World Cup 2014

[Crown]

By the way, keeping in mind that one swallow does not a summer make, does anyone think that Del Bosque might have chosen his team due to nostalgia rather than merit this time round?

He stuck mostly with the team that got through the qualifying tournament, which in fairness is what most of the coaches have done. But what did happen between qualification and the actual tournament was Atletico Madrid's title victory, and the Spanish press were apparently giving Del Bosque flack for largely passing over their squad and picking the usual batch of Real Madrid and Barcelona players.

In any case, it looks like that odd trend that started in 2002 of the defending champions always doing a horrible job of defending their title is going to continue with Spain.

I was more referring (or alluding to) the inclusion of Fernando Torres at the expense of Fernando Llorente or Alvaro Negredo. It's mind boggling that Torres who managed 5 league goals in 2013-2014 is there at the expense of either.

[DaveJB]

I was going to make a comment about how refreshing it was that the English press are treating the tournament with mild-but-tempered optimism, rather than either having ludicrously unrealistic expectations or actively hoping that England will fail so that the manager will get the bullet. Unfortunately I think that's all about to go out the window now, seeing how Uruguay just got whacked 3-1 by Costa Rica.

[Crown]

I was going to make a comment about how refreshing it was that the English press are treating the tournament with mild-but-tempered optimism, rather than either having ludicrously unrealistic expectations or actively hoping that England will fail so that the manager will get the bullet. Unfortunately I think that's all about to go out the window now, seeing how Uruguay just got whacked 3-1 by Costa Rica.

I was hoping either Poyet or Cannavaro was going to knock Chile's teeth out live on TV, but alas, I'm left disappointed once again.

[Enigma]

I'm rooting for Portugal but I know they won't have a chance in winning the Cup. They're lumped with Germany, Ghana and the U.S., so I'm fairly confident that they advance to the next round second to Germany, but after that? Doubt they'll succeed.

[Crazedwraith]

Caught the tail end of the hubbub about France's second goal there awarded by the line system.

Certainly couldn't tell it was over from the views they showed but then that's what a line system is for.

[Irbis]

Dammit, England!

Why I bet on a draw there? x_x

[ray245]

Interesting match up today. Germany vs Portgual and US vs Ghana. We should see a nice number of goals today.

[Spekio]

So, are you guys interested in talking about the police abuses to protesters due to the World Cup, in the 50 year anniversary of the military coup or just the football?

[Borgholio]

So, are you guys interested in talking about the police abuses to protesters due to the World Cup, in the 50 year anniversary of the military coup or just the football?

In another thread, perhaps. This is for the sporting event itself.

[Thunderfire]

GER vs POR(R) Spoiler

Another bad day for an iberian team. 2 injured players, one red carded and they lost the match 4:0.

[Lagmonster]

Fun fact: My grandfather was from Wehr, and my co-worker is 1st gen Portuguese.
Other fun fact: I can dance a MEAN smug-bitch shuffle when I want to.

It could have been a good match if Portugal had realized they were in FIFA and not the UFC. The second half was mainly Germany having a nap.

[Thanas]

MWAAAHAHAHAAAAAHAAAAAAAAAA.

Outclassed.

[Crown]

First lets snicker at Jonathan Pearce; Twitter Mockery

Felt sorry for the Portuguese, great people, but they really do have some unsympathetic players in their team!

[Borgholio]

Some of these tweets are pure gold.

Apologies to Jonathan Pearce for that last tweet. I totally crossed the line. Or did I?

[Welf]

MWAAAHAHAHAAAAAHAAAAAAAAAA.

Outclassed.

Müller is now at 8 goals in 7 WC games. Maybe he can even take the lead in all time scores this tournament.

Also: awkward if you find out your nephew is Portugal fan. I blame the parents.

[Thanas]

Your nephew has betrayed the great SCHLAND and will have to be reeducated by copious amounts of beer, bretzels, Wurst, Eisbein and the great Spanferkel.

[Thunderfire]

Your nephew has betrayed the great SCHLAND and will have to be reeducated by copious amounts of beer, bretzels, Wurst, Eisbein and the great Spanferkel.

Northern bavaria / southern thuringa whould be the best place for a reeducation center. Beer & sausages are good & cheap there.

[Spekio]

MWAAAHAHAHAAAAAHAAAAAAAAAA.

Outclassed.

Are you really celebrating the defeat of Portugal? It's Portugal!

Müller is now at 8 goals in 7 WC games. Maybe he can even take the lead in all time scores this tournament.

Also: awkward if you find out your nephew is Portugal fan. I blame the parents.

If he can beat Ronaldinho's record, maybe we can start remember him for his true achievments: being caught with 3 transvestites in a hotel then hilariously trying to undo the damage by "being caught" with three hookers.

[Thanas]

Your nephew has betrayed the great SCHLAND and will have to be reeducated by copious amounts of beer, bretzels, Wurst, Eisbein and the great Spanferkel.

Northern bavaria / southern thuringa whould be the best place for a reeducation center. Beer & sausages are good & cheap there.

Yeah but they suck at Eisbein and Spanferkel. Really, I'd say Westphalia and the Rhineland. They have all these things and also do something which is either completely vile or glorious depending on who you ask, which is the great Krüstchen. (Yes, that is a fried egg on top of a mushroom schnitzel on top of a toast. Can you see the SCHLAND flowing from it?) Or the north for Grünkohl.

Are you really celebrating the defeat of Portugal? It's Portugal!

Yes I am. Anytime Ronaldo gets humiliated in this way is a good time.

[salm]

Bier, Bier, Biiiiihhiieer, Bier ist unser Elexier, Bier, Bier, Biiiiihiiier, Bier ist unser Elexier!

A glorious battle!

[Borgholio]

Did...we just win a match? We did! 2-1 vs Ghana. Woot!

Next up, Portugal.

[Block]

Did...we just win a match? We did! 2-1 vs Ghana. Woot!

Next up, Portugal.

With no Pepe, a pair of starters injured and Rinaldo not moving well, a draw might not be too much to ask, which would likely put the US through on GD.

[salm]

The Ghana/USA game was very fun to watch.

Congrats to the Americans.

[Thunderfire]

Yeah but they suck at Eisbein and Spanferkel.

I got the best Spanferkel in Waldsassen(Northern Bavaria). The beer is good & cheap (less than 2 EUR for 0.5 litre) in this area too. They serve Eisbein with Lebkuchensauce in Westphalia/Rhineland(Cologne & Aachen) - not good if you ask me. The Mustard is much better better in Westphalia - especially Mustard from Monschau. Back to football. Most(Edit: forgot about ivorycoast win vs Japan) african teams sucked so far and algeria shouldn't be able to beat russia or belgium. I think only the ivory coast has a realistic chance to reach the knockout stage. I expected a better performance from cameroon , nigeria and ghana.

[ray245]

Seems like Brazil isn't the favourites for this tournament with their performances. I think this might be the year Germany win the world cup with the quality of their squad and overall performance.