Football World Cup 2014

And I've learned a new word today...Stramash...

"Scottish term describing a moment of disorder involving several individuals. usually occurring at taxi ranks, q's at the brew office or in the six yard box moments before every goal scored by Glasgow Rangers.

"you missed a stramash of epic proportions when the walaper tried to jump the taxi q and those two boys went bush!"

 

skully wrote:Looks like the free flowing play off the pool games has made way for very cautious defensive tactics. Shame.

But well done to the Argies on making the Quarters.

Well, only this one and the first half of a couple of the others were dull. There haven't been lots of goals but most of the teams have had a go.

Cheers beams.

Absolute humdinger of a match between the Yanks and the Belgians. Belgium should've smashed them, but they've been so lazy in front of goal, full of arrogance. Tim Howard being the clear man of the match says it all.

But a huge word for the Americans, they've been so tenacious and tireless. Really sharp on the break, they never stopped giving it a go. Made for a total barnstormer. DeAndre Yedlin looks a real prospect.

Couldn't finish their dinner. Fair play to the Seppos. At least the Belgians showed urgency for more than 10 minutes this match. And Lukaku wasn't completely invisible either...

Did Hazard do anything worthwhile? And Alderwiereld from the second half onwards was a worry

Can we give them a left-back as a swap for one of their right-backs?

Best we've seen from Belgium but they missed their chances and the Yanks held on for so long, then almost got themselves back into it. A bit like Algeria last night, although the African side actually had the better chances for much of the game. All the favourites through in this round (though not sure who was favourite of Costa Rica/Greece really) but none of them with any comfort really, the underdogs won't go quietly.

tricycle wrote:Couldn't finish their dinner. Fair play to the Seppos. At least the Belgians showed urgency for more than 10 minutes this match. And Lukaku wasn't completely invisible either...

Did Hazard do anything worthwhile? And Alderwiereld from the second half onwards was a worry

Hazard was out of position for 65 minutes - yet he still got a lot of the ball. He basically FIGJAMmed his way all around the pitch like a haughty posho. Before this kick off, I'd have said that Belgium would cream Argentina. Not so sure now.

Yeah, especially if di Maria can be arsed (as Messi will definitely be). Could proper f*ck the "full backs". The centre looks decent.

Still, quarter finals after such a long layoff from international tournaments is a fair effort, although the hype surrounding them was way over the top.

Congrats to the Americans for taking somewhat limited skills a long way, and even more, for what Danny said.

In fact, if they'd started with the team they ended with, they might well have won. Even better, if they had three stronger players in key positions, I'd have backed them to go on and beat Argentina too. (Jones, for example, wasted possession after possession. Dempsey contributed very little, perhaps knackered. Zusi (sp?) might do a passable imitation of Steven Seagal, but he was a hazard to his team.)

Belgium had the stars, brightest of all the redoubtable Kompany, but I'm not sure about them. They don't click as a team, or haven't so far. (btw Fellaini was terrible.)


But a good 90 minutes, and a thrilling 30, despite variable quality on show.

So all the Group winners have gone through to the QFs. That can't have happened too often before.

The best team for me so far is the Frogs. But they are likely to lose to the Huns.

First time ever since going to 8 groups I believe Mr K

Well done to the Red Devils.

PeterCS wrote:Congrats to the Americans for taking somewhat limited skills a long way, and even more, for what Danny said.

In fact, if they'd started with the team they ended with, they might well have won. Even better, if they had three stronger players in key positions, I'd have backed them to go on and beat Argentina too. (Jones, for example, wasted possession after possession. Dempsey contributed very little, perhaps knackered. Zusi (sp?) might do a passable imitation of Steven Seagal, but he was a hazard to his team.)

Belgium had the stars, brightest of all the redoubtable Kompany, but I'm not sure about them. They don't click as a team, or haven't so far. (btw Fellaini was terrible.)


But a good 90 minutes, and a thrilling 30, despite variable quality on show.

Got to disagree there, Pete. While the USA showed endeavour and were great to watch, Belgium were the better side by a distance apart from the last ten minutes where they tried defending their 2-0 lead... quite poorly.

Agree about Belgium. Only showed up in very short bursts. Luckily been enough to see them win their matches each time. Will be interesting to see what they do with Origi and Lukaku for the next match.

That's the thing with Belgium, they've looked comfortable without every looking brilliant. Whereas, say, Argentina have looked totally dire apart from Messi and Mascherano (and maybe a fit Aguero). If Belgium did actually click, they could be pretty scary.

So, in descending order, who I think are the most likely winners:

1. Brazil
2. Germany
3. Netherlands
4. Argentina
5. France
6. Belgium
7. Colombia
8. Costa Rica

And who I'd personally like to win it:

1. Colombia
2. Costa Rica
3. Belgium
4. Brazil (for sentimental reasons only)
5. France
6. Germany (if they earn it, well okay)
7. Argentina (if it was 11 Messis, would be position 2)
8. Netherlands


Comparing the lists - no wonder watching football can be exasperating.

I am hoping for France, followed by the hosts and the country I once tried to snort

Henry wrote:I will be going to four games. All of the Natal group games, and a round of 16 game in Recife. I'm currently in La Paz, Bolivia, having been in Chile last week, as the road to Rio continues.

posted 4 weeks ago....nought since....hope the young fella is having a good time and just dancing around with a bowl of fruit on his noggin

He went to the Costa Rica v Greece game - would have been brilliant tension.  Good time to be a neutral!

embee wrote:

Wrong thread.

doesnt need a spoiler in this thread

Seven Germans hit by flu ahead of France clash.

Have they been letting on-purpose lurgied French lasses into their dorms??

Red wrote:Seven Germans hit by flu ahead of France clash.

They're bluffing.