The Official 2014 FIFA World Cup Thread

[Maineiacs]

One win is all I ask for. 3 points in that group and I'll be a happy camper. Call me unambitious, but I'm not particularly concerned about this WC in terms of results. To me its importance is in getting younger, less experienced players a taste of the biggest football tournament in the world.

If the US gets out of that group, the MLS will orgasm.

The best the U.S. can hope for is that we don't score an own goal. We'll be lucky to only get shut out in every match.

[Scholmeria]

I suddenly have an excuse to stay up and watch the opening match - which kicks off at midnight Dubai time.

My wife has to fly to Lahore tomorrow for a business trip, her flight's at 3:00 am, and I'd likely stay up until her 1:00 am taxi arrived anyway; since Friday is also the first day of the UAE weekend, there's now no reason not to stay up until 2:00 am.

Huzzah!

I'm going to have to beg my mother to let me see it,cause the match will be at 1:00am PKT ,

Oh God.. this today match will be hillarious.

Even though the chances are less,Croatia might make a upset.

I hope so, the best players that the team has are injured or penalised.

[KoloToure]

I'm going to have to beg my mother to let me see it,cause the match will be at 1:00am PKT ,



Even though the chances are less,Croatia might make a upset.

I hope so, the best players that the team has are injured or penalised.

Are Rakitic, Modric and Mandzukic all out then?

[Yellow Yellow Red]

I hope so, the best players that the team has are injured or penalised.

Are Rakitic, Modric and Mandzukic all out then?

Mandzukic is suspended for the opener, iirc, but not beyond that, and Kranjcar and Strinic are out with injury, alt

[KoloToure]

Are Rakitic, Modric and Mandzukic all out then?

Mandzukic is suspended for the opener, iirc, but not beyond that, and Kranjcar and Strinic are out with injury, alt

Glad someone told me, I was going to put a couple on Croatia to win.

[Risottia]

Go Croatia!
*hopes all EU nationals will support the newest member of the club*

[Calimera II]

Go Croatia!
*hopes all EU nationals will support the newest member of the club*

(Image)

Croatia is an excellent member of the EU. WE LUV KROASHIA.

[Torisakia]

Croatia v. Brazil?

That'll be a close game, might come down to anyone who can score in AET.

[The Icemark]

Why do I have a sneaky feeling about Croatia tonight? Too bad I can't see it

[Britcan]

Croatia v. Brazil?

That'll be a close game, might come down to anyone who can score in AET.

It's a group stage game. I don't think they use extra time.

[Galom Dieus]

So.. What are the odds of Belgium making it through?

[Terrordome]

Obviously brazil are favourites but it's still possible Croatia will rise to the occasion and brazil buckle under the weight of expectation. Plus modric has been awesome for real this season (probably be marked out the game though)

Edit: midrib? Auto correct is weird sometimes.

[Gibberan]

So.. What are the odds of Belgium making it through?

Belgium isn't that bad. Germany's also pretty good, in my opinion I think they're up there with Brazil and Portugal.

[Torisakia]

Croatia v. Brazil?

That'll be a close game, might come down to anyone who can score in AET.

It's a group stage game. I don't think they use extra time.

Oh, well I didn't know. I don't follow this stuff that closely.

And I was being sarcastic anyways.

[Nierr]

So.. What are the odds of Belgium making it through?

Should top the group to be honest. Russia are the big threats and Algeria and SK are both beatable. They'll miss Benteke, but that's about it.

[Britcan]

It's a group stage game. I don't think they use extra time.

Oh, well I didn't know. I don't follow this stuff that closely.

And I was being sarcastic anyways.

Ah, okay then. You shouldn't dismiss Croatia, they're a decent enough team to give Brazil some sort of challenge.

[Torisakia]

Oh, well I didn't know. I don't follow this stuff that closely.

And I was being sarcastic anyways.

Ah, okay then. You shouldn't dismiss Croatia, they're a decent enough team to give Brazil some sort of challenge.

Some sort of challenge ≠ Winning

[Risottia]

So.. What are the odds of Belgium making it through?

Pretty slim I'm afraid. Russia and South Korea are definitely the strongest sides in the group. Algeria, on the other hand, looks like a shadow of its former self, so, IF Russia or SK botch something, Belgium may be the group's surprise.

[New Koryo]

Ahead of Brazil's kick-off against Croatia at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, thrill at some of the best Brazilian moments (goals, lots of goals!) in finals history.

The Time Has Come! Best Goals Compilation

So.. What are the odds of Belgium making it through?

Pretty slim I'm afraid. Russia and South Korea are definitely the strongest sides in the group. Algeria, on the other hand, looks like a shadow of its former self, so, IF Russia or SK botch something, Belgium may be the group's surprise.

Belgium isn't going to be a surprise team, they're one of the favorites already. The team has made an exceptional amount of progress since the beginning of this century, more specifically in the last 5-7 years. Belgium obviously can't compete with the world's elite (i.e. imho Spain, Brazil, Germany), but they're almost up there with teams like France, Italy and England.

[Risottia]

Pretty slim I'm afraid. Russia and South Korea are definitely the strongest sides in the group. Algeria, on the other hand, looks like a shadow of its former self, so, IF Russia or SK botch something, Belgium may be the group's surprise.

Belgium isn't going to be a surprise team, they're one of the favorites already. The team has made an exceptional amount of progress since the beginning of this century, more specifically in the last 5-7 years. Belgium obviously can't compete with the world's elite (i.e. imho Spain, Brazil, Germany), but they're almost up there with teams like France, Italy and England.

Meh. I doubt that, but best wishes to the Devils.

[Patistan]

So.. What are the odds of Belgium making it through?

Should top the group to be honest. Russia are the big threats and Algeria and SK are both beatable. They'll miss Benteke, but that's about it.

Algeria is fond of causing upsets.

[New Koryo]

Belgium isn't going to be a surprise team, they're one of the favorites already. The team has made an exceptional amount of progress since the beginning of this century, more specifically in the last 5-7 years. Belgium obviously can't compete with the world's elite (i.e. imho Spain, Brazil, Germany), but they're almost up there with teams like France, Italy and England.

Meh. I doubt that, but best wishes to the Devils.

Here's a team preview: World Cup Team Profile: BELGIUM

World Cup Group H Preview: Belgium, Russia To Offer Glimpse Into Future

[Yellow Yellow Red]

Should top the group to be honest. Russia are the big threats and Algeria and SK are both beatable. They'll miss Benteke, but that's about it.

Algeria is fond of causing upsets.

And playing with exceptional brutality. That playoff against Burkina Faso... my legs hurt just watching it - over both legs. With all due respect to Algeria, I wonder if they still would have qualified if CAF refereeing wasn't so, well, abysmal?

[Little Flowers]

Just FYI. Brazil won the first game 2-0 even though it wasn't played. Sepp Blatter doesn't want to risk more protests so he determined winner. Neymar scored twice.

Go Qatar!

[Little Flowers]

Qualify for Second Round

Group A: brazil, Croatia
Group B: chile, Spain
Group C: Columbia, Côte d'Ivoire
Group D: Italy, Uruguay
Group E: Ecuador, France
Group F: Argentina, Nigeria
Group G: Portugal, Germany
Group H: Belgium, Korea Republic

Second Round

Brazil beats Spain
Chile beats Croatia
Uruguay beats Colombia
Italy beats Côte d'Ivoire
Ecuador beats Nigeria
Argentina beats France
Portugal beats Korea
Belgium beats Germany

Quarter Finals

Brazil loses to Uruguay - unfortunately not in Maracana.

Italy beats Chile
Ecuador loses to Portugal
Argentina beats Belgium

Semifinals

Italy beats Uruguay
Portugal beats Argentina

Third Place Match

Argentina defeats Uruguay

Finals

Portugal defeats Italy

First ever European nation to win on American soil.