World Cup 2018

[Carver]

This promises to be one of the most boring and frustrating world cups ever!

 

[Super_horns]

VAR might liven things up !

Maybe not in a good way .

 

[Abertawe]

because of their behaviour in amsterdam the russian police have more or less said england fans will be battered and thrown into russian jails - lol http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43546732

 

[Ebeneezer Goode]

They should all probably buy a decent knife as soon as they get there.

 

[Laker]

I hope the Russian police do go to town on them. It’s been a long time coming.

 

[Super_horns]

Well there won't be any British officials at the World Cup it seems after Mark Clattenburg was the chosen one but walked out .

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43110905

 

[Ebeneezer Goode]

Interesting little video.

Seems like the biggest problem for England aside from a lack of talent might be unfamiliarity with the system, as we changed it (like we always do for some reason) as soon as the qualification group was won.

 

[Carver]

Interesting little video.

Seems like the biggest problem for England aside from a lack of talent might be unfamiliarity with the system, as we changed it (like we always do for some reason) as soon as the qualification group was won.

It's impossible for any nation to win this world cup unless they are Brazil, Germany, Argentina, France or Spain.

So no England can't win the world cup because of the unbreakable laws of tournament football.

 

[Gassy]

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1749606178385478

Absolutely bang on

 

[Kenneth E End]

I considered going to the Panama and Tunisia games, but they're being held in what seems to be one of the most inaccessible places on Earth. And especially after Salisbury, gave this tournament short shrift. To get fans between the stadiums, they are putting on trains... in Russia. You could fly to Australia in the time it takes to get between 2 of the grounds. Well done FIFA once again.

If I was ever going to travel there, I would've based myself in somewhere like Dubai or Prague and flown myself in for each game, but that was completely unworkable.

 

[Carver]

I considered going to the Panama and Tunisia games, but they're being held in what seems to be one of the most inaccessible places on Earth. And especially after Salisbury, gave this tournament short shrift. To get fans between the stadiums, they are putting on trains... in Russia. You could fly to Australia in the time it takes to get between 2 of the grounds. Well done FIFA once again.

If I was ever going to travel there, I would've based myself in somewhere like Dubai or Prague and flown myself in for each game, but that was completely unworkable.

FIFA are fucking clueless and just take the highest bribe, there should be a new breakaway world football organisation created called "NO BRIBES".

 

[mistermagic]

The Panama game is being played in Novgorod which isn't very far from Moscow. I agree that about Volgograd though. Along with Sochi and Rostov, it's one of 3 very secluded cities hosting World Cup matches.

 

[Carver]

I see that Germany have strangely not included Bayern striker Sandro Wagner in their world cup squad after he was their top scorer in qualifying but have instead picked the likes of Mario Gomez and some uncapped striker who plays for a poor Bundesliga team.

This is good news for the other nations and every neutral who were fearing Germany would win the world cup again, because poor dumbfound decisions like this are usually the start of a nations downfall.

I can see a repeat of what happened to Spain at the last world cup when they were the holders, only this time it will be the Germans.

 

[G.B]

Nils Petersen? He's a decent player and the modern day Solskjaer. A super sub. His scoring record is great, especially when you consider how often he's been used off he bench throughout his career. Would certainly take him ahead of Gomez for an option off the bench. Agree it's weird Wagner isn't going but his reaction seems to suggest it could be a personality problem behind the scenes. Regardless, Germany will be as competitive as ever. Their midfield and defence is ridiculously talented.

 

[Dirk]

I see that Germany have strangely not included Bayern striker Sandro Wagner in their world cup squad after he was their top scorer in qualifying but have instead picked the likes of Mario Gomez and some uncapped striker who plays for a poor Bundesliga team.

Strangely not included Wagner? Only strangely for those who don't know anything about Löw. Wagner was a first team player for Hoffenheim and had chosen to be a substitute striker for Lewandowski at Bayern. And Mario Gomez is a too similar striker to him so Löw chose to get rid of Wagner.

Nils Petersen, although uncapped yet, get a reward for being the best joker in our Bundesliga and although playing for a club in the relegation zone got the most goals of a German Bundesliga striker in this season


btw: you're right that Wagner was the top scorer of our qualification but together with Thomas Müller. Both scored 5 goals but 3 of Wagner's goals were against San Marino, so not that difficult to score against them.

This is good news for the other nations and every neutral who were fearing Germany would win the world cup again, because poor dumbfound decisions like this are usually the start of a nations downfall.

Hilarious. Sandro Wagner was nowhere near a place in the starting 11, he's nothing more than a sub.

I can see a repeat of what happened to Spain at the last world cup when they were the holders, only this time it will be the Germans.

tbh I wouldn't be too surprised if you're right here because Germany had always an "off World Cup" after winning the Title, the only exception was 1958 when we finished at least 4th in the end. In 1978 we lost against Austria in the 2nd round ( still laughable), in 1994 against Bulgaria in the knockouts. So maybe we can expect another failure this time but even when this happens it is not because Löw got rid of a Substitute player like Sandro Wagner and nominated uncapped Nils Petersen.

Nils Petersen? He's a decent player and the modern day Solskjaer. A super sub. His scoring record is great, especially when you consider how often he's been used off he bench throughout his career. Would certainly take him ahead of Gomez for an option off the bench. Agree it's weird Wagner isn't going but his reaction seems to suggest it could be a personality problem behind the scenes. Regardless, Germany will be as competitive as ever. Their midfield and defence is ridiculously talented.

Kudos for your knowledge of German football, G.B. You're absolutely right about Petersen and you're also right about Wagner. Another reason that he isn't nominated is because he's not "best liked" by Löw (although he wouldn't admit that but he doesn't like "loudmouth" players like him in a tournament)

 

[mistermagic]

Been saying this since they lifted the cup. Germany have seen quality players (and quality people) like Lahm and Schweini retire and their leadership qualities have not been replaced.
The midfield is talented, yes. But neither Götze nor Kroos pull their finger out when the going gets tough.
Defence? Meh. To me it looks like a lot of world-class being 2 years older (so, slower) apart from Kimmich. Mal sehen.

Our list is out. Deschamps opted with 5 midfielders and 7 forwards. Extremely risky for me.

I stand by my opinion. Brazil/Spain to win.

 

[Dirk]

But neither Götze nor Kroos pull their finger out when the going gets tough.

Götze is out too. Very poor season with Dortmund. After scoring Germany to the World Cup 2014 he hadn't many good matches. He hurted his very promising career with a too early move to Bayern. 3 wasted years and then his mysterious illness which forced him out of football for many months.

Defence? Meh. To me it looks like a lot of world-class being 2 years older (so, slower) apart from Kimmich. Mal sehen.

Boateng's injury in the first leg of the CL semi final against Real is the worst that could happen.

Our list is out. Deschamps opted with 5 midfielders and 7 forwards. Extremely risky for me.

Marchons, marchons.....

I stand by my opinion. Brazil/Spain to win.

Spain for me . Or another nation but not Brazil (at least I hope so, because when they win the WC then we would again 2 World Cup titles behind them after we just closed the gap to one .

 

[Flustercuck]

Laporte is gonna play for Spain I am sure

 

[Carver]

Strangely not included Wagner? Only strangely for those who don't know anything about Löw. Wagner was a first team player for Hoffenheim and had chosen to be a substitute striker for Lewandowski at Bayern. And Mario Gomez is a too similar striker to him so Löw chose to get rid of Wagner.

Nils Petersen, although uncapped yet, get a reward for being the best joker in our Bundesliga and although playing for a club in the relegation zone got the most goals of a German Bundesliga striker in this season


btw: you're right that Wagner was the top scorer of our qualification but together with Thomas Müller. Both scored 5 goals but 3 of Wagner's goals were against San Marino, so not that difficult to score against them.



Hilarious. Sandro Wagner was nowhere near a place in the starting 11, he's nothing more than a sub.



tbh I wouldn't be too surprised if you're right here because Germany had always an "off World Cup" after winning the Title, the only exception was 1958 when we finished at least 4th in the end. In 1978 we lost against Austria in the 2nd round ( still laughable), in 1994 against Bulgaria in the knockouts. So maybe we can expect another failure this time but even when this happens it is not because Löw got rid of a Substitute player like Sandro Wagner and nominated uncapped Nils Petersen.




Kudos for your knowledge of German football, G.B. You're absolutely right about Petersen and you're also right about Wagner. Another reason that he isn't nominated is because he's not "best liked" by Löw (although he wouldn't admit that but he doesn't like "loudmouth" players like him in a tournament)

You dastardly Germans aren't going to win it this time!

 

[Dirk]

You dastardly Germans aren't going to win it this time!

I already wrote it that I wouldn't be too surprised if we fail to defend the title. We've failed to do it 3-times before (England only 1-time, so you're better here...ah wait, you could only defend it one time at all ).
Only Brazil could defend the title once in 1962 (edit: oops, totally forgot the Italians, as usual . They defended their (highly dubious won) title of 1934 in 1938)

Anyway, the minimum target for Germany is the semi-final. If we are out before this, the tournament will be regarded as a failure. Although this never happened under Jogi Löw yet in 6 tournaments but it is always a possibility.

For England reaching the semi finals would be the greatest success after 1966 and for Germany it's the "minimum target" for calling this tournament a success. So different are the aspirations.

 

[Nilsson]

For England reaching the semi finals would be the greatest success after 1966 and for Germany it's the "minimum target" for calling this tournament a success. So different are the aspirations.

 

[Dirk]

 

[Leewilson]

Spain, Brazil or Argentina.

I know the latter are rubbish but I can’t get the thought out of my head that Messi will win the World Cup.

 

[Flustercuck]

I think Brazil will choke once again as there are way too many passengers in their team.

 

[SALTIRE]

They'll win if they make our boy Bobby Firmino a starter! Go on Bobby!

 

[Dirk]

They'll win if they make our boy Bobby Firmino a starter! Go on Bobby!

Seems he just scored and still looks sad. Pic must be taken from before his Liverpool time, right? Since then he's like the JOKER from Batman, always smiling with his bleached teeth

 

[SALTIRE]

Seems he just scored and still looks sad. Pic must be taken from before his Liverpool time, right? Since then he's like the JOKER from Batman, always smiling with his bleached teeth

He's a lege, I'm telling you they play him, he'll show this Neymar fella a thing or two!

 

[Libertadores FC]

This whole Paolo Guerrero issue has become a soap opera. I can get his frustration but some of the claims he is making isn't going to help himself.

He's not going, I wish he can just accept it. We have won games without him anyways, so I'm not concerned.

 

[Carver]

This whole Paolo Guerrero issue has become a soap opera. I can get his frustration but some of the claims he is making isn't going to help himself.

He's not going, I wish he can just accept it. We have won games without him anyways, so I'm not concerned.

But when it comes to playing against the better nations you won't stand a chance.

 

[Libertadores FC]

But when it comes to playing against the better nations you won't stand a chance.

We have been winning against better nations the past 4 years now.