I figured with 65 days to go, now is a good time to start a thread for the real Football fans on BP (j/k).

Anything related to WC preparations, squads, players, coaches,, and ultimately games can be discussed here . Things will probably heat up as we closer to June but why not start a bit early .

Please make sure any discussion is civil, respectful, and no trolling.

 

So, who do think will win? which team are you cheering? who will be the dark horse? will the USA make it out of the first round? 

 

Too bad Atletico Madrid couldn't close the deal on Sunday

Their game vs Barca this weekend is going to be a cracker.

Simone, Conte and Klopp are going to be the next big names in the world of coaching.

The Brits will fail again.. they just don't have it.

You'll find it's England not Britain, get with the programme, I don't want to be associated with the Scots, Paddy's or sheep shaggers. I think you're wrong, England make it out of the group, Roy's boys are going to tear it up!

Sheep Shaggers.  

Sheep Shaggers.

I was going to say the same thing

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I have created a spreadsheet for the tournament.  Full draw with all games that you can fill out scores etc either as they happen or enter your own predictions to see how the teams flow through to the knockout stages.  There is also a second sheet that has basic printout sheets that can be useful if you want to create an office sweep or something.  Enjoy.

 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ttt4xha95ge21y2/FIFA%20World%20Cup%202014.xlsm

 

P.S Kickoff times are in NZ time, which is +15 hours on the local Brazil kickoff time.  NZT is also +19 hours on Pacific US time if you want to do a quick conversion of that column.

The PL as a whole has better star-caliber players. But, the 2 best players in the world, Messi and Cristiano IMHO, do not play there. There's not much beyond Madrid, Atleti and Barcelona in Spain.

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I always laugh on that statement.....

 

I mean seriously, just remember how Atletic Bilbao ''raped'' Manchester United in Europa league was it 2 years ago?

 

And that was with SAF leading them, not Moyes or some random coach....

 

Lets see, Sevilla won the Europa league, Valencia was in the semis, where was Tottenham, Liverpool, and others?

 

United this year barely managed a draw and a 1 goal win against worst Spanish team of the Champions League Real Sociedad.....

 

Best English team in Champions League was Mourinhos Bus station, and it ended as it had to end for the sake of football.....

 

English quality is dropping like italian, with a little delay If it continues in the pace of last 3 years, in 2017/18 there will be no English team near the semis of UCL....

 

Thats a fact....

 

Remember the year 2006? When England had 3 teams in the semis? 

 

Now those were the years when you could say English teams or league was the best.

 

English league is the most equal, but far from the best.....

 

Not to even mention this years Madrid finals in Champions League..... 

Many people are saying Klinsmann selected a defensive shell team that can just try to hold on and get out of our nightmare group.

Many people are saying Klinsmann selected a defensive shell team that can just try to hold on and get out of our nightmare group.

Germany and Portugal will lost likely kill in an open game, so I think he knows what he is doing.

Playing Ghana in the first game could really play to their advantage .

The best case scenario is USA beat Ghana, Germany beat Portugal first round . USA tie with Portugal ( at least) and German beats Ghana in the second round.

Last round USA v Germany ; a tie would work for both teams..

And back to reality :)

 

I have created a spreadsheet for the tournament.  Full draw with all games that you can fill out scores etc either as they happen or enter your own predictions to see how the teams flow through to the knockout stages.  There is also a second sheet that has basic printout sheets that can be useful if you want to create an office sweep or something.  Enjoy.

 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ttt4xha95ge21y2/FIFA%20World%20Cup%202014.xlsm

 

P.S Kickoff times are in NZ time, which is +15 hours on the local Brazil kickoff time.  NZT is also +19 hours on Pacific US time if you want to do a quick conversion of that column.

 

 

This is awesome, Grolim.  I'm going to set up a contest.

This is awesome, Grolim. I'm going to set up a contest.

If you mean a BP contest, I'm was running some ideas in my head.

This is what I've been thinking of doing for a few days:

 

http://community.brickpicker.com/topic/9950-contest-fifa-wc-brazil-2014/

On a side note, what an epic end to La Liga and what goal from Sanchez!!

Donovan omitted from WC squad

It's crazy.  He took that time off and it seemed to really bother Klinsmann.  If we don't advance (which is likely) he'll be more critisized. 

it is def a huge risk.... LD was playing pretty well especially at the golden cup, his form dipped a bit towards the end of the season, but I don't see how folks like green got the nod ahead of him (im all for youth development but this dude will play 5 min if he is lucky)

Squads:

http://www.espnfc.us/fifa-world-cup/story/1811141/2014-world-cup-squads

Ribery ruled out of WC

Ox doubtful

 

the injury list is starting stacking up  ....

That's a big blow for France

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Add Reus to the absent list

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Add Reus to the absent list

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I watched the game last night, heart breaking for the lad and a blow for Germany. Podolski has impressed last couple of game and they have some high quality players to fill in his position , still one wonders how they will do without him .

Ribery ruled out of WC

Ox doubtful

 

the injury list is starting stacking up  ....

 

This is why I was waiting for the contest.

 

France was a big darkhorse for me.

Losing Reus is big, but Germany has plenty to replace him.

Muller, Kroos, Gotze, Ozil, Schurrle, Poldi, Klose... Lots of fire upfront.

Honestly, I would've been more worried if Klose had been the one hurt.

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Honestly, I would've been more worried if Klose had been the one hurt.

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One record down, another to go.. i like him his professional attitude.  Not the most talented but you gotta admire the guy

One record down, another to go.. i like him his professional attitude. Not the most talented but you gotta admire the guy

Klose is a monster, I remember when he had fun against Saudi Arabia in 2002 at the Sapporo Dome IIRC.

Also, he doesn't have a lot of competition on the Mannschaft, that's good for him and bad for the team, it's the only weak link I can think of on Germany.

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Klose is a monster, I remember when he had fun against Saudi Arabia in 2002 at the Sapporo Dome IIRC.

Also, he doesn't have a lot of competition on the Mannschaft, that's good for him and bad for the team, it's the only weak link I can think of on Germany.

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The back line is far from impressive, they could have easily conceded 2 to 3 goals yesterday if Armenia had they habetter finishers. better teams will not be as forgiving.

I think Boatang will go better in center of defense along with Mert. Lahm and Durm  on the flanks . The later is a risk choice but he got what it takes.

Not seeing the Lahm as DM experiment panning out well.