World Cup thread - Sat 14th June

[Marvin]

Personally I was not shocked by Spain's defeat against Holland.

Really? I am surprised.

Brazil had thumped them just last year. Barcelona had a trophiless season and Bayern got thumped by Madrid. Spain would still be formidable if they gave the new generation a chance, but they are playing the old style.

Xavi's decline and the loss of their insane pressing means their high line is suicidal against teams with fast attackers. Xavi's decline means they cannot dominate possession in dangerous areas as effectively and the lack of insane pressing means other teams have time to pick out balls over the top.

EDIT

I am by no means saying Spain are rubbish, just past their best and their style makes them susceptible to thrashings. The Chile game is going to be fantastic.

Agree with this.

Del Bosque should have seen this coming. Should have put some fresh blood in the team months back - it's not as if they have not got alternative players

Still a very talented group though. 50/50 if they can beat Chile. Chile give you a chance the way they play

 

[nobody can eat fifty eggs]

Greece 1 Colombia 1
England 0 Italy 0
Uruguay 2 Costa Rica 1

Going with this. Should have some draws today

Looks about right to me too, maybe 1-0 to Italy IMO.

 

[nijinsky's fetlocks]

Colombia 1 Greece 0
England 2 Italy 0
Uruguay 2 Costa Rica 0.

 

[JoeMercer'sWay]

isn't Ivory Coast/Japan at 2am tomorrow morning? might as well keep that in this thread?

 

[Unknown_Genius]

I reckon Colombia will flop, Falcao is a massive loss and their manager seems adamant to not start Jackson Martinez, add to that Greece don't concede many. I expect a tight game in the first game today, 1-0 either way or 1-1.

I feel everyone is underestimating Costa Rica, they have some dangerous players, like Joel Campbell, but I still expect Uruguay to put 3 past them.

Then theres England, hoping for a win, all will depend on team selection, Sturridge has to start up top, Sterling needs to start out wide but I think he'll start Welbeck so expecting a big role from Sterling off the bench, we need to flood the midfield, stop Pirlo giving us the run around.

Colombia still have Bacca, Ramos, and Gutierrez, all good strikers, plus James Rodriguez. They still look formidable even without Falcao. Costa Rica are alright, but Oviedo and Saborio are big losses.

 

[Barcon]

Today's games:

Colombia v Greece
Uruguay v Costa Rica
England v Italy

We can add Japan v Ivory coast on this side of the pond.
Quick question, is the clock wrong on the site? It keeps showing that I'm four hours behind when it should be five.

 

[MCFC1993]

I reckon Colombia will flop, Falcao is a massive loss and their manager seems adamant to not start Jackson Martinez, add to that Greece don't concede many. I expect a tight game in the first game today, 1-0 either way or 1-1.

I feel everyone is underestimating Costa Rica, they have some dangerous players, like Joel Campbell, but I still expect Uruguay to put 3 past them.

Then theres England, hoping for a win, all will depend on team selection, Sturridge has to start up top, Sterling needs to start out wide but I think he'll start Welbeck so expecting a big role from Sterling off the bench, we need to flood the midfield, stop Pirlo giving us the run around.

Colombia still have Bacca, Ramos, and Gutierrez, all good strikers, plus James Rodriguez. They still look formidable even without Falcao. Costa Rica are alright, but Oviedo and Saborio are big losses.

I like the look of Bacca looked good for Sevilla in the Europa League, to be honest Colombias biggest danger man in my opinion is Cuadrado, but I watched one of their friendlies and without Falcao they lack penetration, something they'll need to break open Greece today I think, they should however and probably will get out of the group but can't see them going past the last 16.

 

[MCFC1993]

Today's games:

Colombia v Greece
Uruguay v Costa Rica
England v Italy

We can add Japan v Ivory coast on this side of the pond.
Quick question, is the clock wrong on the site? It keeps showing that I'm four hours behind when it should be five.

Yes its 1 hour behind UK time.

 

[Barcon]

Today's games:

Colombia v Greece
Uruguay v Costa Rica
England v Italy

We can add Japan v Ivory coast on this side of the pond.
Quick question, is the clock wrong on the site? It keeps showing that I'm four hours behind when it should be five.

Yes its 1 hour behind UK time.

Cheers. Thought I was loosing my mind the past couple of weeks.

 

[MCFC1993]

Colombia:
Ospina - Armero - Yepes - Zapata - Zuniga - Sanchez - Aguilar - Ibarbo - Rodriguez - Cuadrado - Gutierrez

Greece:
Karnezis - Holebas - Sokratis - Manolas - Torisidis - Kone - Maniatis - Samaras - Katsouranis - Salpingidis - Gekas

So no Martinez as expected, got a feeling they'll need him at some point though. Sokratis is key for Greece, Cuadrado danger man for Colombia.