Originally Posted by ustarion:
“Netherlands have had an incredibly easy run.”
“Netherlands have had an incredibly easy run.”
I don't think Chile or Mexico were easy, and Australia was far from being an easy match.
And then there were 8
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Originally Posted by ustarion:
“Netherlands have had an incredibly easy run.”
“Netherlands have had an incredibly easy run.”
Spain didn't turn up to this WC but before the game, Holland would have taken a point right away. Plus, you can only play what's put in front of you.
Originally Posted by doe_a_deer:
“I think there will be three European teams in the semis and an all European final which will in many ways gloss over the poor performance of Europe as a whole in this World Cup.”
“I think there will be three European teams in the semis and an all European final which will in many ways gloss over the poor performance of Europe as a whole in this World Cup.”
I think it more reflects an improvement in the performance of the non-European sides as opposed to poor performance from Europe. I'll be interested to see if CONCACAF and CONMEBOL are as effective next time in Russia without the climatic advantage.
Originally Posted by DUNDEEBOY:
“France, Columbia, Belgium, Netherlands are my last four”
“France, Columbia, Belgium, Netherlands are my last four”
That would be my choice based on current form, but difficult to believe Brazil, Germany and Argentina will all be as poor as they were in the second round.
...what to do!!
Originally Posted by doe_a_deer:
“Brazil 3-0 Colombia? What on earth have you seen to suggest that the score will be anything like that?
Why are you hoping for a Brazil v Argentina final?”
“Brazil 3-0 Colombia? What on earth have you seen to suggest that the score will be anything like that?
Why are you hoping for a Brazil v Argentina final?”
Brazil are overdue a really good performance in this tournament and i feel this is their time to produce it.
The host nation v their biggest rivals in the final has potential to be a great game.
I've been impressed by Colombia and the Netherlands, and Belgium impressed me last night too with the amount of chances they created.
Brazil and Argentina will be fancied to get through based on their reputations alone IMO.....the football they are playing is dire.
Brazil and Argentina will be fancied to get through based on their reputations alone IMO.....the football they are playing is dire.
Originally Posted by Steveaustin316:
“My predictions
Brazil 3-0 Colombia
I'm hoping for a Brazil v Argentina final.”
“My predictions
Brazil 3-0 Colombia
I'm hoping for a Brazil v Argentina final.”
I think it's much more likely to be 2-1 to Brazil either in normal time or after extra time.
Originally Posted by blitzben85:
“Spain didn't turn up to this WC but before the game, Holland would have taken a point right away. Plus, you can only play what's put in front of you.”
“Spain didn't turn up to this WC but before the game, Holland would have taken a point right away. Plus, you can only play what's put in front of you.”
Yeah and what has been put in front of them has been incredibly easy in comparison to all the other games. They have been so lucky.
Originally Posted by ustarion:
“Yeah and what has been put in front of them has been incredibly easy in comparison to all the other games. They have been so lucky.”
“Yeah and what has been put in front of them has been incredibly easy in comparison to all the other games. They have been so lucky.”
Germany have had even more luck than Holland. They played a weak Portugal team then played Ghana and USA then had Algeria in the second round which required ET to progress.
Originally Posted by cooler:
“Germany have had even more luck than Holland. They played a weak Portugal team then played Ghana and USA then had Algeria in the second round which required ET to progress.”
“Germany have had even more luck than Holland. They played a weak Portugal team then played Ghana and USA then had Algeria in the second round which required ET to progress.”
Algeria were a good side. Far better than Switzerland and at least as good as Mexico.
I would like France, Columbia, Belgium, Netherlands
but I think we will end up with Germany Brazil Argentina Netherlands.
but I think we will end up with Germany Brazil Argentina Netherlands.
Originally Posted by ustarion:
“Netherlands have had an incredibly easy run.”
“Netherlands have had an incredibly easy run.”
Seriously?! I would say Mexico were one of the strongest teams in this World Cup and the Netherlands were extremely fortunate to win. If I had a choice Brazil would have been much more preferrable as an opponent than Mexico.
I'm surprised so many people are predicting France to win. I would be shocked if they won. France were not good against Nigeria and Germany were nowhere near as bad as people say.
Algeria played extremely well and studied the German game to perfection. I would give the manager 90% of the credit because he outsmarted Germany. He knew their defence was slow, so he attacked them in midfield and forced the defenders to come forward, which was when the Algerians quickly attacked. The only thing Algeria didn't foresee was that Neuer would be goal keeper and defender in one. Loew realised what had happened and changed his system in the second half. It was in many ways a battle of the managers.
The Germans looked physically very fit and very hungry to win. They are especially hungry now because of huge criticism in Germany. I predict Germany to beat France.
Algeria played extremely well and studied the German game to perfection. I would give the manager 90% of the credit because he outsmarted Germany. He knew their defence was slow, so he attacked them in midfield and forced the defenders to come forward, which was when the Algerians quickly attacked. The only thing Algeria didn't foresee was that Neuer would be goal keeper and defender in one. Loew realised what had happened and changed his system in the second half. It was in many ways a battle of the managers.
The Germans looked physically very fit and very hungry to win. They are especially hungry now because of huge criticism in Germany. I predict Germany to beat France.
Originally Posted by doe_a_deer:
“Amazingly we've reached the quarter finals with only Colombia playing well out of the 8 teams remaining. A bit of a bizarre situation really, you'd expect 5-6 of the teams to be playing well.”
“Amazingly we've reached the quarter finals with only Colombia playing well out of the 8 teams remaining. A bit of a bizarre situation really, you'd expect 5-6 of the teams to be playing well.”
France have also played well in the tournament so far.
My final four - Brazil, France, Holland and Argentina.
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