2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil

I am not taking 1 single game into consideration I'm taking the whole tournament. Yes of course if Messi was injured for the final Argentina could still win it, it's just one game. But if you take Messi out for the whole tournament pretty much nobody would expect Argentina to win it.

Spain probably don't have any world class players then, because I think you could have taken any one player out of the Euro 2012 team, and they still would have won it or at least come close. You're grossly confusing being a team's most outstanding player or being completely indispensable with being world class. The two don't have to align perfectly.

Also... have you actually ever watched Messi for Argentina in a big game?? He's far from the sole reason they've ever had a chance at winning it. It's what he does for his club that makes people think he's world class, not his country. But there is time for him to arrest that, of course. But my point is, he's never proven himself indispensable for Argentina.

As far as I'm concerned England have Gerrard

Old man Gerrard is not world class any more. He used to be world class as an attacking midfielder, but he sits deeper and doesn't have the same influence he used to, and isn't good enough at tackling or holding the ball to be considered world class in the position he plays now. Also, I don't think our chances of winning a game change all that much without him. Old man Lampard can play the same role or Rooney can drop deeper and you play an extra forward, so by your own definition, I don't make him world class. He'd look out of his depth playing for a team that sets up differently to Liverpool where he is afforded the time and space to do what he wants with the ball, and he wouldn't stand out in a better team than England.
 
You could possibly be right I guess, Maybe I am being a little to harsh on the definition.

Spain actually do, Iniesta and Xavi. I've seen Messi play for Argentina and you're right, but be honest if he was out for the whole tournament would you still say that Argentina would be favourates to win it?.

But I do believe Gerrard is still world class, don't get me wrong his best days are probably behind him but he does give the team confidence and believe in the same way Beckham did, and he can still score those important goals, or make those killer passes. Without him it would be difficult to see England doing that well.

I'll give you a list of who I consider to be world class, Maybe then you could understand my point/definition.

Spain - Iniesta, Xavi, Portugal - Ronaldo, Brazil - Neymar, Oscar, England - Gerrard, Italy - Buffon, Pirlo, France - Ribiery, Holland - Robben, Van Persie, Argentina - Messi. There could well be more as those are off the top of my head, But you can see along the lines of my thinking.
 
What a load of rubbish. Englands only world class players are Smalling, Jones, Welbeck & Rooney. Gerrard is a bumface and thus cannot be allowed to play for England ever.
 

tartanterrier

Is somewhere outhere.
The referees have been pretty poor at the WC so far. On the 1st game there was a penalty given to Brazil for somebody pretending to be shot,
and then today there were 2 goals scored by Mexico,that were ruled out for offside - which they weren't although Mexico deservedly won the game.

So does this mean the Dutch are going to kick the shit out of the Spaniards without getting any men sent off :D
 
The best goal in that game would have been the one that got away ; the flowing team attack that resulted in the Casillas save moments before Robben thumped that volley back in which prompted a second great save from Casillas.

Spain have been mauled, Chile will be buoyant from their win - I'm assuming I'm not the only one that thinks Chile are going to knock Spain out.
 

feller469

Moving to a trailer in Fife, AL.
That Robben shot was spectacular. To hit it that hard and spot on was pure art
 
Can't wait to get carved open by Italy tonight. In a slow game in sweltering conditions the team that keeps the ball best and uses the ball best will win the game ; that's going to be them. Everyone loves the idea that the unknown, exciting (complete twat) Raheem Sterling might terrify the Italians with his pace - he'll have to get the ball first. I'm going 2-0 to Pirlo's boys.

tumblr_n75q2fv80H1svsahho1_500.jpg
 

rivasky

the special one
I'll be rooting for Italy tonight. My sweetie is Italian and my bad mood is usually not as bad as hers.

something completely different: Colombia has my vote for the World Cup in singing.
 
Spain go their defending-champ asses handed to them. Didn't see that coming.

I don't think our boys will get close to making it out of our "group of death," but I guess you never know. Leaving Donovan off the team by Klinsman was kind of fucked up, if you ask me. Okay, so he has lost a step or two since last WC, but with his experience and dedication he was surely a man who should have been on the squad.

Also don't know if I know about Klinsman going out of his way to recruit dual citizens? What he was trying to do, I believe, was get more players who've had experience playing European football. Whatever.


Like I said, I don't think there is any way in hell we beat any of the three tough competitors in our group.
 

rivasky

the special one
Also don't know if I know about Klinsman going out of his way to recruit dual citizens? .

He's trying to get more quality into the team, the same way Jackie Charlton invigorated Irish football in the Eighties.
 
Spain go their defending-champ asses handed to them. Didn't see that coming.

I don't think our boys will get close to making it out of our "group of death," but I guess you never know. Leaving Donovan off the team by Klinsman was kind of fucked up, if you ask me. Okay, so he has lost a step or two since last WC, but with his experience and dedication he was surely a man who should have been on the squad.

Also don't know if I know about Klinsman going out of his way to recruit dual citizens? What he was trying to do, I believe, was get more players who've had experience playing European football. Whatever.


Like I said, I don't think there is any way in hell we beat any of the three tough competitors in our group.
 

feller469

Moving to a trailer in Fife, AL.
Group D just got real interesting. Costa Rica with a win and a +2. Italy and England in an hour.
 
As predicted too many fecking bin dippers in the England side, thus no surprise with the Italy result.

- - - Updated - - -

Uruguay V Costa Rica has been the best game so far, as it's always great to see an underdog get a win - well done Costa Rica :hybrid:

I'll second that.
 

Ace Bandage

The one and only.
I'll be rocking this tomorrow when the Yanks take on Ghana.



I was rooting for those chaps across the pond against Italy. Was hoping they could pull that one out...
 
Like I said, I don't think there is any way in hell we beat any of the three tough competitors in our group.

I wouldn't be so sure about that. Ghana is a wild card. You never know. I've seen them leap tall buildings the first second and then trip over a tiny twig the next. And if the US boys catch Portugal's diva parade on the wrong foot, there's at least a draw in it for them. They are definitely the underdog but we're still talking soccer here. ;) And Germany is far far away from being in prime condition with Schweinsteiger, Neuer, Lahm, Klose and Khedira being less than 100% and Gündoğan, Reus, Bender, Schmelzer and others not even being on the roster due to injuries.
 
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