Post: #76

Reports that Luis Suarez might be out of the tournament but seems to be touch and go- he's having some minor surgery.

I think Italy and France could do quite well, Italy have a more youthful side than recent tournaments and France have some talent if only they can stop fighting with each other.

Post: #77

Hopefully Luis Suarez will play. Sucks that Falcao won't be 100%. Fun times ahead!

Post: #78

(05-22-2014 08:13 PM)JJ Roberts Wrote:  Surprised to see Donavan left out of the US WC squad.

Post: #79

^ That can't be real.

Post: #80

(05-23-2014 12:46 AM)draguer Wrote:  ^ That can't be real.

It's not, but this is:

Quote:Jurgen Klinsmann's Son Deletes Twitter Account After Laughing at Landon Donovan

Post: #81

If Suarez doesn't make the World Cup, England will breathe a huge sigh of relief, and have a good chance to get out of the group stage but chances are, they will get complacent.

Post: #82

Anyone ever noticed that England only ever play well against the big teams?

Pretty cool - for some reason they only ever get themselves motivated for the big games.

I have followed England since 1990 - and they have given a good account of themselves in every match they have played against a big team. And could easily have the won the games they lost.

And I include the 4-1 defeat to Germany in the last world cup.

See my analysis here:

/thread-23589-...#pid582452

Post: #83

(05-23-2014 01:49 PM)cardguy Wrote:  And I include the 4-1 defeat to Germany in the last world cup.

See my analysis here:

/thread-23589-...#pid582452

The oddest thing about that game is that 2 of Germany's goals were scored by Polish players.

Germany and France are always the worst about strengthening their teams by using foreign players.

Post: #84

Another odd thing about the German goals - is that one of them came with a direct assist from the goalkeeper!

Post: #85

(05-23-2014 02:30 PM)cardguy Wrote:  Another odd thing about the German goals - is that one of them came with a direct assist from the goalkeeper!

That was just bad defending.

Post: #86

Big mistake to leave Donovan off the team IMO. He is better than several guys that made the roster. Even if he wasn't he should still make the team for his experience and veteran leadership

Post: #87

The Swiss team is about 80% Slavs, albaniansa and Turks
Also all the German-Americans on the is team were spawned by African American servicemen. They sure loved their fräulein back in the 90s

Post: #88

Only one week to go - psyched!

Watched the England friendly yesterday. Once again we totally failed to look like world beaters. I think we will struggle to get out of own group. I think we have maybe a 50/50 chance of getting to the knockout stage at best.

Post: #89

The Australian team is basically former Yugoslavia

Post: #90

It's funny that China and India never make the World Cup. 2.5 billion people collectively, but not a single World Cup team between them.

Post: #91

India is obsessed with cricket

Post: #92

(05-22-2014 08:27 PM)draguer Wrote:  Reports that Luis Suarez might be out of the tournament but seems to be touch and go- he's having some minor surgery.

is that karma from the last world cup game against Ghana when he got that red card for using his hand inside the net ?

Post: #93

(05-19-2014 07:05 PM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  What's the name of that girl singing in Spanish wearing the green dress in the coca cola song? She's sexy!

Her name is Paty Cantu, from Mexico. She's an up and coming singer in Mexico. She's sexy as hell.

Post: #94

Classy move by Fabregas shanking that penalty versus El Salvador in the friendly.

Post: #95

England could not even break down 10 man Honduras.

I doubt Italy are quaking in their boots.

Post: #96

Brazil will crash and burn, causing riots.

I support US (homeland), Russia (ancestry), and Africa (underdogs and I like Africa), but I think Germany will win.

Post: #97

(06-05-2014 12:55 PM)Que enspastic Wrote:  It's funny that China and India never make the World Cup. 2.5 billion people collectively, but not a single World Cup team between them.

China has been to a World Cup.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002_FIFA_W...fied_teams

Post: #98

Good preaparation match for France against a very weak opposition, Jamaica 8-0. The Jamaica team looked like a 4th Division team in France. Good for the moral for the French players before leaving for Brasil tomorrow where we'll face Honduras next Sunday in the first match of the group stage.

I don't follow at all the Jamaica team so have no idea if this is the real level of the team (which I hope not!)?

Post: #99

(06-08-2014 04:04 PM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  Good preaparation match for France against a very weak opposition, Jamaica 8-0. The Jamaica team looked like a 4th Division team in France. Good for the moral for the French players before leaving for Brasil tomorrow where we'll face Honduras next Sunday in the first match of the group stage.

I don't follow at all the Jamaica team so have no idea if this is the real level of the team (which I hope not!)?

Excelsior will come and give us some input.

Putain de Griezmann!

Post: #100

(06-07-2014 08:37 PM)Excelsior Wrote:  

(06-05-2014 12:55 PM)Que enspastic Wrote:  It's funny that China and India never make the World Cup. 2.5 billion people collectively, but not a single World Cup team between them.

China has been to a World Cup.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002_FIFA_W...fied_teams

Ok so China have made it once. They didn't score a goal and finished on -9 goal difference after three matches. China, the same country that is absolutely devastating in the Olympics and devotes vast sums of money to win Gold.

Second greatest economic power, biggest population (roughly Uruguay's population x400).

Do you ever wonder why they are not qualifying for the World Cup on a regular basis?

I recall a good Economist article proferring an explanation.