***Official 2014 World Cup Thread*** (4 Viewers)

[Jaysus]

Stuart James ‏@StuartJamesGNM 10m
Crazy Ghana press conference. Players demanding appearance money in cash. Asked whether they'll keep it, Christian Atsu said: "In our bags."

Stuart James ‏@StuartJamesGNM 7m
Ghana's coach was asked how much money the players are demanding. He laughed and then said: "The players would kill me if I revealed it."

Ghana Sends Plane With $3 Million to Calm World Cup Team

 

[El Floppo]

Wow... Suarez may have been lining Chiellini up for a taste for a long time (pic from last year)

It's not a premeditated thing. He loses his head, and reacts. It's not a well planned out event.*

(* my opinion - not a sports psychologist)

So for the record, you don't think Suarez goes into games thinking he's going to eat a specific player here or there?

 

[Sebowski]

Best I've ever seen a goalie look while giving up 3 goals.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Yes, this is what we mean when we say that African football tends to be somewhat less than the sum of its parts. There's usually some degree of craziness in there somewhere (Ghana, it must be said, is probably the most professional squad on the continent).

 

[sporthenry]

Argentina should be one of the more exciting teams going forward. If only they could play defense and they'd probably be heavy favorites.

 

[SmoovySmoov]

Wow... Suarez may have been lining Chiellini up for a taste for a long time (pic from last year)

It's not a premeditated thing. He loses his head, and reacts. It's not a well planned out event.*

(* my opinion - not a sports psychologist)

So for the record, you don't think Suarez goes into games thinking he's going to eat a specific player here or there?

No. Are you saying he does?

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Best I've ever seen a goalie look while giving up 3 goals.

Didn't Enyeama have a great game against Argentina four years ago, too?

 

[Sammy3469]

Yes, this is what we mean when we say that African football tends to be somewhat less than the sum of its parts. There's usually some degree of craziness in there somewhere (Ghana, it must be said, is probably the most professional squad on the continent).

That's saying something

 

[NewlyRetired]

Yes, this is what we mean when we say that African football tends to be somewhat less than the sum of its parts. There's usually some degree of craziness in there somewhere (Ghana, it must be said, is probably the most professional squad on the continent).

don't be so racist.

 

[B-Deep]

Stuart James ‏@StuartJamesGNM 10m
Crazy Ghana press conference. Players demanding appearance money in cash. Asked whether they'll keep it, Christian Atsu said: "In our bags."

Stuart James ‏@StuartJamesGNM 7m
Ghana's coach was asked how much money the players are demanding. He laughed and then said: "The players would kill me if I revealed it."

Ghana Sends Plane With $3 Million to Calm World Cup Team

i wonder if you can bet on how many of their players lose their bag of cash

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

(Ghana, it must be said, is probably the most professional squad on the continent).

Especially given recent events this may be the dictionary definition of "damning with faint praise."

 

[El Floppo]

If these results hold- Arg and BIH go through?

 

[B Maverick]

Nigeria needs a win or draw to advance. A loss and an Iran win could put Iran through?

Correct. But realistically Nigeria is through. Iran is down 2-0 to Bosnia. They haven't scored yet in the tourney so I doubt there's 3 coming in 20 minutes.

 

[B Maverick]

If these results hold- Arg and BIH go through?

I thought BIH was eliminated?

 

[El Floppo]

Wow... Suarez may have been lining Chiellini up for a taste for a long time (pic from last year)

It's not a premeditated thing. He loses his head, and reacts. It's not a well planned out event.*

(* my opinion - not a sports psychologist)

So for the record, you don't think Suarez goes into games thinking he's going to eat a specific player here or there?

No. Are you saying he does?

Just looking for clarity about said cannibalism.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Wow... Suarez may have been lining Chiellini up for a taste for a long time (pic from last year)

It's not a premeditated thing. He loses his head, and reacts. It's not a well planned out event.*

(* my opinion - not a sports psychologist)

So for the record, you don't think Suarez goes into games thinking he's going to eat a specific player here or there?

No. Are you saying he does?

Not surprisingly, I find his motivations mysterious. Neither the Ivanovic or Chiellini bites appeared to come out of particularly contentious clashes. But they were close games with high stakes. Part of me still thinks that Suarez thinks (at that time) "I'm going to provoke this guy to lash out and get red carded." But then the other part of me says, "Don't be an idiot, he's been caught and suspended for that twice!"

 

[The Gator]

Pjanic> too little too late <_<

 

[El Floppo]

If these results hold- Arg and BIH go through?

I thought BIH was eliminated?

no idea... looks like it's Nigeria and Arg... oh- there's an Iran goal!

 

[QuizGuy66]

C'mon Iran 2 more goals!

-QG

 

[Jaysus]

If these results hold- Arg and BIH go through?

I thought BIH was eliminated?

They did. Nigera is going to make it.

 

[El Floppo]

Wow... Suarez may have been lining Chiellini up for a taste for a long time (pic from last year)

It's not a premeditated thing. He loses his head, and reacts. It's not a well planned out event.*

(* my opinion - not a sports psychologist)

So for the record, you don't think Suarez goes into games thinking he's going to eat a specific player here or there?

No. Are you saying he does?

Not surprisingly, I find his motivations mysterious. Neither the Ivanovic or Chiellini bites appeared to come out of particularly contentious clashes. But they were close games with high stakes. Part of me still thinks that Suarez thinks (at that time) "I'm going to provoke this guy to lash out and get red carded." But then the other part of me says, "Don't be an idiot, he's been caught and suspended for that twice!"

This is what I think is going on too. The "idiot" part, obviously doesn't hold up for him. Or does. Depending on how you look at it.

 

[QuizGuy66]

Dang it and just like that - looks like the ping pong balls can be put away.

-QG

 

[NewlyRetired]

If these results hold- Arg and BIH go through?

I thought BIH was eliminated?

no idea... looks like it's Nigeria and Arg... oh- there's an Iran goal!

Bosnia was eliminated before the game started. They had 0 points and could not catch Nigeria on 4.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Yes, this is what we mean when we say that African football tends to be somewhat less than the sum of its parts. There's usually some degree of craziness in there somewhere (Ghana, it must be said, is probably the most professional squad on the continent).

don't be so racist.

Can I be a little racist. Because I don't trust gypsies.

 

[Sebowski]

Best I've ever seen a goalie look while giving up 3 goals.

Didn't Enyeama have a great game against Argentina four years ago, too?

Yeah. He was a wall.

 

[SmoovySmoov]

Wow... Suarez may have been lining Chiellini up for a taste for a long time (pic from last year)

It's not a premeditated thing. He loses his head, and reacts. It's not a well planned out event.*

(* my opinion - not a sports psychologist)

So for the record, you don't think Suarez goes into games thinking he's going to eat a specific player here or there?

No. Are you saying he does?

Not surprisingly, I find his motivations mysterious. Neither the Ivanovic or Chiellini bites appeared to come out of particularly contentious clashes. But they were close games with high stakes. Part of me still thinks that Suarez thinks (at that time) "I'm going to provoke this guy to lash out and get red carded." But then the other part of me says, "Don't be an idiot, he's been caught and suspended for that twice!"

This is what I think is going on too. The "idiot" part, obviously doesn't hold up for him. Or does. Depending on how you look at it.

I can see that diagnosis also. I think, ultimately, as a ridiculously rational person, it is impossible for me to wrap my head around his completely irrational behavior.

 

[Eephus]

Yes, this is what we mean when we say that African football tends to be somewhat less than the sum of its parts. There's usually some degree of craziness in there somewhere (Ghana, it must be said, is probably the most professional squad on the continent).

That's saying something

Some of the North African teams (Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria) don't seem to have a lot of FA shenanigans.

 

[The Gator]

I like the previews

I fancy Germany a good bit better than Scoob, though - and I am also a fan. I think the fact they may not have a true super star striker on the roster will not matter all that much, as they'll be able to form attack in waves and be very difficult to defend. If the German team was at all concerned, I think they would have probably rostered Gomez at the very least.....but to be completely honest, I haven't looked that deep into any of the squads just yet (other than England) as rosters were just recently announced.

I also agree that England is being overlooked, but I guess I'm generally high on England. I think that national teams that play predominantly in the same league (better yet, same few clubs) have a distinct advantage as they are used to style of play and training comes around quicker. But, England could flame out spectacularly just as easily. The fact they opted for younger guys instead of the old guard is a step in the right direction for them.

Oh, and Argentina in my eyes is the most overrated team in the tournament. Besides the fact they piece meal that team together from leagues all over the world, they left the heart and soul of the team off the roster, Messi tends to wilt under world pressure, and they have a great front line, not much else. Zabaleta's form has not been as great this year as years past, I don't like much of that midfield outside of diMaria and maybe Rickey.

(full disclosure, I root all out against two sides in this tournament, Argentina and Spain)

At the time of that post, he was correct

No, he wasn't.

ok,

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Wow... Suarez may have been lining Chiellini up for a taste for a long time (pic from last year)

It's not a premeditated thing. He loses his head, and reacts. It's not a well planned out event.*

(* my opinion - not a sports psychologist)

So for the record, you don't think Suarez goes into games thinking he's going to eat a specific player here or there?

No. Are you saying he does?

Not surprisingly, I find his motivations mysterious. Neither the Ivanovic or Chiellini bites appeared to come out of particularly contentious clashes. But they were close games with high stakes. Part of me still thinks that Suarez thinks (at that time) "I'm going to provoke this guy to lash out and get red carded." But then the other part of me says, "Don't be an idiot, he's been caught and suspended for that twice!"

This is what I think is going on too. The "idiot" part, obviously doesn't hold up for him. Or does. Depending on how you look at it.

The first one was during argy/bargy with everyone gathered nearby and with Ivanovic he grabbed the dude's arm and pulled it to his mouth -- nothing subtle or sneaky or calculated at all. It's just raw jungle aggression.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Yes, this is what we mean when we say that African football tends to be somewhat less than the sum of its parts. There's usually some degree of craziness in there somewhere (Ghana, it must be said, is probably the most professional squad on the continent).

That's saying something

Some of the North African teams (Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria) don't seem to have a lot of FA shenanigans.

Probably true. Egypt's players (as opposed to the country burning around them) seem pretty professional too.

 

[El Floppo]

oh ####. :(

####### islamists

 

[QuizGuy66]

Oh god - explosion at a shopping mall in Nigeria :(

over 20 dead.

Awful :(

-QG

 

[Jaysus]

Dzeko goal: http://gfycat.com/CloseIndelibleFeline 1-0

58' Pjanic Goal! 2-0. Iran loses the ball in the back and Sušić passes it to the right to Pjanic who places the ball on the lower right corner.

81' - Goal Iran! A corner is half-cleared by Bosnia before being lofted back into the box. The defense aren't alert to Nekounam drifting in behind to collect and he then smashes the ball across the box where Reza taps in at the back post.

82' - Goal Bosnia! Just one minute after conceding, Salihovic releases Vrsajevic down the right and the defender finishes brilliantly with a placed effort that goes in off the far post!

 

[El Floppo]

Argentinian league fans are some of the most fun to watch- classicos like River v Boca get insane. Their international fans seem to travel well. And I Argentinian women. That's what I've got for now.

 

[Sebowski]

I like the previews

I fancy Germany a good bit better than Scoob, though - and I am also a fan. I think the fact they may not have a true super star striker on the roster will not matter all that much, as they'll be able to form attack in waves and be very difficult to defend. If the German team was at all concerned, I think they would have probably rostered Gomez at the very least.....but to be completely honest, I haven't looked that deep into any of the squads just yet (other than England) as rosters were just recently announced.

I also agree that England is being overlooked, but I guess I'm generally high on England. I think that national teams that play predominantly in the same league (better yet, same few clubs) have a distinct advantage as they are used to style of play and training comes around quicker. But, England could flame out spectacularly just as easily. The fact they opted for younger guys instead of the old guard is a step in the right direction for them.

Oh, and Argentina in my eyes is the most overrated team in the tournament. Besides the fact they piece meal that team together from leagues all over the world, they left the heart and soul of the team off the roster, Messi tends to wilt under world pressure, and they have a great front line, not much else. Zabaleta's form has not been as great this year as years past, I don't like much of that midfield outside of diMaria and maybe Rickey.

(full disclosure, I root all out against two sides in this tournament, Argentina and Spain)

At the time of that post, he was correct

No, he wasn't.

ok,

ok, :hater:

 

[B Maverick]

Dzeko goal: http://gfycat.com/CloseIndelibleFeline 1-0

58' Pjanic Goal! 2-0. Iran loses the ball in the back and Sušić passes it to the right to Pjanic who places the ball on the lower right corner.

81' - Goal Iran! A corner is half-cleared by Bosnia before being lofted back into the box. The defense aren't alert to Nekounam drifting in behind to collect and he then smashes the ball across the box where Reza taps in at the back post.

82' - Goal Bosnia! Just one minute after conceding, Salihovic releases Vrsajevic down the right and the defender finishes brilliantly with a placed effort that goes in off the far post!

hate to criticize since you are doing a great service but the 58' and 82' goals look way too much alike...

 

[QuizGuy66]

Okay let me do the Group E Scenarios.

France are through with:

1) a win or tie (and the win the group as well)

or 2) a loss and a Switzerland loss or tie

or 3) a loss by 3 goals or less

or 4) a loss by 4 goals or more and a Switzerland win and the combined margin is less than 8 goals

or 5) a loss by 4 goals or more and a Switzerland win and the combined margin is exactly 8 goals and Switzerland fails to score 5 or more goals more than France does

Ecuador are through with:

1) a win or tie and a Switzerland loss or tie

or 2) a win by 4 goals or more

or 3) a win, a Switzerland win and Switzerland fails to win by more than 1 goal greater than Ecuador's margin of victory

or 4) a win, a Switzerland win and Switzerland wins by exactly 2 more goals than Ecuador does and Ecuador scores 2 or more goals than Switzerland does

or 5) a loss, a Switzerland loss and the combined margin of loss for Switzerland and Ecuador is 3 or less

or 6) a loss by exactly 3, a Switzerland loss by exactly 1, and Ecuador scores at least 2 more goals than Switzerland

or 7) a loss by exactly 2, a Switzerland loss by exactly 2, and Honduras fails to score at least 3 more goals than Ecuador

or 8) a loss by exactly 1, a Switzerland loss by exactly 3, and Honduras fails to score at least 3 more goals than Ecuador

Switzerland are through with

1) a win and an Ecuador tie or loss

or 2) a tie and an Ecuador loss

or 3) a win, an Ecuador win and Switzerland wins by 3 or more goals more than Ecuador does

or 4) a win, an Ecuador win and Switzerland wins by exactly 2 more goals than Ecuador does and Ecuador fails to score 2 or more goals more than Switzerland does

or 5) a win, an Ecuador win and the combined margin of victory is 9 or more goals

or 6) a win, an Ecuador win and the combined margin of victory is exactly 8 goals and Switzerland scores at least 5 more goals than France does

or 7) a loss by exactly 1 and an Ecuador loss by 4 or more

or 8) a loss by exactly 1 and an Ecuador loss by exactly 3 and Ecuador fails to score at least 2 more than Switzerland does

Honduras are through with

1) a win by at least 2 and an Ecuador loss and the combined margin is at least 5 goals

or 2) a win by at least 2 and an Ecuador loss and the combined margin is exactly 4 goals and Honduras scores at least 3 more goals than Ecuador

So there you go

-QG

Bumpity for today This was 63 pages ago

-QG

Rebump. Vamos Honduras

-QG

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Oh god - explosion at a shopping mall in Nigeria :(

over 20 dead.

Awful :(

-QG

Jesus, again?

 

[Jaysus]

Dzeko goal: http://gfycat.com/CloseIndelibleFeline 1-0

58' Pjanic Goal! 2-0. Iran loses the ball in the back and Sušić passes it to the right to Pjanic who places the ball on the lower right corner.

81' - Goal Iran! A corner is half-cleared by Bosnia before being lofted back into the box. The defense aren't alert to Nekounam drifting in behind to collect and he then smashes the ball across the box where Reza taps in at the back post.

82' - Goal Bosnia! Just one minute after conceding, Salihovic releases Vrsajevic down the right and the defender finishes brilliantly with a placed effort that goes in off the far post!

hate to criticize since you are doing a great service but the 58' and 82' goals look way too much alike...

fixed

 

[B Maverick]

Dzeko goal: http://gfycat.com/CloseIndelibleFeline 1-0

58' Pjanic Goal! 2-0. Iran loses the ball in the back and Sušić passes it to the right to Pjanic who places the ball on the lower right corner.

81' - Goal Iran! A corner is half-cleared by Bosnia before being lofted back into the box. The defense aren't alert to Nekounam drifting in behind to collect and he then smashes the ball across the box where Reza taps in at the back post.

82' - Goal Bosnia! Just one minute after conceding, Salihovic releases Vrsajevic down the right and the defender finishes brilliantly with a placed effort that goes in off the far post!

hate to criticize since you are doing a great service but the 58' and 82' goals look way too much alike...

fixed

 

[The Gator]

I like the previews

I fancy Germany a good bit better than Scoob, though - and I am also a fan. I think the fact they may not have a true super star striker on the roster will not matter all that much, as they'll be able to form attack in waves and be very difficult to defend. If the German team was at all concerned, I think they would have probably rostered Gomez at the very least.....but to be completely honest, I haven't looked that deep into any of the squads just yet (other than England) as rosters were just recently announced.

I also agree that England is being overlooked, but I guess I'm generally high on England. I think that national teams that play predominantly in the same league (better yet, same few clubs) have a distinct advantage as they are used to style of play and training comes around quicker. But, England could flame out spectacularly just as easily. The fact they opted for younger guys instead of the old guard is a step in the right direction for them.

Oh, and Argentina in my eyes is the most overrated team in the tournament. Besides the fact they piece meal that team together from leagues all over the world, they left the heart and soul of the team off the roster, Messi tends to wilt under world pressure, and they have a great front line, not much else. Zabaleta's form has not been as great this year as years past, I don't like much of that midfield outside of diMaria and maybe Rickey.

(full disclosure, I root all out against two sides in this tournament, Argentina and Spain)

At the time of that post, he was correct

No, he wasn't.

ok,

ok, :hater:

Link?Love Messi and said he's staking his claim a the GOAT with his performances this WC

 

[El Floppo]

I like the previews

I fancy Germany a good bit better than Scoob, though - and I am also a fan. I think the fact they may not have a true super star striker on the roster will not matter all that much, as they'll be able to form attack in waves and be very difficult to defend. If the German team was at all concerned, I think they would have probably rostered Gomez at the very least.....but to be completely honest, I haven't looked that deep into any of the squads just yet (other than England) as rosters were just recently announced.

I also agree that England is being overlooked, but I guess I'm generally high on England. I think that national teams that play predominantly in the same league (better yet, same few clubs) have a distinct advantage as they are used to style of play and training comes around quicker. But, England could flame out spectacularly just as easily. The fact they opted for younger guys instead of the old guard is a step in the right direction for them.

Oh, and Argentina in my eyes is the most overrated team in the tournament. Besides the fact they piece meal that team together from leagues all over the world, they left the heart and soul of the team off the roster, Messi tends to wilt under world pressure, and they have a great front line, not much else. Zabaleta's form has not been as great this year as years past, I don't like much of that midfield outside of diMaria and maybe Rickey.

(full disclosure, I root all out against two sides in this tournament, Argentina and Spain)

At the time of that post, he was correct

No, he wasn't.

ok,

ok, :hater:

Link?

Just look at you.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Messi's lack of success in international competitions is a fair debate. I thought he played very well in 2010, but he just didn't score. I really haven't watched him in the Copa America. He's won every international competition below the senior level, including the Olympics.

 

[Jaysus]

So, what is it now for Messi... 22 goals in his last 22 international appearances?

 

[Tom Hagen]

Stuart James ‏@StuartJamesGNM 7m
Ghana's coach was asked how much money the players are demanding. He laughed and then said: "The players would kill me if I revealed it."

I'm honestly trying to decide if he means this literally. I think Boateng is capable of it.

 

[NewlyRetired]

So, what is it now for Messi... 22 goals in his last 22 international appearances?

When you look up the word "wilt", this is the definition.

 

[[icon]]

Oh god - explosion at a shopping mall in Nigeria :(

over 20 dead.

Awful :(

-QG

oh ####. :(

####### islamists

####### animals....

 

[[icon]]

not sure if posted yet:

USMNT vs Germany Hype Video

 

[The Gator]

So, what is it now for Messi... 22 goals in his last 22 international appearances?

When you look up the word "wilt", this is the definition.

don't be silly, it's been a major talking point on his career that he hasn't played well/scored enough goals in world cups. I'm sure "the world stage" is the definition of his venue for his three goals against Guatemala friendly.

 

[Slapdash]

I like the previews

I fancy Germany a good bit better than Scoob, though - and I am also a fan. I think the fact they may not have a true super star striker on the roster will not matter all that much, as they'll be able to form attack in waves and be very difficult to defend. If the German team was at all concerned, I think they would have probably rostered Gomez at the very least.....but to be completely honest, I haven't looked that deep into any of the squads just yet (other than England) as rosters were just recently announced.

I also agree that England is being overlooked, but I guess I'm generally high on England. I think that national teams that play predominantly in the same league (better yet, same few clubs) have a distinct advantage as they are used to style of play and training comes around quicker. But, England could flame out spectacularly just as easily. The fact they opted for younger guys instead of the old guard is a step in the right direction for them.

Oh, and Argentina in my eyes is the most overrated team in the tournament. Besides the fact they piece meal that team together from leagues all over the world, they left the heart and soul of the team off the roster, Messi tends to wilt under world pressure, and they have a great front line, not much else. Zabaleta's form has not been as great this year as years past, I don't like much of that midfield outside of diMaria and maybe Rickey.

(full disclosure, I root all out against two sides in this tournament, Argentina and Spain)

At the time of that post, he was correct

No, he wasn't.

ok,

Maybe you didn't watch Messi at the last WC or playing in the world's top club competition over the years.