I think it's a Brazil/Germany final w/Brazil winning it all on their home turf. That said, I'm pulling for the Argies, after the US, of course.
POLL: who will win the World Cup?
- Thread starter LesClaypool
- Start date
I picked Brazil, but I'm a bit surprised the OP didn't list Portugal among the choices. Culturally, they will feel right at home in Brazil; and Ronaldo's more than capable of putting his team on his back. (Of course, they have to survive the "group of death" first.)
Agreed. Portugal should be there. I ran out of slots though and I wanted to include the USA and the "other" choices. Realistically, I should've put them over England or France though. You're right.
As much as I tend to root for England (after the U.S., of course) as an international side, Italy probably deserves to be listed a bit more. For whatever reason the Azzurri always seem to be able to be able to put it together in these big international tournaments and contend.
IMHO it's the most open cup in decades. Spain is old, Argentina underachieves, Portugal 1 man team, Netherlands rebuilding, Italy is down and Brazil is waaayyyy down. But home field advantage who knows? I'll take the rest of the field. Could see a Colombia or Ecuador catching fire.
Fair point about Italy too. They made it to Euro2012's final after all. On the heels of their WC2010 crash and burn...who saw that happening?
I wouldnt say brazil is waaayyyyy down. Their goal differential in Confed Cup was +11. They scored 14 goals in 5 games. If thats way down i would love for the USMNT to be waaayyyy down all the time. Their ranking is the lowest its been in a while but that's because they didn't have to play qualifiers.
I'd be utterly shocked if it isn't Spain or Germany. I think Brazil is getting too much credit because they are at home, but at the end of the day, there roster cannot stack up against Spain or Germany.
This is finally the year where Germany gets over the hump. Their best players play together year round with Bayern or Dortmund, and their midfield is loaded.
This is finally the year where Germany gets over the hump. Their best players play together year round with Bayern or Dortmund, and their midfield is loaded.
I voted Germany. They have the most talented team and they play alot of games together.
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Suarez might be "playing" the way Diego Costa "played" his last few games for Atletico though...which is to say wasting space, and getting subbed in the 9th minute.
I'm surprised that not a single soul has picked Spain. Yeah, they're old, but they are the defending champs and still are (easily) #1 in the FIFA world rankings.
It is sort of silly. Won the last three major tournaments in the world (first time that's ever happened) and no one is picking them or looking for them.
Ideal position to be sitting in, really. They have to be thrilled with that.
Ideal position to be sitting in, really. They have to be thrilled with that.
1. I said might
2. If I were a Liverpool fan, I'd be PRAYING that he doesn't rush back too quickly
3. John Terry doesn't play the same position and definitely isn't nearly as athletic or prone to meek the kind of runs Suarez needs to.
4. Knee surgery is knee surgery. Crazy to think he could have it only weeks earlier and come back fine. If nothing else, he's missed all that training. Definitely going to be a factor one way or another.
2. If I were a Liverpool fan, I'd be PRAYING that he doesn't rush back too quickly
3. John Terry doesn't play the same position and definitely isn't nearly as athletic or prone to meek the kind of runs Suarez needs to.
4. Knee surgery is knee surgery. Crazy to think he could have it only weeks earlier and come back fine. If nothing else, he's missed all that training. Definitely going to be a factor one way or another.
I agree. Brazil is not way down. Their defense is as good as I can remember in recent history, the midfield is quality, so their weakest spot is at forward but even that's still solid. The fact they're at home with that crazy fan support will make them hard to beat.
This post was edited on 5/31 10:06 AM by TexasGooner
You think so? Why do you think that? I know they speak the same language but they don't seem to be too similar culturally to where they would "feel at home".
I chose Brazil in the poll because they are a really good team, are usually a good tournament team, and are playing at home, but, I very confident the winner is going to be one of these four teams: Brazil, Germany, Spain, Argentina.
Look at the players that Spain just cut to get down to 23:
Navas
Negredo
Llorente
Carvajal
Thiago Alcantara
Any one of those guys are better than probably at least half of the teams' in the WC's best player.
Talk about embarrassment of riches.
Navas
Negredo
Llorente
Carvajal
Thiago Alcantara
Any one of those guys are better than probably at least half of the teams' in the WC's best player.
Talk about embarrassment of riches.
I agree, it's pretty amazing. Spain's midfield is incredibly deep....it's almost laughable. And then they have a pretty bad ass Brazilian(Diego Costa) up top.Originally posted by LesClaypool:
Look at the players that Spain just cut to get down to 23:
Navas
Negredo
Llorente
Carvajal
Thiago Alcantara
Any one of those guys are better than probably at least half of the teams' in the WC's best player.
Talk about embarrassment of riches.
Definitely a thing of beauty. That said, I'm quite concerned with all of the possession and scoring opportunities Turkey had in the first half.
Where did they get this officiating crew? Man, they make Howard Webb and friends in the EPL look fairly competent.
Defense was super shaky but Turkey is a legit offensive, arguably World Cup caliber opponent. That will serve as a good reference for Jurgy and co.
We attacked well. A lot to be excited about I think.
Let's see the same thing against Nigeria now with a steadier back line!
We attacked well. A lot to be excited about I think.
Let's see the same thing against Nigeria now with a steadier back line!
The defense has areas to improve but it was just mental lapse.
The front third needs to finish a little better. Granted either Julian or Clint's foul is a PK. Jozy needs to be more trigger happy around goal.
Overall a solid performance. I think Beckerman has improved as a player.
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The front third needs to finish a little better. Granted either Julian or Clint's foul is a PK. Jozy needs to be more trigger happy around goal.
Overall a solid performance. I think Beckerman has improved as a player.
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Just a little reminder for all of you who picked Germany (or any other Euro side): In all previous six times the WC has been held in the Western Hemisphere, a South American team has won.
I like Germany better than Brazil but Brazil at home is going to be tough to beat. Plus, Brazil finally has a really good squad after a few down years by their standard. The defense and midfield for them is pretty sick. I think the winner will come from this group of four: Brazil, Germany, Spain, Argentina(only because they will have massive fan support in Brazil).
Any doubt that that Starting 11 vs Nigeria should be our Starting 11 vs Ghana?
Not for me.
The Beckerman/Jones double pivot was very effective and Michael Bradley was nails as he was freed up to create.
That said, Nigeria was awful. I wouldn't be surprised if they get 0 points in their group. I hoped for a stiffer test.
Not for me.
The Beckerman/Jones double pivot was very effective and Michael Bradley was nails as he was freed up to create.
That said, Nigeria was awful. I wouldn't be surprised if they get 0 points in their group. I hoped for a stiffer test.
I understand the push for Beckerman because how much he has worked, but at times he makes bone headed passes and suspect possession. I like putting him and Jones behind Bradley, but he will have to clean it up if we hope to get points out of Ghana or Portugal.
I liked the patient counter attacks and team defense that squashed most of their deep penetrations. I thought the commentators nailed it with Beasley on the edge in the back did give that speed and attack potential on the outside that we didn't have with Chandler.
I liked the patient counter attacks and team defense that squashed most of their deep penetrations. I thought the commentators nailed it with Beasley on the edge in the back did give that speed and attack potential on the outside that we didn't have with Chandler.
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