2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil (June 12 - July 13, 2014)

[Kang]

So the World Cup starts in a couple weeks. Here's a breakdown of the groups. I need to go buy my car flags! Who are you rooting for?

Group A
Brazil
Croatia
Mexico
Cameroon

Group B
Netherlands
Spain
Chile
Australia

Group C
Colombia
Greece
Ivory Coast
Japan

Group D
Uruguay
Costa Rica
England
Italy

Group E
Switzerland
Ecuador
France
Honduras

Group F
Argentina
Bosnia and Herzegovina (first time)
Iran
Nigeria

Group G (this Cup's Group of Death)
Germany
Portugal
United States
Ghana

Group H
Belgium
Algeria
Russia
South Korea

[Aragon of Odin]

Portugal!!

We've drawn the death group again, and we open up against the Germans. As shitty as our qualifications were (though they've been horrible for the past couple World/Euro qualifications) I still expect them to make it out, though I don't see them going past the final four at tops, again

[nicholai]

I'm rooting for the USA, but ya getting out of that group is gonna be rough. If/When they go down I'll also be cheering on the adorable CR7 and Portugal. My co-worker is a Brit so hopefully they go out early so I can give him shit. Because sports.

[synistar]

I don't see the USA getting out of their group. Ghana has been the bane of USA for the past 2 world cups, knocking them out in the round of 16 in 2010 and the group stage in 2006.

Not really going to cheer for anyone in particular. I like some good soccer minus all the flopping like dead fish.

[Alvinho]

Brazil, I guess. Being Brazilian and all.

I'll try really hard not to shit on this sports thread with political nonsense.

Groups B, D, and G have it really bad. Australia and Costa Rica just... lol.

[Rhyis.]

Go forth my other motherland English niggas... Uruguay and Italy though. Ain't no easy task.

[Kang]

I'll be rooting for Croatia and England like always.

[Kang]

There are a bunch of international friendlies happening right now to serve as a warm up. I'm watching Croatia-Mali at the moment. Croatia looking good so far. I hope they can do well in the World Cup.

[Aragon of Odin]

Meh, it's Mali. I don't see Croatia making it out of Group A. I think a lot of people don't realize how much the weather is actually gonna effect a lot of these players/teams who aren't used to it. Mexico/Brazil have a big advantage in that group.

[Roranora]

Uruguay gonna do work.

US won't get to advance sadly. I daydream hopefully about some way in which the US can sneak out of that Group, but I don't see it happening.

[Richybear]

Canada's got this shit on lockdo.... oh, wait.

afk finding a dozen random people like "Hey, let's make a team!"

[Buffy]

Having a little bribery with your soccer?

http://www.espnfc.com/news/story/_/i...candal?cc=5901

[Eeeks]

Having a little bribery with your soccer?

http://www.espnfc.com/news/story/_/i...candal?cc=5901

FIFA overreached with this one. Sure, the Russia 2018 bid was also corrupt as fuck, but at least that one is plausible. The Qatari bid was nothing more than a fantastically-executed bid and 10s, if not 100s, of millions in bribes. Qatar has nothing in the way of modern-day football history or infrastructure.

As for 2014, Group G is obviously tough, but in my opinion, Group B stands out amongst the other two brutal groups as the group of death. 3 of the 4 teams can capably march to the quarterfinals and beyond. In hopes of bettering their goal differentials, all three of the 'real' group contenders will assail the poor Aussies. And what's the reward for battering through and taking second in the group? Brazil in the round of 16.

Fucking brutal.

And think of the US team like an 8-8 or 9-7 NFL team. We can beat anyone on our day, but we're perfectly capable of blowing winnable games. It's perfectly plausible for either the US to advance or to exit the group group stage with 3 losses.

[Sepukku]

NYT has run a great 2 piece article this weekend on match fixing running up to the South Africa cup.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/02/sp...B8A437&gwt=pay

[Osede]

Match fix for soccer has been there since many decades. Happens in alots of country especially where soccer is one of the main stream sport but the national team is not strong. I believe Italy's division one league was the biggest blow when they discovered almost every one inside there did somewhat involved few years ago.

You just can't image how much people are putting their bet just for a single soccer game. It just not like you buy one ticket of powerball.

[Ashmada]

Preparatory friendlies are going OK over here: Belgium 5 - Luxemburg 1 (in Genk); Sweden 0 - Belgium 2 (in Stockholm).

Ok, Luxemburg is hardly the strongest team on the continent, but Sweden is decent. Then again, Ibrahimovich was wounded.


Next to come: Belgium - Tunisia (in Brussels) and Belgium - USA (unofficial friendly in Sao Polo).

The problem during the cup will be the round of 16. Group H is very manageable, but even on a win, that's still Germany or Portugal in the round of 16 (probably Portugal).

[Moss]

These are awesome

[Viq]

The beginning of the World Cup is going to suck for me because there's a 14 hour time difference, and it starts the week before finals. After that, I'll be in full crazy drunk mode. It will be my first World Cup outside of the US, where excitement for the event is more or less nonexistent.. I've seen how the Koreans party for qualifiers and friendlies, and it has made me really excited to join in when the real matches start.

[Osede]

For asian, we used to have the world cup match between 12am to 6am. I'm still able to watch at late night almost 10 years ago. Now I think I would prefer to have a nice sleep during that time instead of stay awake to watch it lol...

[Wulfgang]

'MURRICAAA! It'll be tough, but I think we sneak out of our Group at Portugal's expense while taking some revenge on Ghana. I get so amped up for the World Cup; cannot wait.