FIFA World Cup 2014

[Vercetti42]

I haven't really come across any passionate international football fans over here.

Really? Everyone in my school were shell shocked with Brazil's loss. And I was the only one happy about it ha ha. Still makes me feel a bit happy that I rooted (note, I said ROOTED) for a team that didn't have a chance of winning the WC. (Belgium)

 

But committing suicide over this is stupid, especially if it isn't your country. At the end of the day it's just a sport, you can't expect Brazil to keep on winning.

Edited July 11, 2014 by Vercetti42

[Kampioen]

 

On a not entirely unrelated note, a Nepali girl committed suicide because Brazil lost. I'm not quite sure how I feel about this. On one hand, I feel it's a little too much to kill yourself over a team belonging to a country that has got nothing to do with you. But then again, I passionately support a club that is not situated in my country so I can understand the emotion. Still, it's weird because I haven't really come across any passionate international football fans over here. There's more emotion involved in club matches than international ones.

 

What's your take on this?

 

I still can't understand how some people support a country that's not theirs. I am not talking about a football club but your OWN country.

 

 

It's because their own country wasn't qualified.

[Hodgey.]

On a not entirely unrelated note, a Nepali girl committed suicide because Brazil lost. I'm not quite sure how I feel about this. On one hand, I feel it's a little too much to kill yourself over a team belonging to a country that has got nothing to do with you. But then again, I passionately support a club that is not situated in my country so I can understand the emotion. Still, it's weird because I haven't really come across any passionate international football fans over here. There's more emotion involved in club matches than international ones.

 

What's your take on this?

 

Good job all England fans dont do this as there would only be about 150 of us left.

[SouthLand]

 

 

On a not entirely unrelated note, a Nepali girl committed suicide because Brazil lost. I'm not quite sure how I feel about this. On one hand, I feel it's a little too much to kill yourself over a team belonging to a country that has got nothing to do with you. But then again, I passionately support a club that is not situated in my country so I can understand the emotion. Still, it's weird because I haven't really come across any passionate international football fans over here. There's more emotion involved in club matches than international ones.

 

What's your take on this?

 

I still can't understand how some people support a country that's not theirs. I am not talking about a football club but your OWN country.

 

 

It's because their own country wasn't qualified.

 

 

So what? I have friends in Andorra that support their national team even if they know they are never going to qualify

[Doc Rikowski]

FIFA/UEFA should do a WC qualifying group with Andorra, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, San Marino, Far Oer, Malta and Cyprus. Make some small country happy for a change.

[Jimbatron]

Argentina = Messi

Germany = Best team this World Cup

 

Fourth star for the Germans it is.

The last bit may well happen, but sorry, I disagree with the rest.

 

Germany won comfortably against France, Portugal and Brazil because the opposition did not turn up. In the latter case, the score line is more of a reflection of the opposition being all over the place defensively. The Germans have always been good at pouncing on the oppositions mistakes, but they've struggled to break down organised defences from teams that are not the best. Look at the games against the USA, Ghana, and Algeria.

 

One drubbing doesn't make you a great team.

 

Similarly, when England thrashed them 1-5 in Munich it had much more to do with Lothar Mattheus being old, slow, and repeatedly playing Michael Owen on side, rather than us being an amazing team. They were so awful, even Emile Heskey was able to get on the score sheet, which sums up the point perfectly.

 

There been lots of football that's been good to watch, but there hasn't been a truly great team at this World Cup. Not on a par with Spain in 2010 or Brazil in 2002, anyway. Germany have had an easy ride because the key opponents mentioned above have been having a bad day.

Edited July 11, 2014 by Jimbatron

[Der_Don]

 

Argentina = Messi

Germany = Best team this World Cup

 

Fourth star for the Germans it is.

The last bit may well happen, but sorry, I disagree with the rest.

 

Germany won comfortably against France, Portugal and Brazil because the opposition did not turn up. In the latter case, the score line is more of a reflection of the opposition being all over the place defensively. The Germans have always been good at pouncing on the oppositions mistakes, but they've struggled to break down organised defences from teams that are not the best. Look at the games against the USA, Ghana, and Algeria.

 

One drubbing doesn't make you a great team.

 

Similarly, when England thrashed them 1-5 in Munich it had much more to do with Lothar Mattheus being old, slow, and repeatedly playing Michael Owen on side, rather than us being an amazing team.

 

There been lots of football that's been good to watch, but there hasn't been a truly great team at this World Cup. Not on a par with Spain in 2010 or Brazil in 2002, anyway. Germany have had an easy ride because the key opponents mentioned above have been having a bad day.

 

The only thing Raavi said is that Germany is the best team THIS World Cup. Name me one team that was better so far.

[Jimbatron]

^ the statement was too emphatic for my liking. As I said, there isn't a standout team IMHO. Germany are one of the best, but not out in front for me. Care to disagree Germany have had an easy ride?

[Hodgey.]

 

 

Argentina = Messi

Germany = Best team this World Cup

 

Fourth star for the Germans it is.

The last bit may well happen, but sorry, I disagree with the rest.

 

Germany won comfortably against France, Portugal and Brazil because the opposition did not turn up. In the latter case, the score line is more of a reflection of the opposition being all over the place defensively. The Germans have always been good at pouncing on the oppositions mistakes, but they've struggled to break down organised defences from teams that are not the best. Look at the games against the USA, Ghana, and Algeria.

 

One drubbing doesn't make you a great team.

 

Similarly, when England thrashed them 1-5 in Munich it had much more to do with Lothar Mattheus being old, slow, and repeatedly playing Michael Owen on side, rather than us being an amazing team.

 

There been lots of football that's been good to watch, but there hasn't been a truly great team at this World Cup. Not on a par with Spain in 2010 or Brazil in 2002, anyway. Germany have had an easy ride because the key opponents mentioned above have been having a bad day.

 

 

The only thing Raavi said is that Germany is the best team THIS World Cup. Name me one team that was better so far.

 

Honduras. That's right I owned all yall muthaf*cka's.

[Der_Don]

^ the statement was too emphatic for my liking. As I said, there isn't a standout team IMHO. Germany are one of the best, but not out in front for me. Care to disagree Germany have had an easy ride?

We played Brazil on their home soil in the semis and France in the quarters. Plus our group was regarded by some as the Group of death. So what exactly would be a "hard" ride? Your opponent is always as strong as you let him be.

[Jimbatron]

 

 

^ the statement was too emphatic for my liking. As I said, there isn't a standout team IMHO. Germany are one of the best, but not out in front for me. Care to disagree Germany have had an easy ride?

We played Brazil on their home soil in the semis and France in the quarters. Plus our group was regarded by some as the Group of death. So what exactly would be a "hard" ride? Your opponent is always as strong as you let him be. I agree historically you'd look at it and think it was difficult, but the names have been deceptive.

 

All the pundits agree it is the worst Brazil team in living memory - and they were saying that before the knockout stage. You don't have to be an expert to see that their defending was all over the place in the semis. Add to the fact their best two players were out.

 

Christiano Ronaldo admitted himself the Portugal team was the weakest he'd played in. Muller had to play act to get Pepe sent off, very cynically so, which distorted the score line. Low punching his fist a the red card was a disgrace.

 

France were average in the quarter finals, but again it was not exactly a crushing victory.

 

You can tell yourself that Brazils collapse was down to German brilliance rather than their incompetence, but what does a draw with Ghana, ranked 37th in the World, and who didn't make it out of the group suggest?

Edited July 11, 2014 by Jimbatron

[Kampioen]

 

 

 

On a not entirely unrelated note, a Nepali girl committed suicide because Brazil lost. I'm not quite sure how I feel about this. On one hand, I feel it's a little too much to kill yourself over a team belonging to a country that has got nothing to do with you. But then again, I passionately support a club that is not situated in my country so I can understand the emotion. Still, it's weird because I haven't really come across any passionate international football fans over here. There's more emotion involved in club matches than international ones.

 

What's your take on this?

 

I still can't understand how some people support a country that's not theirs. I am not talking about a football club but your OWN country.

 

 

It's because their own country wasn't qualified.

 

 

So what? I have friends in Andorra that support their national team even if they know they are never going to qualify

 

 

They can't support them in the world cup though, because they're not playing in thw world cup.

[Der_Don]

 

 

^ the statement was too emphatic for my liking. As I said, there isn't a standout team IMHO. Germany are one of the best, but not out in front for me. Care to disagree Germany have had an easy ride?

We played Brazil on their home soil in the semis and France in the quarters. Plus our group was regarded by some as the Group of death. So what exactly would be a "hard" ride? Your opponent is always as strong as you let him be.

I agree historically you'd look at it and think it was difficult, but the names have been deceptive.

 

All the pundits agree it is the worst Brazil team in living memory - and they were saying that before the knockout stage. You don't have to be an expert to see that their defending was all over the place in the semis. Add to the fact their best two players were out.

 

Christiano Ronaldo admitted himself the Portugal team was the weakest he'd played in. Muller had to play act to get Pepe sent off, very cynically so, which distorted the score line. Low punching his fist a the red card was a disgrace.

 

France were average in the quarter finals, but again it was not exactly a crushing victory.

 

You can tell yourself that Brazils collapse was down to German brilliance rather than their incompetence, but what does a draw with Ghana, ranked 37th in the World, and who didn't make it out of the group suggest?

 

Honestly, I have no clue what exactly you are aiming at with this discussion. I did never say this German team is the greatest team to ever have played in a WC. Yet it is the best team in this tournament so far. And you have always have ups and downs in a tournament. Good games against one team are followed by mediocre games against other teams.

[Hodgey.]

 

 

 

 

On a not entirely unrelated note, a Nepali girl committed suicide because Brazil lost. I'm not quite sure how I feel about this. On one hand, I feel it's a little too much to kill yourself over a team belonging to a country that has got nothing to do with you. But then again, I passionately support a club that is not situated in my country so I can understand the emotion. Still, it's weird because I haven't really come across any passionate international football fans over here. There's more emotion involved in club matches than international ones.

 

What's your take on this?

 

I still can't understand how some people support a country that's not theirs. I am not talking about a football club but your OWN country.

 

It's because their own country wasn't qualified.

 

So what? I have friends in Andorra that support their national team even if they know they are never going to qualify

 

They can't support them in the world cup though, because they're not playing in thw world cup.

 

I feel the same as Southland.

 

When England failed to qualify for the Euros in 2008 I didn't support anyone else because England didn't make it. I still watched the tournament but it's not like I cared who won it, I had teams I'd rather didn't win it but I didn't have teams that I rooted for. As for me I support England (Sometimes Wales as my grandad's Welsh) but I would never support Spain, France, Belgium etc though.

Edited July 11, 2014 by Hodgey.

[Jimbatron]

@Der_Don Given what I've said above, I'm not sure how you say they are the best team? The Netherlands and Argentina might not have scored as many goals, but they haven't encountered a defence made out of Swiss cheese. Winning doesn't make you the best team automatically.

 

The only reason people have been praising Germany is because of the Brazil game. In the context of history, it sounds amazing, but I would argue it is the quality of the South Americans that is the anomaly here.

Edited July 11, 2014 by Jimbatron

[Doc Rikowski]

As sh*tty as Brazil may have played in the semifinal I wouldn't dare saying the win had little to do with Germany's superiority.
Everyone before the semifinal was still considering Brazil at least 50/50 favorite against Germany.
Even Mourinho, just to quote one guy who breaths football every day, said before the match he was expecting Brazil to win the Cup.
Same goes for France and Portugal. Now they look weak but before or during the Cup the opinions were quite different.
USA, Algeria and Ghana are all decent teams and certainly not easy opponents like some others met by other semifinalists in group stage or knock out stage.
So overall Germany played very well so far and imposed its game to all type of opponents.

I'm sorry but I see Spain in 2010 not on par with Germany in 2014.
Spain had weak opponents during the whole WC and won all matches by 1 goal scored usually after 70m minimum.
On top of that in the semifinal Portugal played way better and Spain passed at penalties.

[Eutyphro]

It is true that Brazil was overrated, but I knew that before they lost. I was actually surprised they got this far. Germany's win was because of their amazing football though, that was clear to see.

Edited July 11, 2014 by gtaxpert

[Jimbatron]

We were watching a different game. Brazils defenders were all over the place, they weren't closing down the man with the ball, or tracking back the other men - they were literally running into space where there was no threat. They also conceded possession cheaply from kick off.

 

Germany were typically clinical in finishing, which does take skill, but most of their opportunities were gifted to them. They didn't unlock Brazil with amazing passes, the door was left open for them. The opener Muller had a free header. At this level that's just bad defending.

 

@Doc winning by big margins does not make you a great team, nor is 1-0 a sign you are just average. Big defeats are more often a sign of bad defending these days. That Spain team won three tournaments on the bounce. They are past it now, but it will be at least 2018 before Germany can say the same.

Edited July 11, 2014 by Jimbatron

[Der_Don]

Germany were typically clinical in finishing, which does take skill, but most of their opportunities were gifted to them. They didn't unlock Brazil with amazing passes, the door was left open for them. The opener Muller had a free header. At this level that's just bad defending.

So Argentina would have scored 7 goals aswell?

[Jimbatron]

Who knows? Perhaps more, perhaps less.

 

The German finishing was clinical and that must be respected, but my entire point was I think too heavy a praise is been placed on a victory that was gifted by abysmal defending. Whether they won by 5-2 or 10-1, most if not all teams who reached the quarter finals would have beaten Brazil comfortably that day.

 

If you took out that one game, would people be saying Germany were the best team? I doubt it. So then you have to ask was it more Germany's brilliance or Brazils poor organisation. For me it's clearly the latter. They are one of the best I agree, but there's not as much in it as people make out

Edited July 11, 2014 by Jimbatron

[johnny_zoo]

winning by big margins does not make you a great team, nor is 1-0 a sign you are just average. Big defeats are more often a sign of bad defending these days. That Spain team won three tournaments on the bounce. They are past it now, but it will be at least 2018 before Germany can say the same.

 

Thats unfair to take away Germany's win as 'great'. I agree winning by margins doesn't necessarily make you great IF you beat a team ranked 200th in the world then it would be a what-do-you-expect-scenario. But Germany were playing Brazil ranked in the top 5 teams in the world. It's not their fault that Brazil displayed bad defending. If Germany can't beat them by 7 and be called great then when can you?

 

I think Germany were great regardless of how many chances Brazil gave them and (or) threw away (which they did). They took those chances and put almost all of them in the net.

Edited July 11, 2014 by johnny_zoo

[Eutyphro]

Germany played such effective, simple and beautiful football against Brazil, and if you are unable to see that then you have failed understanding. Sure Brazil was unorganized without Thiago Silva and with Marcelo who kept running around, but Germany played the best football seen in this tournament. Schweinsteiger, Kroos, Khedira, Muller... They were amazing. It looked easy, because they have an incredibly talented squad.They have so much more quality than any other team in the world cup. The only team that could have matched them in quality is Spain, but they weren't fit.

Sure Germany struggled in some matches, but they've switched around players, especially in their back four, for the better. They grew into the tournament, and against Brazil it all came together. Rarely a team completely destroys every single opponent in a world cup. It is better to grow into it and then peak. Germany destroyed every opponent in 2010, but then chocked in the semi final.

[Hodgey.]

 

Germany were typically clinical in finishing, which does take skill, but most of their opportunities were gifted to them. They didn't unlock Brazil with amazing passes, the door was left open for them. The opener Muller had a free header. At this level that's just bad defending.

 

So Argentina would have scored 7 goals aswell?

 

They would of scored 8, not like you boring Germans who could only manage 7.

[Eutyphro]

They would of scored 8, not like you boring Germans who could only manage 7.

 

 

Yes.. Boring Germans. Lets be glad we have England to lighten our day with their total football. They would've scored at least 10 against Brazil.

[Jimbatron]

 

winning by big margins does not make you a great team, nor is 1-0 a sign you are just average. Big defeats are more often a sign of bad defending these days. That Spain team won three tournaments on the bounce. They are past it now, but it will be at least 2018 before Germany can say the same.

 

Thats unfair to take away Germany's win as 'great'. I agree winning by margins doesn't necessarily make you great IF you beat a team ranked 200th in the world then it would be a what-do-you-expect-scenario. But Germany were playing Brazil ranked in the top 5 teams in the world. It's not their fault that Brazil displayed bad defending. If Germany can't beat them by 7 and be called great then when can you?

 

I think Germany were great regardless of how many chances Brazil gave them and (or) threw away (which they did). They took those chances and put almost all of them in the net.

 

 

By bringing in the rankings you've just defeated you own argument. If the extent of the score line was down to their brilliance, and the rankings are at least vaguely realistic, then how come they didn't dispatch USA, Ghana and Algeria with more ease, never mind thrash them? The answer is because those teams defended with a degree of competence.

 

The Brazilian defending was non-existant. No pressure was applied to the man with the ball, and German players were allowed to run into the area un-marked. Any 2 Champions League players would be expected to complete the pass and score in these situations. It's unusual to witness such a spectacular collapse, but it's easy to understand how this happened.

 

1) Brazil were not a great team, especially by their own standards.

2) They were missing their two best players for the semis.

3) The national expectation was unimaginably high

 

Add that all up, and they simply cracked.

 

A big scoreline might grab the headlines, but a one goal margin against the Brazil team of 2002 for example would (for me) count for a lot more. Big score lines more often than not mean the other team stuffed up.

 

Don't get me wrong Germany were better than Brazil and deserved to win that game. However, I don't believe they deserve the hype they've got for it. Some people can't see past the number of goals. Outside of that game, they've had no majorly impressive performances. Portugal was a big margin, but again, they got a man sent off. They haven't actually had to face anyone with any teeth. I think the Dutch would have caused them big problems if they'd met earlier in the tournament.

 

Germany played such effective, simple and beautiful football

 

Simple and effective yes. Beautiful, no. Beautiful is Rodriguez's volley or Van Persie's header. German movement and passing is pragmatic football that gets results. The clinical execution is to be respected, or perhaps even admired, but I wouldn't go further than that.

 

 

They would of scored 8, not like you boring Germans who could only manage 7.

 

 

Yes.. Boring Germans. Lets be glad we have England to lighten our day with their total football. They would've scored at least 10 against Brazil.

 

I think I've detected a sense of humour failure here. I'm fairly certain Hodgey is having a light hearted jest. My remarks however are entirely serious. I find it quite perplexing people seem surprised to be told Germany effectively killed a lame duck in the semis.

Edited July 11, 2014 by Jimbatron

[Hodgey.]

 

They would of scored 8, not like you boring Germans who could only manage 7.

 

 

Yes.. Boring Germans. Lets be glad we have England to lighten our day with their total football. They would've scored at least 10 against Brazil.

 

Yes..... yes we would.

 

(We're counting own goals aswell right?)

Edited July 11, 2014 by Hodgey.

[Eutyphro]

 

Germany played such effective, simple and beautiful football

 

Simple and effective yes. Beautiful, no. Beautiful is Rodriguez's volley or Van Persie's header. German movement and passing is pragmatic football that gets results. The clinical execution is to be respected, or perhaps even admired, but I wouldn't go further than that.

 

The movement, the passing, the ease.. Come on. It was such classy football.. The best I've seen all tournament. Pragmatic football is what Argentina and the Netherlands played. Germany played football aimed at dominance.

 

But whatever. We'll see against Argentina.

Edited July 11, 2014 by gtaxpert

[Der_Don]

If we beat Argentina, Jimbatron will say that it was only possible because of Argentina didn't show up. If Argentina wins he will point out how brilliant that Argentinian team is.

 

 

 

Germany played such effective, simple and beautiful football

 

Simple and effective yes. Beautiful, no. Beautiful is Rodriguez's volley or Van Persie's header. German movement and passing is pragmatic football that gets results. The clinical execution is to be respected, or perhaps even admired, but I wouldn't go further than that.

 

The movement, the passing, the ease.. Come on. It was such classy football.. The best I've seen all tournament. Pragmatic football is what Argentina and the Netherlands played. Germany played football aimed at dominance.

Ssssssh, don't let common sense get in the way of someone's agenda.

[Jimbatron]

 

 

Germany played such effective, simple and beautiful football

 

Simple and effective yes. Beautiful, no. Beautiful is Rodriguez's volley or Van Persie's header. German movement and passing is pragmatic football that gets results. The clinical execution is to be respected, or perhaps even admired, but I wouldn't go further than that.

 

The movement, the passing, the ease.. Come on. It was such classy football.. The best I've seen all tournament. Pragmatic football is what Argentina and the Netherlands played. Germany played football aimed at dominance.

 

But whatever. We'll see against Argentina.

 

 

It is easy to pass if no one applies any pressure. It was good football, I agree. But beautiful, it's just not the word.

 

Unfortunately I'm not sure Argentina will give them the game I'm hoping they will. They looked a bit knackered by the end to be honest having played two matches for 120 minutes, and with one less day to recover, well it's not ideal. I wouldn't call it a travesty if Germany won it, but it would be disappointing it they did without a single big hitter putting in a strong performance against them. That said, if it was my team who gained victory in such circumstances I wouldn't complain. Speaking as a neutral though, I think it's uninspiring.

 

If we beat Argentina, Jimbatron will say that it was only possible because of Argentina didn't show up. If Argentina wins he will point out how brilliant that Argentinian team is.

 

 

 

Germany played such effective, simple and beautiful football

 

Simple and effective yes. Beautiful, no. Beautiful is Rodriguez's volley or Van Persie's header. German movement and passing is pragmatic football that gets results. The clinical execution is to be respected, or perhaps even admired, but I wouldn't go further than that.

 

The movement, the passing, the ease.. Come on. It was such classy football.. The best I've seen all tournament. Pragmatic football is what Argentina and the Netherlands played. Germany played football aimed at dominance.

Ssssssh, don't let common sense get in the way of someone's agenda.

 

Ha ha, except, the reverse could be said of you no? Whatever happens, you'll put the most positive angle on Germany you can.

 

And more to the point, I am speaking as a neutral here, I have no agenda. As I have mentioned previously, my earliest memory of international football is Diego Maradona knocking my team out with a hand-ball, so I have no pre-disposition towards Argentina. Judging by the flag in your signature I doubt you can claim to be so objective.

 

My position is as follows:

I would like to see a competitive final where both teams play well.

I have no preference for either national team over the long term, but I would like to see Messi lift the trophy as one of the all time great players.

I can't help but compare Messi to Muller. The former tries to stay on his feet whilst being kicked repeatedly. Muller rolls around on the floor to get players sent off. Personally, I put the honour and attitude of players in as high regard as their skill.

 

Incidentally, I'm quite a fan of Sebastian Vettel, who's not only a class act but also a decent bloke. I also had a preference for Germany to win in 1990 after they knocked England out on penalties, so there's no anti-German feeling here in general.

Edited July 11, 2014 by Jimbatron

[Eutyphro]

You are talking about Brazil like they were the national team of Malta. Come on..