1950?

[wisnon]

Easier to go through when you have only two very challenging matches as opposed to three.

Nah man, its easier when you avoid the GIANTS of the game.

One of those big countries will be shedding bucketloads for the catastrophic failure of going oyut in the 1st round. oh, the indignity!

Having said that, Klinsmann wont lose to Germany!

[wisnon]

How could I have forgotten about 1966 and 1950?

How indeed? You have to be a student of the game.

Uruguay is like 5m population and has won the Mundial twice and won countless Copa Americas!

[asindc]

How indeed? You have to be a student of the game.

Uruguay is like 5m population and has won the Mundial twice and won countless Copa Americas!

I was actually being sarcastic, 2010 being much more recent than 1966 and 1950. In other words, the fact that England won in '66 is no indicator of their current strength, while their 2010 performance at least gives us a better sense of what to expect. Regardless, I'd swap Portugal for England in a heartbeat!

[wisnon]

England would welcome that swap.

Belgium was last a force in 1986 and now they are everyone's dark horse. 2010 is a LOOOONG time ago.

Form is temporary, class is permanent!

[wisnon]

Asindc,

have fun in the Mundial! Catch U later.

[asindc]

England would welcome that swap.

Belgium was last a force in 1986 and now they are everyone's dark horse. 2010 is a LOOOONG time ago.

Form is temporary, class is permanent!

So would USA, Ghana, and Germany. Just saying that winning it all 48 years ago has no bearing on whether a footballing country is a giant at the present. After all, if 2010 is a LOOOONG time ago, then 1966 and 1950 are just a "little bit" looonnnger in time. Just like with stocks, past returns are no guarantee of future performance. We'll find out about present form soon enough.

As far as class is concerned, the USA has had enough class to finish ahead of England in 1994 and 2010 and even with them in 2002, to finish ahead of Uruguay in 1994, 1998, 2002, and 2006, and ahead of Italy in 2002 and 2010. Despite what Jurgen says (publicly), we will wait for the results before declaring ourselves defeated.

[asindc]

Asindc,

have fun in the Mundial! Catch U later.

Have fun as well! The World Cup is one of my favorite events. Glad the matches are finally starting!

[Paul]

WORLD CUP TIME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[tunes]

Form is temporary, class is permanent!

Great line
Hoping for Ghana to advance.

[cmalak]

This is going to be a fun upcoming 31 days. My favorite sport of all time!

Beyond Brazil and Argentina, teams to watch for: Spain, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Uruguay, England, Italy. Sorry but can't see the US making it thru the group stage.

[NorthStar]

This is going to be a fun upcoming 31 days. My favorite sport of all time!

Beyond Brazil and Argentina, teams to watch for: ... Nada

Yes, big time!

And now, a short music intermission for all our Soccer's fans.

[NorthStar]

Brazil won (3-1). ...What a game it waz! ...Are you guys seeing what I'm seeing! ...On the internet's screen it's not the same as being there on the field.

Germany, are they any good?

[wisnon]

This is going to be a fun upcoming 31 days. My favorite sport of all time!

Beyond Brazil and Argentina, teams to watch for: Spain, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Uruguay, England, Italy. Sorry but can't see the US making it thru the group stage.

I no longer bother with Club football. My interest comes aliive only for the Copa and the European Champs. I have become a Ball snob.

[wisnon]

You "forgot" about Australia.

Group G is the first group in the history of the WC in which all four teams made the knockout rounds of the previous WC.

Actually you mean COSTA Rica which is a tough team. Australia is in the NL/Spanish Group with Chile.

The TICOS can play ball, but watch out for Raheem Sterling of England, by way of Jamaica.

[cmalak]

I no longer bother with Club football. My interest comes aliive only for the Copa and the European Champs. I have become a Ball snob.

Depends what club football you watch. With the English Premier League now being broadcast by NBC (every game every week), you can watch some of the best football (soccer) to be had week in and week out. Also, Fox Soccer channel carries La Liga (Spanish) and Serie A (Italian) games as well. I admit to not watching the MLS because it's not yet up there in quality with some of the top European leagues but the level is getting better and better each year. I also grew up with European football and specifically English football, so those ties go deep way back. In any case, it's all good. And the World Cup is it's own beautiful thing.

Netherlands - Spain today was amazing: a 5-1 spanking of the defending World Cup champions. Nobody expected that. Quite a game. Didn't see Mexico - Cameroon nor Chile - Australia. Tomorrow's highlight for me will be the England - Italy game.

I hope there are some football (soccer) fans on AA. Ole ole ole, Oleeeee, Oleeeeee!

[NorthStar]

By the way, where is Canada?

[wisnon]

Depends what club football you watch. With the English Premier League now being broadcast by NBC (every game every week), you can watch some of the best football (soccer) to be had week in and week out. Also, Fox Soccer channel carries La Liga (Spanish) and Serie A (Italian) games as well. I admit to not watching the MLS because it's not yet up there in quality with some of the top European leagues but the level is getting better and better each year. I also grew up with European football and specifically English football, so those ties go deep way back. In any case, it's all good. And the World Cup is it's own beautiful thing.

Netherlands - Spain today was amazing: a 5-1 spanking of the defending World Cup champions. Nobody expected that. Quite a game. Didn't see Mexico - Cameroon nor Chile - Australia. Tomorrow's highlight for me will be the England - Italy game.

I hope there are some football (soccer) fans on AA. Ole ole ole, Oleeeee, Oleeeeee!

Cyril, I am in Europe…I get it all but am blaise about the Club stuff.

[wisnon]

By the way, where is Canada?

At home watching on a big 4K screen, like Jamaica and Cuba. LoL

[asindc]

Yes, you are right, of course. And Costa Rica is a step up from Australia in quality, though Australia played a very competitive match against Chile yesterday.

[asindc]

I no longer bother with Club football. My interest comes aliive only for the Copa and the European Champs. I have become a Ball snob.

Same with me. My fandom started with the '94 Cup, so I tend to view the game through the prism of international play rather than club play. It might help if MLS was not the AAA equivalent to the major Euro leagues.

Depends what club football you watch. With the English Premier League now being broadcast by NBC (every game every week), you can watch some of the best football (soccer) to be had week in and week out. Also, Fox Soccer channel carries La Liga (Spanish) and Serie A (Italian) games as well. I admit to not watching the MLS because it's not yet up there in quality with some of the top European leagues but the level is getting better and better each year. I also grew up with European football and specifically English football, so those ties go deep way back. In any case, it's all good. And the World Cup is it's own beautiful thing.

Netherlands - Spain today was amazing: a 5-1 spanking of the defending World Cup champions. Nobody expected that. Quite a game. Didn't see Mexico - Cameroon nor Chile - Australia. Tomorrow's highlight for me will be the England - Italy game.

I hope there are some football (soccer) fans on AA. Ole ole ole, Oleeeee, Oleeeeee!

From my standpoint, it might also help if I was more familiar with the history of certain leagues and teams, but for now I just watch with mild interest if an American is on a team or at least a player I want to see. Here in the DC area, not only do we get the EPL games that NBC broadcasts on its networks, we also get Serie A, La Liga, and Mexican league games, so there is no shortage of football to watch. I kind of became an Arsenal fan when Henry was there, but now root for Everton because of Tim Howard. Otherwise, I just watch maybe a half here and there. I just find the World Cup/Euros more exciting.

I like Spain, but I'm glad for Holland that they won the revenge match. van Persie's first goal was genius.

[wisnon]

Its a good Cup so far, eh?
I am loving it!

[gusgranite]

Hi. Nice to see some footy chat here. I'm loving it too. I managed to get through the day not knowing the Spain v Holland result - even put a sign on my office door so colleagues wouldn't spill the beans

Watched the replay as if it was live. Van Persie's technical brilliance is a lesson for all young players.

I was born in West Ham so that's my club and England is my country.

[cmalak]

Hi. Nice to see some footy chat here. I'm loving it too. I managed to get through the day not knowing the Spain v Holland result - even put a sign on my office door so colleagues wouldn't spill the beans

Watched the replay as if it was live. Van Persie's technical brilliance is a lesson for all young players.

I was born in West Ham so that's my club and England is my country.

Gus...I have been a Spurs fan since 1981 when I saw the FA Cup final vs. Man City (3-2 win in the replay with the likes of Ricky Villa, Ossie Ardilles and Glen Hoodle on the team). We had a horrible season last year and gave you guys the treble! Can't believe it How are you with Big Sam? He seems to be quite divisive among the West Ham fans? Good to see you posting here...

[cmalak]

Cyril, I am in Europe…I get it all but am blaise about the Club stuff.

Fair enough And yes, World Cup is unrivaled in its drama.

Netherland's 5-1 thrashing of Spain yesterday being a prime example. Wow!

[Paul]

I really enjoyed the game today. GO Costa Rica GO !!!

[NorthStar]

At home watching on a big 4K screen, like Jamaica and Cuba. LoL

I've heard that they might be there for the 2022 World Cup. ...In eight years.

[NorthStar]

Its a god Cup so far, eh?
I am loving it!

Uruguay?

[NorthStar]

It's a lively and lovely sport, I luv it with fervent passion!

[wisnon]

Uruguay?

Not dead yet!

LoL

Drama…gotta love it.

This is the Whirl Cup. LoL

[asindc]

Go Ticos!

[wisnon]

Campbell is a revelation! What a performance...

[cmalak]

Uruguay's thrashing a big surprise. Italy solid as always and England crap as always. Saw the highlights of Greece v Colombia and Japan v Cameroon. Quite a lot of surprise results for sure. This is what's all about. The unexpected rise and fall of various footballing nations. Still early on but as Wisnon said you have to love the drama.

[NorthStar]

Go Argentina Go! ... Later on today

* Happy Birthday to me! (Father's Day)

[gusgranite]

Gus...I have been a Spurs fan since 1981 when I saw the FA Cup final vs. Man City (3-2 win in the replay with the likes of Ricky Villa, Ossie Ardilles and Glen Hoodle on the team). We had a horrible season last year and gave you guys the treble! Can't believe it How are you with Big Sam? He seems to be quite divisive among the West Ham fans? Good to see you posting here...

Hi - I have to be honest I have no respect for West Ham's current owners or manager from what I have read about them. However, I would like to see a move to more stability in the Premiership with managers given longer to build a team. As for the treble against Spurs? Well that was about all we were celebrating this year! As much as we are arch rivals I have always enjoyed Spurs football.

[gusgranite]

Uruguay's thrashing a big surprise. Italy solid as always and England crap as always. Saw the highlights of Greece v Colombia and Japan v Cameroon. Quite a lot of surprise results for sure. This is what's all about. The unexpected rise and fall of various footballing nations. Still early on but as Wisnon said you have to love the drama.

Hey not sure I would call that England performance crap! OK I'm biased but I thought there was some exciting football and lots of promise. If Rooney had taken his chance we could have left with something.

[NorthStar]

My team won, right on!

[wisnon]

The Argies can be dangerous!

[asindc]

The Guardian's take on the World Cup draw: Who has the hardest World Cup 2014 draw? ? interactive | Football | theguardian.com

[wisnon]

Based on Fifa rankings Group D is toughest. 3 in the top 10...