FIFA World Cup 2014

[enki_ck]

...

Brazil - Chile: The two games I saw Brazil play (haven't seen the 3rd one) didn't make me think they deserved to go past the second stage. I think Chile is a stronger team here.

Colombia - Uruguay: Even without Suarez they have a strong team and I think Forlan can fill the role quite nicely.
Holland - Mexico: As I've said very early in this thread, I've always loved Dutch football. I'd love them to go to the finals. Mexico has a great team too and play great football and it's a shame they will be meeting so early and one tam has to go home.

Costa Rica - Greece (Hellas): Sorry, KK. I'm for Costa Rica on this one. After the way they played in the group stages in THAT group, they deserve to go forward. And Greece already has the European title.

France - Nigeria: I wouldn't put any money on this one.

Germany - Algeria: Germans are strong this year. They have played together for a long time and under the same coach. Vaha's made some Great things with Algeria but I'm thinking Germany might be a bit to big of a bite for them.
 
Argentina - Switzerland: I'll be cheering for the Swiss here but it would be very surprising if they won as the Argentinians have been playing quite well.

Belgium - USA: The US have a good team very sorry to only see them every 4 years. Belgium has been building a good one themselves, lots of young players with bright futures ahead of them. If they don't succeed this year, they'll be a big threat in the next Euro or World Cup.

And as mentioned before, very nice football being played, lots of goals. I like how this game is developing back to offensive tactics.


I must admit I'm pleasantly surprised by the amount of replies in this thread. The last football thread I started had something like 5 replies.

[kkokkolis]

That's OK, our sport is basketball anyway. But it doesn't matter what we think but what they think and do. Costa Rica was awesome and all Central American teams so much better than in the recent past. Two hours to go for the first battle.

[kkokkolis]

Brazil is stronger (basically taller, in her home) but Chileans are hardcore fighters. They are able to do the surprise if they avoid giving away corner kicks and free kicks. Brazilians might score more if they had a good at airplay center.

[kkokkolis]

Chileans are heros! I hope they are lucky in the penalty shootout as much as they are bold.

[bmot]

Chileans are heros! I hope they are lucky in the penalty shootout as much as they are bold.

It doesn't seem like it :/

[bmot]

Ouch.

[styx]

brazil takes it with more luck than skill

[RamoN]

Cant believe the luck brazil always had historically. Still they won. Chile deserves compliments on showing how to put your heart on a match.

[kkokkolis]

It takes more than luck to win the trophy with that team. Neymar and Hulk were good but Chile was a TEAM plus Sanchez.

[RT1969]

This match makes me sad that we wont see Chile again this World Cup.
They fought like real mountainious people, going strong up to the last minute. You could see the physical and psychological fatigue at the end in both teams. Really impressed with both teams!!! 

I rooted for Chile during the match, but now I hope the Brasilians manage to recover until their next match. The most demanding match I have seen so far this World cup!

Now onto the next 1/8 final.

[bmot]

I naturally root for "underdogs" usually, so I'm sad to see Chile lose, certainly in this way...

[kkokkolis]

Colombia was great again and they are sure capable to beat Brazil.
After the two South American civil wars, tomorrow there we will be  having Europeans vs Central Americans (technically Mexico is North American but culturally it's Central and anyway they both are CONCACAF members). Although all four teams played mostly European style today (most players play in Europe anyway) and the same we are going to see tomorrow no doubt.

[enki_ck]

Go Oranje!

[enki_ck]

Mexico looks much better though.

[jerseydevil]

Pretty good game so far.  I could be wrong on that however, as we have established already I know nothing about soccer.  Not enough checking for me anyway..... 

[bmot]

Well, that was undeserved...

[dks]

I saw the last 10 minutes. The Dutch girls looked very happy jumping up and down.  penalty??

well done to the winners

[RamoN]

Love how interesting is this world cup getting. Mexico did a great match but they put too much effort on holding the game on the second half instead of keep looking, eventually they distracted and holland doesnt forgives.

I agree dutch girls looked ok.... would love to be there to the after party 

 

[Etherealicer]

A true nail-biter.

I'm happy for Holland but also a bit sad for Mexico.

[styx]

hell i'm probably happier than a lot of Dutch people about this outcome

[enki_ck]

Well, that was undeserved...

A bit. Mexico was stronger and played better.

I saw the last 10 minutes. The Dutch girls looked very happy jumping up and down. penalty??

well done to the winners

Probably, but not as clear one as the one not given at the end of the first half also on Robben. I think Marques stepped on Robbens foot and prevented him from going forward which would have probably resulted in a goal. We'll see in the slow-mos.

Love how interesting is this world cup getting. Mexico did a great match but they put too much effort on holding the game on the second half instead of keep looking, eventually they distracted and holland doesnt forgives.

I agree dutch girls looked ok.... would love to be there to the after party 
 

 

True. they played great defense, dominated the midfield, but I expected them to get a bit more offensive once Hernandez came on.

hell i'm probably happier than a lot of Dutch people about this outcome

How much $$$ did you win?

[bmot]

I feel bad for the Mexican keeper... I liked him :p

[enki_ck]

I wouldn't wanna be Mexican right now. I know the feeling of loosing the game in the last minute all too well. The Quarter Final match Croatia vrs Turkey on Euro 2008 is still a painful memory.

[kkokkolis]

I want the Dutch to win the trophy but only if we loose tonight!
I learned a few things about Costa Rica, one of the most progressed countries in the world, with ecological conscience, no army since 1948 (!!!) and three cities named Grecia, Atenas and Sparta. May the best win.

[styx]

i didn't win a dime. i don't really bet cash, i bet dumb things like going to an american football game in pink spandex and tutu vs a friend of mine getting married

[Billy Ruffian]

Solid start by Greece so far, you've got to be reasonably satisfied with that, kk?

[kkokkolis]

They are roughly equal but we had the best chance for a goal so far with Salpighidis. Anything can happen in the second half.

[Billy Ruffian]

Costa Rica look a little unsure how to approach a game where they are the ones who have to take the initiative, they are too used to playing counter attack football. Samaras always gives his teams a chance doesn't he? Runs all day, big heart, and is one of those big strikers with a good first touch.

[enki_ck]

Costarican dumb way of waisting time got "rewarded".

[Whoey]

so looks like extra time...