The World Cup 2014 Thread

[Pooky 3,787]

I think FIFA is corrupt and manipulating the games to get their desired match ups.

Or, in other words, the seeding is working out nicely.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Or, in other words, the seeding is working out nicely.

I think the referees have made some bad calls. Or course I'll never understand the fouls anyway. I saw a couple of dives in the Netherlands game, at least it appeared that way from my viewpoint.

[Pooky 3,787]

I think the referees have made some bad calls. Or course I'll never understand the fouls anyway. I saw a couple of dives in the Netherlands game, at least it appeared that way from my viewpoint.

I have seen submarines be less obvious about the diving.

Arjun Robben even admitted to it. Still, there are few teams that don't have players who do that.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

I have seen submarines be less obvious about the diving.

Arjun Robben even admitted to it. Still, there are few teams that don't have players who do that.

And the winning goal is scored on a penalty kick due to his acting. You're right about the acting, I was surprised to see the German's do it today. From my observations, it seems more common in the Central/South American teams than it does in Europe and Africa.

[Boiler 45,541]

All the results in the last 16 have been as expected, did not think Germany would need extra time.

The only game I was not sure of is US Belgium, should be Belgium but the only one I have doubts about.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

All the results in the last 16 have been as expected, did not think Germany would need extra time.

The only game I was not sure of is US Belgium, should be Belgium but the only one I have doubts about.

What do you think about Brazil vs Columbia and Argentina vs Switzerland?

[Boiler 45,541]

I like to take it round by round, Argentina have problems at the back, but would be surprised if Messi does not not bring them through.

I will go with Brazil, Germany, Dutch, Argentina for the next round. Brazil is the one I am least sure about.

There have been a lot of surprises this year, bad defenses but good goal keepers.

Germany Holland final.

But I would not be surprised if it was Brazil Argentina. Going to be close.

Or Columbia Holland?

Edited July 1, 2014 by Boiler

[spookyturtle 9,466]

I like to take it round by round, Argentina have problems at the back, but would be surprised if Messi does not not bring them through.

I will go with Brazil, Germany, Dutch, Argentina for the next round. Brazil is the one I am least sure about.

There have been a lot of surprises this year, bad defenses but good goal keepers.

Germany Holland final.

But I would not be surprised if it was Brazil Argentina. Going to be close.

Or Columbia Holland?

I think that Mexico and Chile goalies did a great job at keeping them in the game. They made some great saves under lots of pressure. But you can't defend against attacks like that for 90 minutes. That will be the US downfall, IMO, playing defense for most of the game due to a weak attack. But regardless, anything can happen and I hope the US can come up with a win. My wife is from Brazil and she like many of her countrymen and women are worried that Brazil depends too much on Neymar. I think they have a solid defense and the goalie isn't bad, but is it enough? I hope so, I don't want here moping around for days if they lose.

[Boiler 45,541]

Did amuse me he is not even number one for QPR!

I agree that defending for so long is a risky business, depends whether Belgium play to their potential, they have not so far, and they are not Germany.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Did amuse me he is not even number one for QPR!

I agree that defending for so long is a risky business, depends whether Belgium play to their potential, they have not so far, and they are not Germany.

I'm a n00b, what is QPR and who is not number one for QPR?

[Boiler 45,541]

Julio Cesar

Queens Park Rangers.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Julio Cesar

Queens Park Rangers.

Thank you. I have much to learn. I also don't understand these transfer fees and how teams hold rights to players and sell the rights to other teams etc. It seems quite different than what I am familiar with in US sports.

[GurkenSalat 48]

And the winning goal is scored on a penalty kick due to his acting. You're right about the acting, I was surprised to see the German's do it today. From my observations, it seems more common in the Central/South American teams than it does in Europe and Africa.

The Spanish have won entire tournaments doing that! And the Italians do it too. The way I see it, Germany and the Netherlands do it the LEAST, but they still have people who do it. It's going to be part of the game until they make video replays available to the refs. An annoying part of the game, at that!

[spookyturtle 9,466]

The Spanish have won entire tournaments doing that! And the Italians do it too. The way I see it, Germany and the Netherlands do it the LEAST, but they still have people who do it. It's going to be part of the game until they make video replays available to the refs. An annoying part of the game, at that!

I'm a n00b to this sport, and I find the acting and drama idiotic at times. Some of the acting is bad that they don't even grab the correct body part that was barely touched while writhing in agony on the ground. A few seconds later his is up and running at full speed. I imagine those kicks to the ankles hurt and some of it is intentional.

[OnMyWayID 1,489]

Was curious about the viewing stats on these games in the US compared to previous world cups and stumbled upon this fact about the women's world cup held in the US in 1999 which I thought was pretty amazing:

On July 10, the US Women played China in the final of the 1999 Women’s World Cup. A record number of 90,185 people were in attendance at the Rose Bowl for the match, the largest crowd to ever watch a women’s soccer game or a women’s-only sporting event in the history of the world. It was also the most watched soccer game in the US, including any men’s World Cup matches. 40 million people watched the game live on ABC, garnering higher ratings than the finals for both professional hockey and basketball.

Edited July 1, 2014 by OnMyWayID