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Post by Velkontés on Jun 26, 2014 14:55:51 GMT -5
So the group stage is almost complete, here are V's quick thoughts on the knockout stage:
Brazil vs Chile - a shock isn't totally outside the realm of possibility, as Brazil have been pretty lacklustre so far against some bad teams. I still predict Brazil to win and both teams to score. Say 3-1 Brazil.
Colombia vs Uruguay - Suarez (a grown man who has bitten opponents on THREE separate occasions) was Uruguay's only really good player, and he's been banished from the arena. I mean, fuck they barely beat England. Colombia won all three group games, but against three of the worst teams in the tournament. No reason why they can't beat this shitty team too. This is kinda the clearest Face vs Heel match of the round. I'm predicting 3-0 to Colombia.
France vs Nigeria - there should be a lot of goals in this game. Say 4-2 to France.
Germany vs either Algeria or Russia. I am expecting the matchup to be Algeria, and I can see them causing problems because they tore South Korea apart and gave Belgium a fright. On the other hand it's fucking Germany. Cena wins 2-1. If Russia should somehow advance, that is a much easier matchup for the Germans.
Netherlands vs Mexico. This matchup is basically Heel Daniel Bryan vs Face Santino from a few years back. I mean, Netherlands did a number on Spain, and then in the next match they did the cocky heel routine against plucky underdogs Australia and almost jobbed to them. So despite clearly being the superior team, you wonder if they'll be surprised by the Diva Finish right at the end. Prediction 1-1 tie, Mexico win Penalty shootout.
Costa Rica vs Greece. Hey everyone, this is a matchup at the World Cup Knockout Stage! Seriously, Costa Rica vs Greece! I mean, really, Costa Rica should win because Greece are fucking terrible, and I'm predicting them to win 1-0, but I've also got a feeling that Greece will pull out every Heel Stalling Tactic in the book, and this one could also require a penalty shootout.
Argentina vs Switzerland. Essentially a jobber squash. Although I don't think it will be a huge score. 2-0 Argentina.
USA vs Almost Certainly Belgium. There is no reason why the USA cannot beat highly-regarded Belgium, who apparently think it's Italia 90. I don't think the States are going to win this tournament, but this half of the draw isn't too badly set up for a miracle run. Having said all that: Belgium to win 2-1.
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Post by MasterSnit on Jun 26, 2014 16:31:25 GMT -5
I've not been catching too much since the first few days, but I've still been checking out the highlights and the goals.
V, your Last 16 predictions look fine to me. The way the draw is set up I think we're going to get semi finals of Brazil v Holland, and France v Argentina. Brazil v Argentina would be the final most people would like to see but I think the Dutch might have enough to get past Brazil, who haven't really convinced me from what I have seen. If Neymar were to get injured they would be up a creek, and they don't look too solid at the back. France have looked good so far, and while Argentina do look a little open at the back, having an in-form Messi might be enough to make up for any other frailties. Argentina v Holland in the final again, and maybe it will be fifth time lucky for the Dutch in Russia, because I'm going with Argentina.
Also, Portugal were eliminated earlier today, so Ha Ha Ronaldo. 3 games, 3 different haircuts, 1 goal and an early flight home, trying to sleep away his woes while Pepe tries to start a fight with a flight attendant. Way to go, Jackass.
Also, I saw this video about the World Cup recently which was quite amusing.
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Post by Velkontés on Jun 27, 2014 14:15:03 GMT -5
The way the draw is set up every goddam time. I even laid out my predictions in the order that the draw is laid out, and you still Vickie Guererroed it. Argentina and the Netherlands are in the same half of the draw, they cannot meet in the Final. So your semifinals should be Argentina vs Netherlands and Brazil vs France
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Post by Velkontés on Jul 2, 2014 12:53:00 GMT -5
The USA did well last night, and could have won it right at the end. Also it made me laugh when Belgium were hanging on for dear life after going 2-0 up in extra time. In a tournament where a lot of big teams are playing way below par, the US gave it their all.
Anyway, I have some quick thoughts for the Quarter finals, if any of you are still following:
Brazil vs Colombia. Brazil escaped with their lives against Chile. With the exception of their star striker Neymar (who struck a ballsy penalty in the shootout), the team doesn't look all that special. As long as they continue to play well, Colombia should really be fancying their chances to win the whole tournament. So I'm predicting the upset victory: 2-1 to Colombia.
France vs Germany. Germany got another fright, but still prevailed. I don't think they are as good as a 4-0 win against Portugal would suggest. Having said that, it's fucking Germany. I'm predicting a 1-0 victory after extra time.
Netherlands vs Costa Rica.I'm rooting for Costa Rica, but that game against Greece was a bit of a reality check. It's not impossible for them to knock off the Dutch, but it is a tall task. Netherlands to win 2-1.
Argentina vs Belgium.Something else that made me laugh was Switzerland playing for the Penalty Shootout, only to screw up in the 119th minute. Great job, guys! Seriously, fuck them. Anyway, Argentina look downright mediocre. I cannot see any way they win this world cup, playing the way they have, Messi or no Messi. Belgium were hotly-tipped before the tournament, but I'm wondering what the fuss was about. The commentators in the U.S. game last night said "at least with Argentina vs Belgium we'll get an open game". Are you fucking serious? Prediction: 0-0 tie, Belgium win penalty shootout.
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Post by MasterSnit on Jul 4, 2014 12:38:39 GMT -5
D'oh. Oh well, as of right now it looks like my bischoffed prediction of France in the semi-finals isn't going to happen anyway. Your 1-0 to ze Germans is looking good.
I hope you are right about Colombia beating Brazil. I don't want Brazil to win the tournament and Colombia have played some good football so far. Still, I can see Brazil winning. 2-0.
The Netherlands should beat Costa Rica. I'll go for a 2-0 win.
Argentina v Belgium could be a decent game if both teams go for the win. 2-1 Argentina.
So then we will have semi-finals of Brazil v Holland and Argent... just joking. Relax.
Germany v Brazil. 2-1 Germany. Netherlands v Argentina. 2-2. Argentina win on penalties.
Argentina v Germany in the final. 2-1 Argentina AET.
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Post by Velkontés on Jul 6, 2014 11:46:37 GMT -5
Germany v Brazil. 2-1 Germany. Netherlands v Argentina. 2-2. Argentina win on penalties. Argentina v Germany in the final. 2-1 Argentina AET. I don't think there are going to be that many goals from now on. Brazil were fucking lucky again. That early goal seemed to throw Colombia off their game. Belgium's "Golden Generation" looks an awful lot like England's "Golden Generation". That is meant as an insult. Costa Rica should have nicked it against Netherlands. Instead they jobbed in a penalty shoot-out. Gay. I didn't see France vs Germany, but I'm going to assume it went exactly as I imagined it would go. God, such a boring semi-final lineup. Brazil vs Germany. Neymar is out, and Brazil are fucked. Although maybe not relying one guy to carry the team will encourage the rest of them to up their game. I can't see this being a very pretty game. I'm predicting 1-0 to Germany, although I can also see it being another 0-0 game and penalties. Netherlands vs Argentina. Argentina at least played better against Belgium. This is a really tough one to predict. If Netherlands can avoid getting caught offside 75 times in this game, I think they are the one team left in the tournament with an incisive attack. Robben has played really well when he isn't falling down in a light breeze. I'm predicting Netherlands to win 2-1. Maybe an extra time winner.
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Post by MasterSnit on Jul 8, 2014 17:53:21 GMT -5
![](http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a134/RandyMarsh/eb1.png) I don't think there are going to be that many goals from now on. Wow. How hilarious was that game tonight?! 7-1 Germany. When I was watching that carnage it was reminding me of a schoolboy game where one team is made up of finely tuned athletes and the other is made up of guys who just want a bit of a kickabout and an afternoon without maths lessons. It was such a strange sight to see that in a World Cup semi final. After that I wouldn't like to see the Germans mess things up in the final. I think Holland will be a tougher test for them, but I can see Argentina sneaking a close and potentially undeserved victory over the Dutch. What is scary about a Germany v Argentina final is that I don't think Argentina's defence is much better than Brazil's.
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Post by Velkontés on Jul 10, 2014 13:46:33 GMT -5
Bischoff pic - yeah okay I deserved that What is scary about a Germany v Argentina final is that I don't think Argentina's defence is much better than Brazil's. Funny, I was thinking the same thing. It's unimaginable that Argentina will be as bad as that, but you can see the Germans putting 3 or 4 past them. I'm just happy that one of these fucking teams has suddenly decided to play good football in order to win the World Cup. Feels strange rooting for Germany, but here we are. My prediction is 3-1 Germany. And yes, that Brazil game was fucking hilarious. The fourth goal was the one I literally laughed out loud at. The Brazilian defenders prodded the ball to each other from the kickoff and the Germans ran up behind them and poked it in the net. One of the strangest goals we'll ever see in a World Cup knockout game. I'm actually glad Brazil got a drubbing, because this team was pretty weak except for a couple of players, and I'm fed up with all the "mystique" bullshit that goes with them. The same way I'm fed up with people thinking England are still a world power because they won in '66. I didn't see the other semi-final, I needed to catch up on sleep. I guessed it was going to be a case of "after the lord mayor's show".
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Post by MasterSnit on Jul 12, 2014 17:12:50 GMT -5
Yeah, you didn't miss much with the other semi final. It was more like a two hour lecture on precipitation in Yorkshire presented by Eric Olthwaite. Robben had a chance with about 5 minutes to go and that was the one highlight of the whole game before the penalties.
Brazil just got spanked again by the Dutch. LOL.
I can see the final being a close game. Germany are the deserved favourites, but I dunno, I think Argentina might just pinch it. Remember the last World Cup the Germans were thumping teams until they ran into Spain who shut them down and scored fairly late on to win 1-0. I think it is a really hard game to call, but I predicted Argentina to win before the competition so I'll stick with them.
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Post by Velkontés on Jul 13, 2014 17:21:21 GMT -5
Brazil just got spanked again by the Dutch. LOL. The World Cup 3rd place game is possibly the most pointless match in world sport. But still, Netherlands' third goal brought a tear to my eye, ese. 10 goals allowed in 2 games. One of Brazil's defenders is apparently worth £50m. lol uh... no... I don't remember that at all ![O_o](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/browraise.png) I suppose it was unrealistic to expect Germany to play as well as they did against Brazil, and Argentina played much better than they did last time I saw them. On balance Germany shaded it, and it was a quality finish to win it in extra time. Having said that, Argentina had chances (including one gifted by the German defence). Going to South America and beating Brazil and Argentina back-to-back is no mean feat. Far and away the best World Cup ever. This is probably the most I've enjoyed watching football in years, perhaps since I was a kid. However, there was one depressing statistic they brought up in the game: it's only 33 days until the league season starts again. Gay.
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Post by MasterSnit on Jul 21, 2014 16:23:58 GMT -5
Yeah, I thought it was a really enjoyable tournament and Germany were deserved winners. The final was a close game but I'm glad someone scored instead of another penalty shoot-out to determine the tournament winners. The final got me thinking though, although the tournament was really good, this was the third final in a row to go to extra time, two of which were 0-0 after 90 minutes. In the last seven finals there has been a total of 8 goals scored in the regulation 90 minutes. We are overdue a classic final. Also, I got a giggle out of this. ![](http://i.imgur.com/LsiAqOK.jpg)
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Post by Velkontés on Jul 23, 2014 15:27:51 GMT -5
We are overdue a classic final. I dunno, we got a historic semi-final out of this tournament. Even a really good final would have been overshadowed by that.
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