FIFA World Cup in Brazil 2014

[engine]

With the World Cup, I admit, my excitement has reached the point where i'm anxious for the first match: Brazil v Croatia later today.

I'm sure i'll settle down a little when the tournament starts.

It's not a foregone conclusion the winner of that first match will be Brazil, but, as the home team they are probably riding on the crest of a Copacabana wave...

3-1 to Brazil

In the end, who's your choice to raise the cup?

[topr8]

i wouldn't be so sure of a brazil victory in the first game - of course there'll be riots if they don't!

[lucy24]

Oh, come on, this is Brazil we're talking about. There'll be riots if they win, riots if they lose, riots if the game is called for, uhm, sun, riots if they ...

OK. I'll go away now.

Was it cracked dot com that recently posted some seriously unnerving photos of things Rio has done to prepare for the World Cup?

[Samizdata]

who's your choice to raise the cup?

I like to support the underdog so I am rooting for Ruritania.

...

[Old_Honky]

I hope Brazil don't win it, I missed their third goal because I changed channels through boredom, but as their equaliser was scored by a player who should have been sent off for an obvious red card offence a few minutes before, what looked like a forearm smash to the neck followed by a slap to the face, which would have been an arrestable offence if it happened on the street... and their second goal was facilitated by a very dodgy penalty after the Brazilian player dived, then at best they should of had a one all draw.

I'm surprised that the Brazilians played so badly, and that the Croatians haven't lodged an official complaint.

If one were cynical one would suspect that the Japanese referee who seemed very fair in the first half (which finished 1 each) had someone whisper in his ear at half time about how important it is that the host nation wins the first match. As I am sure this is not the case I can only assume the ref just had a bad second half.

If only England were to drop the "spud faced nipper" (Rooney) who seems to get worse every match, we might stand a chance of winning again. I will tip one of two outsiders to win this time either Nigeria or Belgium, both look interesting.

[engine]

Did I really predict that score! No, I just guessed it.

It was a lacklustre game, and I expected more from both sides.

Mexico vs Cameroon might be interesting.

Cameroon will get it, 2-1

Spain v Netherlands, tough to predict that one. 2-1 to Spain

[tbear]

When the soccer organisations utilise video and technology to stamp out the illegal, and often dangerous, tactics used by a large proportion of teams and players, I might be interested in watching it.......

[blend27]

Now that we are only 2 games till its over, lets bring this thread back up.

i was almost crying yesterday :(

[engine]

Three more matches to play as of now.

Yeah, it was painful watching that match. No question, Germany outplayed Brazil, however, it was agony to watch the first half, especially in anticipation of the second half.
Brazil played with lead feet, and seemed to fail to play as a team. Surely, with the loss of two players wouldn't have made it such a rout!

I don't know how Brazil can pull themselves together for the play-off for third place, which will be either Netherlands or Argentina from the match later today.

It'll take a long time for Brazil, as a country and team, to get over that shock defeat, imho.

[engine]

Argentina 4 Netherlands 2, result on penalties. Argentina go through to the final against Germany, and Netherlands play Brazil in the play off for third.

I did think Netherlands played better, but they didn't score in the match, and it's the end result that counts.

[bhukkel]

For the final i put my money on Germany, they are the most complete team and have excellent players on all positions.

[blend27]

Same here, I would bet my Shoelaces - Germany will score this one. But then again, the game is with Team from the land of Diego Armando Maradona Franco!

[Planet13]

Being an American, I still don't understand why the USA DIDN'T advance after it LOST to Belgium.

[lorax]

Brazil was way out of form this year. Not the light-footed creative team I'm used to seeing. More tentative and trying to be methodical/calculating. Too bad. A lot of talent on that team if only the leash was off.

Yes. My money is on Germany for the final. Sad to see USA didn't get another win but glad to see they went farther than the last time.

[engine]

Argentina lost the final by missing open goals at least three times.
Germany won through dogged determination and, ultimately, by scoring a great goal. Not the greatest of matches, but that's what it was. Deserved winners, imho.

Oh, what sport am I going to watch now!

[lorax]

Whaddyamean it wasn't a great match!?! :) I thought they both played well and they're differing styles were very visible. Goetz's goal was brilliant - absolute skill and creativity. I feel for the Argentina team. I could just feel their heartbreak.

[brotherhood of LAN]

Best team won. Every 4 years makes it that bit more magical. They last won it in 1990... over 24 years ago.

I'm not too hopeful Scotland will win it in my lifetime.

[lawman]

My favorite game was the consolation game. :)

[LifeinAsia]

My Tivo decided on its own to not record the live broadcast of the final game. So I had to wait 8 hour for the rebroadcast on ESPN. That part wasn't so bad- it was the staying off FaceBook, WebmasterWorld, LinkedIn, and pretty much any other social site to avoid finding out the result.

My wife got an e-mail from a friend of hers in Argentina who spilled the beans. I told her I would kill her if she told me before I watched it! :)

[engine]

@lorax, I never said it wasn't' a great match, I said it wasn't the greatest. ;)

LIA, you reminded me: I remember a TV show way back from the '60s and '70, "The Likely Lads" where the two main characters, Bob and Terry, were trying to avoid the result of the TV match all day until the evening. Everywhere they went there was something going on that seemed to give away the result. There was a twist at the end which made it even funnier. Great story, clever writing, and well acted. They don't make 'em like that any more.

[en.wikipedia.org...]