mrs miggins 0 Posted June 4, 2014 I reckon its between Germany, Spain and Belgium (...and a load of other countries) but fancy us to get to the quarters like usual and Belgium to win it. I''m starting to get more excited about the prospect of watching england again with ''the golden generation'' fading out and new talent like Barkley, Sterling and Shaw coming through. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
splutcho 173 Posted June 4, 2014 Unless I''m mistaken, no European side has won it outside of Europe? I don''t think that''ll change this year, but would like to see Belgium do well. Not sure they''ll do brilliantly though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Move Klose 303 Posted June 4, 2014 Winner - BrazilRunner Up - ArgentinaSuprise Package - Japan/ColombiaBiggest Flop - HollandGoalden Boot - HiguainEngland - Quater Final Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bethnal Yellow and Green 1,557 Posted June 4, 2014 [quote user="splutcho"]Unless I''m mistaken, no European side has won it outside of Europe? I don''t think that''ll change this year, but would like to see Belgium do well. Not sure they''ll do brilliantly though.[/quote] That''s true, and I can''t see it changing at this World Cup with Spain and Germany both on a down swing at the moment (although both will probably make the semis). As for Belgium, they have a great squad on paper but recent results haven''t been so good (aside from a win over Luxemburg). The old problems of interal disputes and cliques are starting to happen again and some key players, such as Kompany and Fellaini have had very average seasons. I think they will get out of the group, which is relatively weak, but will then struggle against the 2nd place team in Group G (most likely Portugal or Ghana) Think Switzerland will do much better than many people predict, they were runners up in the U21s in 2011 and many of that team are in the national team now. So really good attacking players to compliment the always well organised defence. If Drmic or Seferovic can get the goals they will do well - although will need to top France in the group stage to avoid Argentina. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hector Brockelbank 95 Posted June 4, 2014 World Cup fever Definetly setting in. I love the big summer tourneys. Usually some really good football and great betting opportunities. Plenty of liquidity in the Betfair markets and high street firms rolling out consessions galore. I havnt decided on the outright winner or top goalscorer yet, I''ll be studying those over the next few days. Several months ago I had a few quid on Betfair on uraguay and chile at 40 & 66 with a view to trading out around the quarter final stage. All was looking rosey with both teams shortening up only for chile to get drawn with Spain & holland & in the same section as Brazil and Suarez hurting his knee. Both teams drifted to near the price I''d backed them at. I still think uraguay can go far without winning it and Chile can get out of there group at the expense of Spain or holland (most likely holland) and will be laying a chunk of the 2.25 about the dual forcast.I''m looking forward to watching Belgium. It''s probably a tournament to soon for them to win. The euros in two years time could be there best chance. I''ve backed them for that firstly at 20s and again at 16s.England havnt excited me since 1998 and still don''t. But hope they do well. P.S. Didn''t Spain win it in South Africa? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
splutcho 173 Posted June 4, 2014 You can''t say b*gger?! Come on, we''re not children! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alex Moss 2,165 Posted June 4, 2014 As my Norfolk heritage is laced with Dutch ancestry, I obviously have a huge soft spot for the Netherlands. I watched a game a couple of weeks ago, and was extremely impressed with how Van Gaal had them moving the ball around - infact I can''t remember seeing a ball played one touch with such speed and precision, it was impressive stuff. Granted, there are flaws there, but like many of the other big footballing nations, there is also real quality there too so I will be keeping an eye on them. Traditionally, in recent years, there has been a history of in fighting, which has arguably seen some very decent Dutch sides on paper fail to fulfill their potential, however this doesn''t appear to be the case this time - I don''t expect them to win it this year (Argentina for me), but I will be hoping the Netherlands step it up for the tournament. I''m feeling a bit sore with Hodgson''s England at the moment to be honest, I thought the treatment of Ruddy was a disgrace - god knows how many clean sheets last season, and a loyal member of the squad for the last couple of years, to lose his place at the last minute to a goalkeeper who turned his back on England but is suddenly available for a World Cup f***s me off to be honest. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alex Moss 2,165 Posted June 13, 2014 I reiterate my post above about the Dutch! ^ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
First Wazzock 902 Posted June 13, 2014 my surprise team of the tournament will be IRAN! Wont give up & a hidden packageHopefully the hidden package wont be in the opponents changing room!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
star_manic 0 Posted June 14, 2014 [quote user="CJRV 2014"]Winner - BrazilRunner Up - ArgentinaSuprise Package - Japan/ColombiaBiggest Flop - HollandGoalden Boot - HiguainEngland - Quater Final[/quote]Holland 5 Spain 1. What a flop. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RvWs 4 year contract 0 Posted June 14, 2014 Been a great World Cup so far and I can honestly say I''ve enjoyed every single match.Even Mexico 1 Cameroon 0 was a great spectacle because of all the controversy. I used to enjoy the Premier League before City got involved and all the stress of supporting your own team etc so I hope what has been a brilliant start to this tournament isnt ruined when England take to the field tonight..COME ON ENGLAND Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZLF 271 Posted June 14, 2014 and been good for attacking sides rather than those trying to sit back and defend. I certainly didnt expect to have nearly 4 goals a game so far. Can wait for todays 4 games! Come on england!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mello Yello 2,281 Posted June 14, 2014 Luvvin'' it so far.......Now, just a matter of what mood I''ll be in at 0100 hours tomorrow morning? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Move Klose 303 Posted June 14, 2014 Think i will take back Holland being biggest flog. Maybe is gould of said Spain instead ha ha. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hector Brockelbank 95 Posted June 19, 2014 With just under a third of the games played now, has anybody''s opinion changed on who will win it? Who''s surprised you? Disappointed you?I know a lot of teams have only played one game in there group but do you still see the groups panning out as you expected? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted June 19, 2014 I am delighted that the tournament is full of attacking sides.None of the old routine of "must not lose the opener", or "the real football starts at the knockout stage".An impressive England win tonight and we can be well satisfied with the opening week. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZLF 271 Posted June 19, 2014 Great football so far and absolutely loving it. Nearly all the good players are performing and attack seems to be winning out. Hard to see beyond a south american team winning but think Germany and Italy (so disciplined and savvy) are most likely. Loving Columbia and Chile but still expect Argentina to improve over their 7 games Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gainer the Gopher 0 Posted June 19, 2014 Concacaf is doing very well so far. This is the first World Cup in decades that people haven''t been pining for success by African teams. Where did that condescending paternalism go? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hector Brockelbank 95 Posted June 22, 2014 I don''t know, but it may rear its head again after Nigeria winning and Ghana giving Germany a fright. Brazil and Argentina really need to step it up in the knockout stage or could face an embarrassingly early exit. So many of the smaller/less fashionable country''s are playing some great attacking football and may catch the big boys out. Been a great tournament so far. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phillip J Fry 0 Posted June 22, 2014 France looks very scary at the moment. Their counter-attacking has been absolutely devastating. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hector Brockelbank 95 Posted June 22, 2014 It sure has. They all look up for it and havnt fallen out with each other yet which is usually there undoing. If they keep that harmony playing like they are they are a match for anybody. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alex Moss 2,165 Posted June 22, 2014 Delighted to see the Dutch doing so well so far. Dismantled the Spanish in the second half, and had that bit about themselves against Australia where it was a ''sure, you can score, but we''ll always do just enough whatever you do'' sort of attitude. Wanted them to do well, and I think they''ll win it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Herman 9,717 Posted June 22, 2014 So far it has been great and then along comes Belgium and Russia. What a bore fest. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phillip J Fry 0 Posted June 22, 2014 [quote user="Herman "]So far it has been great and then along comes Belgium and Russia. What a bore fest.[/quote]I make that 2 really bad matches played so far. I think only Belgium/Russia and Nigeria/Iran were truly unwatchable.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bethnal Yellow and Green 1,557 Posted June 22, 2014 Japan v Greece was also pretty awful. Luckily most of the poor games have been the 11pm kick off ones. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phillip J Fry 0 Posted June 22, 2014 [quote user="Bethnal Yellow and Green"]Japan v Greece was also pretty awful. Luckily most of the poor games have been the 11pm kick off ones.[/quote]I must admit that I smiled when I saw it referred to as a ''parody match'' Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bill 1,788 Posted June 22, 2014 [quote user="Bethnal Yellow and Green"]Japan v Greece was also pretty awful. Luckily most of the poor games have been the 11pm kick off ones.[/quote]the players are probably tired and ready for bedthey shouldn''t be playing so late Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SwindonCanary 455 Posted June 22, 2014 tired and ready for bed ? I know I am, I haven''t missed a match yet ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PurpleCanary 5,554 Posted July 8, 2014 [quote user="PurpleCanary"]Brazilian teams are almost always overrated, just because they are Brazil...often because a surfeit of attacking ability obscures the lack of talent in the more humdrum areas.[/quote][:D][:''(][:D] Share this post Link to post Share on other sites