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2013-14 Football ("Soccer") Thread
- Thread starter Mr_Stiffy
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Yea, times are for us in the USA.
Hope not, the "England" cricket team is bad enough. Even if its a possibility, Belgium are looking like a better team and prospect for him right now.
I wouldn't be too upset if I get Belgium in the world cup sweepstake next year.
If he were to choose Belgium "right now" the strength in depth of their squad is such that he would barely feature for them, looking at the names they're regularly capable of leaving on the bench.
Were Januzaj to accept the offer of a senior call-up now, he'd basically get the last five minutes of the next qualifier, just so they lay claim to him forever, then spend the next 18 months getting very little actual game time. He might as well wait until his eligibility for England rolls around and make his informed choice between the two nations then, rather than go with Belgium now just because they look half-decent for the first time in precisely.... well, ever. He'll look a twat if he chooses Belgium at 18, then their "golden generation" disappoints like ours did, or better yet he barely gets a kick, and somehow the bunch of young English **** somehow gel into a team that does well in Euro 2016 and looks well-prepared for the next World Cup.
I don't know why I care enough to make the point, I **** the national team, the international break, and the flagwankers and facepaintwankers that come out every time we make a tournament finals. But my point is : Januzaj has nothing to lose by waiting.
tartanterrier
Is somewhere outhere.
I can't really see Belguim getting past the 1/4 finals to be honest,as there will be too much strain between the Flemish & Walloons by then.
Rumoured England XI :
He's going for it. Andros and Kyle to tear their left side apart, clearly. Harry Kane self-actualized last night with his hat-trick against It's Only San Marino (little Tom with two assists), clearly it's a good week to be a Spurs fan. Well, apart from that which I'm not talking about.
Hart
Walker-Cahill-Jagielka-Baines
Townsend-Lampard-Gerrard-Welbeck
Rooney-Sturridge
Walker-Cahill-Jagielka-Baines
Townsend-Lampard-Gerrard-Welbeck
Rooney-Sturridge
He's going for it. Andros and Kyle to tear their left side apart, clearly. Harry Kane self-actualized last night with his hat-trick against It's Only San Marino (little Tom with two assists), clearly it's a good week to be a Spurs fan. Well, apart from that which I'm not talking about.
Gerrard & Sturridge to ruin it for everyone.
I **** Sturridge. I **** any player that celebrates a goal by dancing like a cockend.
I thought it was the Welbeck & Rooney show myself. The Spurs players didn't contribute anything to the game at all.
I agree, the pair of them flubbing fairly simple chances was the chief source of entertainment in the match. No wonder neither had the confidence to take a penalty and that dick Sturridge had to take it.
I have heard that Sturridge is a gentleman's fluffer, with Gerrard as his side kick. They learnt their trade from anyone past and present that has played for Spurs.
In the afternoon of what will become the final evening of European qualifiers for the World Cup, here is a special Stiff Guide To Qualifying for what might or might not happen tonight.
GROUP A
FIXTURES
Serbia V Macedonia
Belgium V Wales
Belgium Vs Wales
Scotland V Croatia
Who are through?
Belgium have already won the group and Croatia will finish second.
Who could finish where tonight and what needs to happen?
See above.
GROUP b
FIXTURES
Bulgaria V Czech Rep.
Denmark V Malta
Italy V Armenia
Who are through?
Italy have romped the group.
Who could finish where tonight and what needs to happen?
Well.... Bulgaria and Denmark each have 13 points, Armenia and Czechs both 12. Basically if Bulgaria win, they finish 2nd. If the Czechs hold them to a draw, you'd expect Denmark to clinch 2nd by beating Malta. If the Czechs win in Bulgaria, that would be enough only if Denmark slip up, as they have a better goal difference by 4 than Armenia who realistically have to win in Rome to even be in with a shout, and even then they'd either have to overtake the Czechs on goal difference and Denmark not beat Malta or simply win by any margin and hope that both Bulgaria v Czechs AND Denmark v Malta finish in draws. Ain't happening.
In simplest terms, Czechs win, they come 2nd. They don't, then it's probably Denmark, because they'll surely hammer Malta. Might be a moot point in the end because unless France draw with Finland tonight and Turkey and Romania both lose and Hungary draw or lose in their group, this group is likely to produce the team with the lowest points total finishing 2nd and miss out on a play-off place as it's 8 out of 9 that go through to the play-offs.
GROUP C
FIXTURES
Faroe Islands V Austria
R. of Ireland V Kazakhstan
Sweden V Germany
Who are through?
Germany have already won the group and Sweden secured 2nd.
Who could finish where tonight and what needs to happen?
See above.
GROUP D
FIXTURES
Hungary V Andorra
Romania V Estonia
Turkey V Holland
Who are through?
Holland have romped it.
Who could finish where tonight and what needs to happen?
Turkey and Romania each have 16, the Turks are 4 goals better off, Hungary are on 14. Turkey win, they're through to the play-offs. If the Dutch take a point off them or beat them (possible) then Romania will nip in by beating Estonia (probable). Worth remembering that the Dutch have nothing to play for... then again, last time out against Hungary they had nothing to play for, and scored 8. Hungary only have a chance if they win (they will) and both Turkey and Romania lose. I think I'm leaning towards Romania.
GROUP E
FIXTURES
Cyprus V Albania
Norway V Iceland
Switzerland V Slovenia
Who are through?
Switzerland have qualified.
Who could finish where tonight and what needs to happen?
Iceland have 16 points, Slovenia 15. Slovenia have better goal difference. If Iceland win, they come 2nd. If they draw or lose, Slovenia only have to better their result because of the goal difference. Simples.
GROUP F
FIXTURES
Azerbaijan V Russia
Israel V Northern Ireland
Portugal V Luxembourg
Who are through?
Russia have already won the group and Portugal secured 2nd.
Who could finish where tonight and what needs to happen?
See above.
GROUP G
FIXTURES
Greece V Leichtenstein
Lithuania V Bosnia-Herzegovina
Latvia V Slovakia
Who are through?
Bosnia and Greece will come top and second, they both have 22 points, but Greece's goal difference is +6 to Bosnia's +23.
Who could finish where tonight and what needs to happen?
Bosnia win, they top the group. If not, Greece top the group if they better Bosnia's result. Realistically speaking, both win, Bosnia top.
GROUP H
FIXTURES
England V Poland
Montenegro V Moldova
San Marino V Ukraine
Who are through?
England on 19 points and Ukraine on 18 will come top and second unless Montenegro smash Moldova and Ukraine get smashed by San Marino (LOL) to the tune of reversing the 12 goal swing in the goal difference between Ukraine and Montenegro. That's Ukraine that put 9 on San Marino in their last meeting. Not happening really, is it?
Who could finish where tonight and what needs to happen?
An England win, they top the group. Anything less and they settle for a play-off place because Ukraine WILL dick all over San Marino just like everybody does.
GROUP I
FIXTURES
France V Finland
Spain V Georgia
Who are through?
Spain top the group unless France beat Finland (possible) and they lose at home to Georgia..... yeah.
Who could finish where tonight and what needs to happen?
France can't be caught in 2nd but will need to win to guarantee not finishing as the 2nd place team with the lowest points total and hence miss out on a play-off place.
GROUP A
FIXTURES
Serbia V Macedonia
Belgium V Wales
Belgium Vs Wales
Scotland V Croatia
Who are through?
Belgium have already won the group and Croatia will finish second.
Who could finish where tonight and what needs to happen?
See above.
GROUP b
FIXTURES
Bulgaria V Czech Rep.
Denmark V Malta
Italy V Armenia
Who are through?
Italy have romped the group.
Who could finish where tonight and what needs to happen?
Well.... Bulgaria and Denmark each have 13 points, Armenia and Czechs both 12. Basically if Bulgaria win, they finish 2nd. If the Czechs hold them to a draw, you'd expect Denmark to clinch 2nd by beating Malta. If the Czechs win in Bulgaria, that would be enough only if Denmark slip up, as they have a better goal difference by 4 than Armenia who realistically have to win in Rome to even be in with a shout, and even then they'd either have to overtake the Czechs on goal difference and Denmark not beat Malta or simply win by any margin and hope that both Bulgaria v Czechs AND Denmark v Malta finish in draws. Ain't happening.
In simplest terms, Czechs win, they come 2nd. They don't, then it's probably Denmark, because they'll surely hammer Malta. Might be a moot point in the end because unless France draw with Finland tonight and Turkey and Romania both lose and Hungary draw or lose in their group, this group is likely to produce the team with the lowest points total finishing 2nd and miss out on a play-off place as it's 8 out of 9 that go through to the play-offs.
GROUP C
FIXTURES
Faroe Islands V Austria
R. of Ireland V Kazakhstan
Sweden V Germany
Who are through?
Germany have already won the group and Sweden secured 2nd.
Who could finish where tonight and what needs to happen?
See above.
GROUP D
FIXTURES
Hungary V Andorra
Romania V Estonia
Turkey V Holland
Who are through?
Holland have romped it.
Who could finish where tonight and what needs to happen?
Turkey and Romania each have 16, the Turks are 4 goals better off, Hungary are on 14. Turkey win, they're through to the play-offs. If the Dutch take a point off them or beat them (possible) then Romania will nip in by beating Estonia (probable). Worth remembering that the Dutch have nothing to play for... then again, last time out against Hungary they had nothing to play for, and scored 8. Hungary only have a chance if they win (they will) and both Turkey and Romania lose. I think I'm leaning towards Romania.
GROUP E
FIXTURES
Cyprus V Albania
Norway V Iceland
Switzerland V Slovenia
Who are through?
Switzerland have qualified.
Who could finish where tonight and what needs to happen?
Iceland have 16 points, Slovenia 15. Slovenia have better goal difference. If Iceland win, they come 2nd. If they draw or lose, Slovenia only have to better their result because of the goal difference. Simples.
GROUP F
FIXTURES
Azerbaijan V Russia
Israel V Northern Ireland
Portugal V Luxembourg
Who are through?
Russia have already won the group and Portugal secured 2nd.
Who could finish where tonight and what needs to happen?
See above.
GROUP G
FIXTURES
Greece V Leichtenstein
Lithuania V Bosnia-Herzegovina
Latvia V Slovakia
Who are through?
Bosnia and Greece will come top and second, they both have 22 points, but Greece's goal difference is +6 to Bosnia's +23.
Who could finish where tonight and what needs to happen?
Bosnia win, they top the group. If not, Greece top the group if they better Bosnia's result. Realistically speaking, both win, Bosnia top.
GROUP H
FIXTURES
England V Poland
Montenegro V Moldova
San Marino V Ukraine
Who are through?
England on 19 points and Ukraine on 18 will come top and second unless Montenegro smash Moldova and Ukraine get smashed by San Marino (LOL) to the tune of reversing the 12 goal swing in the goal difference between Ukraine and Montenegro. That's Ukraine that put 9 on San Marino in their last meeting. Not happening really, is it?
Who could finish where tonight and what needs to happen?
An England win, they top the group. Anything less and they settle for a play-off place because Ukraine WILL dick all over San Marino just like everybody does.
GROUP I
FIXTURES
France V Finland
Spain V Georgia
Who are through?
Spain top the group unless France beat Finland (possible) and they lose at home to Georgia..... yeah.
Who could finish where tonight and what needs to happen?
France can't be caught in 2nd but will need to win to guarantee not finishing as the 2nd place team with the lowest points total and hence miss out on a play-off place.
Brazil hear we come. Roll on 2014.
Here's the simple breakdown of what happened, for people interested that just haven't twigged yet.
GROUP WINNERS/QUALIFIERS
Belgium, Italy, Germany, Holland, Switzerland, Russia, Bosnia-Herzegovina (!), England, Spain
PLAY-OFF PLACES
Croatia, Sweden, Romania, Iceland (!), Portugal, Greece, Ukraine, France
As predicted, Italy's group yielded the weakest 2nd place team - Denmark - and it's them that miss out. Armenia managed an amazing 2-2 draw in Rome to cap a superb campaign for them, I think they'll have a real chance of pushing on and qualifying for Euro 2016. Heartiest congratulations must go to Iceland, population 320K (less than the city of Coventry) for reaching the play-offs.
I don't know if it's possible or if the play-offs are seeded, but I hope France and Portugal play each other. Because then France wouldn't be at the World Cup, and that would be funny.
And of course, England will be there. Well, it will be nice to have someone left to cheer for in case Japan, Holland and Germany all get knocked out early (as if).
GROUP WINNERS/QUALIFIERS
Belgium, Italy, Germany, Holland, Switzerland, Russia, Bosnia-Herzegovina (!), England, Spain
PLAY-OFF PLACES
Croatia, Sweden, Romania, Iceland (!), Portugal, Greece, Ukraine, France
As predicted, Italy's group yielded the weakest 2nd place team - Denmark - and it's them that miss out. Armenia managed an amazing 2-2 draw in Rome to cap a superb campaign for them, I think they'll have a real chance of pushing on and qualifying for Euro 2016. Heartiest congratulations must go to Iceland, population 320K (less than the city of Coventry) for reaching the play-offs.
I don't know if it's possible or if the play-offs are seeded, but I hope France and Portugal play each other. Because then France wouldn't be at the World Cup, and that would be funny.
And of course, England will be there. Well, it will be nice to have someone left to cheer for in case Japan, Holland and Germany all get knocked out early (as if).
Vanilla Bear
Bears For Life
Yes it is possible. Portugal is in pile 1 and France in pile 2. So they can play each other. :thumbsup:
As a Tommy you will cheer for Germany? Are you just searching for even more reasons for me to love you? Like there weren't enough already....:shy: :heart:
I like the way they play, they have several players I like. Although in fairness, the Dutch have two players I love - RvdV and KJH.
Vanilla Bear
Bears For Life
I like the way they play, they have several players I like. Although in fairness, the Dutch have two players I love - RvdV and KJH.
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