Chile and Bosnia
Your World Cup Dark Horse?
2 of 4
I agree with Bosnia and Chile. They are both really good sides. Normally I would say Mexico are a little underestimated and a good bet to get through the groups but this year they seem to be in turmoil so will swerve them.
Ivory Coast could get to the quarters, I think - especially if they get England in the second round!
Yaya Toure is one of the most effective players in the world in his role, Drogba could bully defences given the right service, and they've got a few others who are no mugs either.
Yaya Toure is one of the most effective players in the world in his role, Drogba could bully defences given the right service, and they've got a few others who are no mugs either.
Ivory Coast for me too. they've had very tough groups in the past two World Cup's but this time I'm expecting them to finally do something. i reckon the Quarter-Finals is a realistic target for them.
I would say France. i did think Colombia, but I think they will struggle without Falcao. They have not won too many matches and they seem to be conceding goals. They drew 2-2 with Senegal.
Originally Posted by jrmswfc:
“Ivory Coast could get to the quarters, I think - especially if they get England in the second round!
Yaya Toure is one of the most effective players in the world in his role, Drogba could bully defences given the right service, and they've got a few others who are no mugs either.”
“Ivory Coast could get to the quarters, I think - especially if they get England in the second round!
Yaya Toure is one of the most effective players in the world in his role, Drogba could bully defences given the right service, and they've got a few others who are no mugs either.”
He has problems staying fresh between matches that are close together. He seems to get quite tired.
Originally Posted by jrmswfc:
“Ivory Coast could get to the quarters, I think - especially if they get England in the second round!
Yaya Toure is one of the most effective players in the world in his role, Drogba could bully defences given the right service, and they've got a few others who are no mugs either.”
“Ivory Coast could get to the quarters, I think - especially if they get England in the second round!
Yaya Toure is one of the most effective players in the world in his role, Drogba could bully defences given the right service, and they've got a few others who are no mugs either.”
Originally Posted by Tusk0312:
“Ivory Coast for me too. they've had very tough groups in the past two World Cup's but this time I'm expecting them to finally do something. i reckon the Quarter-Finals is a realistic target for them.”
“Ivory Coast for me too. they've had very tough groups in the past two World Cup's but this time I'm expecting them to finally do something. i reckon the Quarter-Finals is a realistic target for them.”
i think they'll be the only african side to get to the knockout stages... i can see all the others struggling...
Portugal don't seem to have the hype this year so they could go further than expected. I think Algeria may surprise a few people too.
France have an interesting sequence of performances in recent tournaments
1994 - Failed to qualify
1998 - Winners
2002 - Eliminated in group stage
2006 - Losing finalists
2010 - Eliminated in group stage
If that sequence continues, they could well surprise people and reach the final.
1994 - Failed to qualify
1998 - Winners
2002 - Eliminated in group stage
2006 - Losing finalists
2010 - Eliminated in group stage
If that sequence continues, they could well surprise people and reach the final.
Belgium have a fine squad on paper - Mignolet, Kompany, Hazard, Lukaku, Fellaini, Vermaelen, Mirallas, Dembele - but I have a feeling they could be like England and despite good players could stumble.
I'm not sure about Chile - they could be edged out their group by Spain and Holland.
Bosnia could certainly cause an upset - perhaps second in their group behind Argentina, and then face off Group E winners (France?)...but then would come unstuck against the Germans in the quarters.
I'm not sure about Chile - they could be edged out their group by Spain and Holland.
Bosnia could certainly cause an upset - perhaps second in their group behind Argentina, and then face off Group E winners (France?)...but then would come unstuck against the Germans in the quarters.
Argentina I reckon will play Spain in one semi final. That half looks fairly tough.
My wild pick is that Chile will knock out Brazil in the second round. If they do, I could see them getting to the semi finals and possibly playing the winner of a QF between Ecuador and Portugal, so one of those three will reach the final.
My wild pick is that Chile will knock out Brazil in the second round. If they do, I could see them getting to the semi finals and possibly playing the winner of a QF between Ecuador and Portugal, so one of those three will reach the final.
A few Belgium, Chile, Colombia, maybe USA, how are the Ivory Coast playing at the moment, they've been a bit unlucky in the past to find themselves in tough groups but they could get past the group stages this time
Not convinced about Belgium. They have a couple of top class performers but the rest are pretty average.
I would of def said Columbia if Falcao was fit.
Can't see any of the African nations. Much as I love the Drog he's a bit of a spent force now.
Chile is my tip as an outsider.
I would of def said Columbia if Falcao was fit.
Can't see any of the African nations. Much as I love the Drog he's a bit of a spent force now.
Chile is my tip as an outsider.
Chile are in a tough tough group. I don't have as much confidence in them as some do.
apart from Brazil and Argentina the only other South American side I can see making the last 8 is Colombia.
apart from Brazil and Argentina the only other South American side I can see making the last 8 is Colombia.
Originally Posted by Sattrega:
“Have France fallen so much that they are now considered a dark horse to reach the last 8?
How about Ecuador as a dark horse. They have a decent group and if they avoid Argentina in the 2nd round they could definitely make the quarters.”
“Have France fallen so much that they are now considered a dark horse to reach the last 8?
How about Ecuador as a dark horse. They have a decent group and if they avoid Argentina in the 2nd round they could definitely make the quarters.”
When they win one competition and don't score a point in the next, continuously for 20 years, it's easy to understand that people just don't know what to make of them anymore. I consider them a kind of rogue team that have been an unknown quantity ever since 2002. They're in a decent place in the groups though, this may be another of their good years.
Netherlands seem to be heading the same way, as well. Pretty much came out of nowhere for 2010, had a disastrous 2012 and an outrageously tough group means anything could happen this time.
Originally Posted by Dr. Linus:
“When they win one competition and don't score a point in the next, continuously for 20 years, it's easy to understand that people just don't know what to make of them anymore. I consider them a kind of rogue team that have been an unknown quantity ever since 2002. They're in a decent place in the groups though, this may be another of their good years.
Netherlands seem to be heading the same way, as well. Pretty much came out of nowhere for 2010, had a disastrous 2012 and an outrageously tough group means anything could happen this time.”
“When they win one competition and don't score a point in the next, continuously for 20 years, it's easy to understand that people just don't know what to make of them anymore. I consider them a kind of rogue team that have been an unknown quantity ever since 2002. They're in a decent place in the groups though, this may be another of their good years.
Netherlands seem to be heading the same way, as well. Pretty much came out of nowhere for 2010, had a disastrous 2012 and an outrageously tough group means anything could happen this time.”
The secret behind France's success and downfall was Zidane. Without him they are completely useless. He led them to the World Cup and Euro Cup wins. He led them to the final in 2006. All the cups in between, he was either injured or out of the team.
France are a confidence team. If they get off to a good start, they'll be tough to beat for anyone. Team spirit is high (at the moment 
). If they struggle, they tend to start bickering.
For France also read the Dutch.
Having watched a brilliant game between Italy and Fluminense last night, I'm baffled as to how Scolari has such a dull Brazil team. I actually hope the World Cup is won by the best attacking team, but it doesn't happen too often.
Germany won't win as they are far too nice and cuddly these days.
). If they struggle, they tend to start bickering.For France also read the Dutch.
Having watched a brilliant game between Italy and Fluminense last night, I'm baffled as to how Scolari has such a dull Brazil team. I actually hope the World Cup is won by the best attacking team, but it doesn't happen too often.
Germany won't win as they are far too nice and cuddly these days.
Originally Posted by Xela M:
“The secret behind France's success and downfall was Zidane. Without him they are completely useless. He led them to the World Cup and Euro Cup wins. He led them to the final in 2006. All the cups in between, he was either injured or out of the team.”
“The secret behind France's success and downfall was Zidane. Without him they are completely useless. He led them to the World Cup and Euro Cup wins. He led them to the final in 2006. All the cups in between, he was either injured or out of the team.”
Zidane definitely answers for a lot of it, but I don't think he carried the team that much. France in 2002 was one of the poorest showings I've ever seen of any of the big teams. They were lucky not to end up 5-0 down in every match and they managed to get hammered by Senegal on day one. They were a laughing stock and 1998 was a distant memory already...
Then you have the Dominique saga which was strange to say the least, and if the tabloid narrative is true, a culture of infighting and low morale.
I think the end result is the same though, that they're not one of the biggies anymore. If they were in our group I wouldn't be worried, whereas I am about Uruguay and Italy.
no-one's mentioned Switzerland (?). Not to win it, but to do well. They are a good side with a good manager. Might win their group.
Originally Posted by Dr. Linus:
“Zidane definitely answers for a lot of it, but I don't think he carried the team that much. France in 2002 was one of the poorest showings I've ever seen of any of the big teams. They were lucky not to end up 5-0 down in every match and they managed to get hammered by Senegal on day one. They were a laughing stock and 1998 was a distant memory already...
Then you have the Dominique saga which was strange to say the least, and if the tabloid narrative is true, a culture of infighting and low morale.
I think the end result is the same though, that they're not one of the biggies anymore. If they were in our group I wouldn't be worried, whereas I am about Uruguay and Italy.”
“Zidane definitely answers for a lot of it, but I don't think he carried the team that much. France in 2002 was one of the poorest showings I've ever seen of any of the big teams. They were lucky not to end up 5-0 down in every match and they managed to get hammered by Senegal on day one. They were a laughing stock and 1998 was a distant memory already...
Then you have the Dominique saga which was strange to say the least, and if the tabloid narrative is true, a culture of infighting and low morale.
I think the end result is the same though, that they're not one of the biggies anymore. If they were in our group I wouldn't be worried, whereas I am about Uruguay and Italy.”
Remember in 1998 even when France had an excellent squad, they were absolutely useless the one game they had to play without Zidane? They may have been a team full of great players, but he was the glue that held it all together and made it work. He could single-handedly take a game by the "scruff of the neck" and change its course. Everyone started playing well when Zidane was around. I am convinced that France would have won in 2006 if he hadn't been sent off. He made all the difference on the pitch.
I would put Zidane in the same category as Maradona, Pele, Cruyff.
Originally Posted by Xela M:
“Remember in 1998 even when France had an excellent squad, they were absolutely useless the one game they had to play without Zidane? They may have been a team full of great players, but he was the glue that held it all together and made it work. He could single-handedly take a game by the "scruff of the neck" and change its course. Everyone started playing well when Zidane was around. I am convinced that France would have won in 2006 if he hadn't been sent off. He made all the difference on the pitch.
I would put Zidane in the same category as Maradona, Pele, Cruyff.”
“Remember in 1998 even when France had an excellent squad, they were absolutely useless the one game they had to play without Zidane? They may have been a team full of great players, but he was the glue that held it all together and made it work. He could single-handedly take a game by the "scruff of the neck" and change its course. Everyone started playing well when Zidane was around. I am convinced that France would have won in 2006 if he hadn't been sent off. He made all the difference on the pitch.
I would put Zidane in the same category as Maradona, Pele, Cruyff.”
As I said I do think that's correct to an extent but not to the extremes of the 1998 final to the 2002 Senegal match. Can't deny he was certainly one of the great presences in World Cup history though.
2 of 4
