Official World Cup 2014 Thread

[DDRGuido]

I got to watch France/Germany and it nearly put me to sleep. Only caught the last 10 minutes of the other because of July 4th festivities. FIFA must be tearing their hair out now that Neymar is gone. The potential Messi vs Neymar story line is out the window which sucks for the fans as well. My prediction is we see Germany make it to the finals vs the winner of Netherlands/Argentina. Costa Rica is the Cinderella so I'm sure everyone is going to want them to win today and face Argentina.

 

[SethMode]

I thought that France/Germany was a finely played game, just not that exciting. Columbia/Brazil was infuriating to the point that I just don't even want to watch Brazil games anymore because the refs are making me hate them. I like Brazil and they're fun to watch, but fuck you with that talent if you need that amount of ref support to win.

Argentina/Belgium was a fine game, but as soon as Argentina scored I had the feeling that this non-finishing Belgium team was done. They beat the crap out of the US and couldn't score until like the 95th minute, so up against the even somewhat disappointing Argentinians (at least, thus far), I didn't expect much, and they didn't give much. This tourney in general seems to have an abundance of poor corners (Columbia was a nightmare in that department, IMO).

I like the Dutch, despite 2010. And I think that Costa Rica isn't very good at all. So I hope, obviously, that the Dutch win. That being said, it's always nice to see something crazy happen.

 

[DDRGuido]

It's safe to say outside of Spain, the last 4 were predictable. The cream rises to the top. As I've said before I like Germany and even more now with no neymar. Tina/Netherlands is a toss up. RVP has disappeared. If Aguero plays then I like a Tina/Germany final with ze Germans lifting the cup and being the 1st team outside of South America to win the cup in South America.

 

[Bigpapa42]

The amount of ref decisions that Brazil are getting is getting really frustrating. The tactical fouling on James Rodriguez without repercussion... phantom foul that resulted in a the yelllow to Rodriguez and gave the freekick that Brazil scored on... Thiago Silva's yellow should have been his second... And it all ends up burning Brazil in the end because that physical play costs them Neymar.

 

[SethMode]

The amount of ref decisions that Brazil are getting is getting really frustrating. The tactical fouling on James Rodriguez without repercussion... phantom foul that resulted in a the yelllow to Rodriguez and gave the freekick that Brazil scored on... Thiago Silva's yellow should have been his second... And it all ends up burning Brazil in the end because that physical play costs them Neymar.

I love this post, and particularly that it focuses on the tactical fouling on James Rodriguez. I have seen multiple headlines about how players were gunning for Neymar. I see what happened to him as an unfortunate accident, meanwhile, Brazil seemed to be executing a hit put out on Rodriguez.

It sucks that one of the best players is out, but I'm not surprised that it happened, after all of the gifts given to Brazil (even if I still think that it wasn't intentional).

 

[1ke]

I think it's funny that talking about Neymar, the world collectively said.... Oh he's not faking?

I think the last four is a great four. Which teams are bigger/better? Powerhouse final four. Should be some decent games. This world cup has been very very good. Entertainment value has been high, and in the KO rounds shit has been intense.

Germany wins, no Neymar miss a difference as he has been all of.Brazil so far. Germany still haven't given it their best since the Portugal game that got twisted because of if the idiocy of Pepe.

Holland wins. No Kun, no Di Maria. Going against Robben and LvG. I'll take the Dutch here.

 

[Bigpapa42]

I love this post, and particularly that it focuses on the tactical fouling on James Rodriguez. I have seen multiple headlines about how players were gunning for Neymar. I see what happened to him as an unfortunate accident, meanwhile, Brazil seemed to be executing a hit put out on Rodriguez.

It sucks that one of the best players is out, but I'm not surprised that it happened, after all of the gifts given to Brazil (even if I still think that it wasn't intentional).

I don't think that was Brazil did to Rodriguez was any worse than what Colombia seemed to be doing to Neymar. But its definitely annoying that it got attention with Neymar, not with Rodriguez. Fernandinho should have been off the pitch for his fouls on Rodriguez alone. Brazil also got away without being the right distance away on freekicks more than once. Just a total lack of ref control.

If Brazil do go on to win, its going to feel tainted to me. Not completely unearned but definitely helped. Much like the Heat's 2006 NBA championship....

 

[Senser81]

I don't think that was Brazil did to Rodriguez was any worse than what Colombia seemed to be doing to Neymar. But its definitely annoying that it got attention with Neymar, not with Rodriguez. Fernandinho should have been off the pitch for his fouls on Rodriguez alone. Brazil also got away without being the right distance away on freekicks more than once. Just a total lack of ref control.

If Brazil do go on to win, its going to feel tainted to me. Not completely unearned but definitely helped. Much like the Heat's 2006 NBA championship....

Noticed that too. I thought the disallowed Columbian goal was terrible, because there was no reason to call offsides at that time.

Its interesting that the Netherlands keep advancing, because Robin van Persie has been awful this entire WC. If games keep going to PKs, I would bet on them to win because they have 4 guys who are killer on penalties (Robben, Sneijder, Van Persie, and Kuyt).

 

[KINGOFOOTBALL]

Are WC games replayed on TV ? Missed the Brazil game and I didn't think such a score was possible.

 

[calgaryballer]

Well. This was a pleasant surprise

 

[calgaryballer]

Are WC games replayed on TV ? Missed the Brazil game and I didn't think such a score was possible.

Ummmmm. The game is still going on. 50th minute

 

[KINGOFOOTBALL]

Ummmmm. The game is still going on. 50th minute

yeah but I missed first half..wont catch the second.

 

[Bigpapa42]

Fucking unbelievable result.

 

[MrBill]

Was that Germany/Brazil game the biggest ass kicking of the tournament this year? That was brutal.

 

[DDRGuido]

Was that Germany/Brazil game the biggest ass kicking of the tournament this year? That was brutal.

Indeed. Netherlands beat Spain 5-1. Those 4 goals in 6 minutes will forever live in infamy.

 

[Bigpapa42]

Was that Germany/Brazil game the biggest ass kicking of the tournament this year? That was brutal.

Its the biggest beatdown in World Cup history for this stage of the tournament.

 

[spursup]

Didn't get to see the game, only saw extended highlights but it seemed like it was just the right mix of German brilliance and Brazilian horror. I feel like the Brazilians weren't going to beat Germany the way Germany was playing, even if they were playing up to the standards set by their fans. It probably would have still been 3-0 or 2-0, maybe 2-1.

 

[1ke]

Are WC games replayed on TV ? Missed the Brazil game and I didn't think such a score was possible.

Get the watch ESPN app. Full replays on there.

 

[Senser81]

I've hated Brazil from the start of this tournament, and was glad to see them get their come-uppance. I felt bad for Julio Cesar, because the defense in front of him was non-existent. Germany might have been a tough matchup because Mueller and Klose spend the entire game running around, and Brazil's defenders don't really keep track of the forwards, but losing 7-1 is a disgrace. Brazil behaved like a bully...physically beating up on Colombia, but being too scared to do anything against Germany. I thought at some point they would make a hard foul or try to start a fight or something, but no. Marcelo is perhaps the most annoying player on the planet.

 

[calgaryballer]

I've hated Brazil from the start of this tournament, and was glad to see them get their come-uppance. I felt bad for Julio Cesar, because the defense in front of him was non-existent. Germany might have been a tough matchup because Mueller and Klose spend the entire game running around, and Brazil's defenders don't really keep track of the forwards, but losing 7-1 is a disgrace. Brazil behaved like a bully...physically beating up on Colombia, but being too scared to do anything against Germany. I thought at some point they would make a hard foul or try to start a fight or something, but no. Marcelo is perhaps the most annoying player on the planet.

That was my biggest concern. Luiz looked like there was a bit were he was going to crack, especially when Mueller went in a bit high.

You could tell that Luiz was the person Germany was worried about to start attacks as Klose was always shading him hard. Let Dante and Marcelo make the plays on the left, which they failed epically at. Then when Luiz had to actually do defending, he wanted to try and make the big tackle. Rio was slating him hard on the BBC because I think they were 4 down and get pulled out of a 50/50, which then let Germany go and score the 5th.

Who thinks Mueller can break Klose's record? 10 goals in two World Cups, would not be surprised to see him get another on Sunday. He's 24, so could possibly have 3 more World Cups ahead of him if he gets put on the Klose plan

And Neuer, god, what a beast of a goalie. The way he comes and claims high balls is just awe inspiring. Always looking up and then firing perfect throws/kicks down field.