The 2014 World Cup thread

[Otta]

I almost feel sorry for Spain.

But it's not like they've been starved of glory.

[maxxi]

The decline of Barca should have been a pointer maybe.

ETA - I mean relative decline.

[aquarius moon]

Wow!

RVP's in his element tonight.

Wasn't expecting this. Reminds me of the old Holland from years ago.

[ultraburner]

Amazing game, and good to see Spain get a lesson.

[Alan Medic]

ultraburner Wrote:

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> Amazing game, and good to see Spain get a lesson.

What? Because they've won a couple of things?

[Otta]

Yes.

There are 32 teams in the tournament, they've won the last couple, let's see someone else burst on to the scene.

I am aware this is very unlikely to be England BTW.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Just had a bus ride back from the city. Met a chap draped in the Spanish flag (game wasn't over). His father was Iranian, his mother Dutch, and his wife Spanish. He left the game early because his wife was in labour. Sierra Leonean on his left just wanted to be in Brazil. Danish lady opposite claimed they were shit at football but great at lager.

Isn't the World Cup wonderful?

[StraferJack]

+1 PGC

Spain. Wanting to see a new power in football is one thing. But talk of teaching Spain a lesson is weird. Like, they were doing something bad and needed to be punished.

[El Pibe]

Best posts ever pgc and numbers.

Was gutted for a bit tonight then realised that was the final I was scared would happen in 2010, so happy to have won it frankly.

And the Dutch have overridden my resentment of their awfulness that time and I'll be happy if they win the whole thing, though I think Spain can still do the unachievable and go on to win it after a good humbling.

The Roos are shit which makes me happy.

[El Pibe]

Oh my, pressed post one second before they scored

[El Pibe]

+1 SJ

Oh shit, no like burton needed

[maxxi]

Viva Chile!

[Mick Mac]

Well taken on your Spanish chin EP. Chile and Oz game was also excellent.

[Jeremy]

numbers Wrote:

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>

> Japan (the only country in the world I have never had any desire to visit)

Really? I thought it was a fascinating place.

Switzerland less so (not that there aren't some partially redeeming features).

[ratty]

Fab game last night! Loved it?

For all those intending to boo England, probably best to do this from the comfort of your sofa rather than the pubs. Got involved in an unsavoury incident in the EDT some years ago when I had to stick up for a Croatian lad after they beat us. Still some dicks around at England games!

[numbers]

Jeremy Wrote:

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> numbers Wrote:

> ----------------------

> >

> > Japan (the only country in the world I have

> never had any desire to visit)

>

> Really? I thought it was a fascinating place.

>

> Switzerland less so (not that there aren't some

> partially redeeming features).

I know Jeremy everyone thinks it's weird!

I'm sure if I went I'd find it interesting.

Changing my list above, I would never boo England! In fact I'm more I'm it for the cheering aspect than the booing!

[Otta]

ratty Wrote:

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> For all those intending to boo England, probably

> best to do this from the comfort of your sofa

> rather than the pubs.

For all those who are English ho intend to boo England, go to the pub and be loud and proud about your feelings. Please.

[Alan Medic]

Otta Wrote:

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> ratty Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

>

> > For all those intending to boo England,

> probably

> > best to do this from the comfort of your sofa

> > rather than the pubs.

>

>

>

> For all those who are English ho intend to boo

> England, go to the pub and be loud and proud about

> your feelings. Please.

Why?

[Otta]

Because if you don't want your country to win that's fair enough (but a bit sad), but if you actively boo them then you're a bit of a arse in my opinion.

Yes the England team is made up of overpaid tossers, as is almost any top level football team in the world.

During the Olympics in 2012 or Wimbledon last year or The Ashes (when we won) there is a feel good factor. I would love to feel that if England won.

They won't of course, but I want to enjoy the ride and tey to feel positive for a change.

I'm loving this so far, had a great evening last night just me the telly and a few cans.

[Jeremy]

How about if they're shit, can I boo them then?

[Otta]

Yeah of course. That's different to just booing them because they are them.

[Otta]

I mean I really don't like Wayne Rooney, and I think Danny Welbeck is shit (plus they're both Man U), but if they are playing then I wanr them to do well because it's not about them as individuals.

Although I admit I want to see the Liverpool players do well. But as much as I live Suarez in a Liverpool shirt I'll certainly be hoping he has an unspectacular tournament (even more so if it means clubs don't try to buy gin afterwards).

[nashoi]

Interestingly Nate Silver's 538 stats blog has group D as the hardest to predict, but rate England's chances better than most people on here do. Spain now rated as only having a 30% chance of getting through the group stage.

http://fivethirtyeight.com/interactives/world-cup/

Eta viewing on a phone doesn't give you the option of viewing the groups and individual games, you need at least a tablet for that

[maxxi]

Otta Wrote:

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>

> I'm loving this so far, had a great evening last

> night just me the telly and a few cans.

Yep. May be alone in not really seeing why anyone would want to watch in a pub when it's all on free-to-view tv. Less of a queue in toilets at half time.

[Otta]

I can't be bothered with the pub, I never see very well and I spend a fortune.

Got a mate coming round for tonight's match.