2014 FIFA World Cup

[Marc]

The Dutch playing a bit like 4 years ago: solid defense, with a few superb forwards. But in South Africa 2010 the midfielders were playing mean, making dirty fouls all the time. Now it's (more or less) a fair fighting team.  Not really exciting, no real 'Dutch school', but efficient .... so far.

[Florestan]

Brazil-Chile, I will support Chile all the way. They won't probably win but will be a tough nut to crack.

Netherlands-Mexico, that's even harder to predict the winner. I would like Netherlands to go all the way to the final and the Cup but they'll have a hard time with the Mexicans. An exciting match, open to all possibilities.

[Obradovic]

Super, thanks for checking it out.

Dear Gurn

Super is your blog but why can't I open it again? What's the problem? I've no intention to just check it out but to read it in it's entirety! But only once was I able to open it

[Obradovic]

The Dutch playing a bit like 4 years ago: solid defense, with a few superb forwards. But in South Africa 2010 the midfielders were playing mean, making dirty fouls all the time. Now it's (more or less) a fair fighting team.  Not really exciting, no real 'Dutch school', but efficient .... so far.

History still ows 'something'  to the Netherlands. Fingers crossed...

[Gurn Blanston]

Dear Gurn

Super is your blog but why can't I open it again? What's the problem? I've no intention to just check it out but to read it in it's entirety! But only once was I able to open it

    I don't know! Just this minute, I clicked the link in my footer and it went right there with no problem. I have only once heard someone write me and say they couldn't get in, but that time no one could get in because of an attack on the provider (DDS). I hate to put it on you as having the problem, but it doesn't appear to exist elsewhere... 

[Gurn Blanston]

Brazil-Chile, I will support Chile all the way. They won't probably win but will be a tough nut to crack.

Netherlands-Mexico, that's even harder to predict the winner. I would like Netherlands to go all the way to the final and the Cup but they'll have a hard time with the Mexicans. An exciting match, open to all possibilities.

Boy, those are going to be 2 great games! Hard to know what to make of Mexico so far, they have appeared to be world beaters!   I think Chile can beat Brazil, they haven't looked spectacular against routine competition so far. 

[Obradovic]

    I don't know! Just this minute, I clicked the link in my footer and it went right there with no problem. I have only once heard someone write me and say they couldn't get in, but that time no one could get in because of an attack on the provider (DDS). I hate to put it on you as having the problem, but it doesn't appear to exist elsewhere... 

Νοw it opens again! It seems I have only to complain about!

[Gurn Blanston]

Νοw it opens again! It seems I have only to complain about!

The magic words... 

[Florestan]

Tonight

Uruguay - Italy, I support Uruguay but anything can happen, although it would be a pity for Uruguay not to go further.

Costa Rica - England, I support Costa Rica but anything can happen, although it would be a pity for Costa Rica not to go further.

TBH, the only European team I support is Netherlands. Spain and England are already out, I can hardly wait for Italy and France to go the same way.  As for Germany, I entertain no such hopes - at least not until semifinals. 

[springrite]

it would be a pity for Uruguay not to go further.

True. But on the other hand, it would be a shame if they do.

[AnthonyAthletic]

Tonight

Uruguay - Italy, I support Uruguay but anything can happen, although it would be a pity for Uruguay not to go further.

Costa Rica - England, I support Costa Rica but anything can happen, although it would be a pity for Costa Rica not to go further.

TBH, the only European team I support is Netherlands. Spain and England are already out, I can hardly wait for Italy and France to go the same way.  As for Germany, I entertain no such hopes - at least not until semifinals. 

Costa Rica are already through after winning both games, they can relax tonight...might even rest a few players.  Only one of Italy or Uruguay can get to 6 points and join Costa Rica...if they draw Italy go through by +1 goal difference due to Uruguay losing 3-1, whilst Italy only lost 2-1 to Costa Rica.  Looks like England are swapping out 10 players and leaving Sturridge in a 'try out' team.  There's no surer thing than an England win tonight and 'look at how good you could've been'    I won't be watching my Country tonight, the Italy Uruguay game looks more appealing.

I put £10 on Neymar to score the most goals @ 10/1, a little interest bet...in with a chance, certainly getting a good run.  Benzema scared the life out of me the other day, a penalty miss and a goal chalked off just as the ref blew up for time. 

[Florestan]

True. But on the other hand, it would be a shame if they do.

Why? They started badly with Costa Rica, but then the match against England was very good. Do you think Italy or England deserve better than them? Italy perhaps (and still...), but England with the same old(ish) and tired playing style and schemes, certainly not.

And a propos, what a pity for Iran! It was not that much Argentina-Iran 1-0 as it was Messi-Iran 1-0. 

[Florestan]

There's no surer thing than an England win tonight

This is wishful thinking, I'm afraid.

[AnthonyAthletic]

Its horses for courses, Suarez could've sat on a deck chair in the England game, got up, yawned and scored at England's own leisure.  ie You don't have to play against England because we will usually create your best chances for you.

I expect Uruguay and their one man team of Suarez to be marked out of the game tonight, a game Italy won't lose...there, I said it LOL.

Uruguay twinned with Liverpool

[AnthonyAthletic]

This is wishful thinking, I'm afraid.

Nope, its a gimme.  There's no way Costa Rica will risk any of their 'star men' tonight less fear of bookings and dodgy tackles from a team going for it last and only hurrah.

We shall see.

[Florestan]

We shall see.

Yes.

[Obradovic]

You don't have to play against England because we will usually create your best chances for you.

Those classic English sarcasms are always delightful LOL

[Brahmsian]

I heard a joke at work this morning:

'What is the difference between the England soccer team and a tea bag?' - The tea bag stays in the cup longer. 

[Florestan]

I heard a joke at work this morning:

'What is the difference between the England soccer team and a tea bag?' - The tea bag stays in the cup longer. 

[AnthonyAthletic]

I heard a joke at work this morning:

'What is the difference between the England soccer team and a tea bag?' - The tea bag stays in the cup longer. 

Did you hear the one where Sepp Blatter visited Wembley?  Roy Hodgson asked "Would like a cup of tea or perhaps coffee Mr Blatter?", to which Blatter replied "You'll have a hard time doing that Roy, when all the Mugs are on the field".