Brazil 2014 Fifa World Cup Thread

[War]

Marcotti: UEFA nations fail to deliver - ESPN FC

 

[War]

 

[shravi]

My team of the group stages:

----------Ochoa---------
Aurier-Godin-Marquez-Blind
-----Pirlo-Mascherano-----
-----------James---------
Robben----Messi----Neymar

Will be interesting to see how it changes. Benzema, Muller, Sanchez, and Van Persie could all have been in this team as well. I know it hasn't looked like Pirlo had a great World Cup, but in the Costa Rica game, he created so many good chances. I can think of at least 2 that were put on a plate for Balotelli, and that was despite Pirlo being fiercely marked throughout the game. He didn't make a single bad decision, and I don't think he was at all responsible for Italy going out.

 

[War]

BBC Sport - World Cup 2014: Nigeria boycott training in money row

Oh dear...

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My team of the group stages:

----------Ochoa---------
Aurier-Godin-Marquez-Blind
-----Pirlo-Mascherano-----
-----------James---------
Robben----Messi----Neymar

Will be interesting to see how it changes. Benzema, Muller, Sanchez, and Van Persie could all have been in this team as well. I know it hasn't looked like Pirlo had a great World Cup, but in the Costa Rica game, he created so many good chances. I can think of at least 2 that were put on a plate for Balotelli, and that was despite Pirlo being fiercely marked throughout the game. He didn't make a single bad decision, and I don't think he was at all responsible for Italy going out.

Yea nice squad. I'm not 100% sure of Mascherano has stood out in mid-field, but then again I can't think of any other mid-fielder who has looked outstanding TBF.

Herrera from Mexico has been pretty energetic, but no one else comes to mind.

 

[War]

Best World Cup players at Brazil 2014 - ESPN FC

 

[shravi]

Hmm, fair enough on Pogba, Medel, and Gonzalez. To be honest, I haven't paid much attention to France's games (just been running in the background). I don't know why, but they bore me.

I wouldn't have Jermaine Jones in there. All of USA's defensive-minded players have put in good shifts, but they have also been pretty leaky, and quite lucky they didn't let in more goals (e.g. vs Ghana and Germany). For example, I think Fabian Johnson has been outstanding going forward, but has been to blame for at least a couple of the goals the US let in.

I can see why they didn't include Pirlo though. He needs other players to make him look good like I said earlier, and Italy were pretty toothless in attack after the England game. I would still pick him though, not based on past performances/reputation even.

Looks like at least 7 players are obvious selections though. Glad I got those right!

 

[War]

Alex Bellos World Cup 2014 column: The lack of vocal support for Brazil has exposed national divides - World Cup 2014 - Football - The Independent

 

[SiriusBlack]

edited

 

[War]

The Human Cost of the FIFA World Cup | Global Research

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We found THAT sexy Colombian World Cup fan and she?s incredible | Girls | FHM.com

Goodness, need a Latina chick in my life :eek

 

[thedon5]

Nick Hornby - Has the World Cup really been that good? - ESPN FC

 

[War]

The World Cup is ?God?s gift? to Brazil?s single ladies | New York Post



All of us on PC are idiots for posting on PC during the W-Cup, instead of saving money for years and being down in brazil to experience this.

 

[shravi]

Yea nice squad. I'm not 100% sure of Mascherano has stood out in mid-field, but then again I can't think of any other mid-fielder who has looked outstanding TBF.

My Mascherano pick from my team from the group stages looks like a fantastic shout by me now, War! haha. i'm going to chalk that one up

Here's my team of the tournament:

-------------Neuer-------------
Lahm---Hummels--Garay---Blind
--Schweinsteiger--Mascherano--
-------------James-------------
---Robben---Messi---Neymar----

The only players I feel bad about leaving out are Muller and Kuyt. Perhaps Kuyt can be selected over Blind? It was a toss-up between Khedira and Schweinsteiger as well, but Schweinsteiger played today, and Khedira didn't, and that's what it came down to for me.

 

[War]

Ha no worries, i guess at the time of the group i wasn't sure.

 

[War]

Best World Cup players at Brazil 2014 - ESPN FC

 

[thedon5]

Not sure what Vidal's doing there. Shame he was injured.