Ultimate Football (Soccer) Thread (2013-2014)

[KoloToure]

I'm worried it will be a Brazil v Argentina final

I'm saying Brazil-Spain, but Belgium and Germany will get close. Of course, this is barring future injury and pending squad finalization.

Belgium really won't get that far. They don't have fullbacks.

[Yellow Yellow Red]

I'm worried it will be a Brazil v Argentina final

I'm saying Brazil-Spain, but Belgium and Germany will get close. Of course, this is barring future injury and pending squad finalization.

I think you may have found an even less appealing final matchup.

[Auremena]

I'm saying Brazil-Spain, but Belgium and Germany will get close. Of course, this is barring future injury and pending squad finalization.

Belgium really won't get that far. They don't have fullbacks.

The rest of the team is damn good though. Uruguay doesn't really have fullbacks either, for that matter.

[Bundabunda]

Germany-Brazil would be really cool. Technicality against flair, and there'd probably be a few goals before it all ends.

[Yellow Yellow Red]

Germany-Brazil would be really cool. Technicality against flair, and there'd probably be a few goals before it all ends.

I think I actually have Germany beating Brazil in the semis in my bracket, but a lot of that is built on wishful thinking. Yep, just checked - Germany v Brazil in one semi and Italy v Argentina in the other, with Germany beating Argentina in the final.

[Bundabunda]

It'd make for good theatrics, to see Argentina playing in a World Cup final in Brazil, against a team which lost their chance to the hosts ten years ago, but I don't think Argentina's defense can hold up to go past the semis.

Belgium's a good team, but too inexperienced. The next Euro is going to be their breakout, I can feel it. I have this weird feeling that the Dutch will sneak in to the semis somehow, but that might be wishful thinking on my part.

[Osarius]

Germany v Brazil in one semi and Italy v Argentina in the other, with Germany beating Argentina in the final.

I had Italy going out in the quarter finals... can't remember against who.
If they reach the semis and face Argentina though, they'll be in the final. To beat this Italy side, you need to control the midfield. Argentina can't do that, imo.

[The Blaatschapen]

Brazil-Italy is my guess for the final.

Spain and Germany in the semis.

I did not check if this is possible with the schedule.

Belgium in the quarter finals.

[Nierr]

Italy are a poor side comparatively to the others you mentioned (even Belgium) - I don't see them getting to the final.

[Shove Piggy Shove]

Just run through an online predictor a couple of times (http://games.espn.go.com/world-cup-brac ... 4/en/entry); came out with a Brazil-Spain final in most scenarios, with Brazil-Argentina being the other (Brazil beating Spain in the second round if Spain finish behind the Netherlands in Group B)

One scenario had Belgium making the semis, but it relies on both Belgium and Germany finishing second in their groups, which is pretty unlikely.

[KoloToure]

Belgium really won't get that far. They don't have fullbacks.

The rest of the team is damn good though. Uruguay doesn't really have fullbacks either, for that matter.

Well they don't really have a striker either - or any sort of goalscorer. Their 3 highest scorers are Van Buyten (10 in 77), Mirallas (9 in 43), and Fellaini (8 in 48). Lukaku and Benteke have a combined 11 in 45.

Uruguay, on the other hand, have Suarez and Cavani. That's the difference and that's why Belgium won't make it to the semis. They'll probably do the quarters.

[Osarius]

Italy are a poor side comparatively to the others you mentioned (even Belgium) - I don't see them getting to the final.

Last time people said that, they won it.

FWIW, though... I have Italy losing to Brazil in the quarter finals. If they win their group, they probably get Spain in the quarters. And lose there too.

[The Blaatschapen]

The rest of the team is damn good though. Uruguay doesn't really have fullbacks either, for that matter.

Well they don't really have a striker either - or any sort of goalscorer. Their 3 highest scorers are Van Buyten (10 in 77), Mirallas (9 in 43), and Fellaini (8 in 48). Lukaku and Benteke have a combined 11 in 45.

Uruguay, on the other hand, have Suarez and Cavani. That's the difference and that's why Belgium won't make it to the semis. They'll probably do the quarters.

There is another reason why Belgium won't make it to semis.

Tournament experience. This is the first big tournament for all the players. And normally they play two, three matches and then go back to their club. Now, there's at least 5+ matches (including friendlies), getting to used to whole tournament idea, etc. that's completely new for the players.

Also, which actually strong team have they beaten? Netherlands in august 2012 when we had to rebuild the team hardly counts.

Therefor, I put them into the quarter finals at best.

[San Mazer]

For those into English Football:

Arsenal vs West Ham coming up. Predictions?

[Osarius]

There is another reason why Belgium won't make it to semis.

Tournament experience.

This guy knows.

[Polar Islandstates]

For those into English Football:

Arsenal vs West Ham coming up. Predictions?

Some sort of black hole, hopefully.

[Shove Piggy Shove]

For those into English Football:

Arsenal vs West Ham coming up. Predictions?

Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

Ian Culverhouse and Gary Karsa suspended by Villa:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27039466

No details as to what's going on yet...

[Equestrian States]

For those into English Football:

Arsenal vs West Ham coming up. Predictions?

I'll guess a draw, but hope that West Ham will win.

[Yellow Yellow Red]

This whole drawing all the time thing has gotten really annoying. Yes, we're undefeated in five straight matches - but also winless. Five draws in a row is not okay. I mean, better than five losses, but three of those should have been wins.

[Osarius]

For those into English Football:

Arsenal vs West Ham coming up. Predictions?

Some sort of black hole, hopefully.

lol, I know this feel.

Ian Culverhouse and Gary Karsa suspended by Villa:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27039466

The rumour I'm hearing is that Culverhouse has been ... unnecessarily harsh ... with some of the younger players, and there was some argument before the Palace game between him and Gordon Cowans over youth players (naturally, I assume Sid is backing them, since he's in charge of youth development at Villa).

Allegedly, this escalated to some kind of argument with the players, and whatever went down was bad enough that Marc Albrighton took the train home by himself, rather than travel with the team. This argument was also rumoured to be the reason Delph and Agbonlahor didn't start.

Also rumours that fans have been abused by coaching staff.

Things are really getting messy in B6, and it's really starting to worry me now. :/

[KoloToure]

I wouldn't say it was the ideal time for it all to start, no. That's a shame Os.

I really hope you don't go down, my yearly trip to the North Stand to watch the Liverpool game is a long-honoured tradition at this point.

[The Blaatschapen]

There is another reason why Belgium won't make it to semis.

Tournament experience.

This guy knows.

Thanks

[Nierr]

Uruguay, on the other hand, have Suarez and Cavani. That's the difference and that's why Belgium won't make it to the semis. They'll probably do the quarters.

Uruguay are an average side with two outstanding players. They've actually gone backwards if you compare their qualifying campaign for 2010 with this one. Same position, but the South American qualifying didn't have Brazil in it.

[Auremena]

The rest of the team is damn good though. Uruguay doesn't really have fullbacks either, for that matter.

Well they don't really have a striker either - or any sort of goalscorer. Their 3 highest scorers are Van Buyten (10 in 77), Mirallas (9 in 43), and Fellaini (8 in 48). Lukaku and Benteke have a combined 11 in 45.

Uruguay, on the other hand, have Suarez and Cavani. That's the difference and that's why Belgium won't make it to the semis. They'll probably do the quarters.

I had them 1-0 in the quarters over Argentina, but then losing steam against Spain 0-3.

[San Mazer]

Well, 3-1 to Arsenal.

Think they can make a top four finish or is it too late?